Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Spring 2018 in Tennessee

Our teenagers
 Return from Dallas--West Memphis Truck Stop (busy)-- Then we got to Nashville the first week in April. Reconnected with friends, took on cheerleader role for Terry O'Donnell after his triple bypass surgery, Charlie Johnson is very ill from pancreatic cancer and we buried Diane Johnson who had been so sick from lung cancer for years. On a positive note, we did dinner with the Kitchels, Barksdales, Gilliams, Grahams and Hunsuckers and the Women's Club Friends. We found the kids great and ready to spend time with us. The Nashville Predators are in the playoffs once again so we again take up the sport--Nick and I text back and forth but couldn't get the Preds past Winnipeg. Terry once again swears off next year--he gets excited.
Leeton's program at the end of school


The Norris Family and Bitz


Leeton turned 8 on April 19th , Holden 6 on May 1st. They had a combined birthday party at the park with Balloon Man and Jump house. This was a huge success with about 30 kids and 30 of their parents. Katie is an amazing Mom and so the party was a HUGE success. 
Great birthday party



A trampoline from Lolo/Bitz
 

 
Leeton found makeup!
We babysat Rae and Carson while Andy and Mary went to Porta Veurta, Mexico with Wootzie and Ed for the first 2 weeks in May. God gives babies to the young adults for a very good reason. They wore us out but were sooo cute and made us laugh every day. Carson is 1 and the best crawler I have ever seen. Rae is 3 and about potty trained and full of spunk. Katie came to town to help during the weekend mid-way and boy did we need the break. We went to Bricks for dinner and stayed in the RV in the driveway and slept in. 
The Renaissance Festival was fun with all 4 children
Holden even took a bow and stole the show
 
Leeton loved her My Life doll


Fun summer fun





Floating Mill is on Center Hill and situated between Hurricane Marina (Steve and Sally) and Rob and Julia's Condo with the added bonus of about 1/2 hour from the Cookeville kids. We stayed there during the birthday party and then again the first weekend of June. Learning the tips of the trade of this very convenient state park.  Lie on the registration form:  38 foot RV's only fit in 5 of the spots according to the form but actually it can fit in most of the 30ft. and up spaces. No matter what they say on the web site--all the spaces have 50 amp. hookups.   They don't care if you show up and have lied (apparently) so there are a lot more places we can book. 



Rylan, Julia, and Robin at the Lakehouse for Kennah's birthday


Peggy, Cheryl, Judy Foster at Green Hills Grille for Woman's Club dinner

Fitz grew a hydrangea bloom 

Julia and Sally

Robin, Steve and Fitz--you can't make new "old friends"


Marge--after we were home a couple of weeks, we heard via email from Vicki Caernal--Bob's wife and Marge's daughter in law. She had gotten the letter (rerouted) that I had sent Marge detailing how we tried to get in touch with her when we were in Dallas/Grand Prairie. She said Marge had "take a turn" and was in her last days. She has little comprehension and they had moved her near them in Waxahachie, Tx. Then a few weeks later she wrote to say she had passed away. Terry and I were sad we had not gotten to see her- seems we were a week late. The memories with Marge are abundant and full of joy. She was a great lady.

Plan summer trips--Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, home