US Visit Feb 2016

It has to be in parts, sorry, though the parts are compact. But this is after all, four weeks of visits and kids and family and friends and even other stuff (though I forget exactly what "other stuff" is). But it's none of those things when we are there.  It's fun in parts.  Vacation parts.  And we love each one of those parts.

Part 1 is a teeny bit of Orlando.  We arrive, touch down, and move on. It's hard to take in all the changes at Lee and Crissy's - paint inside and outside, NEW POOL!!  Outdoor kitchen!! This looks so great, but we have to wait for our return to fully enjoy it.  What we could enjoy immediately was warm temperatures and wonderful sunshine. I even got a bit of sunburn.  Oh, Florida!

Then off to Lynn Haven and the Ginns. Yes, they all live there, but these people are busy (!) and it seems seldom in the same place at the same time.  Hunter at college, Hannah a junior in high school, classes for both of them, after-school job for Hannah, Michelle and Joey with work and boards  and volunteer activities.  I think I remember some of this, but teenagehood with parenthood is a world of its own and hard to comprehend when you are out of it.  But the teenagers seem to handle it well.  These parents too.  Good for them!

There was the obligatory visit to the beach. My first visit to the beach in Panama City was August 1962. I remember sitting under the pier (the earlier incarnation) and reveling in the surf and sand. I still enjoy both.  A ladybug on a piece of driftwood caught my eye.  It's springtime.

Hannah's working at Cahall's taking orders and making sandwiches after school and on weekends and we went there for lunch one day.  I ordered the Reuben since the owner told me it was wonderful.  OK, he was right!  But Hannah actually made it.  Soooooo good!!  Thanks, Hannah!

The guys put together a potting bench because there are so many pots on the deck that need attention now and again.

One night there was a beer and wine tasting event at the beach - oysters for us and Apalchicola beer followed by a dinner nearby.  Fantastic! I have to say, we had more than a few amazing dinners.

We got to meet the newest member of the family, Andy. Andy the dog. But don't tell him he's a dog.  He's people, just like Riley.

 Looking back I have to say that was incredibly short, that visit.  I'm thinking it's time to move closer to my people. 

Quick, quick, drive to Atlanta! 

A lot of this part of the visit was about mother, who's recently been moved into the "memory care" section of the assisted living facility where she's been happily settled for a couple of years.  Werner and I went to visit her each day and were glad to meet the thoughtful, patient and kind caregivers, and have a look at the new surroundings.  We're convinced she is in good hands.

But of course  most of the time was spent with sisters and BIL's, for sure some of the best BIL's in the world.  Werner reminded them of when he first met them, and Barry and Larry introduced themselves as the other -- really, guys!  Even now, poor Werner gets a bit confused...

Here we are in all our glory:

There were lunches and dinners together, a mall walk or two, a bit of shopping, but of course the highlight was a family get-together on Saturday.  Almost everyone got there, though we missed Gina and Tim+Carla.  Steve is looking and sounding great after a more than challenging year. Mother was happy to give lots of hugs to everyone (more than once, since she forgets she's already done that) and there was time for kids to play and others to have conversations.  Another great day!

Back to Florida - a stop at St. George.

But first a stop in Cairo and a short visit with Judy, former colleague and still a good friend.  It was such fun to catch up after a long time and since Cairo is on the way to here and there, we'll for sure do this again!

It's a treat to visit Nancy wherever she is, but I have to say that St. George is my favorite place to visit her.  We get the upstairs bedroom facing the ocean, hear the surf going to sleep, waking up in the middle of the night, and waking up in the morning. It wasn't always warm.

The Sun did her thing and shone phenomenally, there were oysters and shrimp (!!!!!),

a side trip to Apalachicola, a bike ride along the island,

 

 

and a short visit with Sam and Tom.  A lot packed into just three days.

And back to Orlando ... 

We had fun with the kids.  Dylan finished up a potholder for me - a reminder of the ones I did as a kid just about her age.
 

Hayden finished up another 3-D puzzle or two, this one the Parthenon which he'll see this summer.

There was build-your-own-pizza night.

Time around the pool.

Dylan helped Werner finish up a bird house for Julia.  Great job, folks!

There was a chance again to see an old friend - Beth Boozer, staying in Cocoa for a few of the winter months. We last saw each other in England in 1998!   I hope it isn't so long till the next time.

And a birthday!! Hayden is now 11 years old.  Looks like he can't quite believe that hug from Meemaw.  Really lady??

He got lots of presents including Kinder Überraschung from us (those surprise eggs that are illegal in the USofA) and was not a little disappointed when all the present opening was over.  But is that a great smile or what??  More next year, Hayden, next year.

 

And ending up here with a favorite picture.  It is great being around the kids (big and small) and I hope they have as many good memories of our visits as we do!  See you soon!!