Family Visit

I had a wonderful day yesterday! My dad and Carolyn drove down and spent the day with me. They brought Chipper their dog. When I visited them earlier in the summer, Chipper wouldn't have anything to do with me or Nick. He's a very picky puppy. This time, he crawled right up on my lap like we had been friends for life. Nick will be so jealous. He usually makes friends with dogs before anyone else even has a chance.

We tried several times to stop by so dad could watch Nick practice football but for the first time all year they decided to practice all day in the gym. Partly because we had a really severe thunderstorm in the afternoon. It sounded like it was right over the house. There was no delay between the bright lightening and almost deafening thunder. It hit one time and my dad was off that chair in a second. I'm not sure I've every seen him move that fast in my life. It was a freaky storm.

We ate lunch at the Texas Roadhouse. Carolyn and I had salmon and dad had steak. After lunch we picked up the girls from daycare and went home. The girls took right to dad. Usually they are both a bit shy, especially Alyssa, but not this time. Emma talked constantly and Alyssa enjoyed playing "don't copy me" with dad.

Chipper didn't like getting in on the photo action. He's not used to being around children. I think they made him nervous. Emma loved snuggling up to her Great Grandma, though.

Dad loved it that Emma just jumped right up in his lap. She's not usually shy but it did surprise me she just climbed right up there. Dad has a way with kids. Carolyn said that he communicates with them on the same level. I think dad just rolled his eyes and went on. They have a great relationship. They tease each other back and forth and don't get mad. It's cute.

Carolyn brought me a stitching book. (A woman who knows how to get to my heart.) Dad brought me a picture of him and my mom when they were still very young. I think I was just a little over a year old when the picture was taken. He also gave me a picture of his parents when they were first married. I have to get my scanner signal to connect with my computer signal and then I will scan and post them here. I have to admit I have some very handsome and beautiful people in my family. (Maybe good looks skipped my generation and picked back up after me. LOL)

I sent them home with the apple coasters I made and a welcome banner that I stitched and finished the edges with the Finishing With Flair class I took from EGA. I think they liked them. I usually don't give stitched items as gifts but I know that they will both appreciate the hard work that goes into making something by hand.

Before the snow gets here this winter, Phoebe, the girls and I are going to get up to see them again. Nick and I had such a great time, he's ready to go back soon, too.

Vacation in Buckhannon

Nick and I went to spend a few days with my dad, Ray Unrue and my stepmom, Carolyn in Buckhannon, WV. We had a wonderful time. The weather was amazing. We had fun just sitting on the front porch and visiting. I went through a lot of old family pictures that my dad had and brought a bunch home for the photo album. He also gave me an antique Singer sewing machine that had belonged to my great-grandmother.The courthouse was decorated for the 4th of July. We walked along Main Street and wandered into two antique stores. I love doing that.

We took dad's boat out and went to Stonewall Jacksone Lake. It's the largest lake in WV. It was all man-made but wonderously beautiful. We were on the boat for awhile. Dad even let me drive but the photo didn't come out. Nick can be my witness, though. He has the red knuckles as proof.

This is my dad getting the boat hooked up to the truck. See the license plate? My dad loves his truck. He designed the stingray picture on the side of the boat.

The flag is at half-mast in honor of Senator Byrd's death.

Dad and Nick getting ready for us to set sail.

Nick is having fun. He just doesn't like getting his picture taken. When you see Nick, ask him how he likes carp. At the lake, you can buy bags of dog food and feed it to the fish. I fed them and even petted a few. Nick thought that looked like fun so he got down to pet them, too. One of them must not have liked it very well. It flipped its tail and splashed Nick right in the face. He stood up, his face, hair and shirt soaked mumbling, "Stupid fish." I wish I'd taken a picture of that.

Carolyn doesn't like getting her picture taken either, but I said "please?" so there we are.

On Friday, we had lunch at a steakhouse. They had the most delicious fries. Then, we went to see Eclipse. Dad didn't like it and Nick fell asleep. Carolyn and I LOVED it. I guess that's why it's called a "chick flick". Carolyn even caught an Eclipse t-shirt an usher threw into the crowd.

It was hard to pack up and leave but everyone back home was in need of "mom" and "mamaw" to be there. Dad and Carolyn are coming to visit soon and Nick and I will probably make it back up before summer's over.

I love you, Dad and miss you.