Daughter Kate drove 14.5 hours from New Jersey to our home in one day. She stopped in Virginia at our favorite barbecue place and brought all the fixings for proper barbecue sandwiches. What a great start for a wonderful visit!
Before leaving for church the next morning, Kate was there for the mirror ritual.
There was a special lunch after church for the retiring music director. We were sitting at a long table near the dessert station. Grandson Nathaniel was on the end, because he needs lots of space to stow his long legs. In one smooth move, he was on his feet and moving toward the serving table. I took a quick photo that shows nothing more than Nate’s back, but he went to the rescue of a short woman struggling with a heavy bucket. He easily lifted the bucket and poured iced tea into the dispenser. Without fanfare, the crisis was over.
After church and the luncheon, we walked through Forest City. It was a great break on the trip to take Nathaniel back to Charlotte. I was looking for photo ops, knowing Kate wanted a picture of her with her sons. Because there were eyes painted on the building, I made them pose on the sidewalk.
Nathaniel had to walk around some balloons, so there was another reason to take a picture. I’d never seen a balloon with something like confetti inside it. Can you see that in the white ones near Nate’s head?
I was tickled at the interest the boys showed in a baking company. Both were peering in the windows, and then Nathaniel was on the ledge, leaning in.
My favorite shot was in the center of the main street.
The final photo was taken outside Nathaniel’s dorm before we said goodbye.
Mehrling Muse 
Lovely photographs Anne.
Massive Hugs.
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Thank you, David. We are having a wonderful time.
Family Hugs
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So nice to see all of you in those lovely pictures Anne
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it is so wonderful to be together.
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Wonderful pictures, looks like a great visit. How wonderful too, that your daughter stopped to pick up a special lunch for the family. Hope you enjoy your visit. blessings, Michele
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We are having a ball together. Thank you for the blessings.
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How great for everyone to be together. Kate´s boys are so much taller than her. I love the photo by the eyes! Enjoy the rest of Kate´s visit.
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John’s family and mine were short to average, but Kate’s boys shot up higher.
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💗
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Wonderful pictures. Kate must be pleased with the pics of her and her sons.
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I remembered to send her the poses she liked, so my job is done.
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Kate looks great! Everyone does. And I do love balloons with confetti in them. They are fun to shake.
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We didn’t know to shake the balloons with confetti in them. Now we know.
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I might not have known if we didn’t have toddlers in the room for Hudi’s wedding. With balloons like that. Very fun for all 😀
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What an awesome start to Kate’s visit!
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Lovely pix! (The eyes have it.)
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Good one, Pete.
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My husband understands needing to find great barbecue, as does your daughter. It would be the only reason we would ever leave Connecticut. LOL
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Good BBQ was one of the reasons we left NY.
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Excellent. My husband from New Orleans would understand completely. Too funny what is sold as barbecue here. We have left meals unfinished.
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The best BBQ we found north of the Mason Dixon Line was Famous Dave’s.
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Where was that?
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Youth! I’m not too sure I would drive that far …in one day.
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My limit for driving is about one hour. Kate must have John’s driving genes.
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Fun pictures Anne. That last one shows the family resemblance – they all have the same smile. 🙂
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I’ll have to look at the smiles. We had reason to smile!!
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The best reason and Smiling is contagious! Thanks for spreading them. 🙂
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Great pictures Anne especially those of Kate with Nathaniel and David but the other family photos are equally as nice. Nathaniel’s short and sweet visit packed a lot of hugs and smiles.
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14.5 hour drive?!?! For me, when I drove, 5-6 hours was realllly long!! Kate must’ve left *very* early in the a.m., right? As in: it was still dark? Lol. BTW, the father of Nate must’ve been exceptionally tall, since I see him towering over his mom! Lovely family pix!!!
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I don’t think Kate left exceptionally early to drive here. It was well after dark when she arrived.
Nathaniel’s dad is not especially tall. We don’t know where the tall genes came from. Nate towers over his other two half-brothers. Our families are short to average.
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Mystery genes!
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