Whirlwind!

Since we have been at our "home base" in NC, we have been busy!  In addition to visiting family and friends, we have celebrated birthdays, a college graduation, Mother's Day and a few other events that were worthy of a celebration!!  Whew!

So here's 3 weeks in review!  (Wow - has it really been 3 weeks since we left CK?!)

Celebrating Amanda's birthday!

Linda and I ran away to the beach -  we celebrated 28 years of friendship!

Dan has been perfecting his new hobby...smoking meat!  Yum!!

Kork and Paul enjoyed smoked ribs!

Dan and I drove to Wilmington to celebrate Ashleigh's birthday and bring a load of stuff back in advance of her moving out in May.  We also brought a surprise....her brother!

Ashleigh and Brandon

Birthday pie!  Happy Birthday Ash!

About a week later, we headed back to the coast to celebrate Ashleigh's graduation from UNCW.
Tropical Storm Ana was hanging around but did nothing to dampen our celebration!

Time flies as it seems that it was only yesterday that Ashleigh graduated from pre-school at Ms. Jerri's...fast forward 17 years and....voila!

That was then...

This is now!

Ashleigh and I

Ashleigh was glad that her Pop-pop was able to come to graduation

Ashleigh and her Nana 

Amanda, Ashleigh, and Brandon

Not sure how I missed getting pics of Ashleigh with her Aunt Cathy and Uncle Bruce and Aunt Barbara!  Must have been the craziness of the day!

Prior to graduation, Ashleigh was honored at a banquet and received UNCW's, "Distinguished Engagement Award".  This is awarded to a select group of juniors or seniors who have made significant contributions to the university, shown exemplary leadership skills, and is an excellent representative of the university and a role model to others.

I am one proud Mom!  Within the next week, Ashleigh will travel to Colorado where she will be working at a Christian youth camp leading teenagers on back-packing trips in the Rockies.  After the summer, she will intern at the camp learning how to operate and manage a camp, develop programs, etc. etc.  Safe travels, Ash and enjoy your time in Colorado!

After graduation, we headed back to my parent's house and had a few celebratory meals for Ashleigh's graduation, Brandon's birthday, and Mother's Day. Saturday night was full of laughter around the dinner table.  We had so much fun and laughed until we cried!

Birthday cake!

Brandon showing off his birthday loot...man-apron and bowl holder (on head!)

Yes, you can be anything, Ash!

Mom showing off her Mother's Day wall-hanging I made

Breakfast buffet

Trying to get a serious picture of my kids just doesn't work!

DIL, son, and daughter

Barbara, Mom, me, and Cathy

After everyone left on Mother's Day, Mom and I worked on craft projects and I planted more flowers that she had bought.  She has quite the green thumb!

Green beans already!

Pretty flower garden

We are now back at our home base in NC tying up a few loose ends before we start our summer travels.  Getting anxious to hit the road again! I hear Maine calling our names!