First Father’s Day . . . and First Trip to the Mountain House

Not only was this weekend Patrick’s first Father’s Day, but to celebrate, we took Anne Louise on her first trip to Nana’s mountain house in West Jefferson, North Carolina. The mountain house is one of Patrick’s FAVORITE places, so it was appropriate that we celebrate the weekend there. We did all the usual things – lots of sleeping, heading into “town” on Saturday to eat BBQ and shop, relaxing on the porch, and eating some good food! We didn’t get there until later on Friday night, so everyone (including Anne Louise) slept late on Saturday (until 9:30 – it was GREAT!). Anne Louise got dressed in her special John Deere outfit from Aunt Meagan, which was PERFECT for a trip into downtown West Jefferson. First, we hit up the coffee shop, which makes the BEST lattes. Patrick got a little work done, while Carrie read her book and Joan read to Anne Louise.

Then, we did a little shopping. We took advantage of some good sales at the outdoor store (new flip flops for Patrick and a new raincoat for me), and then headed to the Hardware Store. Anne Louise waiting patiently outside while I got swindled inside by Patrick and the owner. Somehow, we ended up with a BB gun that Patrick has “allegedly” been eyeing for four years. Since it was Father’s Day weekend, I gave in and now Patrick has a new toy that he keeps at the mountain house. After downtown, we kept our tradition of eating at the BBQ restaurant where we always eat on Saturdays during mountain-house-weekends. After lunch, we went to Ingles for the groceries to make dinner . . . well, for Joan to make dinner . . . and then headed back to the house for some R&R, while Patrick did the “yard” work.

Take a look at the before and after of the yard!

We enjoyed Patrick showing off his work! Saturday night, Joan cooked a luscious dinner and our mountain house neighbor (and longtime family friend from Charlotte) Laura came over with her friend Nancy for dinner. Laura got to FINALLY meet Anne Louise and gave her a BEAUTIFUL blanket she had made while “stuck” in the mountains during a snowstorm this winter. THANKS LAURA!!

Sunday morning, we went to brunch for Father’s Day before heading back home to Charlotte. In addition to the BB gun, Patrick got a new belt and belt buckle AND a new cooler for our beach trip coming up – he definitely racked up this Father’s Day! We had a wonderful weekend, but wished Nana had felt well enough to make the trip with us. Anne Louise kept her chair warm, though, for next time!

On a sad-for-us, great-for-her note, my grandmother Louise passed away over the weekend. I’ll post a picture and the obituary tomorrow, but am having some problems getting the picture to post. Louise was 96 years young (and anyone who knew her KNEW how absolutely young at heart she was), and had lived a fabulous life! Louise was suffering from several ailments and was very much ready for God to take her to heaven so she could be with her family AND her dog Happy. Louise is one of the wonderful strong women for whom Anne Louise is named, and I am so glad Louise had the chance to hold her little namesake before she got really ill. Louise was very sick the last week, but I will never forget the smile on her face when she woke up for just a few seconds and saw Patrick holding Anne Louise up for her to see. Louise will surely be missed, but we are so lucky to have known and loved such an amazing woman with so much spunk, character, humor, and love.