GrammySue, Emrick and Poppy Friday, September 10, 2010 Red letter day at our house. Emrick was left in our care for a WHOLE WEEKEND for the first time. Jonathan and Bailey flew out to Missoula, Montana on Friday for the wedding of Jonathan's college buddy, Colt after having spent the night at our house on Thursday. Colt was one of Jonathan's groomsmen when he and Bailey were married three years ago and although Jonathan wasn't in the wedding party, Colt invited them to the rehearsal dinner so they could catch up and visit. The wedding was Saturday and on Sunday they drove up to Glacier National Park, just a few hours north of Missoula on the Canadian border. Bailey had never been in that part of the country and she really enjoyed it. I'm glad they got to go and enjoy themselves without the boy. Every couple needs some alone time every now and then. They flew back on Monday, finally arriving in Charlotte, late Monday evening after several hours of plane delays. You gotta love air travel.
Meanwhile, GrammySue and Poppy had Emrick ALL TO OURSELVES for four whole days. On Friday the five of us drove up to Bear Bottom. Emrick, the Prince of Bear Bottom, Max, the King of Bear Bottom and Bristol, Emrick's older, four-legged brother, GrammySue and Poppy. What a sight this must have been. These two 50+ adults with a fifteen month old and two dogs and a weeks worth of luggage in a small SUV. Babies need a LOT of stuff. Glad we didn't bring the big stroller and we already have a bed for him at BB or we would have had to pull a trailer. Anyway we arrived Friday night after stopping at Cracker Barrel in Elkin for dinner. The little guy can eat. We didn't order separate food for him, instead deciding he could just eat off of our plates. Almost a mistake. I wasn't sure I was going to get any dinner. He loves just about anything you put in front of him. After dinner and a 45 minute drive "up the mountain" he was tired and almost ready for bed. Good thing, cause Poppy sure was. We got Emrick to sleep around 9 and we settled in and went to bed around 10:30.
Saturday morning we were up on Emrick time about 7:15. Grammy brought him to our bed as we generally do when we are together. He loves cuddling as he wakes up and playing in the
covers and pillows. I made breakfast for us all of grits and eggs. I was planning to head to town to pick up a couple of VFW BBQ chickens, the last of the season, when the phone rang. It was neighbor David offering to pick up some for us as he was already in line and the line was long and chickens were running low as everyone was stocking up, it being the last day and all. I willingly accepted his gracious offer and about thirty minutes later he was in our driveway with two BBQ Chickens. One for lunch and one for the freezer. David was planning to have someone come and do some painting so I offered to help him move some firewood that was stacked behind his garage so the painters could get to the walls. It was the least I could do for the friend who delivered VFW chicken at 9am. David and I are always working with each other and trying to help each other out. Sometimes big projects (I'll write about the bridge in a future blog) but many times just little things that just go easier with a helping hand and some friendly conversation. GrammySue took full advantage of this alone time with Emrick and they struck out for Sparta and the grocery store while David and I worked. Only took a couple of hours and in between some rain showers we got the job done; moving, splitting as needed and restacking. Nice easy morning compared to some of our "projects". Even the rain seemed to be a welcome element. As I always say, even a bad weather day in the mountains is worth 10 great weather days anywhere else.
Saturday morning we were up on Emrick time about 7:15. Grammy brought him to our bed as we generally do when we are together. He loves cuddling as he wakes up and playing in the
covers and pillows. I made breakfast for us all of grits and eggs. I was planning to head to town to pick up a couple of VFW BBQ chickens, the last of the season, when the phone rang. It was neighbor David offering to pick up some for us as he was already in line and the line was long and chickens were running low as everyone was stocking up, it being the last day and all. I willingly accepted his gracious offer and about thirty minutes later he was in our driveway with two BBQ Chickens. One for lunch and one for the freezer. David was planning to have someone come and do some painting so I offered to help him move some firewood that was stacked behind his garage so the painters could get to the walls. It was the least I could do for the friend who delivered VFW chicken at 9am. David and I are always working with each other and trying to help each other out. Sometimes big projects (I'll write about the bridge in a future blog) but many times just little things that just go easier with a helping hand and some friendly conversation. GrammySue took full advantage of this alone time with Emrick and they struck out for Sparta and the grocery store while David and I worked. Only took a couple of hours and in between some rain showers we got the job done; moving, splitting as needed and restacking. Nice easy morning compared to some of our "projects". Even the rain seemed to be a welcome element. As I always say, even a bad weather day in the mountains is worth 10 great weather days anywhere else. After our BBQ chicken lunch I put on a big pot of chili at Susan's request. Perfect day for it. A little cool and rainy. It made the house smell wonderful as it simmered. Emrick took a nap and we took advantage and did the same. David and Laura Lee joined us for dinner around 6:30 as we had planned earlier while stacking wood. 
Laura Lee brought a welcome surprise for little e. A tote full of toys and little boy things. A book, a ball, stacking/nesting barrels, a cool rolling dog and a car that plays music and makes neat sounds. What a sweet surprise. Now he has toys for the mountains when he comes to visit. Not to be outdone, I had a surprise for David and Laura Lee, their favorite bread, Texas Toast to accompany the chili with shredded cheddar cheese. We also had a Spiced Apple Cake made with fresh apples (Bailey had brought us the cake mix and the apples when they dropped off Emrick) and vanilla ice cream for dessert. David and Laura Lee went home around 8:45 and then it was Emrick's bath time. He was cleaned, dried and in bed by 9:30. We weren't far behind at 10:30. What a great day.
Laura Lee brought a welcome surprise for little e. A tote full of toys and little boy things. A book, a ball, stacking/nesting barrels, a cool rolling dog and a car that plays music and makes neat sounds. What a sweet surprise. Now he has toys for the mountains when he comes to visit. Not to be outdone, I had a surprise for David and Laura Lee, their favorite bread, Texas Toast to accompany the chili with shredded cheddar cheese. We also had a Spiced Apple Cake made with fresh apples (Bailey had brought us the cake mix and the apples when they dropped off Emrick) and vanilla ice cream for dessert. David and Laura Lee went home around 8:45 and then it was Emrick's bath time. He was cleaned, dried and in bed by 9:30. We weren't far behind at 10:30. What a great day.Sunday was another great day. Emrick had us up about 7:10 with more bed play time and then
breakfast of apple pancakes. Today's weather turned out to be sunny and bright after a dreary, rainy, foggy day yesterday. After Emrick's morning nap we took a ride around the property on our Bulldog (the four-wheeler) and walked up to the cemetery.
We took lots of great pictures to document this momentous occasion of Emrick's first solo weekend at Bear Bottom. Hopefully there will be many, many more. After naps all around and some time in Emrick's swing while Poppy stretched out on the hammock we packed up after lunch of leftover chili and headed down the mountain. We stopped in Mooresville for Emrick's first (and ours too) meal at a Steak and Shake. He loved the hat and the fold-up paper car and especially loved the grilled cheese, applesauce and french fries and all the activity. He just couldn't keep up with all the people coming and going, serving and clearing. We made it home around 9. Just in time as the Prince was down and out by 9:30.
breakfast of apple pancakes. Today's weather turned out to be sunny and bright after a dreary, rainy, foggy day yesterday. After Emrick's morning nap we took a ride around the property on our Bulldog (the four-wheeler) and walked up to the cemetery.
We took lots of great pictures to document this momentous occasion of Emrick's first solo weekend at Bear Bottom. Hopefully there will be many, many more. After naps all around and some time in Emrick's swing while Poppy stretched out on the hammock we packed up after lunch of leftover chili and headed down the mountain. We stopped in Mooresville for Emrick's first (and ours too) meal at a Steak and Shake. He loved the hat and the fold-up paper car and especially loved the grilled cheese, applesauce and french fries and all the activity. He just couldn't keep up with all the people coming and going, serving and clearing. We made it home around 9. Just in time as the Prince was down and out by 9:30. What a great weekend. One we will remember for a long, long time. Now Emrick will be able to read about it when he gets older, even if he doesn't remember. What a special time for his GrammySue and his Poppy. We love you little man.
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