My brother, Taylor, had the idea to regather the family up there, as it had been years, for an early celebration of Pop Pop's retirement. There was lots of food.
And matchbox cars. And more food.
And demands. From the cranky one who likes to be carried everywhere.
And lots of hugs too.
And after we got tired of all the food, there was this to reinterest the appetite. Chocolate raspberry mousse cake in a triple decker. Mmmmmhmmmmm.
The newest addition to the family, baby Dean, didn't cry. Not once. All day.
No children were harmed in the flipping of the hammock.
I found a little orange salamander. Isn't he (she?) cute?
Cort, temporarily over the grumpies, was happy to blow bubbles for his cousin Grady to make him laugh.
And my brother John and I debated whether this was a rat skull. We decided yes.
Wonderful blog!
ReplyDeleteAnd I think that is a squirrel skull.
I love the parkway! We love it! Have a great weekend
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful family gathering! I love the cake!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful day you had! We just love going to the Blue Ridge Parkway for picnics. Our favorite things to do is to pick blueberries on the BRP. It is something we do every year!
ReplyDeleteI love family get togethers. So much fun being with the people who know you best.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful day with family!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome place to have a gathering.
ReplyDeleteLovely "family photos" you show - it looks like it was a really nice trip. Wishing you a good Friday :) Hanne Bente
ReplyDeleteLove that cabin! It looks like the perfect setting for such a fun family gathering!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful day! But yikes! Is that a tooth hanging off that skull? It looks enormous!
ReplyDeleteI agree with cat on the skull.Love the little salamander.You had a nice area to play.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Pop-Pop had a great and relaxing "retirement party". LOVE that cabin too
ReplyDeleteWhat a great family gathering! I love the Blue Ridge Parkway--breathtaking views.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was growing up, my extended family gathered together a lot--my mother had 9 siblings and my father had 7, so I had lots of cousins to play with.
Every summer there's a big family reunion "down on the branch." It's a place in the woods by a branch (smaller than a creek) that's been fixed up with a nice pavillion, bridge, etc. I used to go every year.
I love the Blue Ridge Parkway! I've been there many times, and this post makes me homesick for the east coast.
ReplyDeleteYour brother Taylor had a great idea gathering all of you there-it looks like you had a lot of fun!!
Have a great weekend Lisa!
That looks like such a fun family gathering!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a grand time was had by all! Love that orange salamander.
ReplyDeletesounds like a great time. :) love that salamander!
ReplyDeleteOne of the things we always do is plant a garden. And we love to camp. OK, the kids love to camp...me? not so much.
ReplyDeleteSandy
I am not sure what that skull is but I can't believe you touched it...ewww. The little orange guy is a cutie though.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful place for a picnic! One of our family traditions is a picnic at the lake - complete with swimming and boating and skiing and fishing! Love those summertime memories:)
ReplyDeleteWhat great pictures!!! And the cake looks very special! How many were there? I have never heard of this place...the little Salamander is adorable, it looks like a colorful toy! And I bet the weather was perfect!
ReplyDeleteAh----just nothing better, Lisa. I love the Blue Ridge Parkway ---and I can imagine having a family get-together up there... Awesome!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures.
Have a great weekend.
Hugs,
Betsy
Aside from touching the rat skull, it was wonderful! Being with family is really such fun!
ReplyDeleteOur family really has no traditions because we are spread from one side of the U.S. to the other. There is however, one family reunion that is held in the midwest each summer... if it were in a cool month like October I would consider going, but August in Iowa just doesn't fall on my 'list of things I want to do".
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your Dad! What a lovely place to gather with family. Thanks for sharing the photos. I've never seen an orange salamander! Wishing you all a happy father's day weekend.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like an awesome tradition. So, did you keep the orange salamander? It's kind of cute!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great family gathering! Looks beautiful and very peaceful! What a cool salamander too.
ReplyDeleteSarah from The House That Ag Built
Sounds like a very nice place to have a family gathering.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a lovely family outing. It is always so nice to gather a family together. Just stopping by to check out your blog. I hope you have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice get together. Cute little kids and Salamander, even the skull.
ReplyDeletei always love family gatherings, looks like a great day had by all.
ReplyDeletei really like your shots, lisa.
What a great way to have a retirement party, reliving good memories. Our family, my mom's side, have a reunion at the local park once a year. Now that my Grandma, Grandpa, and several of their 14 children are gone, fewer and fewer come each year. It will be sad to see such a wonderful tradition end.
ReplyDeleteOh what a wonderful time for you to all spend together!
ReplyDeleteMore memories to be stored in your hearts!
love
tweedles
Getting together with family, to celebrate, or just to hang out for no reason, is always the best time!! The little orange salamander is sooo cute!
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat little family reunion. Perfect summer fun : )
ReplyDeleteThat really does look like so much fun! Well, except for the rat skull *shudder* ; )
ReplyDeleteHow sweet! Your salamander looks like a Red Eft!
ReplyDeleteSweet times, beautiful memories.
Greetings from Cottage Country!
Looks like so much fun! Traditions are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWe have a few yearly gatherings too and I am really learning to embrace them!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely place to have a get-together. I'm sure it was a great time had by all.
ReplyDelete