We departed PDX on Wednesday, March 23 enroute through Dallas/Ft. Worth to Norfolk, Virginia to begin this long-awaited trip. The flights were uneventful and comfortable -- and after picking up a rental in Norfolk, we arrived at our son Neal/daughter-in-law Anna's Williamsburg, VA home to enjoy our first meeting of 21 day old Geneva Rose - their first child, our third grandchild and second granddaughter. What a delight that perhaps only grandparents can truly understand -- the opportunity to hold a baby that brings back all the most wonderful memories of raising her dad and aunts.
We then checked into a nearby 1 bedroom time-share type apartment which we had arranged through a private owner advertising on homeaway.com (http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p110060?). It turned out to be a very comfortable and convenient place to stay just about 2 miles from the kids' home.
Each of the seven days we stayed in Williamsburg were spent happily with the new grand daughter/family. On the fourth day of our visit, Anna's mom arrived for her first visit to meet Geneva. It was great to have 3 generations on both sides of Geneva's family together. In addition, in celebration of my (Noel's) 60th birthday that occured during the week -- Neal/Anna arranged a gathering of area colleagues/friends on one evening. It was great to visit with 3 additional William and Mary philosophy professors and their spouses -- and enjoy my favorite dessert: Jamoca Almond Fudge ice cream pie.
Turning 60 wasn't all that bad considering the fun we were enjoying -- and the actual date of my birthday we enjoyed getting $100 gift card for attending yet another time share sales presentation - something we've had fun with before -- posted about it a prior blog here . In addition, I had a leisurely, conversation filled lunch with a former boss who had selected me for the job that took our family to Seattle, launching our love for the northwest USA; and, we got an offer on our La Center home that had only been on the market for a little over a week. Before we left Williamsburg, we were able to arrive at a mutually agreeable contract subject to the usual inspection, appraisal and financing contingencies. We remain hopeful that all will proceed as comfortably as it began in getting the house sold -- especially so quickly in a very crummy economy.
Here is a link to the photos Deb took during our Williamsburg stay: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=debtog&target=ALBUM&id=5590484086988362401&authkey=Gv1sRgCIimtezLxKD-MQ&feat=email
Friday, April 1, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
March 23 to April 26: Another Adventure Gets Underway
Deb and I are sitting in PDX airport awaiting our 6am departure on the first leg of a 5 week adventure to Williamsburg, VA to meet and spend 7 days with our newest grandchild - Geneva Rose - and her parents, and then off to Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands for three weeks - then to San Diego for a week before getting home on April 26. I'm not sure how frequently I'll choose to blog -- but I figured I should at least get one started. Stay tuned.
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