Grady has now completed 2 of his courses (Inboard Engine Propulsion Systems and Diesel Engines, Power Generation and Marine Electronics) - both with honor roll, perfect attendance and holding his 4.0. In the last couple of weeks he has also been awarded with becoming an ‘Eagle Tech’ which means Outstanding Leadership, Character and academics. He also used to wear a blue shirt, and now he gets to wear a red shirt to show his achievement. I am very proud of him for continuing to keep his great attitude and motivation for success in his schooling - he truly has found something that he loves.

Grady graduated from his second course on Tuesday and had the rest of the week off. Mom flew into Charlotte Saturday and spent some time with Travis and Rachel. Tuesday night after school we drove up and enjoyed a great extended weekend. We helped Travis finish up a remodeling job in South Charlotte, enjoyed games and spending time together. Thursday was our lake day as Travis is renting his boat for the holiday weekend. We took the puppies out on the lake and really enjoyed our day. The puppies have not been on Lake Norman in almost 2 years and just enjoyed it more than ever. There was a duck in the water that they tried to get as they would swim out and back to catch their breathes and back out again. It was like a relay, as Chicago came back Daisie would go next. They were so fun to watch. Of course they jumped off the boat and chased the duck without their life jackets on, if they had them on they might have caught it though! Chicago really enjoyed his life jacket as he floated with us in the water for a long time and just hung out with me and Grady - happy as could be. Daisie did her thing exploring. We all miss the lake and a big part of us would like to move back and live on it.

Friday night the YMCA set off an amazing show of fireworks. We ate ice cream and sat on the grass watching them with some of Rachel’s friends. Then Saturday morning their neighborhood does a little parade (which is really not so little). Grady got up early and washed the cars and him and Steve pulled the kids on a decorated trailer through the neighborhood. We sat on the side of the road and watched while holding Daisie from wanting to go with all the other dogs (should have left her at home or brought her training collar!). It was really fun to watch it, felt like we were in farm town USA. Mom and me spend the next few hours taking pictures and we went and visited Sky’s Graveside (got lost along the way). Grady fixed or did something mechanical to Trav’s old wave runner that has been sitting for years; and we saw him truly smile through all the stress and that was nice. I think he enjoyed tinkering. Then Travis took and tested it on the water… I too think he enjoyed that!

Sunday we got up and I made everyone breakfast before we hit the road. We drove a little out of our way and got lost in Savannah. We did get to see the historic down town by car and then we had a picnic in a neighborhood park just off the freeway, then continued to be lost until we found a nice family that had us follow them across town with many turns to get us back to the freeway. It was a fun little adventure off the pathway. We then drove through St. Augustine and down the beach so mom could see the area.

It was a rejuvenating trip and all was enjoyed (except for the news from Papa, but our prayers and positive thoughts are with him and Grammy). The only thing missing was Grady’s family and dad… we miss them. We decided that we have a really neat family and miss spending time with them often.