2015 Holidays in North Carolina

After serving at the Creation Museum we were headed home (Cherryville, NC) to enjoy all the family and the holidays.  Sarah & Vince brought the 2 girls (Evangeline & Abigail) from Tucson to our house for 10 days while Sarah attended a continuing education seminar then they enjoyed the beach and R&R in Key West without the girls for a few extra days.  We were able to enjoy all 3 grand girls (including Lilly) for several fun action packed days including birthday celebration for all 3.  Then the Carotenuto’s were off to New York to spend Thanksgiving in New York with Vince’s family.

Up:  All 3 birthday cakes.  Mickey & friends for Abigail; Elsa for Evangeline and Doc McStuffin for Lilly.

Right:  Lilly blowing out 3 candles at her own birthday party at her house.

Below:  Girls have been told "don't touch while we sing"!

Lilly with Doc McStuffin removed from cake, what else matters?!

Evangeline singing "Let it go"!

Abigail:  So why do I get only snacks while watching Minnie instead of letting me handle my own cake.......BECAUSE THE OLDER FOLKS ARE IN CHARGE!

Our Thanksgiving was spent with the Libby’s in Charlotte with wonderful food and fellowship.  Then the month of December was in full swing with the usual hoopla of shopping and festivities while Wayne & I were able to get caught up on usual doctors and dentists visits spattered with fun times with friends and family along with concerts, school presentations and church events.  It was an extremely busy time of year coupled with RV repairs and must-dos before getting back in the saddle.  Oh did I mention we were good Panther fans and watched all the games with my family in full allegiance!  GO PANTHERS.  We are expecting to watch them in the Super Bowl.

Got some great professional photos made while all 3 families were together.

Evangeline Noelle Carotenuto 

Age 3

Abigail Grace Carotenuto
Age 1

Lillian Faith Fieler

Age 3

All 3 girls - loving those rides with G'pa!

At the lake house in  Cherryville, NC.

Our son on left - Philip Fieler and favorite son-in-law on right - Vince Carotenuto.

The Carotenuto's at Buffalo Creek Vineyard, Fallston, NC.

The Fieler's same venue.

Carotenuto's and Fieler's.

Snuggles are always welcome!

There is nothing like spending time with Great Nanny

(Mary Holland with Lilly & Addison)

in the infamous "button box"!

Then on the morning of Jan. 4th we were off again, this time in pursuit of Cho-Yeh Camp and Conference Center in Livingston, TX (just outside of Houston).  Thank you Lord for an uneventful and gorgeous drive close to 1,000 miles.  Overnight stops in Heflin, AL, West Monroe, LA and Livingston, TX before driving into camp.  Driving into the camp was a nail-biter!  Over the river, through the woods and over a 10ft wide bridge (with no guard rails) to park our RV for the month.  It’s all OK!  When you ask others to pray - they prove to be faithful and God’s peace flooded us as we drove in.  The project was iffy to say the least as TX has had copious amounts of rain this past Nov/Dec so standing water is everywhere.  We wanted to get over the Mississippi River as quickly as possible as they are expecting rising waters from up north.  We will be watching the news this week and pray that bridges will not be washed out, etc.

Our Sunday School class gave us another "send off".

The silver cross rides in our front windshield.  We miss our friends but

it is comforting to know they pray for us daily.

A gift of a wax job on the motor home proved to give us an extra mile per gallon!

Wishful thinking!

Good bye Moss Lake - spilled over the banks once again!

We will miss our house/home but to another adventure serving while sightseeing in our retirement.

We are here in Livingston, TX with 2 other couples, the Shusters and the Heilmans.  The men are expected to frame in a house they just gutted out last month so that 3 of their female employees can rent it and us ladies will be painting entry doors to the “motel” inside and out.  If we finish our duties there is plenty more to do!  ALWAYS!  Looking forward to the food here as we have heard that the chef here is awesome.  Thought I would be able to shed a few pounds from the holidays but it may be tough.  Time will tell, might have to hover over the salad bar only (NOT)!!!

Good bye to good times but looking forward to new sights.  Thanks G'pa for all the good rides and fun with my cousins.  M-e-m-o-r-i-e-s.........of the Holidays of 2015.

Good bye!  RV crazy or what?!!!!