Jul 11, 2010 - Charlotte, NC

For breakfast today we stopped at Bojangles on the way to Kelly's house. After we got there our first project was to fix the screen enclosure around the trampoline as sun damage had cased the straps to rotten. That was a very hot project! In the afternoon we took the kids to Veterans Park where they played in the water and then over to Kelly's boss's house to pickup a desk that Kelly will use to do work at home. For supper tonight Shawn cooked Spiedies on the grill. They were very good!

Jul 10, 2010 - Charlotte, NC

Today we didn’t get to Kelly’s until 11am. We went to an Estate Sale down the street from Kelly’s where we found a music stand for Autumn. After that we hung out for a while and then went to Golden Corral for an early Lunch/dinner. After eating we stopped at some stores to help walk off all the food. Back at Kelly’s Bo gave our truck a bath. It was so dirty as this was the first time it had been washed since we left home over a month ago. Our camper is very dirty too, but it’s looking like it won’t get washed until we got home.

Jul 9, 2010 - Charlotte, NC

Kelly had to work today so we went over to her house early to take care of the kids. I did 2 loads of laundry; we went to Wal-Mart and then ate lunch at Burger King. Kelly got home from work around 3:30pm. At Wal-Mart Kelly got a new BBQ Grill so Clay and Bo worked on putting it together. Clay was so cute wearing his tool pouch and helping Bo. We ate supper with them and then went back to the camper.

Jul 8, 2010 - Charlotte, NC

We made it to Charlotte around 2:30pm after stopping in Statesville at Camping World to get another hub cap and light bulbs for the camper. We are camped at McDowell Nature Preserve again this time on site # 10. We packed up as much of the kids that we could, but it’s going to take days to find all the kids stuff in the camper. On the way over to Kelly's house the temperature was 102!!! It's hotter than Florida here in Charlotte!! Clay was so happy to be home that he cried when he saw his mom. Autumn too was happy to be home. She missed not...

Jun 20, 2010 - From Hiawassee, GA to Charlotte, NC

Traveling with Carol, Lou & Beau .... We continue to try and keep cool. Usually sit out side in the mornings, under the awnings, with our large fan going. In the afternoon, if nothing is really scheduled, we don't mind having 2 A/C units going to keep us cool. Beau is grateful too, I know. The RV Park is called Fieldridge Acres (just adequate) . Chris has a long-time friend who lives in Holly Hill, near here, so they were able to visit with him and catch up with what is going on. We went out to eat a couple of times - Chinese was...

Jun 6, 2010 - Charlotte, NC

Today we spent the day getting ready to leave Charlotte tomorrow, doing laundry, packing Autumn and Clays things and doing some grocery shopping. This took us all day to accomplish. We had supper at the new Golden Corral in Matthews, NC. Tonight after we got back to the camper and everything put away we all worked on putting a puzzle together. The kids are really excited about going on the trip

Jun 5, 2010 - Redlair NatureFest

Today we were back at Kelly’s bright and early – we arrived at 8:00am. At 9:00am we headed to the Redlair Nature Fest in Gastonia, which is about 25 miles west of Charlotte. The fest was held on a 730-acre nature preserve/farm and was hosted by the Catawba Lands Conservancy. The organization Kelly works for (Clean Air Carolina) staffed a table at the event, which Kelly set up as soon as we got there. Other vendors at the event included local artisans, a BeeKeeper, Carolinas Reptile Rescue, and Carolina Waterfowl Rescue. There were also...

Jun 4, 2010 - Charlotte, NC

Thank goodness we finally got to sleep in this morning! We didn’t get up until 8:30am! We did a stop at the bank and then went over to Kelly’s for the day. We spent all day at her house only leaving to go to her work in Uptown Charlotte to pick up some materials for her job’s booth at the Redlair NatureFest in Gastonia tomorrow. It’s looking like another early morning tomorrow. We ate at Kelly’s again tonight having roast beef, potatoes, corn and rolls.

Jun 3, 2010 - Preparations

Cari tutti! As the preparations for my Italian summer continue, I have decided to document my adventure for everyone to read! I hope that this travel blog will be a way for all my friends and family to get updated on what's going on with me on the other side of the Atlantic. I leave in 10 days, so the preparations will continue until next Sunday when my flight leaves! Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy future updates! Baci, Laura

Jun 3, 2010 - Autumn's Graduation Day

Oh my Gosh! We did get up at 5:30am this morning. We got to Kelly’s at 7:30am and got to the school at 8:30am the graduation starting at 9am. Autumn wore a pretty white dress and white shoes. Each graduate received a purple cap with a 2010 tassel. The school has a total of 130 students with a total of 16 graduates into the 6th grade this year. Autumn lead the graduates to their seats on the stage, the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the Star Spangled Banner solo. Jen Bourne gave the teacher reflection and complimented Autumn for her musical...

Jun 2, 2010 - Charlotte Again

From Fieldridge Acres We arrived back in Charlotte after attending the dog trials in Perry, GA with Stephanie and Russell. Time has really flown by and we have been taking care of Phoenix and just enjoying being in Charlotte. Hopefully, we'll get around to seeing some of the highlights before we leave for good. Tomorrow we are heading to the mountains in Virginia and then maybe spending a few days in Sandbridge. Bill was getting something out of the pantry today and one of the drawers broke so he made a trip to Lowe's and got the proper...

Jun 2, 2010 - Charlotte, NC

Today we left out earlier than any day, leaving at 7:30am. We needed to get to Charlotte so we could attend Autumn’s graduation dinner at her school. Autumn is graduating from the 5th grade and going into the 6th grade next year. She is so excited! We arrived at McDowell Nature Preserve (the rate $26 per day) site #RV8 at 2:00pm, setup and got to Kelly’s house at 5:15pm, just in time to leave the house to go to the dinner which started at 6pm. We got there early enough so Autumn had a chance to show me her classroom and a tour of her...