Big Changes...

April 2014

August 2011

Veronica wanted to recreate one of the photos of the kids from our last visit in August 2011. Even from this strange angle, you can easily see huge changes in Ashlynn and Ben.

A Family Photo Shoot...

That evening Veronica took some family photos of Rachel’s family. These are my favorites.

Visiting UNC-Chapel Hll...

Our final college tour was at UNC-Chapel Hill, the only public school that we visited. Jimmy and Ashlynn went for a long run while Veronica and I went to an admission session and a campus tour. She really loved what she saw!

The tour ended at the Old Well, which was built in 1897 and was where Jimmy’s brother John proposed to his wife Lara. It was also the site where Veronica was baptized at six months old as Comes Too Soon by the Sir Walter Raleigh Hash during a Red Dress Hash.

Sushi with the Ladies...

The group might grow smaller with each visit back to North Carolina, but it was great catching up with these special ladies. This time there was just one Harriette (Dee), but Carolyn was in town and so were both my scrapbooking buddies (Debby and Karen).

Jimmy brought Ashlynn along when he picked me up, who now clearly towers over Carolyn.

Horseback Riding...

After dropping us off in Durham, Jimmy and Ashlynn headed towards Wake Forest to go horseback riding. Ashlynn especially enjoyed when her horse started to gallop.

The other kid that was on the trail ride apparently had quite a lot of experience, but found part of the trail too scary and got off to walk. Not surprisingly, Ashlynn had no fear and loved the entire experience.

Visiting Duke University...

The day after Easter, it was time to fly to our final destination: North Carolina. Veronica was especially thrilled that we were spending the week with her best friend Rachel. The following morning, Jimmy dropped Veronica and me off at Duke University for a tour of the campus. We were early for our info session and tour, so visited Duke Gardens, which was in full bloom.

Us usual, I love taking photos of Veronica taking photos. It was nice seeing some tulips since we were missing tulip season in Holland.

Veronica took these two photos of Duke Chapel. While she took a class, I visited with Erika and got a tour of where she works at the Duke Center for Child and Family Policy.

Family Portraits...

Jim was clowning around as we gathered for some family portraits. Unfortunately, Joe, Shannon, Arden, Jack and James were unable to come up from Jacksonville to join us.

Sadly, since this photo was taken, Jim and Susan have announced that they are splitting up. Jim is now considering moving back to Jacksonville after being away for nearly 20 years.

Hopefully there will be other opportunities for the cousins to gather together.