PawPaw Visits!

KJ Doing a CandyBall at PawPaws Hotel

(4/15/11-4/16/11)

The past 2 days we've had some special visitors .... Val's Dad, Charlie, and his friend Barbara.  They were on their way down to West Palm Beach and were able to stop by for a couple of days and visit us in Vero Beach.

As is tradition, Pawpaw brought in treats and presents for the girls.

Pawpaw is a master at Barbie dresses

The big hit was the Barbie clothes and the Barbie movie.

The girls ended up spending almost all of Saturday with Pawpaw and Barbara while Val and I borrowed Pawpaw's car for a provisioning trip.

Barbara holds Dy while Dy looks anxiously on
as KJ prepares for her next CandyBall

We were so happy they could stop off and see us. The girls had an absolute blast and have been asking about when they will see Pawpaw and Barbara again.

Captain Charlie

Captain Charlie Freeman, Dy, and KJ

While we prepared for this trip, there were a number of Internet forums that Val and I joined.  One that I became a member of is called "Living Aboard." The focus of the forum is living aboard your boat, from the perspective of those doing it, those whom had done it, and those whom want to do it.  This is the most positive, congenial forum I've ever been a member of.

Of the many seasoned water way veterans that tread the board, one guy in particular stands out as very funny.... Captain Charlie Freeman.  Charlie is a licensed USCG Master Captain whom will get your boat from point A to point B.  He has done all sorts of other commercial boating activities to include fishing. Charlie also happens to live in Jacksonville, FL and so I asked if he would stop by.

Captain Charlie came over, met the kids, and Val asked him a billion questions about going South.  His detailed, local "Been There Done That" knowledge is incredible.  We are very grateful for his time and obvious experience.

Captain Charlie's Prowess as a Grandpa came through

If we find ourselves in some weird predicament with our boat, there is zero doubt about whom we would call.

If you find you need someone to help you transfer your boat over a waterway, you really need to reach out to Captain Charlie.  His number is: 904-704-3627 ... and tell him the Sailboat Family said Hi!

Bryson, Melissa, Austin, and Emmy Visit

26MAR11

Austin and Emmy hanging out with KJ and Dy

Today we had special visitors! Bryson and Melissa, friends of ours from Atlanta GA, happened to be passing through Jacksonville and paid us a visit.  This was great as it meant that KJ could reunite with a couple of her friends, Austin and Emmy.

Byson and Bill catching up

Emmy and Dy discussing world politics

KJ drawing a picture for Melissa to guess at

After showing the boat, we all headed to lunch

It is good to see old friends

And sad to say good bye

It was fantastic to see some of our good friends from Atlanta.  They brought a lot of positive energy with them, and it was good for KJ and Dy to play with their friends again.  Thanks for visiting Bryson, Melissa, Austin, and Emmy! Who knows where we will rendezvous next?!

David and Nancy visit

This afternoon my brother David and his wife Nancy came out to visit us. KJ and Dy had never met their uncle and aunt, making this an extra extra special visit. After catching up a bit and giving a nickel  tour of the boat, we went out to dinner and talked about the similarities between David and I... quite amazing how many there are given that we were not raised together (David and I share the same biological father, but different mothers).  We enjoyed learning more about David's chiropractic business, and we enjoyed sharing more details about our trip with them.  KJ quickly built an affinity for Nancy, while Dy was connected with David.  We are so glad they made the drive out to see us.