Our November Music Tour

During November Norene and Mike traveled in the 'Gumdrop' through nine states, over 3200 miles to attend two music festivals and visit with two of our kids and grandkids.

Our first stop was Eureka Springs, AR for their folk festival. The weather when we left was unusually warm and plesant. It wasn't long before the weather turned cool to cold to down right really nasty snow. Even with all the weather problems we had a fun time.

Eureka Springs is a fun special town as you will see in the following SmileBox.

Next stop was Townsend, TN where we attended another dulcimer festival. This time we took lessons. The people were friendly and the instructors were great. We learned many new things to play on our dulcimers. As time passes I am sure Mike will forget most of what he learned. The evenings were filled with concerts.

Townsend is at the edge of the Great Smokey Mountain park with beautiful fall scenes as you can see in the following Smilebox.

Hailey's Game Day

One fine football Saturday grandpa Mike was called upon to watch Hailey as Angie and Joe went to tailgate at the ND game. Hailey came in her ND cheerleader outfit. Grandpa being an IU man was not that impressed with the ND outfit, but he is always impressed with Hailey. We never know if grandpa is teaching Hailey new tricks or Hailey is teaching grandpa. Enjoy the pictures of our day together.

Hailey Moving On 12/5/08

In December grandpa Mike had the pleasure of spending time with Hailey. She was ready to move and kept grandpa on his toes the entire time. You can see Mike loved every moment.

November Visit With Grandbabies

In November we set out to visit with Laura & Lee and Brian & Melinda and play with the four grandbabies. Norene Had not seen Zach or Soloman since their birth in August. Mike had never seen the new babies. We make our 'grand tour' going from home to Charlotte to Chagrin Falls and back home. As usual Grandma Norene had lots of special things to bring to Ashlyn, Zech, Saturn, and Solomon.

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Hailey's Halloween Visit

It was Halloween evening and came a knock at the door. "Trick or Treat" or something like that came from the front porch. There stood Hailey in her first Halloween costume. Angie and Hailey gave us a wonderful treat as we played with the 'little dragon'.

Metamora Dulcimer Festival 9/9/08

On Labor Day weekend we traveled to Metamora, IN to enjoy the dulcimers and the special town of Metamora. During the week we visited with Lynn Kennedy, Mike's college roommate, took a train ride and kayaked the river. A great week!

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Florida 08 and Hurricane Ike

In August we headed south to meet Andy & Kirstin and Angie & Joe for a special week on the beach at Panama City Beach, Florida. The plan was to visit Andy & Kirstin in Baton Rouge on our trip south. The hurricanes had a different plan. Gus hit Baton Rouge and we were unable to get into Baton Rouge so we headed for Panama City for the week with the kids. However, hurricane Ike came. It wasn't near Panama City but the winds and sea surge was. Our trip was short but we did get to see somethings we really don't want to see again.

Grandma's Baby Tour

August 2008 was a very busy time for Norene. Laura and Melinda were both expecting babies at about the same time. Norene was working for Everyday Math and had teacher trainings to do during the 'baby period'. She took off on a wild tour which took her to Cleveland then to Charlotte back to Cleveland and then to Detroit. What a month for her! Enjoy the pictures of the proud grandma and the new baby boys.

T@B Factory Rally

In August 2008 we attended our second T@B rally. We went all the way to Bristol, IN to the Eby Pine's Campground to visit with other T@B owners. We took a tour of the Dutchman T@B factory. It was interesting seeing how our trailer was built. During the weekend we met many new people and enjoyed evening fires.

Lowe's Track Classic Car Show

The 'Gumdrop' was parked at the Fleetwood Campground next to the Lowe's Race track during the first weeks of April. During that time the Classic Car Show was held at Lowe's Race track. Norene and I spent a day revisiting our past when the classic cars were roaming the roads of our youth.

During our stay we visted with a group of campers who converted old motor coaches to motor homes, the 'Bus Nuts'. What a contrast between these motor coach and the tiny 'Gumdrop'! We had a facinating time learning how these motor coaches were revived and put back on the road.

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Evart Dulcimer Festival

July 2008 - Enjoying Dulcimers at the Evart Dulcimer Festival.

We parked the Gumdrop (T@B trailer) at River Country campground in Evart, Michigan and enjoyed four days of music at the fair grounds.

Norene worked with the hammered dulcimer and Mike worked with the mountain dulcimer. We attended many classes, saw the shows, and caught up on what has been happening in the dulcimer world.

As with all our other trips there were storms. This seems to happen every time we take the 'Gumdrop' out. Yet even storms and bugs didn't stop us from having a great time.

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Hailey's Roll Over

Little Hailey is learning to move. She now is rollong over. Grandpa tried to get pictures of her rolling over, but ... Watch and see what happened.

July 4th Camping Trip

We celebrated the 4th with a week of fun on the beaches of Lake Michigan. We visited Saugatuck, Grand Haven, Zeeland, and Coopersville. Our days were packed with seeing shows, The Capitol Steps, visiting the beaches, fireworks, train robbery, and browsing the shops. We found the best 'ice cream' shop in Saugatuck. Might have to drive up there every once in a while. We parked the 'Gumdrop' at a great campground in Zeeland. Again the trip started with big storms and ended with rain.

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Chagrin Falls Ohio 08

Brian, Melinda, and Saturn moved to Chagrin Falls, OH. We visited to see the new home. Melinda is close to 'baby time' as you will see in the pictures.

A Visit With Hailey

Grandpa Mike and grandma Norene got a nice visit with Hailey. Share our joy as we play with Hailey.

Sandy Pines Family Trip

In May 2008 Andy & Kirstin, Angie & Joe with Hailey, Mike & Norene all met at Sandy Pines for a weekend of family camping and fun. Moose enjoys a golf cart ride, the kids play music video games, and we all enjoy nightly fires, walks, and remembering old times.

Midwest Spring T@B Rally

In April 2008 on our way home from Charlotte we stopped at Turkey Run State Park, Indiana to attend our first T@B rally. What fun we had! Great people and fun times. So many little T@Bs in one place. Each T@B with unique touches.

Ashlyn at Two

Ashlyn turns two and grandma is there to enjoy. Watch the pictures and enjoy Ashlyn.

Angie & Joe's New Girl

On March 15, 2008 Hailey was born. The cutest little girl. She had lots of black hair and was as healthy as can be. Mommy Angie and proud father Joe were doing fine and very happy.

Angie Baby Shower

It is getting close to BABY time! Family and friends gather to celebrate Angie and the new baby.

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