Mystery Guests Revealed!

In my last post I mentioned my incoming Mystery Guests. Well, the secret is out-- in fact the visit is history. And a grand visit it was, though brief.

Our guests were my Dad and brother, Buddy (known to a few of my readers as Ellis). Though we've been together frequently, they had not been able to visit the Sandhills for at least a dozen years.

They arrived in time Sunday to attend evening church at Beulah Hill. Daddy had enjoyed Pastor Max Gilmore years ago and wanted to meet Pastor Curtis Barbery. My musical accomplices, Harold and Delores, helped me supply some of Daddy's favorite songs: "In the Garden," "Power in the Blood," "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder," and "The Little Brown Church in the Wildwood." We had a relaxed late-night snack at Panera Bread and all got a good night's sleep.

Monday's packed visitation schedule began at Jennifer and Matt's house where Claire was awake and ready to meet Great Grandpa Loyd and Great Uncle Buddy. This was our first opportunity to get a Four Generation picture on the Loyd side of the family.
Daddy was as proud as he could be, and Claire was very patient with all of us.

Buddy showed that his prior experience with Jennifer and Amanda and Brantley and Lindsey (our Georgia nieces) had prepared him for this historic moment.

Claire was on her best behavior. And so was Great Grandpa!

Grandpa Ken says, "I'm willing to share, but I get to hold her a while, too."

We toured some houses built by Kirby Construction en route to a visit to J.B. Short Carpet One. Daddy was eager to see Tim and Renee and Jack in the workplace. Daddy had last been there when the business first located in Skyline, and really enjoyed this return visit and the five-star tour he was given.

Then we headed toward Amanda and Stephen's house near Pinebluff. Brianna was primed to be our hostess. She took to Great Grandpa like a duck to water.

Likewise with Buddy. Fortunately, Bri took an instant liking to her Georgia relatives.

Says Brianna, "Ya know, I kinda dig these South-of-the-Border dudes."

Here is our next treasured Four Generations picture.

Still no objections from Brianna. She figures if Great Grandpa has been around 95 years, he must be doing something right. A good guy to hang out with.

"Now Buddy, I hope you'll tell me the truth about my parents and grandparents. They give me a bunch of propaganda."

Along with all the other excitement, Brianna decides to demonstrate her brand new prowess at sitting up!

After leaving Amanda's, we visited a very dear lady, widow of one of Daddy's WW II Air Force pals. Then we did a little more scenic touring before getting a late afternoon rest.

The whole crew, including Jack and Thelma, reconvened at Golden Corral for dinner. Brianna almost got away with trying some "solid" food. It won't be long.

Most of us headed back to the Loyd house for a little more family time.

The cousins appear quite curious about seeing someone close to their own size--finally. They actually do get together quite a bit, but are beginning to interact more and more.

Brianna says, "Claire, that's quite a muscle you're developing there. You work out?"

Claire says, "Ya know, just because nobody else is dancing doesn't mean we can't."

Our little get-together was a heap of fun.

And it should hold us till the next time we all get together again. Will Great Grandpa and Buddy even recognize these babies by Christmas? We think so!