Pipgras Trails

New York City -- Sister's Weekend

2009-05-02T18:14:00.005-04:00

Little Italy - Our hotel was only a couple of blocks away and it was definitely one of our favorite places!

Statue of Liberty from the Ferry.

The lobby of our hotel.

Karra at one of the restaurants in Little Italy - I was having fun playing with my camera.
This is the New York Stock Exchange Building

Johanna and Karra on the Ferry.

Central Park -- I didn't realize there were so many rocks in Central Park.

Self Portrait in Times Square!

The Strand -- a bookstore that really had 18 miles of books!

Karra and I in front of the Statue of Liberty.

Karra and Johanna in front of all the M & M's!! A three story M & M store in Times Square.

Karra and I on the Brooklyn Bridge. We walked across the bridge over to Brooklyn and then walked back across on the Manhattan Bridge.

Johanna, Karra and I in Times Square.

2009-04-25T15:06:00.005-04:00

THIS AND THAT......MARCH AND APRIL 2009

Christinia, Phoenix and Rudonna...just before enjoying the delicious birthday cake that Christina made for me (R)

Tama, Phoenix and Matt. Phoenix looking at the videos of her cousins, Shaelyn & Paxton

Peeping around the corner

Amanda & Alayna

Robin and her, Uncle Mel

Cousins....Karra, Tama & & Robin

Phoenix and Christina

Phoenix and her grandmother...Debbie
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2009-04-25T14:13:00.007-04:00

Franklin and his sis, Yvonne...

Mel, Rudonna and Franklin

Mel, Rudonna, Linda & Brian

Then on the end of the Richmond trip we went over to Brian & Lindas for a few days. They had Franklin and Yvonne for dinner one evening.

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Meeting folks at Jack & Mary's...

Paul

Mel & Rudonna

Jen & Kyle

Jen, Kyle & Darlene

Jonathan & Julianne

One evening we had Paul (Laura was in NH) Darlene, Kyle & Jen at Jonathan & Julianne's for supper. Was sure fun being with those folks again..

2009-04-25T13:50:00.002-04:00

Wonderful time with dear friends..
Delicious dinner at Bob & Lindas with Jack & Mary and Jim & Jean before they left for Alabama

2009-04-25T12:41:00.005-04:00

Sonny

Sam

My good friend, Joan..
Frank

Rudonna & Joan

We visited Richmond Newspapers where I (Rudonna) use to work.... Here's some pics from that.

Our visitors in Wed. night meeting in Richmond from Australia..

March found us in Richmond for about 5 days. We stayed with Jonathan and Julianne and enjoyed seeing and visiting different ones in the area. Wed night meeting was at Jack & Mary's. We enjoyed meeting some of Mary Lou & Joanie's friends from Australia. We knew Nita's sister in San Antonia. Nita and her sister, Viviana, are originally from Mexico. We had also met another sister, Lydia...so it was nice to get acquainted with these folks.

Visitors for the Week-end...also had snow!

2009-03-02T17:35:00.008-05:00

We had snow in the NC Triad last night - about 4 to 6 inches. Karra took a walk in the snow and took these pictures.

Jonathan & Julianne from Richmond came down for the week-end. On Saturday, Jonathan, Julianne, Karra and Tama and Mel and I went to Winston Salem and did some site seeing and had lunch at this cute cafe/restaurant at Reynolda Village. On Sunday we all and Nikki went up to Tobaccoville to Pat's, Pam's and Patrick's for Union Mtg. and then had lunch at a Mexican restaurant with Ray, Karen and Shannon. Jonathan & Julianne left on Sunday evening to go home and the roads were so bad they turned around and came back and spent the night and then went home today.

On Saturday afternoon Matt, Christina & Phoenix came up for the afternoon and evening and had supper with us.

Phoenix and her little faces that she makes...

2009-02-24T21:22:00.006-05:00

Mel & Rudonna....Mel's birthday.. 2/19

Karra cooked the birthday supper and she also made the German Chocolate cake. We also had Ray, Karen, Margaret and Shannon over for supper. Karen's birthday is 2 days after Mels.

Right before we left for the airport to go back home from Brent & Johanna's..

With the grandchildren the night before we left to go back to NC.

Brent, Johanna, Paxton and Shaelyn

Shaelyn putting on a performance for us!

Naomi & Rudonna after Wed night mtg.

Shaelyn & Aunt Shelley.

Matt, Christina & Phoenix came up the last of January... Here's a few shots of Phoenix..
Phoenix... the last week end in January..

Phoenix and her big smile!!

2009-02-23T15:13:00.016-05:00

Johanna's Birthday Supper. .(3 days before her birthday...before they returned to NH)

Nikki and her folks

The following are some shots from New Year's Eve:

Nikki's Dad brought up firecrackers from South Carolina

and New Year's Day...

Paxton and Don playing the Wii.

Karra and Tama with their Holiday projects

The following are some shots that Nikki took for us:

Shaelyn & Phoenix

Above & Below...Pictures of the six of us P's

Matt, Christina & Phoenix

Our whole crew...

Brent, Johanna, Paxton & Shaelyn

Paxton holding his sister and cousin.

Phoenix on the shelf..

Morning Fun!

Tama & Paxton's alone time..
Johanna & our friend, Lorraine.

Nikki

Tama & Shannon

Jack ...in the kitchen...eating or cooking?

Nikki's sweets...pretty and good!

Karra & Shaelyn

I'm still posting a little from last fall and then hope to catch up through the Christmas holidays and get current again!
We enjoyed some days in Richmond in the fall before heading back south after our big fall trip. We saw Matt and Christina and Phoenix soon after we got back and then they joined us for Thanksgiving on Thursday evening and stayed until Saturday morning. Here's some pictures from that time:

Phoenix Thanksgiving 08

Phoenix 11/8/08

2009-01-19T17:28:00.002-05:00

We had a few more days back at Coranns before heading back to New Hampshire. On Monday noon, Jim and Nancy, took us to meet Jill & Toriana at Applebees for lunch. Jill's folks and Mel and I were friends before we had children. Then Jill was in Richmond at college and was in mtg w/us. We enjoyed having her in our home. Then Jill and our daughter, Johanna, shared an apartment for awhile before Jill left Richmond. It was neat to see Jill and her little girl, Toriana. Jim and Nancy and Mel and I did a little shopping and then got back up with Corann and went on up north of Arlington to meet Don, David and Nicole Ross for supper at Olive Garden. We were sad that Carol was in Florida the entire time we were in WA...so didn't get to see her. The last 2 days we saw all the West Coast Breeding nieces and their children again before leaving the state. On Tuesday night, Corann and Mel and I met Jim and Nancy at the Chinese restaurant to eat supper and then later Mel went back home w/Jim and the ladies went up to Kathy's at Milltown for the Ladies' Handwork night... Up REAL early the next morning to get our airplane back to the east coast. We had a wonderful time out in WA...and thanks to Corann and Jim and Nancy for taking us around and for all who took us out to eat, had us for meals and nights...was a Great time.

2009-01-19T17:05:00.005-05:00

Ashlynn

Corann

Jim & Nancy

Corann

Mel & Rudonna

Nancy & Jim

Becky & Trent

Nicole & David

Nicole, David & Don
Jill & Toriana

Mel, Toriana, Jill, Rudonna...

Ashlyn..video singing books of NT

2009-01-19T14:48:00.014-05:00

Ellensburg, WA Part of our Fall Trip (Rudonna again)

Leona came over to Coranns on a Tuesday to pick up Mel and I to go back over to the ranch for almost a week. Tom (Mel's brother) & Leona live and work on her brother...Henry's ranch. We went to Muriel & Judy's gospel mtg...and met a few folks we had not met and saw a few that we had met before. Ann Black came for lunch one day. Leona and I went to Yakima one evening to shop. It sure was good to see Frank and to see how happy he seems to be on the ranch there with Tom & Leona. One reason for this trip to WA this past fall.... I felt it would be good for Mel (...and me) to see Frank in his new setting. Especially Mel, since he had put so much of his heart and energy into helping/caring for Frank for almost 36 years. Of course, the rest of our family was involved and we all miss having Frank near us, but it's wonderful to see him as happy as he is...as at first he resisted the change. We can tell he loves being there with Tom and Leona...(and the new dog..smile)...and all the rest of the folks there.

Mel & I stayed in the "party house". A bldg that is rather large, long w/kitchen, bathroom and a bed. It has a lot of tables that they use for different potlucks, events, etc. It's right behind where the Baker's live...about 1/2 mile up the road fr Tom & Leona. The Bakers were thoughtful of our every need....as, of course, were Tom & Leona...and Henry & Nita.

Jim and Nancy came on Friday and Leroy came over to join us for supper on Friday night. It had been eight years since we had seen him. Tom & Leona's daughter, Corlyn, also came Friday eve from Spokane and their other daughter, Julie, came Saturday morning early from Seattle. On Saturday there was a cow drive to get all the cows from the pastures to the corral so the vet could check and see if each one was preg. It was really a neat day. Afterwards, all the folks that live on the ranch and all the others that came to work that day had a wonderful meal that the ranch ladies fixed. That evening Henry & Nita came over for a visit....which was sure fun! Sunday to Ann B's house for meeting and back to Tom & Leona's for lunch. Their son, Jared, and his wife, Joy, and 3 adorable boys...TJ, Logan and Jack came for lunch. It was great to get to meet the rest of Jared's family. Then in the afternoon we went back to Coranns with Jim & Nancy.

Here's some pictures from the Ellensburg part of our trip:

Tom & Leona

Mel & Frank

Frank

4 siblings....Tom, Mel, Frank & Nancy

Jared & Joy

Tom, Leona & grandsons

Jack

TJ

Logan

Jared, Joy and boys

Julie...Tom & Leona's daughter

Love this picture of Tom that Julie took....

and this one, too!

Henry & Nita's son

Vet

Looking down towards Tom & Leona's house..

Saddle shop

Jim checking out his camera

Leona doing one of her favorite things...quilting!

Corlyn (in front of a painting she did)..

5 siblings...Mel, Leroy, Nancy, Tom & Frank..by age ... w/2 missing (Ron & Corann) between Leroy & Nancy and 2 missing (Jim & Terry) between Nancy & Tom. Dale (passed away in 1995 would have been just after Leroy.

The view from the party house where we stayed the nights.

And here's a couple of videos from the cattle drive:

2009-01-08T16:05:00.000-05:00

2009-01-08T15:17:00.006-05:00

We had a long day travelling, changing planes in Dallas. Mel's sister, Corann, picked us up at the airport and we went back to her house and that was our home base for the next week. She had Mel's other sister, Nancy, and her husband, Jim over for breakfast. Also, their daughter, Randee...and Will and Ashlynn. Fun to be with all of them. It was our 43rd anniversary and Corann took us out to eat before heading to gospel meeting that evening. On Thursday night, Nancy had Corann, Mel & I for supper along with Don...our friend from back east from years ago. She also had invited Ray & Bertha. We felt like we knew them because we have mutual friends in Virginia, LA & W VA...also know some of Bertha's folks in TX. On Friday, Jim took us to south of Olympia to meet Linda B for lunch and a good visit. The same place we met when we were there 2 years ago! That evening Mel went home w/Jim and I went to Mel's nieces where they and Nancy and Corann were scrapbooking. On Saturday, Corann took us to Arlington's little cafe, The Local Scoop, for a nice lunch. The evening we went north of Arlington to some of the folks that run a bed and breakfast. The lady of the home was having a surprise bday party for her husband. ...a beautiful view from their home. Sunday at noon we met another niece, Becky, and her husband, Trent, for lunch at Applebees...back to Corann's for a little down time before heading to gospel mtg. Then Jim & Nancy took us to have supper and a nice visit w/Steve & Laurie, Dianna & Breenan (sp?)... We knew Laurie in Richmond at the end of the eighties. We also had some other stops & visits while staying w/Corann... we went with her to the mall 2 Monday mornings in a row to the mall where some of the older crew meet for coffee. It was fun to be with some that we knew before and meet some new folks. We also stopped in to see Scott & RoCinda's new home addition and had a nice visit w/Jim's mom. On Monday night, Corann and I fixed supper for Jim, Nancy, and their 3 daughters & families that live in the nearby area.

Scott, RoCinda, Matthew, Jonathan & Daniel

Dave, RoCherra, Michael, Ryan & Garrett

Will, Randee & Ashlynn

Beautiful flowers at RoCinda's

Coffee at the mall

Steve, Laurie & children

Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking At RoCherras

Rudonna, Linda B, Mel & Jim

Ray, Bertha, Rudonna, Mel & Don

Mel & Rudonna... day of 43rd wedding anniv.

Randee & Corann... a wonderful breakfast that Corann fixed...and dear Randee did the clean-up!
Nancy, Jim & Will

Ashlynn.... at breakfast at Coranns.

This is Rudonna here..... It's been a long time since I posted...and I didn't post after Mel & I took our long trip in the fall....so will try to back track here and post a few pictures, etc. We left on September 24 & drove to Richmond and spent the night w/Jack & Mary after going to Paul & Laura's shop for gospel mtg. The next afternoon Mary took Mel and I to the airport and we flew to Boston where Brent picked us up. We went up for Paxton's 5th birthday and stayed from Thursday to Tuesday. It's so hard to believe he is such a big boy now..... also, Shaelyn had grown a lot since we had seen her in June. Lucille & Yasmin came for supper and the night just before we left New Hampshire (flying fr Boston to Seattle). It wasn't quite as hard to leave the children since we knew we would be coming back for a week after our weeks in Washington.

Shaelyn

Paxton At his 5th Birthday party.

Grandpa getting some sweet sugar from Shaelyn

Thanksgiving!

2008-12-02T22:11:00.006-05:00

We had Thanksgiving here at our house. Mom & Dad, Karra, Nikki, Matt, Christina, Phoenix, Shannon and I. We didn't take many photos, but here are a few from the nice relaxing weekend.

The table all set! We used the dishes Dad got for his mom while he was in the service in Japan.

Christina made this awesome apple pie custard!

Phoenix was quite happy sitting on Grampa's lap!!

This is the centerpiece that Mom made.

Phoenix fell asleep while playing with her toys. I love how her arms are flung out while she sleeps.

We were encouraging Phoenix to stand all on her own!

This was the Turkey Cake that I made! It was quite fun!

The "Twilight" Girls!

Fall Is Here!!!

2008-10-15T23:23:00.005-04:00

This past weekend we (Karra, Nikki, Shannon and I) went up to the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the beautiful fall colors. We walked around a lake on the Parkway near Blowing Rock.

Here are some photos that were taken by our resident photographer, Nikki!

The map that will help guide us..... if we can read it! We got on the wrong trail that if we had kept on it, we probably still would have been walking!
Karra was instructing us on which way we needed to go................ (good thing we followed her instruction!)
Some photos of the beautiful leaves.

Now, we had to walk through the swamp to get around the lake....

But isn't it a pretty view?
Nice red leaves

This is one of my favorite pictures!

Karra contemplating life....

Nikki taking pictures

One of the bridges over the stream that fed into the lake.

Looking out over the rolling hills
The photos can't begin to show the rich colors that we saw or the beautiful rolling hills! Hopefully these photos show that we had such a fun day on the Blue Ridge Parkway!

2008-09-12T01:25:00.013-04:00

SOME PICTURES WE TOOK AT HOME MID-SEPTEMBER...
Mel & Rudonna

Tama, Shannon, Kelsey, Nikki, Karra, & Chuck

Nikki's family at Cassatt:

Lorraine came from Georgia to visit us during Denton conv. These pictures were the day after conv before Lorraine went home:

KARRA'S BIRTHDAY

Tara, Grayson, Nikki, Rudonna, Mel & Tama & Karra had dinner & cake for Karra's Birthday.

MIDDLE OF AUGUST....POT LUCK AT THE LAKE HOUSE OF SOME FRIENDS IN GREENSBORO:

UNION MTG IN GASTONIA: Good to visit with NC friends from long ago..

John, Lisa, Jacob, Lydia, Jordan & Lillian

Doug, Julie, Jonathan, Jessica & Landis

Larry & Janice

Charlie & Edith

Sara

Ron & Cindy

Leonard, Lisa, Hunter, Sterling, Emma & Bowen

Agnes

Edith

Regina

Mel & Rudonna

Carl & Sue

Bob & Janie

Clarabelle

We were in Gaston County 1st wk end in Aug for Loy & Winnie's 45 anniv:

Winnie & her adopted brother & sister

Brian & Linda came down a few days the end of July and we met Lloyd & Linda for barbecue in Lexington:

Brian & Linda
Lloyd & Linda

Linda, Rudonna, Linda....missing the other Donna

...........AN AFTERNOON IN GREENSBORO:
Our friend from long ago...and through the years...Selma

MEL & RUDONNA HAD A COUPLE OF TRIPS TO THE STANLEY/ALEXIS AREA IN THE SUMMER TO VISIT FAMILY & FRIENDS. HERE'S A FEW PICTURES FROM THERE.

Rudonna's great niece, Jackie and her husband, Aaron, and son, Zachary

Rudonna's niece, Sherry and her husband, Richard...their daughter Jackie & famil

Rudonna's sister, Shirley and her husband, Clyde.

Rudonna's great nieces, Jessica & Holly

SOME MORE PICTURES FROM EARLIER IN THE SUMMER:

Karra

Grandpa Mel & Paxton at Tweetsie Railroad

Grandma Rudonna With Paxton & Shaelyn

Paxton helping Grandma clean out the trash can.

Shaelyn

Phoenix

more milford pic

2008-08-17T19:56:00.001-04:00

MIlford NH

2008-08-17T19:44:00.004-04:00

Hellooo - Karra here: I got to go to Milford NH for convention - didn't take any pictures at convention, but did get some of the town monday afternoon

Birthday & Highland Games

2008-07-19T14:35:00.006-04:00

Mom cooked a great birthday dinner for me and we had a couple of people over.

Picture of the delicious birthday cake (it was a carrot cake) that Nikki made for me.

Grayson, Tara, me, Shannon, Karra and Nikki -- (mom and dad were also around but we didn't get them in the picture) getting ready to dive into the carrot cake!

Me torturing Grayson with a water gun! He had a lot of fun with those water guns!
Shannon & I

A couple of us went to the Highland Games at Grandfather Mountain in western NC. Here are a few pictures.
The entrance to the games -- that is Grandfather Mountain in the background.

Men in kilts "Tossing the Caber". Lots of interesting games and lots of kilts!

Also there were lots of bagpipes -- we had bagpipe surround sound!

The group at the Highland Games: Chad, Nikki, Shannon, me and Karra. I believe a fun day was had by all.

July 4th!!!

2008-07-19T13:45:00.004-04:00

On July 4th we had a few of the friends from around the area come to our place for a potluck and fun. We were glad that the rain held off until we had finished eating!!

Travis, Matt and Eddie took care of the grilling!

Enjoying all the good food! Everyone brought lots of yummy dishes.

Picture of more people gathered round to eat.

....and more people enjoying the food.

Blueberry picking time..

2008-07-08T00:02:00.004-04:00

Nikki and I picked about 3 gallons of blueberries last week. Nikki did most of the picking and Lindsey made blueberry turnovers several times. We had some of the turnovers for our 4th of July cookout. The bushes on the property should keep producing through July.

Family Photos

2008-06-29T21:13:00.007-04:00

We thought it would be a good thing to try to get a family picture done while we were all together this summer. Nikki T. was gracious enough (and patient enough!) to take some last minute photos the last night when we were all together. Nikki also took some great photos of the grandkids.

The whole crew... amazing we are actually all smiling and not goofing around!

Matt, Christina & Phoenix

Brent, Johanna, Paxton & Shaelyn

Nice typical picture :-)

And, of course there had to be some goofing around!

Great picture of Karra, Shaelyn and Matt.

Grandpa with Paxton & Shaelyn.

Grandma with Shaelyn!

Paxton being a great model!

Shaelyn also had lots of smiles!

Phoenix stayed awake long enough to get her picture taken and then needed to go back to her beauty rest!

Paxton and Shaelyn enjoying a laugh!

Shaelyn and Phoenix

The three cousins.

Finally... an update!

2008-06-29T20:52:00.003-04:00

Sorry it has been over a month since we last posted anything. It has been a busy month... Brent, Johanna, Paxton and Shaelyn came down the first of June. Trips to Tweetsie Railroad, the NC zoo and of course trips to see Matt, Christina and Phoenix!

Paxton eating ...

The monkey we went to go see at the zoo. Actually, this is where we had our picnic lunch. We tried to find as much shade as we could because it was one of the hottest days of the year!

Karra, Mom and Dad taking a break.

Shannon, Brent and Paxton trying to find the missing animal.
We went to a playground near our house with the Nelsons (Travis, Chantel, Tyson and Gabrielle) This is a picture of Tyson and Paxton pushing their daddies on the swing!

Family Reunion in Tennessee

2008-05-20T13:08:00.000-04:00

On May 5th through the 10th, Mel and I joined his brothers and sisters and their spouses for a family reunion in Pigeon Forge, TN. One brother, Leroy, from Washington state didn't make it but eight siblings gathered plus six spouses for a total of 14. Mel was able to have an outing with the guys several days while some of us ladies went shopping. One day we went to play minature golf and Mel and his sister, Corann, watched us from a bench nearby. Another day when Mel went with his brother-in-law, Jim B, and a couple of brothers and a sister-in-law he was able to wheel his chair around the course and actually "putted" a couple of golf balls. Another day he went along with Jim and some of the others to a tool store and also to a knife store. All of us took a tour of beautiful Cades Cove. Here's a few pictures from our trip:

2008-05-20T12:47:00.002-04:00

Picture of a picture of all 14 of us dressed in clothes from olden days.

Publish Post Picture of the picture of Mel & Rudonna

The house where we stayed. It doesn't look so big but it actually had eight nice size bedrooms with large open living areas. The basement was built into the side of the mountain.
Picture of Cade's Cove.

Another picture of Cade's Cove.

2008-05-20T12:12:00.001-04:00

Ron & Marie

Frank

Jim & Nancy

Terry & Mel with their HD caps. Terry & Linda took Mel to the Harley Davidson store and they bought him a cap. Terry has a Harley Davidson belt buckle that was Mel's when he was young and finally found a belt that he could use it with. This seemed to please Mel. He also enjoyed his visit to the store with them.
Corann, Linda & Rudonna... On our last night we had a bad storm and we lost electrical service. Corann and I had been sitting on the couch and someone brought us a flashlight. Soon afterwards there was another loud burst of thunder and a lightning strike nearby....and here we ended up with an extra body between us... Linda said "DON'T MOVE". She wanted us all nice and cozy during the storm :"=) We had a lot of laughs that evening!

2008-05-20T11:26:00.006-04:00

Tom & Leona

Terry & Linda

Mel & Rudonna

Jim & Linda

Last Days at work in Richmond

2008-05-15T23:53:00.021-04:00

Rudonna & Dorothy

Rudonna's last day at work. They gave me a luncheon and some nice gifts! Sure will miss all those folks.

Rudonna with her friend and manager, Joan.

Rudonna with friends, Dianne and Michelle.

Rudonna and Gladys.

Mel with a staff member, Shirley, at the Adult Center.

Mel with his friends Harold and Dean.

....and the newest Grandchild.

2008-05-13T23:44:00.002-04:00

Phoenix Olivia, born May 10th, 2008

Parents: Matt & Christina
this picture - 1 day old

Aunt Karra & Phoenix

Aunt Tama & Phoenix

Grandpa P
& Phoenix

Both Grandmothers
& Phoenix

Grandchildren

2008-05-13T22:54:00.005-04:00

Paxton and Shaelyn
Paxton - 4 1/2 yrs old
Shaelyn - a few days old
Feb. 2008
Brent & Johanna's children

Shaelyn

A picture of Grandpa and Grandma P
with Paxton and Shaelyn
before leaving NH.

Shaelyn

Paxton giving his sister a
big kiss!

2008-05-13T22:42:00.000-04:00

Dinette at other end of kitchen

Sitting area at other end of M & R's bedrm.

House in NC

2008-05-13T22:20:00.000-04:00

Here's some shots of the house we're renting in the Triad.

Dining rm

Living rm

Kitchen - Yes that's the back of the stove in the middle of the kitchen!

One end of M & R's bedrm

yes.... we have joined the blog world

2008-05-13T21:01:00.000-04:00

We have decided to share with all y'all pictures from the Pipgras household in the Triad! We hope y'all enjoy and please feel free to comment! We'd love to hear from you!