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  2. 2013 Van Trek

Van Trek June 2013

Finishing up the cottage! More family time, Rabun Lake, Dahlonega, Gainesville
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  • When we got back from our rest break, we put together Mom's new sofa-bed. It folds down into a very comfortable mattress for two. Then we spent the next few days doing the finishing touches. I sewed the curtains, and Art and Quang worked on building the access to the upstairs.

    When we got back from our rest break, we put together Mom's new sofa-bed. It folds down into a very comfortable mattress for two. Then we spent the next few days doing the finishing touches. I sewed the curtains, and Art and Quang worked on building the access to the upstairs.

  • Mom has three rooms. This is the finished living room, before she added her own touches. Accessories and art are still to be added. I made the curtain rods and brackets from electrical pipe and hardware, which I spray-painted. The finials on the ends are the spacer plugs that came out of the holes for the handles in the four doors.

    Mom has three rooms. This is the finished living room, before she added her own touches. Accessories and art are still to be added. I made the curtain rods and brackets from electrical pipe and hardware, which I spray-painted. The finials on the ends are the spacer plugs that came out of the holes for the handles in the four doors.

  • Eventually there will be a stove and more cabinets, where the table is now.

    Eventually there will be a stove and more cabinets, where the table is now.

  • Looking toward the front wall—entry door is at the left.

    Looking toward the front wall—entry door is at the left.

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  • Eventually this will be an entertainment wall.

    Eventually this will be an entertainment wall.

  • Mom's bedroom is a light aqua. Doorknobs from Knollwood are the finials on this curtain rod.

    Mom's bedroom is a light aqua. Doorknobs from Knollwood are the finials on this curtain rod.

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  • Mom has a big closet with a rod on one side. Quang will build in more storage later.

    Mom has a big closet with a rod on one side. Quang will build in more storage later.

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  • Brenda painted Mom's bathroom light and dark blue. Tub and shower are to the right. The vanity and fittings are a gift from Stan and Kara Sanders, from JCAC. They were remodeling and gave it to us. Thanks, Stan and Kara!

    Brenda painted Mom's bathroom light and dark blue. Tub and shower are to the right. The vanity and fittings are a gift from Stan and Kara Sanders, from JCAC. They were remodeling and gave it to us. Thanks, Stan and Kara!

  • There is a large storage area in the nook formed by the tub area.

    There is a large storage area in the nook formed by the tub area.

  • Room for lots of things

    Room for lots of things

  • Art and Quang worked late at night, pouring the footers for the landing.

    Art and Quang worked late at night, pouring the footers for the landing.

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  • Ben helped too.

    Ben helped too.

  • May 6 we took Emily to Chick-Fil-A for her 15th birthday. Dylan, Anna, Laurel, LeShan, and Brenda sang her a very short birthday song, "This is your birthday song, it isn't very long—HEY!"

    May 6 we took Emily to Chick-Fil-A for her 15th birthday. Dylan, Anna, Laurel, LeShan, and Brenda sang her a very short birthday song, "This is your birthday song, it isn't very long—HEY!"

  • Brenda, covering one of TWO small birthday cakes for Emily.

    Brenda, covering one of TWO small birthday cakes for Emily.

  • Brenda made this cake (one of two) for Emily's birthday, and Laurel covered it with pictures and messages in Elvish.

    Brenda made this cake (one of two) for Emily's birthday, and Laurel covered it with pictures and messages in Elvish.

  • Can't believe that Emily is 15 already! That's a drawing of her on the front of her cake.

    Can't believe that Emily is 15 already! That's a drawing of her on the front of her cake.

  • The second cake was a Dr. Who cake, complete with tardis on top, and pictures of various characters around the side. Quang painted them with food colors, amazing.

    The second cake was a Dr. Who cake, complete with tardis on top, and pictures of various characters around the side. Quang painted them with food colors, amazing.

  • Emily's friends Vanessa, Emma, and Taylee came for the party, and of course her sister Laurel.

    Emily's friends Vanessa, Emma, and Taylee came for the party, and of course her sister Laurel.

  • Emily with her two cakes

    Emily with her two cakes

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  • Brenda with her three lovely daughters (l-r Jenny (13), Laurel (19), and Emily (15).

    Brenda with her three lovely daughters (l-r Jenny (13), Laurel (19), and Emily (15).

  • On the 12th, we went down to Atlanta to pick up Bryan's family, who are visiting from Russia. On the way back, we stopped at the original Dwarf House for supper. Even Jonathan has to bend over a little to get through the kids' door now.

    On the 12th, we went down to Atlanta to pick up Bryan's family, who are visiting from Russia. On the way back, we stopped at the original Dwarf House for supper. Even Jonathan has to bend over a little to get through the kids' door now.

  • It's really a treat for the cousins to be together again (Caleb and Emily).

    It's really a treat for the cousins to be together again (Caleb and Emily).

  • Andrew and Laurel, our oldest grandchildren, 10 months apart.

    Andrew and Laurel, our oldest grandchildren, 10 months apart.

  • Laurel has literally worn out the quilt I made for her when she was a baby. Now that she has her own apartment, I guess it's time for me to make her a new one!

    Laurel has literally worn out the quilt I made for her when she was a baby. Now that she has her own apartment, I guess it's time for me to make her a new one!

  • Celebrating Andrew's high school graduation with—what else—CAKE!!!

    Celebrating Andrew's high school graduation with—what else—CAKE!!!

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  • Friends joined us for the celebration. This is David Gruber, showing off his Duplo creation.

    Friends joined us for the celebration. This is David Gruber, showing off his Duplo creation.

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  • Another yummy carrot cake for Art's Father's Day gift from Brenda.

    Another yummy carrot cake for Art's Father's Day gift from Brenda.

  • Bryan's family left for a visit with Vickie's parents in Augusta, and we decided to go camping while they were gone. Found a beautiful NFS campground just past Tallulah Falls at Rabun Beach, $10 a night with Senior Pass.

    Bryan's family left for a visit with Vickie's parents in Augusta, and we decided to go camping while they were gone. Found a beautiful NFS campground just past Tallulah Falls at Rabun Beach, $10 a night with Senior Pass.

  • Yum, country ham for breakfast! We got the ends (ham chips) on sale at Quality Foods for $1.19 a pound! It's times like this that I miss having a freezer!

    Yum, country ham for breakfast! We got the ends (ham chips) on sale at Quality Foods for $1.19 a pound! It's times like this that I miss having a freezer!

  • Flat decided to stay in the car and read.

    Flat decided to stay in the car and read.

  • This fellow greeted us in the parking lot.

    This fellow greeted us in the parking lot.

  • Exploring the area, we came across Glen-Ella Springs Inn, the last of the still-operating inns in the Tallulah Falls area.

    Exploring the area, we came across Glen-Ella Springs Inn, the last of the still-operating inns in the Tallulah Falls area.

  • The innkeeper showed us through the public rooms, and encouraged us to enjoy the gardens.

    The innkeeper showed us through the public rooms, and encouraged us to enjoy the gardens.

  • Can you see the kitty hiding under this hydrangea?

    Can you see the kitty hiding under this hydrangea?

  • Lake Rabun from the swimming area

    Lake Rabun from the swimming area

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