Last Day In Louisiana

Today ends a four day stay here in Mandeville, LA at the state park. It has been an enjoyable time with a chance to catch up with family we haven't seen in quite awhile.

Yesterday my aunt and I spent the afternoon going over a stack of very old family papers. Some of them dates back to the 1800's and we discovered that my great-grandmother's father (or was it her brother, OK, so the mind is slipping), fought in the Civil War. We even have the regiment he was assigned to. We found a deed to a cemetary plot in Philadelphia, PA and believe it or not, the company is still in business. I called and subsequently email them for information on who is buried there. My aunt had been working on the family tree and our fun yesterday has inspired her to get back to it! We have been told that our ancestor came over on the Mayflower - a Hopkins and that Stephen Hopkins who signed the Declaration Of Independence (he's the one with the hat) is a grandfather a few times removed. This new information will hopefully help my aunt tie the gaps that link us to them.

Today we got to meet our newest great-granddaughter, McKenzie. Oh what a sweetie she is. She is 7 months old and so active and happy. Her mother, Amber is such a good mother to her and her sister Macey who is four and a half, as she says. Ambers's husband Derek had to work so we will have to wait till the next time to see him again. We had a nice visit and caught up with each others lives and family.

Tomorrow we are off to our old home ground, Gulfport, MS. I still don't like going there because of the Katrina damage. I would really rather remember it like it was, but at the same time I look forward to seeing the changes and growth taking place. We will also be visiting with Krystal, Dean's youngest daughter and her husband Ed. Her mother and step-dad live with them so will visit with them as well. Yes, we all do get along.

Till next time - safe travels and enjoy the pictures I posted today.