THE REALLY BIG NEWS

Really big news...about 8 lbs, 2 ozs.....21 3/4 inches long.....worth of big, good news!

Baby Josephine Elizabeth Branham (Josie, or JoJo) was born on Friday, November 10, 2017.   Grandpa, Captain Bob and Grandma Jane were on pins and needles all day, waiting for the arrival....we got the good news at 6:23 pm with a picture of her only 10 minutes old....and thanks to face time and all the neat communications we have these days, we were able to see her and talk to new mom and dad (the attached pic was sent a little later)

After we all (that is grandpa and grandma) calmed down .....we toasted our newest grandchild off our deck as the Blue Angels flew a salute over the bow of the boat and then gave a fabulous fire works show!!  What more of a celebration could a grandparent want......

So, as you see,  we did make to it Pensacola and we did anchor out in the bay along with several hundred or so of our favorite boating friends to watch the air show.  It was a thrill when they flew directly over the boat.  We tried to get pictures, but they are faster than the camera!  We spent the night anchored in the bay and took off the next morning for Destin, Florida.

After the joy of the previous evening, the next morning, we received a disturbing call (heartbreaking, I should say) that the hunting camp that my father and his 4  brothers built on 365 acres in northern Michigan (Hawks) not far from Rogers City, in 1959... had burnt to the ground in the night.  Bob is now an owner, as is my brother and 3 other cousins  (as all 5 original owners have passed on to the giant hunting grounds in the sky).... So now, not only is deer season cancelled (for the 59ers) but decisions have to be made as to the future of the property.  Bob will go north as originally planned but for a camp "meeting" and not for the hunt.

We did spend one night in Destin, Florida at a "fun" (ie: expensive) marina, right in the heart of a new development with shops, bars, restaurants, etc.   We were backed up to "Margaritaville" ...thankfully, it was a chilly evening and the outdoor festivities were limited (are we old, or what!)

Now we are in PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL.....might sound familiar to those who know us well!!  Our old stomping grounds for 15 years or so about 10 years back.  We are at Baypointe Marina and at night when the  city lights are on (it gets dark here at 5pm) I can see down the "strip".....and reminisce about the good ole days....haha.   Don't think we could party like we used to...in fact I know we can't, as we were in bed last eve at 7pm!!  So today will be a clean up day, laundry, packing etc....getting ready for the big trip to Michigan, still scheduled for Wednesday.....can't wait to meet our new granddaughter!!  I know she feels the same...  because she didn't wait for us to arrive!  (not sure how mom and dad feel.....don't think they feel anything, as they are exhausted....perhaps we can help out with that)  I did tell my daughter that she will feel that way at least for another 18 years or so!  👶

What a Thanksgiving this will be.