Ok...now for my trip. First of all, sorry I wasn't able to post as much as I had hoped. We only had one computer with us so when we finally got back to the hotel in the evening, Tom was usually using it to catch up on work emails (someone has to pay the bills for my vacations

).
After we went to Biltmore house the next day we went mining up in the mountains. Bryan had a blast and brought some of his gems to school today for show and tell. Basically you buy a bucket and sift through it in the water looking for gem stones. We found emeralds, rubies, quartz, garnets and a few others. Most of them of course are not great quality and would cost more than they are worth to polish and cut them but everyone had so much fun. We did get a ruby ring made for me and a necklace for Bryan. I will try to post pictures today or tomorrow.
We then went back to High Point and in the next couple of days took Bryan fishing, went to a science center that has a little zoo, went to a minor league baseball game and did some shopping (plus lots of swimming in the hotel pool). We hit some traffic coming home yesterday but nothing as bad as the trip down.
Overall we had a very nice trip despite our worry and sadness over my niece's husband. Here is what we know so far. It is cancer (he had testicular cancer 10 years ago). They assume it may be the same type he had but it is very unusual for it to return that much later so it concerns the doctors. He has a very large mass in his abdomen and they also found a mass on his lung. Luckily the brain scan came back negative. He is going to be staying in the hospital for now and starting aggressive treatment of chemo and radiation. They brought the baby to the hospital courtyard this weekend so he could have a quick visit. I want to cry every time I think of the situation. He is only 27 and the baby is not even 3 months old. I have to be hopeful and I know doctors can do wonderful things these days. Please keep him in his prayers though.
Sorry the post is so long! There was just a lot to catch you up on. Its good to be back.