Visit

Family time

My parents just left and we already miss them so much. We had such a great visit with lots of reading and drawing and just hanging out with the grandparents. 

Brixton was able to share his new reading skills and we continued the family tradition of marking his height on the wall. Chris forgot what year it was so it's a little messy but it's still there- man, they grow!

We stumbled across a collection of antique fire engines in Ballard and the owner was nice enough to give us a tour of his warehouse. It was pretty amazing to see the old engines and all in pristine condition.

We are so thankful that they got to help us celebrate Brixton's birthday and we are looking forward to the next time when we can be together again.

This guy

This guy.

Comes to see us when he has a few days free.

Is endlessly patient when the kids use him as a climbing gym.

Kicks the ball, plays the drums, is up for all the games.

How lucky are they, to have such a super great Uncle?

Photo taken by the 11 year old. 

On our long journey home, we made a couple of stops. In New Hampshire we were able to see Chris's cousin Marcia and her family. (No pictures, sorry, I was sadly negligent during our visit.) We were also able to see my college friend Emily and her kids who live in the same town as Marcia. Emily and her family took us to a beautiful lake where the kids were able to play in the sand despite the chilly Atlantic Northeast temperatures. 

The next day we drove to Boston where we were able to have dinner with a bunch of Chris's college friends. It's fun to see that connections made over small things many years ago can endure, despite age and change and distance. 

There were lots more people we wanted to see but the timing and distances didn't work out so sadly we'll have to save those visits for the next trip. 

Visiting

Unity and I went to visit a friend the other day, who has moved to an island nearby. This is one of her most dear friends from school and even though they are not far off, Unity is still going to miss seeing her every day in the classroom. 

We've been talking about staying close to people even when they're not right there and I told her about a close friend of mine who moved away in high school and how we stayed in touch for a few years. It's been good for Unity to hear that story and to make plans for visits and letters with her friend. 

And hey, then we have an excuse to visit an island. 

We were lucky to have two very special visitors this week- both Uncle Michael and Grandma Ann came for visits. We took advantage of Michael's expertise to buy a used kid sized drum set for Brixton. Now he can rock out for real. He is already thinking of band names and the two drummers are planning to Skype practice sessions together.

Grandma Ann has been hanging out reading and playing games with the kids and enjoying the beautiful weather. So great to have visitors. 

Visiting

We're just finishing a very lovely visit with Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Bill. We did lots of reading, many many art projects, and they helped me with Unity's birthday party- a slumber party. We had six kids over and four of them spent the night. The giggle to sleep ratio was about what you would expect but Unity had a blast- she's been asking to do this for years. 

We're already looking forward to the next visit. 

We miss Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Bill

Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Bill came to stay with us last week for Brixton's birthday. We had such a fun time with them and did so many projects I can't even list them all. The house is quieter without them. Well, maybe not, but less constructive for sure. 

Thanks for the great visit guys. 

Chicago/ Forest Park

Four generations!

 

 

 

We are having a blast visiting with Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Bill, going on lots of adventures and just enjoying spending this time together.

 

visit

My parents are heading home right now, after an amazing visit in which they: painted our front hall and hung the kids' coat rack, helped me organize and rearrange all the furniture in our study, hung eight pictures, read countless stories, did an amazing art project with rubber cement, water color paints and salt, put the kids to bed every night and just got to spend some really good time with us. 

Tell me again why Seattle and Chicago aren't closer? 

We had such a blast, and we can't wait for the next visit.