and finally...

Gemma with her newest cousin, Adah Joy!

We spent a lot of time on the porch, often pushing Asher or Gemma in the swing.

One evening for dinner I made french fries - but baked, not fried - which turned out quite well. Craig came up with a variety of dipping sauces to accompany them.

Julianna and I enjoyed helping with many of the evening meals. We introduced the Hawkins to bobotie, a classic South African dish. It consists of a meat mixture (we added lentils, too) with lots of spices (e.g. cumin, curry, tumeric, cinnamon) and other interesting ingredients such as apricot jam, peach chutney (chutney is a SA staple, unlike in the US), worchestershire sauce, grated apple, and raisins. This is simmered on the stove for 30 minutes, then patted into a baking dish, with an egg/milk mixture poured over before baking. Yum!

We had a wonderful visit! Thank you, Mom and Dad (and Rachel/Craig, Pete/Rita)!

And more good times in Durham

Perhaps the most fun we had in Durham was our casual late lunch at Geer St Garden with Rachel & Craig (and a very compliant Adah Joy). This new restaurant is located in a reviving part of downtown Durham, and it was really exciting to see the positive growth and vitality happening downtown. Plus, to sit and relax...chowing on chips and beer, talking and sitting on benches outside in the shade (knowing Asher and Gemma are napping back at the house), and even playing a bit of corn-hole toss*...we felt so refreshed ...and it was vaguely reminiscent of a Cape Town weekend afternoon.

*I have no idea what this game is really called. In Indiana they call it Corn Hole. I think.

This huge basket of french fries came with a variety of fun dipping sauces. I was reaching over to try the Sriracha-naise in Rachel's basket. Very good. We also liked the garlic aioli (who wouldn't?). I have added Aioli on my list of must-make-soon food items, as well as my learn-how-to-spell-properly-without-looking-in-dictionary list.

Here are the fish tacos that Jim had.

I challenged Craig to a competitive round of corn hole. Naturally, Craig being just that kind of gifted guy, bested me on his last toss to win the game.

Uncle Pete and Gemma had some good bonding time this visit. Since our return to B-town, Gemma has frequently pointed at men in the park or store and excitedly said, "Pete!" To which I explain, "Yes, that looks like Uncle Pete doesn't it. But he's at his house. Remember we had to say good-bye?" etc. And then Gemma says, "Riii?" (Rita) And we talk about Auntie Rita too.

I love these two photos of Gemma and Asher. They show, simply, what companions they are.

We (the Gieser 3) had a beautiful morning & picnic lunch at Duke Gardens, soaking up the spring weather and gardens and meandering around on the paths, amongst schoolkids on a field trip and even a class from Duke doing a play reading by a creek where we had our picnic.

Gemma did pretty well with her first attempt at a juice box.

And a couple of shots of Duke Chapel - always good memories as the site of our engagement! - and quad that Jim took on another morning.

Bathtime for Adah Joy - what a treat to bathe her myself. She loved it! The bath, that is. And I'm sure she loved the massage afterwards too.

Spring break in Durham - hurrah!

We've just returned from nine days with these gentle-folk - what a joy. That's "Pa-kah" and "Jaja", as Gemma calls them. Mom just had surgery on her right hand/thumb and is recovering great, despite the challenges to daily life.

Spring had begun in all its beauty and we loved spending much of our days outside. "'Side! Play!" Gemma would proclaim from the front door or back door.

And these beloved cousins! Asher is 2 and Adah Joy is 2 months. Asher and Gemma loved playing together and alongside each other, and calling out each other's names over and over and over.

On our way to the park. (this was the chilliest day there, our first day)

When we arrived at the park, Gemma always raced over to this car and would spend a long time climbing in and out and sitting in it. Or if another kid was playing, she would follow them around until it was free - or insert herself at any slight opportunity.

Pete fixing up some Sunday night eats: grits, omelettes and fried potatoes. And Dad - generous butter-slathering that he is - on toast duty.

A BIG highlight was our morning at the NC Museum of Life & Science, which continues to grow and be such a cool place for kids to play and learn. Gemma and Asher liked the drums; the train ride; the butterfly house; and the farm animals. (And we didn't even have time to venture in to the indoor exhibits.)

More park scenes. Isn't this one classic.

Asher and Gemma learned to share the stroller, as long as Asher held on tight to Gemma's ankles.

More pics coming soon...

World's strongest toddler

What to do with a #10 can of corn? Why, pick it up and carry it around the kitchen, of course. With lots of impressive yelling. (After Gemma carted it around for a while, she set the can next to the wall and carefully sat on it, proclaiming, "potty".)

And while I couldn't find a picture of Jim lifting anything unusual himself (although I vividly recall him loading up a suitcase with books to do arm curls while we were visiting Cape Town in 2006 - but I can't locate the pic), I am SURE she gets this from her father. As you can imagine.