Trip to Durham - and good-bye to Freys

Wait, what's this, we live a half day's drive away from family?! And we can just zip over for a long weekend?! (Thankfully, Jim had accrued enough time off by now.) It was only a week to go until Craig & Rachel move out of their house and load up their moving truck for the move to Gainesville, FL, so we figured it would be great to get over to Durham to see them one more time. Life is going to change radically for them as they move to Florida and Craig starts graduate studies in botany; not to mention how much life will change for Grandpa and Jaja without these three grandkids around!

It was lovely to be in Durham in the springtime (despite the fact that I came down with a sinus infection and was feeling very out of sorts; thankfully the extra hands helped give me a break to get some more rest), and spend a lot of time on the front porch or down at the park with the cousins.

Mattias LOVES to sweep.

Now for the younger brother's turn to push the big brother.

Stopping on the road to watch a garbage truck go by.

Of course, we were also glad to have some time with Mawethu and Lisa! Even though our transition to new homes and jobs has been very different (over the last year), there are still many points of connection and it is always helpful to step back from daily life and reflect together on what we are experiencing.

Mila and Timo (Lithemba was busy jumping and running around, I think.)

Highlight: the trip was worth it for these two hours right here... drinking a beer outside at a new brewery - what is with Durham these days?! - and having time just for adults to chat. (Thanks for watching the kids, Mom and Dad.)

One evening we had dinner at Pete and Rita's, who continue to set the neighborhood record for the biggest, most beautiful azaleas. The boys had a blast playing with Samson and we all hung out in the backyard for a meal.
 

Legos in the basement, of course. Note the telltale dehumidifier in the background.

Off to another park, for one last playtime!
 

these are some seriously wonderful parents and grandparents right here!

A barred owl has taken residence in Mom and Dad's backyard!! There has been one a few doors down for years, and this spring suddenly a companion took roost, and the two owls call back and forth to each other and fly between the trees. What a beautiful, awe-some, intimidating bird!! And with a loud call, almost like a monkey at times. Unfortunately it has scared away all the smaller birds that we enjoy seeing at mom's birdfeeders... We'll have to see how long it stays.
 

I love seeing this joyful cousin moment. The last few months these two have learned how to play together well (they are 10 months apart but just about the same size).

Catching up on March

It's been a while since posting! (Sorry, Mom, Dad and Rachel.) March seemed to go by quickly with Jim's busy schedule, establishing daily life routines, finishing up settling into the house, battling some sicknesses, potty training, and lots of time outside as the weather got nicer. Plus a brief weekend visit with Uncle Bill and Aunt Jayne, who are doing an east coast road trip to see friends and family. [Also...my computer is dying and so uploading pics and posting on the blog takes longer...]

It seems a bit strange to see those photos, and they were only last month! Already our home inside and outside has changed (especially with a glorious springtime) and we feel like we are starting to know our way around.

Timo helping get dinner ready (we love our cabinet space)

One Sunday afternoon we took a family walk down the the park, and Jim snapped a few photos along the way.  

Here's where our driveway veers off from Hooper St, and winds up to the hill to the right.
 

Mattias was being so cute today about going down the slide!

the bridge over the creek that leads to the park

 Some Mattias scenes...

 

Oh the rare joy of brothers quietly and happily reading together!! Recently that has continued to change, as Mattias is now very interested in books and will sit for a long time to read - and he loves truck books just like Timo. The two of them will happily read - what else, of course? - Cars and Trucks and Things that Go together in my lap.

We had a wonderful visit with Uncle Bill and Aunt Jayne. They were our first guests here! (Although they slept outside in their camper...) It was great to see them again, since we had also seen them on their road trip a year ago, coming through Colorado Springs. Timo seemed to remember them, and both the boys had a blast reading and playing legos and happily going from one lap to the other.

Timo insisted in having snacktime in the camper

Sadly it was really chilly the weekend they were here, but we still had some trees and flowers blooming.
 

lots of space to park in our driveway

Walking along Keener St, one block from our house to the library

view of historic downtown Sylva, from the library/old courthouse at the top of the hill