Feeling Wonderfully Welcome

For the kids’ winter break (a decadent full week), we hit the road to spend some time with friends and family. First stop was the home of Becky, Todd, Jessie, and Dyllan who lived across the street from us the first six months of our time in Connecticut. Each time we see them it amazes me how the fun and familiarity come right back, despite the passage of time. This time Arwen and Jessie were inseparable, while Gavin and Dyllan were Wii buds. Becky and I did some serious catching up, and we all feasted on Todd’s marvelous cooking. After a trip to church together, Becky took us on a drive past her growing-up haunts and her office. That afternoon I persuaded her to share her career day presentation about her work as a mechanical engineer with Gavin and Arwen, and Jessie shared her Daisy Scouts and Brownie achievements with Arwen, who’s been begging lately for a “shirt like Gavin’s - only pink - with a Bobcat, a Wolf, and some arrow points on it”. We shared lots of hugs and photos before driving off that afternoon. How great it was to see them again.

We arrived at the home of some friends from Seattle with just enough light left in the sky for us to see the amazing sign on their front door welcoming us. What a fantastic touch! Gavin and Arwen were swept away immediately to play with the kids while we adults caught up. It was hard to believe it had been nearly five years since we’d seen each other. We made up for it quite thoroughly, talking late into the night and adventuring during our short time together the next day. We set out for Monticello first thing after breakfast with the older kids. What an amazing place! Though we saw only the first floor, Jefferson’s personality was apparent throughout. His energy and ingenuity were dizzying, and I was overcome by the placement of the expansive vegetable gardens. We will have to go back and see it all again at the height of the growing season.

Our next stop was at the airport to retrieve Chad, who had stayed behind on church business for the long weekend. A few more hours in the car got us to the home of Laura and Mitch, some more friends from Seattle where we also met up with Chad’s sister and her family, who recently moved to the area. Over the next few days we hiked in to a gorgeous waterfall, played with little cousin James, hung out at the park in near-freezing temperatures, jumped on the trampoline, scouted out our friends’ amazing tree house, soaked in the hot tub, and Skyped with Grandma and Grandpa. Evenings after the kids were in bed we played games, sipped cocoa, and chatted. It was a fun-filled few days. Many thanks to Laura and Mitch for their amazing hospitality, and to Tiana and Nate for becoming fellow East Coasters.

Before long it was time to head back home. I have to say, I really love road trips with the family. There’s something about heading away from home, enjoying the scenery together, and being away from the demands of everyday life that can’t be duplicated. We split the trip, spending the night in a hotel with a pool and one of the most fantastic on-the-road breakfasts I’ve ever seen. It was the perfect last night to a very fun vacation.