Last post about the good ol USA

Lots of family was visited during our trip to the US. Here we are with Marzena & Paul, cousins, at their house. We saw them at the anniversary party, but wanted to say goodbye too.

Gran Tat helped Nev to navigate the treacherous tiles of their kitchen.

Every night was story night...it just differed in which were read and by whom. Since we generally read the books at home, Gran Tat & Busha were frequently called upon.

Nev got a series on the blue engine that could and included the clown falling off his new birthday bike. He was "sad" and Nevlin was perplexed about it. Everyone was described as "sad" in the next few months. 

 

After Nev fell asleep, some of us played cards well into the night. With snacks on hand, the ladies were able to redeem earlier games and came out victors on the night before we left. Another trip wrapped up, hard to go home, but the visit was extra special with Nevlin.

Stripes and Splashes in WVA

Luck and time permitted us to get together with Nic, Augie & Ben in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. This place was famous long before 2104 claiming George Washington not only slept there, but frequented the small resort. 

Lucky for Nevlin, Augie brought with him a few trucks, balls, and blankets to share a picnic lunch.

The rest of us hung out on a nearby picnic table with fresh water streams gurgling in the background.

The boys even got wet with each other & tried to splash as much of the fresh water out of the baths as possible. Finishing off the day with an ice cream and pinwheels was a treat in & of itself. We will miss Augie and hope to keep in touch on skype.

Ggpa at the Lake

The fridge got a little more rearranged and it was time for Cam's family to arrive. Again, we ran out of letters by the end.

Ggpa was greeted by the Nevlin in full fashion. Little did he know that Ggpa had been walking through that door for many, many years.

There were a few quiet moments spent outside, connecting or reconnecting with nature. Nev and his dad picked through rocks and sticks and dirt.

On the trip was also Nevlin's cousin and Aunt Nan. This beach ball was the best $1.50 investment I've made in a really long time.

Quiet walks through the surrounding streets are just one of the many benefits of the Lake house. Things are just a bit slower here than in your usual life, which is always welcome.

Here's a group shot of the family gathered, except this time E's taking the photo. Cam's uncle is on the far left and Drew was just a few months different from Nev.

Again, happiness and peace when the table was full of food. A beautiful weekend spent with fantastic family members.