Home?!

I was sitting around in Vienna, loving my European summer, when all of a sudden I just felt like being home. With a few quick calls I was able to change my ticket and come home a week early. Kristin was at the beach, so I looked into all kinds of different options from getting from Seattle to Portland, but my mom ended up driving up and picking me up. I think she has spent more time in the last four years driving me around to friend's houses, dinners, airports, and errands than she did when I was a kid...

Anyways, we stopped at a Mexican place for lunch, where I promptly inhaled the entire basket of chips and about 3 bowls of salsa in 4.3 seconds while I waited for my faijitas to arrive... Just can't understand why Mexican food is so bad in other countries. The drive was pretty easy and I managed to stay awake 26 hours and went to sleep and got up at a normal time, no real problems with jet lag. We went to Safeway and I just LOVE walking around and looking at everything. Seems funny that a grocery store can make me happy. I was putting things in the cart and getting excited about all the things that were just available. I mean, aisles and aisles of things like brown sugar, chocolate chips, salsa, hummus, I mean what more could I ask for! And, who can live without cinammon graham crackers, not that I've ever had them, but I desperately needed them. Delicious.

The next day I finally got to meet Tilly, Katie's little girl, which was awesome! I basically just spent the day holding her and playing with her when she wasn't eating. FUN. And, as always, it was great to see Katie. I love where she lives, walkig distance to great little shops and restaurants. My mom came and picked me up. Ha.

The next day was family day. We went and saw my dad, we are so lucky that we found such a great place for him to be cared for. They are amazing people and the place is so nice. They had redone the front area and there was a beautiful garden that just looked perfect. When we got there dad was sitting at the kitchen table, he was pretty alert as long as were were talking to him, but a bit sleepy too. He looked great. I told him all about the Ironman and gave him an Irondad t-shirt. Next stop Grandma's house. It was really good to see her, she made us coffee and cake and fruit, I felt like we were in Germany, they always do that there. We also got a tour of all of her flowers and plants. They looked great, I always think it would be nice to have a garden, but I don't want to take care of it. Kind of like how I feel about dogs and kids too actually. Next we went and saw Michael and Nina and Grandma Rivera. Michael and Nina had just gotten back from Hawaii, they looked so tan! The greenhouse was filled with plants, again, I'd love a garden, but no desire to care for it. The weather was nice, so we just sat outside and talked for a while. Last stop of the day was my mom dropping me off at Erin's house, where I met Ayla, I hope that's spelled right! She was born the day before Tilly, and she is just as cute! It was so relaxing to just sit out on the back deck and talk with Erin, stare at Ayla and hang out. Ben came home and we sat around, talked, drank wine and it was WONDERFUL. I am just loving summer. Oh,and then I called my mom for a ride home. As you do when you're 34.

Missy is on her way to pick me, not sure exactly what our plans are, but I can't wait to catch up in person! I also made plans to see Anna and meet Lukas. So many new babies! I am also anxious to see Kristin, Eric, Ella, Gavin and Dane. They are at the beach now and will swing through Portland to pick me up tomorrow, I'm SO excited to see them!

Life is good.