Yay for family visits!

Chris & Corrie and our favorite niece Elizabeth and nephew Andrew came to visit us during the most hurricane-like weekend of our lives. It was so SO great to be with them and host them for a change, but the weather... well, let's just say we survived it.

There was plenty of playing, book-reading, tickling, napping, talking and laughing and rain-dodging. We loved every minute of it, and got a real taste of life with children. All we can say is, "Wow Chris and Corrie! You guys are awesome parents!" Parenting sure is 'work' and they do it so well. Matt and I were totally pooped at the end of each day, and we did all the fun work!

On Saturday, we bundled up to go play in the community room so that E & A could get their wiggles out.
Andrew never stays still.

Elizabeth loved the play house.

Andrew and I played 'peek-a-boo'


More toys.

Matt wanted in on all the fun.

Afterwards, we decided to hit the town and have lunch there. The winds were picking up and the rain never stopped pouring, and I mean pouring. The kids were so miserable from the 5 minute walk from the car to Panera's and we were all drenched and cold. We took our time at lunch and headed home pretty quickly to watch the storm from the safety and warmth of indoors. We played the rest of the afternoon.
This is what happened at around 4:30pm.
The view from our back porch.

Our new view from the bedroom window:


Since it didn't fall on our house or on any wires (thank you Lord!), it's considered 'low priority'. If it's still like this next winter, I'll have to buy more Christmas lights and longer garlands.

Here's more damage we saw on our way to Church.





Ironically, for his sermon, the preacher used the story about Jesus calming the storm. The sound of the rain beating the roof and pavement, the rolling thunder and lightning really added a certain je ne sais quoi to his story. How did he do that?
It stopped raining just long enough for us to go outside again to explore downtown, enjoy Pi day and celebrate Einstein's birthday.
Troopers!

The family under Blair Arch.

My favorite nephew's hick smile

Elizabeth "roaring" with the tiger.

Andrew not so impressed with these tigers.

Elizabeth showing off her souvenir from our walk.

Andrew fascinated by the fish at the library.

Andrew became quite attached to my umbrella and insisted on carrying it everywhere for the rest of the day, including in his stroller. So be it.


Some reading time.


We're going to miss these smiles!


Thanks so much for coming to see us!