Home Again!

We just got back late last night after spending Easter and a quick week with our older daughter's family in Chicago. What a whirlwind!  We played with the grand kids, met their chickens and cats, cooked lots of meals and visited friends and relatives. It was great fun!

One morning while Mom was at her Bible study, Daniel and I entertained ourselves by trying to play Chinese checkers. It was more fun sorting out all the marbles, but at least we tried. Tic-Tac-Toe turned out to be a more popular choice, and Daniel has vowed to practice hard before we meet again in the summer.

On Easter morning, before the service began, we were treated to a beautiful sunrise. (And we tried not to think what time it was back in Seattle!) Their church's traditional sunrise service starts with everyone gathering at a bonfire next to the church.

It was a chilly morning and the fire helped keep everyone warm before they proceeded into the church carrying candles.

Aunt Jessica and Uncle Armen were there, too.

It was an interesting service that included an enactment of the Creation story and the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus.  For us, though, the highlight was being present at David's baptism. Here he is reading his statement prior to being immersed. We'd never seen this kind of baptism before, and it was very moving.

This is the first time we've visited during the school year when Sophia and David were gone during most of the days.  We had time together though in the evenings. Here's Sophia with Red Bear, her favorite doll that was given to her by our neighbor when she was a baby. Red Bear is wearing the outfit Grandma T. brought back from Hawaii. (They were just back from their vacation, and we had a lovely lunch together on the Saturday before Easter.)

Here's Daniel with Annie Cat. She's just a kitten and was adopted by the family  along with her Mama earlier in the year. She is very mischievous and interested in everything, including knitting!

Monday evening we got to watch the kids' swimming lessons and noticed they've made lots of improvement since last summer.  Since the family lives near a lake, it's wonderful that the kids are becoming water safe.  The week went by all too fast, and now we are back home and our normal routine.  We have choir tonight, and this time during practice,I will try not to think of the time in Chicago.  Have a great evening, Everyone.  I hope to catch up with your blogs real soon.