With Adam needing to work from his company's headquarters in Everett, we were able to stay up north at the home of our dear framily (that's friends who are so close they've become like family), the Shevitz. Being up in the Mill Creek/South Everett area allows us the opportunity to see a lot of old friends from the post-MBA 'hood. It's been over three years since we moved from here, a lot of life has been lived between then and now, yet it still feels like home!
Zac had the opportunity to spend two whole nights with one of his best buddies, Carson. The two have been pals since they were in preschool, and now they are heading into 5th grade! It's a friendship that has survived years and miles. And when they get together they always have a blast. They had an incredible time playing at Carson's house, attending a day of "splash camp" together at Carson's church, and having a boys' night out with Anna, Carson's mom, eating Chinese food and seeing Zoo Keeper at the theater. It was with a heavy heart that Zac was dropped back off to us on Wednesday morning. He is so grateful for his friend Carson, and so am I! Carson is the type of kid a mother is happy to see her child befriend and admire.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday the kids had a fantastic time playing with their friends from our old neighborhood: the Browns--Madison, Zach (a different Zach) and Carson (a different Carson), and the Shevtiz-- Hannah, Max and Jakob. Zac spent two of those days with Carson, and with as much fun as he was having, he was sad to not spend more time with Madison. Luke was down at my parents' house, at Nana Camp (more to come on that later). It is amazing how much more simple life is when we are one or two kids down! The kids spent the days running from the Shevitz' front yard to inside the Browns' house, to the Shevitz' backyard, to the Browns' front yard and all combinations thereof. They had the best time! Zach Brown and Josh are about the same age (6/7), Ben and Hannah are both 8, and Madison and my Zac are both 10. It makes for happy parings and perfect play time! Everyone has a buddy if they want to play different games, or they can all co-op together for more fun.
Then there's the "little" set, although I don't think Luke would appreciate me referring to him as "little!" They range from 4 to 1: Luke (4), Carson (3), Max (2), Tommy (1.5) and Jakob (1). They are all at various stages, but still have fun spending time playing together and doing everything possible to bother the big siblings. As they all get older they are going to make quite the all-boy little-brother gang!
Wednesday Luke was returned to us, happy and content from his time with Nana, and the big boys were swapped for their turn at Nana Camp. Next year Tommy gets to join Nana and Luke. I know Tommy will love it, but I also know Luke will be sad to lose out on his one-on-one! But he doesn't yet know what is to come next summer, so he returned to us happily. Luke has been having fun playing with Hannah and Max, and with all the fun toys the Shevitz's have! He spent a good portion of today playing play-doh and climbing the playset in the backyard.
The babies were happy to smile for the camera while they took their evening bath. The toddler/preschooler set wanted nothing to do with it! Part age/part personality, totally funny!
Love the Washington humidity! The curls are going crazy!
The kids are having a great time, but I am also SO happy to be visiting with some of my favorite people. I get to chat with Jen all day, we've even had a chance to take a couple of runs together, and Beth pops over to visit with us regularly too. On Tuesday Beth, Jen and I went out for a girls' night to our favorite place, P.F. Changs and then to see Larry Crowne (cute movie!). We were happy for an evening off and had a blast! Then on Thursday, Emily and Sarah, two friends from our old ward here, came to visit for a short playdate with their darling kiddos! They are amazing moms and fantastic women, and I was happy for a chance to visit with them. 
We have loved our week with our friends and are going to be sad to leave here tomorrow! Boo hoo! It's hard to leave these friends who mean so much to us. Plus, as this week draws to a close the end of our trip here to Washington is getting closer and closer, and that is always so hard to accept. If it's true that home is where the heart is, I will be leaving half of my heart here when we start the drive east and south in a week from today. I love this place!
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