Summer's in the houuuuse!

Summer is finally here!  It's been a crazy year at work, it's been a crazy year at home.  I love my job, but this year it has turned into a bit of a soap opera.  While I was not a character in the ever unfolding drama, it definitely had an effect on me and I was glad to escape it all.  Home life was crazy with Erik's whole back shenanigans, not to mention that fact the there are these two little munchkins always running around causing chaos. So, sigh, we're finally back home in Bayside.  The whir of endless end of the year activities has come to an end and we're settling in to the slower pace of summer life.

This year marked a big move for us.  We've made the decision to move back to Bayside for good.  At least, we are hoping we can all move back here for good.  Cairo starts Kindergarten in the fall and that has, kind of, been our deadline for moving back up here.  So, we packed up all our stuff and moved it up here.  No more living between two places, no more saying good-bye to our lovely home.  Downside, we need jobs.  So, while the move up here is permanent for the kids and Erik, there is still a chance that I will have to go back to Monrovia at the end of the summer and work again.  I'm looking for a job up here and would even be willing to leave teaching if it means I can stay with my family and still earn enough to support them.  Time will tell.  I hate the wait.

We packed up three cars (my parents helped us make the move) and were able to make it up here in time for my birthday.  It's been years since I was able to spend it up here.  We went over to Erik's parent's house for a family dinner and cake/ chocolate torte (mmmmm, my favorite).  Cairo got to play with Mei- one of her number one favorite things to do- and Jonah spent some time with Koko playing with marbles.

See, I'm there, too.

Koko's party trick.  I LOVE it!

Keeping busy while we're finishing dinner.

Blowing out the candles... I know what I'm wishing for!

The little cousins playing together.

The big cousins playing together.

 We enjoyed having my parents here for a few days.  We went on a few outings.  One included a trip to Agate Beach.  We spent a while searching for agates.  By the time we left everyone found at least one.  My mom worked the hardest at it and was the last to finally find one.  Way to stay with it mom.  :o)

Teaching Cairo the art of looking for agates.