Four kids and wii (as in us)

We are back in the Berkshires after a few days in Carmel, Indiana. Mom drove Russ and me up to Louisville, Kentucky where Beth and the girls met us for a picnic. It was a halfway stop and we then drove the rest of the way with Beth. Both girls are very cute and adore Russ, who in turns dotes on them. It's a win-win for everyone. In fact, normally squirrly Rachel insisted in church on sitting on Russ' lap so he could rub her back, which put her into some kind of trance.

Some of our favorite sayings from the girls -
I said, "Ok,hugs before bed" and four-year-old Rachel piped in "What about high fives?"

Five-and-half-year-old Faith was always asking where Russ was if he was not in the room. She matter-of-factly told me before bed one night "We were praying for Uncle Russ when he was sick. When he had his heart attack, his caterpillers did not have enough blood" (she meant capillaries, and apparently learned that from Bill Nye, the Science Guy)

The boys are quickly grown-up and spun us with tales of what they are working on for the 4-H fair (archery, chicken bbq and geneology for ten-year-old Zack and steak bbq, Star Wars collection display, and bicycles for twelve-year-old Marshall). Both boys are still plugged into music and help their dad out Sunday mornings. Zack is on swim team and Marshall just started football conditioning.

We played tennis, swung at the playground, and fed ducks. All four kids gave us lessons in wii, so we also bowled, shot decoys, and played party games. Let's just say their hand-eye coordination is light years beyond mine. A jolly good time though.

Beth and Max have done a wonderful job making their home very cozy and comfortable. We slept soundly in their king-size bed, although we also got lost in it. It was great catching up with them, and we always enjoy Max's salsa. They are on the same two-meals-a-day plan as Mom and Dad, which we have been continuing since then. It is very satisfying. The kids are still eating up a storm though.

Beth also took me to her favorite Goodwill store. I swear that Carmel has the best thrift shops I have ever seen. So, I am slowly rebuilding my wardrobe. Mom helped too. Beth also gave me a purse to replace the one that was lifted on the flight to Gabs to Joburg; things are slowly getting back to normal. (There was nothing in the purse, but it was really nice)

As in Tennessee, the weather was cool and pleasant. I think this will be the forecast for the summer, even though I wish it was a bit warmer.

The whole trip was a good diversion for us and it went by too quickly. We are now housesitting in Lenox, which is a nice change. We are enjoying discovering our neighborhood, walking, and sitting out on the porch.