MLK Weekend....

We are in the midst of our long weekend for Martin Luther King day, and we have already been blessed with two wonderful visitors. On Friday afternoon/evening, Christine, a former student of mine, came by for a visit before going back to college. She is studying nursing, and wants to be a Nurse Anes..aneasth...aneas...one of those nurses who put you to sleep in the OR....haha. But she will do awesome because she is one of the brightest kids (and most wonderful individuals) I have ever taught. And Maira just LOOOOOVED her. Maira decided, unequivocally, that Christine was her 'best friend,' and told Christine over and over again. In fact, when Christine had to leave and Maira had to go to bed, Maira became very very upset--to the point of sobbing--that her 'best friend' could come up and lie in her bed with her. It was adorable! Below is a nice shot of Christine and Maira....

....and then Callum sneaking into the pictures....like he always does...haha. Perhaps you will notice two things that I have noticed this weekend: One, Callum's red/raw nose and lips (he has been sick and has had a CRAZY runny nose...he's like a mini Zin _ Ponticelli), and two, both our kids seem to look 'older' to me this weekend. They are changing so fast. It is bittersweet. But do you see that??

Maira and Callum LOVE their puzzles, and Maira, in particular, has seemed to really catch the puzzle-bug from her brother. She wanted Christine to help her put her 'Little Mermaid' puzzles together....over and over again...

On Saturday, Andrea and Michael came up from Rochester NH for a visit. Can you believe it has been about three years since I have seen these two?? Amanda has seen Andrea more. But with coaching, etc, I often miss out on fall trips. At any rate, we were so excited to see them, and Maira now has TWO best friends (Christine and Andrea are her BEST friends). And, again, Maira 'bonded' with her jigsaw puzzles. That is how she 'reels' people in......

Michael and Andrea brought us some cool stuff--hard cider that they made, and gorgeous fingerling potatoes that they grew. Below, Michael, Callum, me, and my ridiculous beard pose for a picture....Yeah...my beard has taken on a life of its own. Also, I have no idea what Callum is doing with his arm.

Lupine is SO FAT. We have no idea how or why. Seriously--she has NEVER eaten regular people food. And she doesnt eat wet cat food. She eats regular dry food...and not that much of it. And from March through November she is outside, running and chasing and hunting and exercising. Of course, now, she marinates in front of the wood stove all day and night. But still...how has she gotten this way?

What could have been......haha (also, please note Maira's 'party dress' which she wanted to wear for her friends' visit....

We hope to establish a sort of 'rhythm' where we can start seeing the Clauss-Veal's more often! They are dear to us and it was great catching up. And, just so you know, if you look up the phrase 'shit eating grin' in the dictionary, I am pretty sure you will see Callum, cropped from this photo...