Visit from our Alaskans!

Spring is a time that just about everyone looks forward to, and we're of course no exception. Spring brings bright sunny days, dinners al fresco, new flowers in the garden and when we're very very lucky it brings a visit from our Alaskans! We always look forward to seeing Ed, Laurie and the kids when they escape the Alaskan winter with a trip southwest.

In the beginning I wondered how they would relate to one another. Jessie is the oldest, Bailey and Olin are the same age, and Collin rates as the youngest of the bunch...would they connect? Apparently I worry for nothing because from that first visit in 2007 (at our house) they seemed to have a connection that is purely natural. When I see them together it's funny how alike they all are.
In 2008 we decided to meet somewhere the kids could burn off a little energy and soak up some Arizona sunshine so we gathered at the Phoenix Zoo. Bailey and Jessie with their long statures are both so bright, beautiful, articulate and friendly that they could almost pass for sisters. Olin and Collin both fall into the younger brother category and seem to have the same knack for silliness, boyish charm and athleticism so they are instantly entertained by one another.
This year, 2009, we decided to meet at CrackerJax in Scottsdale to play a little mini-golf and then grab a bite for dinner. And like always the kids delighted me by connecting on sight once again. Maybe it's connection by proxy, Ed has always been a favorite personality in my life, my mom's baby brother was always, and I mean always fun to spend time with. Maybe the kids can just read that, or maybe they just understand that we're family, they have a connection that runs so deep that it would be crazy to think they wouldn't be friends. Either way, I am always grateful for the time we get to spend together. Today they're headed home to the North and we begin our week of Spring Break, getting together with them was the perfect way to kick off our vacation!