Easter weekend

We're back in Eau Claire after spending Easter weekend in Rhinelander. The kids had a great time playing with cousins Kenny and Beth. Bob was there, too, as were Hope's parents. Not only did Ann and Rich make the 10+ hour drive from Michigan to join us, but they brought along a fabulous honey-glazed ham to share with the group. Hope made her now-famous sweet potato pie (which Mikey remembers from our visits to Arkansas), and Mom and Dad supplied the rest of the feast. I think it's safe to say nobody lost weight over the weekend.

It's amazing to see how little time it takes the kids to get reacquainted with one another. After not seeing each other for months they are somehow able to resume their play in just a few minutes. It's a little different, of course, because their ages have changed. Beth certainly holds her own... she's little, but fiercely independent and determined to be part of all the action.

We were relieved to learn that John and Jim made it back to the US okay after John's passport problem. Everyone was worried and felt so bad (especially for Jim), but are glad he's willing to give it another try. We can't WAIT to hear the full story, especially the part where Jim had to enter the country of Turkey and find overnight accomodations all by himself.

Last night we went for a family walk / bike ride, and Michael took a pretty bad tumble off his bike. He was wearing a helmet, but sustained a bump on his forehead and a nasty road rash on his face and hands. It was upsetting and scary for all of us, but after his wounds were cleaned up they didn't look so bad. He had a good night's sleep and was well enough to go to school, though he'll probably have lots of questions from curious classmates about the bandages on his face.

One other noteworthy tidbit: Emma lost another tooth yesterday, after we left Rhinelander. She's definitely getting that jack-o'lantern look.