Bill Visits and Grandma Jane Turns 75

Well, baby Leila is almost three weeks old and it finally looks like spring has arrived here in Colfax. Jon rakes a section of our new yard whenever he gets the chance, and green grass is sprouting up everywhere. There are buds on the trees, shoots in the flower beds, and all the snow has melted away. The other night we had our bedroom window open, listening to a thunderstorm.

The kids enjoyed their recent visit with Uncle Bill, newly arrived from France. Bill stopped by on his way to Minneapolis, where he hopes to find an apartment and summer employment soon. He's ready to start graduate school, and is hoping to student teach at the university, as well.

Good news: we've finally found renters for our Eau Claire house. Actually, this time took longer because we didn't just go with the first renters to come along; we let the rental company who showed our house to people do background checks on applicants, so were much more selective than in our first rental experience (about 10 years ago, when we selected renters who burned the place down). So hopefully we'll fare better, this time. We're glad to finally have help with that extra house payment we've been making.

The same renters who have signed a lease for the upstairs are also interested in the basement, but won't need that part of the house until September. So that should give us time to clean it out and make the necessary improvements.

Sunday we went to Pat and Ann's cabin for Jane's 75th birthday party. I don't have pictures to post from that event-- we remembered the camera this time, but didn't use it. Sometimes it's nice just to go somewhere and enjoy the visit.

Leila met some of the Hurlburts she hadn't met before, including all of her aunts and uncles and her oldest cousin (age 38). It's hard to believe, but Bud and Jane have been having grandchildren for almost 40 years!

We had beautiful weather for the party, so everyone spent a fair amount of time outdoors. It was potluck, so there was plenty to snack on. We sang happy birthday and watched Jane open her presents. She did very well, as far as presents go-- one of her children is even having an Amish craftsman construct her a new bedroom set. Not bad, huh? But when you try to imagine all of the presents she has shopped for, bought, and wrapped over the years (I bet it's in the thousands, now) for her children, their spouses, and her grand and great-grandchildren-- it's hard to imagine someone who deserves it more.

The past few days here have been really nice, so the kids and I have been enjoying walks outside with Leila. We've used the stroller a few times, but she seems a bit small for that, so lately I've been carrying her in a baby harness. It's so nice to be outdoors and free of that pregnancy weight. Hopefully I'll be able to walk myself back into shape this summer.

Happy Spring!