I’ve spent the week at my sister’s new house, getting her hot tub set up (it came with the house they just bought), helping get the kids off to their first day of school, and shopping with my mom. Here are some of the highlights!

Their new place has a huge back deck where we can eat outside! I love it!

Jordan stole my hat!

Dad came over for dinner one night and helped us pump out the old hot tub water for a fresh start.

I went to Sail (a couple of times) to buy a warmer sleeping bag for my return trip (I bought and returned one after changing my mind on my first selection).

We wrote letters and walked them to the mailbox.

And my great Tante Miep and cousin Jackie came to visit one afternoon!

We saw Julie off to her first day of work. The kids had a PD day for their first day, so they stayed home with Mom and I.

And we decided not to stay home! They took me to the butterfly conservatory!

Immediately two butterflies landed on Selinah’s hat!

I saw my first axolotl!

And then we tried to go for a picnic!

But suddenly there were so many wasps!! So we ate in the van.

Which worked just fine!

Then we did our exercises. And our yoga.

Then this kid looked at me and said, “You’re going down!”

And he was right. Incredible strength on this one!

Then it was the kids’ first day of school!

They are so cute!

We’ve had hot tub time! Gotta relax after school ya know!

And Mom and I did a two can dine for $19.95 deal at Swiss Chalet for lunch one day.

As you can see, it has been a very busy week. And now I am off to visit my eldest niece at her new college dorm! Time flies!

I still have many more people to see and adventures to have before heading back home soon. More to come!