Weekend at home

We had a really nice weekend at home. Nate and I both looked at each other last night, feeling quite accomplished. We were sitting on the couch, having just put Abby to bed, and the house was clean and quiet. It felt nice. Trips are fun to take, and the memories are awesome, but home sweet home is even better.

Nate worked very diligently in the yard on Saturday and Sunday, trimming trees from the neighboring vacant lot, mowing, blowing all the leaves and pollen out of the driveway, edging, and watering our potted plants. I made two loaves of Granny’s bread, made pizza dough, and organized and put away Abby’s baby clothes – 3 boxes worth! That child has accumulated many clothes in her short life! We also grilled homemade pizza and enjoyed it on the patio with some Chardonnay. This pizza was an original Walters creation: basil pesto, cherub tomatoes, sundried tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, grilled chicken, goat cheese, and red-chile walnuts. If it sounds good, it tasted even better.

Sunday afternoon prompted a spur-of-the-moment trip to the zoo. We’d planned on taking a walk around the neighborhood, until Nate suggested the zoo. We are members, so it’s nice to be able to walk in and see any or all the exhibits. Plus, it was a non-busy Sunday at the zoo. Most everyone in town was at Mayfest, and this Sunday will be crazy since it’s Mother’s Day. Abby’s favorite animals continue to be the elephants and the flamingos, mostly because their areas provide more close-up viewing. She did enjoy the swimming turtles in our zoo’s fantastic new Museum of Living Art (MOLA) exhibit. Please come visit us sometime and we’ll take you there!

Our highlight of the weekend was “meeting” our niece and Abby’s cousin, Piper! We set up a Skye chat with the Durham folks on Saturday and Sunday. She is a cutie - with red hair! And she’s well on her way to becoming a chubby ball of sweetness! Abby was very excited to meet her. Upon seeing Piper’s face on the computer screen, Abby pointed and said, “Ahhh! Bay! (for baby)” She also showed Uncle Josh and Aunt Paige her new tricks: waving and clapping. Abby proceeded to give Sam some attention that he relished; although, in a few weeks, he might take that back – ha!

Now we’re back in the grind again, but looking forward to our Memorial Day weekend plans when we actually get to meet Piper in the flesh. I can’t wait to cuddle a newborn!