A Visit in Words...mostly :)

We get used to the Mulliken visits where it is like traveling with the paparazzi.  The DuRoss clans don't tend to take out their cameras as often.  Both styles have their advantages, neither are better or worse, just different.  And, I guess Chip and I are like chameleons, taking on the habits of our visitors. Therefore, we do not have many photos of Nana and Papa's latest visit.  We loved it all the same and want to remember that they took the time and effort to come visit with us.  So, I will attempt to capture what I can in words in addition to the coupla photos we did get.

Let's see...we went hiking behind the house.  Cousin Finn joined his uncle Chip, Aunt Audrey, Ruby, Owen, Nana, and Papa all the way up to "the look out" that uncle Chip had his sights set on.  This is impressive because, unlike Ruby and Owen, he was not in a backpack.  The little guy can hike!  We also then got to enjoy dinner together with Chris, Erika, and Nola.  The nice part about having several parts of the family in one place, is that we get to enjoy family dinners with all but one part of the family present (miss you Derek, Hope, and Co.!).

After Papa left, we also hiked up to a lovely lookout in Lamb's Canyon with Nana.  Here is a picture of Ruby and Owen wearing the awesome new bibs that Nana brought them to eat snack tailgate style before we head out on the trail. Nana also braved Monkey Mountain with us and attended storytime with Chip while I got to relax and hang out for the half hour- what a treat!  We are most excited about the developments of a possible new plan for the Eastern DuRoss Clan.  I will withhold further details for now, but just wanted to record that we enjoyed exploring this idea with them during the trip too!

Here is our one other photo to prove this visit actually happened....and I do love it.  Ruby and Owen love to read books.  They will grab books off the shelf, bring them to you, and, once you have taken it, they will turn around and back right into your lap for a reading.  You could be in the kitchen, bathroom, or wherever.  They don't care.  Anywhere is a good spot to read a book.  Here, they are reading a favorite, "Babies", with Nana.  So cute.