Some highlights:

We finally visited the Birds of Prey exhibit here in Boise-it had beautiful outdoor grounds with scenery totally different then the kind we are used to in CA. I feel a small connection to it lately, as my Grandma likes to say we are '6th generation' Idahoan. More and more everyday I realise that I am a city, Northern CA beach girl through and through-but that doesn't mean I can't find a piece of myself other places, and feel at home wherever Lester and the kids are. This little place reminded me of that. 

We also visited our favourite museum to try out their newly opened outdoor spots. The kid size, working tractors were a hit, and so was the fossil dig and Dino area. 

And my personal favourite-in the middle of a particularly busy week for Lester [they are in neurology, which is not Lester's favourite haha..] the multi cultural club was celebrating Holi, the Hindu celebration that welcomes Spring time and new beginnings. We all got colourful chalk powder and smeared it and threw it on each other, while we ran around in the sunshine on a perfect day together. All the kids loved it, especially Bear, who spent the whole time dancing to the awesome music that was playing. After we had run out of chalk and energy, we laid on the grass and watched the clouds move by, and looked for shapes before heading in to clean ourselves up and eat some lunch. It was exactly what we needed, and it really did feel like a celebration of home where we came from, where we are now and where we're headed. Love moments like that, to tide us over till the next one. 

Other then that, its just been the usual-school, church, work, errands and more life! Addy is often found outside under a tree, or sneaking in our room after bed time with a reading light attached to whatever book she's reading and I love it. Isla is Ms. Social Butterfly still, constantly making up games, or scavenger hunts or new names [she is Laser Eyes, and Addy is Superlash apparently] with all her friends, in excited exclamations and R's that are W's. Bear charms absolutely everyone with his waddle run, constant dancing, and toothy wide, beautiful smile of his. And Lester and I are working hard and playing hard-so that is life right now and I will take it!

We got even more precious family time the next weekend when we took a quick trip to the other side of Idaho to visit one of my cousins and closest friends Rocio, and her family. While there, we got to do something I had been wanting to do for years, and visit my Grandpa's grave. In the last several years, its been interesting to feel his influence in our lives and the decisions we've made and the way we are leading them, even though he's moved on. Addy in particular seems to have developed an interest in him particularly, as she develops this love of reading in particular, so we were really excited to be able to do this. It was a nice cool day, and as special and sacred as possible with a million kiddos running around haha But I think thats how he would have liked it. The rest of the weekend was a dream-all the things I sometimes miss living here. A super loud, chaotic, busy and love filled house. Kids and babies running everywhere, important deep, and also shallow and funny conversations, and a lot of good memories. Chio, Hillary and I stayed up till about 3:30 every night, talking and laughing, doing face masks, and watching K dramas. We went walked on the green belt, hit up various parks, learned how to make tamales, watched the kids put on plays, play dress up and so many other things. We got to celebrate St. Patrick's day and the adults were almost as excited as the kids wake up to a pistachio bundt cake, green milk, leprechaun foot prints and messages and a bit of other fun mischief. It was everything I needed while recovering, and to remember who I am and where I come from. The kids never wanted to leave, both from Grandma, and then from their crazy cousins who they ran wild with all weekend.

If I'm honest, it was bittersweet for more than just the kids coming back. I come from a good family, that originates from about a million different places and back grounds-but no matter how far we trail, I love that we are still connected. And I am happy to be making head way here, with my own little family and all the love that we have here.