Heading Home

It was time to head home to see family. It had been almost three months since I last saw Sheri, and I was very much looking forward to seeing her. She was supposed to join me in early September in Santiago, but she was kind enough to postpone our reunion since Zach and Cam were coming to go skiing with me. And I was very much looking forward to seeing Henry (and Kirsten and Randy, of course). Also, it was mom's birthday and family was getting together to celebrate (and Sheri's birthday and my sister's). And I wanted to make sure to cast my vote in the election (but let's not talk about that).

I must admit that I so miss my wonderful little grandson. So when I arrived at the airport in Portland, what a great surprise it was to see Henry, with Kirsten and Sheri, there to welcome me home. I could not stop smiling the whole drive home.

A main reason for coming home so often is to see my mother. It was her 91st birthday and my sister's family and my brother's family were all getting together to celebrate. A year ago mom fell and broke her hip and it has been a bit difficult since. She moved into a group home where she could get more care, and I am happy to say that she is doing well. We gathered at a favorite restaurant for brunch. Henry was unable to come, but he got mom a present - a little bird for Thanksgiving. Mom loved it.

My son, Zach, and his fiance, Jenna, were able to come from Salt Lake City for the birthday party. They had recently got engaged. (They have known each other since third grade and started dating in high school.) Mom was excited to give them her wedding ring for their future wedding. It was such a joy to see the beaming smiles of the three of them.

We also got to go watch Tom's son, Joaquin, play soccer. Reminded us of so many fond memories watching the boys' soccer games in the rain.

The other main reason for coming home so often is to spend time with Henry. He is such a joy in our lives. We help care for him whenever we are home (one of the reasons Sheri spends more time at home than I). We love it when he comes to spend nights at our house. He loves to help grandma in the kitchen (making our favorite breakfast, abelskivers, a type of Danish round pancake). Grandpa and Henry have a tradition of having creamsicles together. He loves helping in the yard. We read books, play dinosaurs together, go to the beach, and go hiking and birdwatching. Uncle Tom gave him a pair of skis and he is so excited to go skiing this winter. (He says "I want to go fast!") Needless to say, I am looking forward to it.

It was Sheri's birthday when we were home. We had a nice little birthday dinner at home with Henry, Zach and Jenna, and Jenna's parents, Nik and Babette. We also went to the coast and and our favorite restaurant in Newport, Local Ocean.

Another highlight of our time home was seeing friends, including a friend that I have known since my days at the Cal, Paul Bolstad. Paul lives in Minnesota and we haven't seen each other in more than a decade. We went for a nice hike at Marys Peak. Paul is quite a good cook and made us some great meals. We also visited some mutual friends who used to live in Minnesota, Maureen and Klaus.

It was Halloween while we were home, and we had a wonderful time going trick-or-treating with Henry and his friends, Indira and Rama. We also went to a Halloween party at our neighbors, Chris and Erin's, house. Very fun.

Before leaving to head back to Santiago with Sheri, we got together with Sheri's family for our annual lefse party in memory of Sheri's mom, Vonnie. Henry got to turn his first lefse! Such a wonderful family tradition. Passing it on to the next generation.