Our journey went relatively without incident. I did accidently lock the treats bought for the kids in my bro's truck (Bon Apetite Steve & Kathy) and our flight was delayed about 45 minutes, but other than that it was very smooth.
#3 was up at about 5 this morning asking to go fishing, but settled for watching cartoons until it was late enough to play outside with #1 & #2.
I'm not sure what it is that is so relaxing and virtually stress free about visiting my folks. I think just being near them again is an emotional relief. It is difficult living so far from them. I grew up next door to my grandparents and just a few houses down from my aunt and cousin. Family has always been an immediate and extremely important aspect of my life. To be situated away from family is almost physically painful.
I miss having the closeness of family that it was more of a community. There was always support there for all of us kids and I am sorry my children cannot live in an environment like that. It helps that they are so close to their grandparents. They come up here almost every summer, and have a good strong relationship with their grandparents. For that I am grateful.
It also helps that all three boys really look up to my brother. When Hunkka-hunkka hubby has had to be away from us, he has been something of a surrogate father, or at least father figure for them. They all adore him and his wife and have voiced wishes recently to spend more time with them (I'm sure the rockets have nothing to do with this....yea-right!) Seriously, they have learned that Uncle Steve and Aunt Kathy are people to have fun with, and they love being with them.
I think tomorrow I'm going to try to talk Hunkka-hunkka Hubby into finding a good place for us to go on a family hike tomorrow. Perhaps pack a lunch for us to enjoy out there in the wilderness surrounding Juneau.