Usually our trips West are so full of family events we don't have time for anything else. But this time, we found ourselves with a spare day and decided to visit some dear friends we haven't seen in a long time.
We stopped in at the Herlevis to visit Rick and Kelli and their family. Austin and Rick were high school buddies, Austin and Kelli were college friends, and both give Austin credit for getting them together. We had a wonderful time catching up and getting to know their children.
I have a feeling we are going to need this photo to prove that we knew the Herlevi girls before they were famous! While Rick whisked Austin off to admire his Land Rover restoration, his daughters got out a fiddle and guitar and sang with us. They were awesome. Serious talent in this family.
Then we went to dinner at the Drinkwaters. Pete and Austin were friends on their mission and stayed close in college. Pete and Mary and their kids are such a blast. Next time we are going to have to plan more time with these guys.
Gavin lost a tooth that day so, not to be outdone, Pete's son yanked his loose tooth out so we would have matching gap-toothed boys. The tooth fairy was busy that night!
Lucy climbed a tree with one of Pete's daughters, then found herself stuck like a kitten, unable to get down. She made a good-faith effort, then Pete came to the rescue. (Thanks.)
Finally, I can't leave out a visit with a real OLD friend. My first best friend, my grandpa, now well into his nineties. He was still as energetic and full of great stories as ever. This visit, we learned a bit more about his military career -- especially interesting to me now that I teach at a military university. We didn't even come close to exhausting those stories so we will have to come back next time for more.
