Cook Family Visit

About two weeks after we moved in, Mark's parents came to visit, and they brought his sister Katie and her son (our nephew) Kaden with them! This was our first family visit since before Covid, so we were really excited to see everyone, especially our 6-month-old nephew, who we were meeting for the first time. 

Katie and Kaden stayed with us--our first overnight guests in the house! My office/guest room is definitely still a work in progress, but it seemed to work ok for them (and I have some notes to make it better for whoever visits us next...in the long run, we plan to offer a pull-out sofa bed, but that'll be a bit down the road). 

air mattress (it's at least a nice one :-)

my office corner in the guest room

The house was still a bit chaotic, and the electrician and her assistant ended up coming on Friday while family was here, so they had to work around us, but everyone was really good natured about it. 

Mark and Dad worked on a bunch of stuff around the house--fixing some minor issues from the inspection (some trim in a couple places on the exterior, weather-stripping on the furnace closet door, installing the under-sink water filter, hooking up the dryer after the outlet was installed, etc.). They made several trips to Home Depot and Ace Hardware along the way. :-)

Mark & Dad talking things over

connecting the dryer
(showing Kaden how it's done)

We also spent lots of time hanging out and playing with the Kaden, who is so fun, good-natured, and cute! Mark tried a few times to interest him in various drums and percussion instruments with somewhat limited success (there will be more chances when he's older, of course :-).

Mark & Kaden play bongos

Amy & Kaden in matching hats

Dad & Kaden playing on the floor

Mark gives Kaden bunny ears...he doesn't mind!

Mark & Kaden

Uncle Mark, Aunt Amy, and Kaden

Mark & Kaden play on the floor

Mom convinces Kaden to take a nap

Mark & Kaden at lunch

Mark & Kaden play marimba

Mark & Kaden play drumset

And we enjoyed some good meals from local places, including some of our favorites and at least one place we'd never been (plus several we hadn't been to in quite a while). And Mom, Katie, Kaden, and I got to have proper tea at the Swan House--always a treat!

group photo at the Swan House

the menu was delicious! 
(I forgot to take the pic till after we'd
started serving the bottom plate :-)

We really enjoyed having visitors and seeing family again, and it was especially sweet to meet our nephew in person (we're looking forward to meeting the new nephew on my side later this summer, too!). Thanks again for visiting, Mom, Dad, Katie, and Kaden! 

Mark & me on the front porch