right now

We are up at my parent's house in Lake Geneva and is rainy and cold (ick) and my first driving outing resulted in my hitting a mailbox (that I swear came out of nowhere) and completely obliterating the side view mirror on my mom's ginormous Navigator.  So yeah, pole for me and my mom (although after I called her she pretty said not to worry at all and just duct tape it...that is how she rolls and one more reason I love her so).   Yep, no more driving for me for a while.  I did manage to get my first haircut in over a year today even while the girls were with me and in general created havoc in the salon ("mama, can we glue this hair on my picture?" Gross, who are these kids?).  It was exciting to participate in something "American" since I gave up most socially conscious things (you know like haircuts, clothes you actually want to wear, and a decent shoe selection) when we moved to Africa.  Annikah was so shocked with my finished look she said "Mama, you don't look like my Mama anymore."  Well, Anni I actually do not prefer to wear all you can eat dresses and I actually have hair!  Shocking I know.  So even though I will never be able to get my hair to look like it does now ever again at least I know I am capable of working it. Ok, sort of.

I digress but these next weeks of posts will float between pictures and stories of there and happenings of here....which actually fits since that is where my mind is most days......but I had to share some moments of my "American" (who knew?) kids and my family hanging out this weekend.  Even my brother and sister came up so we were all together for the first time in a long time.  That is good stuff.

we have been spending part of everyday of sunshine at the park

and the girls dig it


getting ready to check out Babu's new boat...a big hit!

Ann was the only one of us brave enough to actually jump in that ice cold lake...you go girl!  Auntie Katy and a friend joined her too.

I love my little sister!

Auntie Katy and Anni tubing it up

and quite possibly the next ad for Lake Geneva tourism. Right? Happy summer-ish......