Visiting Old Friends and Making New Friends

My very first friend was a boy named Eduardo.  His parents and mine were close friends, and because of that, he and I were born into that friendship.  When we were in 4th and 3rd grade, Eduardo's parents moved several states away, but we still saw them about once a year.   Eduardo and I were very close friends into adulthood, but lost touch years ago, as we got busy in our own lives and then raising our own families.  Now, though, I have moved to Virginia and he has moved to Pennsylvania and we find ourselves living just a few hours apart, the closest we have lived in 30 years!  Over the 4th of July weekend mom, dad, the girls and I went to visit Eduardo and his family.  It was great to re-new our friendship and to see our children become friends.  

Eduardo and his family with me and the girls.
Look how Elise and Eduardo's daughter are holding hands
 in this picture, so cute!

Anja, getting friendly with Lily, the Jack Russell, and Argus, the
Giant Schnauzer.

Eduardo had all the kids fishing in the pond behind their house.
I don't know where he gets the patience, but I sure appreciate
it, as the kids had a great time!

Anja and Eduardo's daughter.

Elise waited so patiently,
 but never caught a fish.  This was very
frustrating, since she could see them
swimming around her bait.

The whole gang, getting a line in the water.

The two younger generations went for a
hike in a nature preserve, it was beautiful!

They found something interesting, but I'm not sure what it is.

On our hike, Anja found several bones from a deer.  This was the
biggest bone.  We brought it back, but Anja decided we
shouldn't have it in our car as it might attract bugs and worms,
so she gave it to Eduardo's kids before we left to come home.

Eduardo and his family have chickens on their farm, which the girls
(especially Elise) loved to play with.  I joked with Eduardo's wife
that those poor chickens will be so worn out and traumatized
by the experience that they will never lay eggs!

There are a couple of horses on the farm, and it was delightful to be
around them (and Eduardo's wife, too!)

Catching the chickens, after they mysteriously got out of their pen.
Hmmm, I wonder how the door got left open?

At one point we were all out wandering around the pasture, so
I called everyone together to take a picture.  As I was getting ready to
push the shutter, this horse trotted up and photo bombed us!

The kids, enjoying Birch Beer (tastes a lot like Root Beer).  Cheers!

We planned our visit for a time when Eduardo's mom would also be
there.  We hadn't seen her in 15 years, waaaay too long! They've
been friends a long time and there were some great stories to be heard!

Eduardo's mom, Ruby, Ruby's husband, Larry, and my mom and dad.

We are already looking forward to the next time we can get together!