Warning: Lots of gushing ahead!

Kindred.

We were so lucky to have Danielle and Dave here for 3 nights this past week. 'Blessed' would be a more accurate word. Danielle and I became fast friends our freshman year of college. We lost touch a few years ago and then connected again via the magic of the internet. After not seeing each other for five years, we picked up right where we left off- it seemed that we'd just seen each other last week. She's married to an awesome guy, Dave, and Joel and I loved hearing about the INCREDIBLE adventures they've been having while Living the Good Life in Ecuador.

We stayed up late talking, they explored (and loved!) Third Street, and we enjoyed meals together. On Friday we all went to the zoo with Nana Pam. It was a perfect day there.

Obligatory Goat Statue Pictures

A visit to the zoo isn't complete without elephant ears. Carter wasn't sure what to expect. "Mama, is elephant ears crunchy ice cream?" No Carter, it is not crunchy ice cream!

Dave and G stood here and discussed the finer points of giraffes and African birds for a good 5 minutes. (Actually I have no idea what they were talking about, but it was pretty dang cute.)

Carter: I weawy wove deese nated mow wats, Mama. I weawy wove dem.

Our visit culminated with a dream come true for me- I'm not exaggerating as much as you'd think- going to the Indigo Girls concert at the zoo together. If you know me, you know that I LOVE the Indigo Girls and that Joel and I have caught every concert possible the past couple of years. Well, Danielle is the person who introduced me to the Indigo Girls in the first place. I know she loves them even more than me, and I got to be with her at her first IG concert! After a day at the zoo with the kids, (Thanks Nana Pam for joining us and taking our wild children home!), the four of us had such a good time visiting, eating, and drinking while waiting for the show to start. And then once it did start (while we were visiting with Sarah- so fun that you came down!), it was AMAZING.

I have about a million pictures that look just like this. Why? No idea. And guess what? The Indigo Girls use Klean Kanteens! See the silver and blue back there? Oh they are so cool. Le sigh.

Oh, it was so awesome. About 2/3 of the way through the show, Danielle and I went down to the front to watch. It was crowded and a little nuts, but it was so COOL to be down there. We were singing at the top of our lungs and SCAHREEEAMING. Very, very, very fun. On the way home we all squished in Joel's clown car (and somehow got the wagon in the trunk with all the soccer and baseball stuff!) and laughed harder than I've laughed in a very long time all the way home. The kind of laughter that stays with me for days and makes me smile when I think of it. The best.


Dave and Danielle left early Saturday morning for more adventures with family and then they are returning to Ecuador in a couple of weeks. Thanks SO MUCH you guys for spending some of your time with us! We'll have G's room ready for you again next year!