The last three weeks have been some of the best of my life. My older sister, brother-in-law, and two nieces arrived from Oregon at the end of March and the days flew by. I took my nieces to Nemo while their parents enjoy Spa Zuiver. We celebrated my youngest niece's third birthday with a boat ride through the canals and pink cupcakes. My sister and I had a girls night out and saw The Hunger Games. My parents arrived, then my cousin, friends and my little sister. We ate together, played games, baked cakes, filled jars of honey, and drank a fantastic bottle of Willamette Valley pinot noir.

And then a wedding! But, more on that later. Today, it's back to reality. I bid my parents farewell this morning. They headed for a Portland-bound plane and I hopped on my bike for a ride to the office. I just want a few more days to linger in the warm memories of family.