Yesterday our children set foot in four states (Missouri, Colorado, Oregon and Washington), took their first airplane rides, traveled on their first ferry, met uncles, aunts and grandparents, and slept comfortably in the great Pacific Northwest. Liz and I are back for another whirlwind trip home from our temporary exile in St. Louis to visit family and friends in Portland and Puget Island, Washington. Heather and Jennifer, my younger twin sisters, are pictured here with their twin nieces. We visited Heather and Jennifer’s homes and families in Hillsboro before heading north to Puget Island where my mother and her husband live. Monday and Tuesday we’re back in Portland for a short stay and then will return to Puget Island. My grandfather, uncle and aunt will be arriving at the island on Wednesday from South Carolina. Our major purpose for taking this trip is to surprise my grandfather with the twins. He hasn’t met them yet and our daughter Frances is named after Rock’s wife (my grandmother) who passed away late last year. The other Oregonians on Eden’s campus, the Elliot family, happen to have family in town this week and are staying at our place while we’re gone. Thanks to them for taking care of all the animals while we’re away! Liz and I are glad to be back home. More reports will follow.