There's No Place Like Home, Uno

We had a great time in Charleston and things were really happy and fun once the funeral was over.
That isn't to say that there wasn't still crying ... just less of it and less often.

On Tuesday we were all still pretty pooped. My mom, Ryan, Mandi, Kurt and I all took Chris and Chou chou to the park. Then, Kurt and I went downtown to the market for a bit and my dad and Ryan and Mandi met us with Grandma and others to hit up Market Street Sweets for the world's best pralines.

Wednesday we headed back to the grave site to look at the flowers and just kinda be there as a family. A few aunts were there along with my immediate family, some cousins and my grandma. We got to share memories about Papa, which brought us laughter and tears. It was good for us, I think.



There were so many flowers sent for the funeral. It was so touching to see how many people loved Papa.

That night Caroline had a soccer game, and it was a big one: it was her senior night! Caroline's been playing soccer since she was born, basically, and she's been on the high school varsity team all four years of high school as goalie. She's an amazing goalie (one of the best in the state) but few know that she's fierce on the field as well. When she was little, soccer coaches in her league called her the terminator.
Caroline's soccer team is amazing. One of the best in the state. That night they played a team that was not even competition. Caroline blocked the few balls that came her way in the first half and then in the second half her coach let her play in the field. After a few minutes she twisted her ankle and her coach took her out. We were so worried she was going to be out for the rest of the game! She really wanted to score a goal that night--for senior night, and for us to see!--but now it looked like she wouldn't get that chance. We saw her on the sidelines, jumping up and down, proving to her coach that she was, indeed, well enough to play. Finally, her coach let her back in! After a little while, she got the opportunity to score... the ball came flying her way, zipping through the air. She jumped up, headed the ball, and it sailed beautifully into the goal. We went wild!!

Actions shots:












Just posing for family pictures after the game. We all look so lovely... right. I really like the first picture. Chris is licking his arm, Caroline looks special, and Mandi's staring at the poster behind us. I laughed out loud while showing this to Kurt, because he said Mandi looked like, "Oh look, number 13. I never knew. It's right there. Cool." I guess you had to hear his semi-dazed sounding voice. It was très funny, as Captain Shakespeare would say...

The next day we went to the beach and I forgot my camera!! The water was really cold so we didn't swim, but we played in the sand with Chris. Caroline and I made a sand elephant, and then Mandi dug a hole with us and he was put Chris in it (standing up) and buried him to his waist. He thought it was really fun until he couldn't move anymore. He even helped us bury him! It was funny that we girls played while the boys (Ryan and Kurt) laid in the sun.

On Friday afternoon we took Chris to Waterfront Park to play in the pineapple fountain. At first the cold water scared him off, but eventually he was splashing with Mandi and me. Then we dried off and walked down to the pier to swing. Have I mentioned how cool Charleston is??






Stayed tune for Friday night through Saturday afternoon!