Alameda to Finland

My brother and family just left for Finland! Yep...for 2 years, for Ian's work at Nokia, they will live in Helsinki. It'll be a great experience but it's hard for all of us, especially the kids. We were lucky to have dinner all together the night before they flew off.

And they had a lovely going-away party; the whole neighborhood was out to support them and wish them well. They are renting out their house in Alameda, and the neighbors promised to take care of the house for them. They have a great home here, with tons of friends for the kids,so it's hard for sure.

Things happened very quickly once the decision was made. I'm very happy I got to squeeze in an RV camping night with the kids, as I had promised many months ago. It was the first time we were together without parents which was special - not that we did anything too wild ; )

I have mixed emotions: so happy and excited for them. The kids will grow in many ways. But sad because it's been such a rare moment when Ian and I lived so close together since we've had such international lives. And to have Tesla become close with Julia and Tyler was important. She LOVED loved loved seeing them.

The Kennedy clan will be missed!