Family Reunion

June started with the boys and I traveling down to North Carolina with my parents for a Stephanides family reunion.  My aunt had planned a wonderful time all together and it was so good to see all my cousins and aunts and uncles.  The boys soaked in all the attention, instigation and sugar that are offered by the Greeks in abundance!

Friday morning we took a walk towards Morganton's quaint downtown and then we went and had lunch at Nana's community dining room.  During down time, my cousin Marcus introduced the boys to a really unique playground with lots of climbing and balancing activities and then I took them to swim.

On Saturday everyone went to play paddle-ball, which we all enjoyed learning.  Some serious tennis players in our group got competitive while the rest of us were thrilled with a volley that lasted more than two shots.  We had big plans that evening with a trolley taking us to a vineyard with a beautiful view of the mountains and then to a restaurant for dinner.

 

Marcus and Eli

But... prior to dinner "Big Marcus" was able to finagle getting some of our group up onto a local ropes course (that he help build) for a free-fall jump, the group included Eli!  He was fearless and was undeterred when the young girl just in front of him was unable to overcome her fear to jump.  I kept thinking that he would hear the nerves or hesitation in someone's voice and start thinking that he should be afraid, but that was not the case.  At the final moment when he was cleared to jump, he turned his head and closed his eyes and leapt!  I was so very proud of him and thrilled for him to have the opportunity to try something like this.  I would much rather the boys catch Big-Marcus' love of adventure and not his love of snakes.

Eli with my cousins Tal and Derek

Eli had to walk across this bridge to get to the platform where they did the free-fall jump. 
(Look how high above his head his arms were to reach the ropes!!)

Walking the Bridge from Marcia Miller on Vimeo.



Eli's Jump 2 from Marcia Miller on Vimeo.




Eli's Jump from Marcia Miller on Vimeo.

Proud mama