Far, Far Behind!

Since I posted last our life has been a little hectic. I meant to post a picture, etc. on July 30- when Brooklyn was 3 months old but I didn't and now she'll be 4 months next week... stay tuned.

It feels like we've been on vacation for the last month & we are loving it! We've been to the beach, a family wedding, packed our whole house in 3 days, Bill drove 1600 miles pulling a boat, the girls & I are living out of suitcases at my parents, we went to Lake Powell, welcomed a new cousin, visited family & friends, took LOTS of pictures, and we'll all be reunited tomorrow night at another family reunion before we head back to Vegas and then officially leave on Sunday. Each event is worthy of it's own post.... someday.

Our address has officially changed & I emailed the new info. to everyone that was in my address book. If I somehow missed you or have an old email address & you didn't get the info. but you want it, please email me or leave a comment.

Breakfast

For some reason I had a real hard time getting out of bed this morning. The girls came in at their usual hour- 6 for Caitlyn & 6:30 for Madisen. They rested next to me & played quietly together until about 7. Then I got up and was feeding the baby while we talked about our dreams & what we would do today. The girls headed downstairs before me since I was changing Brooklyn's diaper. I came in the kitchen to find Madisen preparing some PB & sugar sandwiches. I asked what she was doing, only to be told "I'm making some sandwiches for breakfast." My reply was, "Oh, we don't usually have sandwiches for breakfast, so why don't we put them in some bags for a picnic lunch." She obliged, but I did find myself chuckling as I watched her prepare the sandwiches.Madisen's Method:
~Spread peanut butter on one side of the bread.
~Use the small sugar spoon to sprinkle sugar on top of the peanut butter.
~Get a new piece of bread, place it on top, and then POUND it, so it sticks.

And who can resist that smile in the morning?

Why Not?

On my list of "Last Things To Do Before We Leave" was cutting my hair. I just love Lisa- both as a friend & hairdresser. My 'long' hair was getting hot on my neck. So we decided to try something new... bangs & all. Because I'm all about changes right now, right?

Here's hoping that I can figure out how to 'do' the bangs!

Moving Update

Last week I spent 5 days in Texas with Bill trying to find a place for us to live. Our prayers were answered & we were successful! On the last day we were led to the perfect place for us. It was a foreclosure that a nice couple just closed on last week & we will be their first tenants. It's about 1800 sq. feet with a big backyard that is full of grass (and bugs, I'm sure). We are signed a 1 year lease agreement. This will allow us to 1- make sure we like it there & are going to stay, and 2- find the perfect home in the perfect neighborhood where our girls will attend the perfect elementary school!

It was a sad & harsh dose of reality to come home to this:
The sign has been up for a couple of weeks now, but after spending the week looking for a new home, reality started to set in that we are really leaving. This beautiful home that we've created will no longer be ours. The plethora of empty boxes in my garage are not fashionable decor, no, they will soon be filled with our belongings & loaded into a truck. Even though I've known this was coming, it's hard to believe that the time is now.

On a positive note, we have an offer in on the house! The buyer is very serious & now it's in the hands of the bank as to whether or not they will accept the offer.

Bill bought us a silver, 2006 Toyota Sienna with 40,000 miles, 1 automatic door, & brand new tires. We are all SUPER excited to have a mini in the the family! The girls are especially elated!

Some people have been curious about our moving time line:
-We will be here this week tying up loose ends & packing.
-On Friday we get to join Bill in CA for a wedding & one last beach trip.
-Next week (Tues.-Fri.) we'll all be here packing, etc.
-Bill will leave Friday afternoon for TX with the Jeep & boat. The girls & I will stay here with friends until Sunday afternoon. Then we'll head to UT where we will spend 1-2 weeks with my family. Hopefully the stars will line up & we'll get to Lake Powell & also get to see our new nephew & cousin- if he cooperates & is born on our time!

I'm off to run errands & await the return of my big girls! Hooray!!!!

A Week with Grandma & Grandpa

My lucky little girls have spent the last week (9 days to be exact) with my parents & sisters. They are having the time of their life & I'm not sure they're ready to come home. I certainly miss them & can't wait to see them tomorrow!

One night they went to the Days of '47 Rodeo- on pink night, of course. My sweet Caitlyn is very sensitive to loud noises, so this is how she enjoyed the evening.

Madisen spent most of the night doting on Caden. He was more interested in the horses, but obliged his cousin for a few minutes.

And here is the 3-some peering over the railing for a better view.

On Friday, Pioneer Day, they started the day at the Days of '47 Parade. Grandpa went downtown early to stake out a front row seat. The three kids danced and danced to the live music. Caden randomly gave both the girls a hug, complete with a soft pat on the back, in the middle of the parade. After an attempt at naps and tons of time in the swings they had a BBQ then did sparklers. Caitlyn stopped after two sparklers because they were 'poking' her arm. Madisen eventually stopped when she tried to pick up a still hot sparkler to rearrange it in the water bucket and got burned.
The girls have also been swimming a few times, visited the Children's Museum at the Gateway, and been grandma's right hand helpers! Thanks for the memorable week everyone!!

(And a special thanks for the pictures & Pioneer Day synopsis to Tiff.)

Blast from the Past

Yesterday I drove my girls to St. George where we met my dad. He took them home for the week so I could work on details for the move, etc. They were so excited to ride in grandpa's van that they could hardly say goodbye to me. This will surely be their favorite week of the summer! Thanks mom & dad!

After I bid them farewell, I met up with one of my sweetest & dearest college friends/ roommate/ teaching buddy who was in town from North Carolina- Cindy Lou.

We visited, shopped, & watched our kiddo's 'play' together. She & I have all of our kids within a few months of each other. It's been fun to share mothering experiences 'together' through the Internet & phone.

Ira is only 9 days older than Brooklyn. At his 2 month appointment he weighed 4 pounds more than Brooklyn did... boys are just meant to be bigger! She finally had a boy so we can be related someday!

Cindy is also very close to her family & has lived FAR from them while her husband has been in school & now for his residency. She's been cheering me along for the move... telling me that my kids will still get to see & have a relationship with my family even though there will be many miles between us. Thanks for the boost & the visit Lou!

Rollin'

I know the posts have seen a little lopsided toward one child lately..... bear with me. Brooklyn is so precious and alert. I still feel like she's my tiny newborn, but when I look at these pictures she feels so grown up already!

Yesterday she was playing on her mat & was keenly interested in the toys above her.

She started on her tummy, but as you can see she's trying to roll to her back. She didn't quite make it, but almost! I love that her little hand is grabbing onto her blanket. And you can see that her once blue eyes are fading quickly. I can't tell if they're going to be hazel or brown.