A Success!

We just got back from vacation in South Carolina on Sunday, but I thought I'd blog a little about the move.

It was a huge success. And by huge, I mean two 18-wheeler semis plus two large box trucks. It was quite a feat and the movers were there three days to unload. But, we got most of it done. I do have to say I left there feeling a little unsettled because we "cheated" some to get them in. Because my parents were moving from a larger home, into a smaller one, there was a lot of extra. So, we sent anything we didn't know what to do with to storage. So, surely there are storage units somewhere in Salt Lake, full of furniture, paintings, lamps, dishes, etc. that still need to be paid attention to. I wish I could say we dealt with all of it, but 5 days just wasn't enough time.

It wasn't all work with no fun. Oftentimes the company of great people is fun in itself. I got to work side by side with my mom and Aunt Carolyn for the whole week...and that was a lot of fun. I admire Carolyn for all of her amazing talents which, lucky for us, include organization, time management and timely decision making! And I'm so grateful to Carolyn that she would make the sacrifices with her own family to be there, helping her sister. It does indeed make me feel guilty that I am not in Texas right now, helping my own sister with her move. Here my Auntie is, with an armful of stuff going to "storage".



And, now that I think about it, I wouldn't put it past my dad to use the word "storage" for a garbage dumpster. For those of you who know my dad well, you know he hates storing things. I have about half a Rubbermaid container full of anything that was saved from my childhood. I must come by it naturally.

And Delaney, true to her good natured self, was an angel all week. She camped out in Grandma's craft room and watched TV and crafted to her heart's content. My parent's have an elevator within their condo and she loved to be the elevator attendant, taking anyone up and down. (I'll post more pictures later. My pics of most of the move are on my laptop I accidentally left in Utah. Psst...Mom and Dad, if you're reading this, I'd love my laptop back. Just a little reminder to swing by UPS...)

My adorable cousins, Meredith and Lauren also swung by to take Delaney to the pool. These former swim instructors tried to teach Delaney to swim (something about "grabbing for the apples") and thanks to their efforts, Delaney felt it was unnecessary to wear a life jacket while we were at the beach last week!



All in all, it was a productive, tiring, fun, enjoyable week. I loved accomplishing something I'd set my mind too, even if we did send an awful lot to storage. I worry about my mom and her health so I really rest my head easier at night knowing she's put back together and settled out west.

Now, we can't wait to come back out in August to play (and maybe tackle a storage unit or two)!

Honey, wish you were here!

See, Jeff...don't be too jealous we're here without you.


Well, maybe a little...

Ewe are too cute!

When we arrived up to Bear Mountain last night, we had our very own welcoming committee. And, lucky us, they kept us up all night long with their loud conversations!

The Move...round two

Flowers from my front porch. They're doing so well despite having two left green thumbs!

Delaney and I leave tomorrow for Utah. No, Delaney is not the chosen grandchild who goes jet-setting, visiting Grandma and Grandpa. Jackson just doesn't want to come because he'd miss his baseball hitting clinic (which is, apparently, quite a priority for an 8 year old with a baseball obsession).

We're going back for round two of their move. If you'll remember, this explains our first attempt. So we're headed back out to what is a guaranteed finished condo to help our White Grandma and Grandpa get settled. If anyone happens to be in the Avenues neighborhood next week, we won't turn down a visit (especially if you're willing to unpack boxes!).

An Introduction

Wii remote meets new flat screen TV.

We have Jackson to thank for this introduction.

A Season Passes

I was counting the other day, and I have had a kid in preschool for 6 years now. Jackson started in Pittsburgh when he was two, for the 2003-2004 school year. He loved it, never looked back, and neither did I!

Delaney has followed suit. She just finished up her preschool year and is officially a kindergartner! How did that happen? How did all that time slip by? It's a good thing she's going to half day next year. I'm not ready to jump in, with both feet, into the full day world with her. I am the boobing, blubbering mom at the bus stop every year. Something about sending my little ones off into the world. I'm still not used to it and I can't imagine putting two on the bus next year.

So, for the first time in 6 years, this fall I won't have a child in preschool. It seems strange to me, but fall of '10 we'll be back in the swing of things with Addie.

Delaney and Jackson have both attended the same preschool close by. I love it and love the teachers. It's associated with a christian church and Delaney even looks forward to going to Vacation Bible School. This year she misses most of it because of a vacation to the beach with Jeff's family, but she wants to go for the day and a half that we're in town.

Here's Delaney with her teacher, Mrs. Ollett. Jackson also had her when he was four.


Here she is with her assistant teacher for the year, Mrs. Young.

Her second to last day was "Wacky Wednesday". Please note the different socks, shoes, pant lengths, inside out pants, backwards shirt, three ponytails, and mis-matched bows. This was all well thought out for days in advance.


Wacky Wednesday with her favorite preschool pal, Madelyn.


And just to prove how fun it is to take a picture with Addison in it.

So, good bye preschool (for a season), and hello summer! Delaney asked this morning, as she does every morning, what she was doing today. I told her nothing, it's summer, there's less going on, and we're just going to chill for now. She came back to me about an hour later and says,

"Mom, I don't know how to chill. What should I be doing?"