Zachariah's Mission Farewell

My nephew Zachariah was called to serve in the Mexico Chihuahua mission. It was fun to finally live close enough to go to the all celebrations. We are proud of him and know he will make a great missionary. We went to Zachariah's priesthood ordination, and his farewell talk. Almost all the grandkids were able to make it.

An attempt at a family picture after church.

The Saturday before he left we had one more little BBQ and celebration to see him off. 

Amongst the chaos of getting Zachariah ready for his mission my sister-in-law Susan invited these three super heroes over for a special play date. They had so much fun together with their aunt Susan. 

Our new Home

So we are all moved in and settled in our new Home in Solvang. Well our temporary new home...we our staying in a 800 sqft  guest house until our house is finished in November. It is a great little place, very cozy. It is teeny tiny adventure for our family and so far it is working out perfectly. Our new house has walls, and they are moving quickly. So we are hoping all goes according to schedule.

The best part is we are in the Valley, and Caleb is loving his new job. Being in the Valley we get to be with all the cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents all the time. It is great to have everyone near by. On the 4th we went to the pancake breakfast, Solvang Parade, BBQ with the whole family, and then the best firework show I have ever seen. It was fun to be with everyone for a holiday and not have to drive for hours to get there. The kids have loved it, and have had to get use to the idea that we go home to bed and will still see their cousins in the morning. We have pretty much adjusted to everything and are starting to get back into our normal routing of life. We are excited to see what this new adventure brings.

 

Saying Good by to Redlands

 So the whole last part of June was consumed with packing our house. It was a huge job that I am very glad is all done. We did take a few moments out to do some important things before we left. 

We went to Cafe Rio for Taco Tuesday one last time and enjoyed playing around the fountain on one of Redlands warm summer evenings. We went to our park and played and swam. We spoke in church, yeah the timing of that was a little stressful, not my best talk, and said good-bye to everyone there. Did one last Disneyland day, San Diego day, and Chrystal Cove day. I will miss Orange County and San Diego a lot. We spent most of Caleb's days off as a family going on some sort of adventure through all those areas. 

 We took snuggle breaks from the madness of packing, and then the kids would steal my phone and take millions of random pictures :)

I had to take a break for one more photo shoot of the kids in my backyard. The pictures aren't fancy but my yard was my favorite part of our home and I have so many pictures of the kids back there. I just can't believe how fast the time has gone. They were so little when we moved in. Abigail was nine months and Joshua was only 3. Our time in Redlands was wonderful and I am so grateful that we were able to be there. When our house was finally all empty Caleb and I went back in to say good bye. All I could do was think about all the wonderful memories we had in that house. All the times we ate dinner in our kitchen, or read our scriptures and stories on the floor of the office, or played in the sprinklers in the backyard. I cried pretty hard. It was hard to let it go and turn it over to someone who you hope will take care of it and be as happy in it as you were. We have officially closed, so all we have are our pictures and memories. Luckily we create and bring our "home" with us where ever we go.  

 

Moving On

We have packed and packed, and have nothing but the absolute essentials left to pack. The good news is we've done enough already that I'm left with a very nice down day to relax and play. As I have been walking around my house with our vacant walls and piles of boxes everyone I got a little sad. I am going to miss our home. This is our very first house and we put a lot of hours of labor into it to make it look just the way we wanted to. We have a lot of memories, and for Joshua it will be the first house he will actually keep memories of; maybe even Abigail too. 

So farewell little house, Mill Creek Ward, Market night, Taco Tuesday, Temple only five minutes away, our park and pool. 

We have loved our three years here and will miss all the wonderful people we have met and grown to love. I find that every place I have lived along our journey through medical training I have left that place a better more rounded person.  I have met people who have been examples of strength, love, service, or dedication which have inspired me to be better. In the Mill Creek Ward I have met so many people who welcomed me and taught me by there amazing examples.  I have truly been inspired. 

Joshua's Birthday

 Joshua has never watched a super hero show like Batman, spiderman, superman, etc. Despite that he LOVES super heroes especially Batman. So for his Birthday he wanted to have a Super Hero party. Caleb made him this awesome Birthday cake, and we decorated everything super hero style. We have never had a friend Birthday party for her and figured since we are moving it would be a good way for hime to kind of say good by to all his little friends here in Redlands. Daddy was working on his actual Birthday so we had his party and all his celebrations on the Saturday before his birthday. 

 We had our traditional birthday breakfast. Dressed as Super Heroes. 

 And opened family presents. 

 Then all his friends arrived. We had them all dress up like super Heroes. Luckily Caleb's mom was visiting. She brought us some of her great costumes to use and helped come up with all the games and activities. It was so wonderful to have her there to help. 

 The day before Joshua's actual Birthday Joshua lost his first tooth!

                                                    

On his Birthday we did whatever Joshua wanted. Which was to go to the park and have a picnic and swim. I can't believe my sweet little baby boy is six! He is so wonderful and funny. I fully enjoy him everyday, he keeps me laughing with his sweet funny personality.