California State Fair

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

New, New, and New

NEW

We have a new house! It feels good to have all our things in one location once again. We live in a great little gated community with a pool and neighbors that love our kids. It is a little of a culture shock out here with all the homelessness. They are on every corner and shady bench. Makes one really appreciate everything that they can take for granted. 

We (Graham) is painting one room at a time to make it our own. Sean's room was first as he really wasn't into the "old lady" floral wallpaper...He now has a great room that is a grayish blue with white trim. It looks so fresh and big! He is also painting the ceilings as they are an off white, and we prefer a soft white. 

Then it was the twins turn, and they were pumped! I recently bought them a bunk bed and they love being "big like Sean." I thought that they would fight over the top bunk, but they haven't. They each picked a bed, Isaac has the top bunk and Andrew has the bottom bunk, and are happy as can be!

Next project will be the kids' bathroom...they have carpet in there...need I say more?!

NEW

Sean started school on August 15th. He was super excited and nervous all at the same time. The summer was tough, as he didn't have any friends yet and really missed his old ones. His first day was awesome, and he couldn't wit to go back. Second day was horrible and then he didn't want to go back :( His teacher was amazing and really stepped up to help him. I am so thankful. It was incredibly difficult to bring him back, but I did and each day has gotten better and better. 

With the weather being so beautiful all the time here, the school doesn't have a lunch room. The kids get to eat outside at picnic tables, on the grass, etc. There hallways are outside and there is no gymnasium! They do not have bus service here either, so parents are expected to drop off and pick up everyday. The before and after school clubs are a necessity here. Big differences. 

I am hoping to get involved in the PTA again and meet some new friends myself. 

NEW

We were fortunate enough to find hockey down here and it started up last week. The drills are new and different, but the game is the same and he loves to play! Graham and I felt "at home" again sitting in the rink. 

We took all three boys skating a few weeks ago and were completely amazed with the babes! They went last year, but had troubles standing. This time, they wanted nothing to do with us and wanted to do it all on their own! Andrew pushed 5 gallon buckets around and around, if he fell, he got himself back up! Isaac preferred marching on the ice with no support. He would fall but get right back up to go again! So proud of these guys! They can't wait to go play "hockey" again :) Sean had a blast showing off his hockey stops and spraying us with snow. It was a great time for us all!

Our Life Now

Our life has changed a lot. We still love grilling out, going to parks and pools, and making our house our home. We are looking into getting a camper (shocking, I know, as I didn't think I would ever camp)! There are so many places to explore, and we just want to experience it all. 

Graham is busy, busy, busy! It is great knowing that each day/week/month gets us one step closer to the end. I am so proud of him!

We really miss our YMCA! They have clubs here but they are so expensive...I am really trying to liking running...I think I can, I think I can...I finally found a route with a park so now the littles will be much happier. Wish me luck! 

I have been here for almost two months. I am homesick and would just love to grab a coffee and go for a walk on our old loop. So thankful that my parents are coming soon! I can't wait to give them a hug and just hang out!

Monday, August 5, 2013

Cali or Bust!!

 The one thing I really, really wanted to do before leaving for California was to meet my new nephew Keegan Nicholas!! He was born on July 15th at 7:54am and is absolutely perfect!!
 
Then on July 18th, we loaded up the van with everything that we could possibly fit...including my 3 boys and 2 dogs...and we set off on the road...for a 4 day road trip...
 
 We stopped at Rest Areas for lunch every day. It was fun to get out and stretch our legs, let the dogs run, and eat some good old fashion pb & j's for lunch. The kids loved it!
 
 
 We stopped at hotels along the way around dinner time. This allowed the boys to burn energy swimming and playing some more. 
 
The boys did a great job crashing at night prepping for the next day's adventure.
 
We made it in our 4 day goal without any complaints! I am so impressed with these guys!! However, no one really wanted to get in the car for a few days after arriving :) I was one of them!!
 
 We had our first coffees in California without our coffee buddies...miss you guys!!
 
 Our "cottage" has a duck pond where the boys feed the ducks almost every night. They really look forward to this!
 
 We went to the California State Fair and had a blast! Such a cool venue with lots of shady areas to walk and enjoy.
 
 Graham and his fair food :)
 
 Most days you can find us at our pool...
 
 Or at the park...
 
Sometimes climbing trees...
 
Maybe even all 3!
 
We are adjusting to our new area. We will move into our new home on the 14th and can't wait to get settled! Life is good. We miss our family and friends like crazy, and Sean can't wait for school to start to make new friends. The weather is absolutely gorgeous, there are no bugs, the nights are cool, and I can see why people never leave. 

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Look Who Went to the Dentist!!

 Isaac
Totally relaxed and enjoying every minute of the attention :)
 Andrew
Totally nervous and holding on for dear life...my sweet bud!
Had to hold his leg the whole time.
We just LOVE Dr. Hartman!! She is so kind and gentle!
Lucky to have her for their dentist :) 

Monday, June 24, 2013

Our Move...

It has been a whirlwind couple of weeks!
Here's a recap...
 
May 8th - Graham left to work for a month in FL
May 24th - Graham accepts a position in Sacramento, CA
May 28th - We list our home in Shakopee
June 6th - Sean's last day of school
June 10th - Graham returns form FL just in time to help pack for our move
June 11th - We accept an offer on our home
(and now we pray that everything goes smoothly)
June 15th - Some of our best friends move to Michigan for Residency
June 17th - We load our Uhaul and try to squeeze everything in...not possible
June 18th - Graham and I begin our drive at 5am,
the plan was to drive half way and get a room for the night.
We made it!! But the 3 1/2 star hotel was DISGUSTING!!
We DO NOT recommend stopping at the Days Inn in Rawlins, WY...Keep driving...
June 19th - We roll into Sacramento around 8pm Pacific Time.
We find our hotel...Marriott...MUCH nicer!! Shower and go out for a late dinner.
June 20th - Unload the Uhaul into our storage unit and return the truck,
so thankful to be turning it in undamaged :)
Then we head to his Residency Office and meet some great people.
June 21st - We get up and are excited to go "house hunting" with our realtor,
only to have our bubble burst by the housing market down there.
Our plans change and we immediately begin searching for short term rentals.
We found a great spot that reminds us a lot of Kavanaugh's in Brainerd!
We were thrilled to learn that we could move in the following day, so...
June 22nd - We rent the Uhaul AGAIN, and we load the Uhaul AGAIN.
We unload the Uhaul AGAIN, and begin the big job of unpacking.
We got our bedroom and the kitchen put together,
and then decided to stop and go out for a date :)
June 23rd - I flew home to MN to be with my boys.
Bittersweet, as I was so sad to leave Graham, but so excited to see my boys.
June 24th - Graham begins Residency :)
It is all worth it, and I am so excited to begin this next journey together as a family.
The boys and I are hanging around Mankato waiting for the arrival of my new niece or nephew!
Can't wait to snuggle the new little babe :)
Can't wait to snuggle with my hubby...just a few more weeks...
 
Thanks for all your support!
Remember, California is a beautiful place to visit!
I have been told more than once, that once you go to Cali, you never want to leave...
 

Thursday, June 6, 2013

California Dreaming...

 
We are officially Sacramento, California bound!!
 
Graham will begin his Residency on June 24th,
so we have listed our home and have begun packing up our belongings
for our big move! It is going to be an amazing adventure
in a beautiful part of our country...I am still in shock!
Palm trees, wineries, mountains, ocean...I think I am going to like it :)
 
We will be packing up a Uhaul and heading out west in a few weeks.
Unfortunately, we are going to have to live apart for a while as we wait to
sell our home and buy a new one. So, a big storage unit and extended stay
hotel is calling Graham's name :) We hope it isn't for too long,
as we are all excited to start our next journey!

Kindergarten...Came and Went!

 This is our Sean on his first day of Kindergarten.
He was so excited and ready to start!
 
This is our Sean on his last day of Kindergarten!!
Where did this year go?!
What an amazing young man he is...
he has learned so much, has made great friends, is thoughtful,
is a helper, and a very cool kid!
We are so proud of you, buddy!!
 
Now he is a First Grader...Yikes!!

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Graduation!!

May 3rd, 2013
 
It was a wonderful Graduation Celebration with our families!!
We are so incredibly proud of Graham for all that he accomplished!
Congratulations, we knew you could do it!
 
 Sean and Graham at his White Coat Ceremony in Duluth
- October 2009
 
 Graduation Day with our family!!
 
It was held at the Hennepin Theatre and was beautiful!
 
My Daddy, M.D.
 
Whenever Daddy signs his name
he always writes M.D.
So people always know
that he belongs to me.
 
For M.D. means "My Daddy"
or something just the same,
And that is why he always puts
these letters in his name.
 
Some letters in his name are small
but these are not, you see,
He always makes them big like that
because he's proud of me.
 
- Unknown-