{Farewell}

{snapshot of Mt. Rainier on a cloudless day}

The day had finally arrived for us to get our home packed and loaded. I wasn't necessarily impressed with the packers, but the movers did a great job and were nice guys to work with. Our home was packed Monday and Tuesday and the truck was loaded Wednesday. Wednesday evening Ryan and I had planned a surprise for the kids. We got tickets for a Mariner's game for our final hurrah in Seattle. While it was crazy trying to get everything done I am really glad that we planned for the game. The kids had a blast and Ryan and I got to relax a little before leaving the next morning to start our trip.




We didn't realize how good our seats were until we got there and we were in the 14th row up from the first base line. Once the sun went down and we weren't blinded the kids were happy. After a few innings I took the little ones to the playground behind center field and watched the game on the big screen. Ayden and Meysa enjoyed hanging with dad and watching the action. It ended up being a really good game with the Mariner's winning.

Thanks Seattle for a wonderful 4 years we'll miss ya!!

{Preschool}

To say Lauryn loved preschool this year would be an understatement. She blossomed and became a self assured little girl. She loved her teachers too. Miss Crystal (pictured above) and Miss Rachel were wonderful with Lauryn. Sadly because of when we were moving Lauryn was going to miss the little graduation that they were putting on and she missed the bike rodeo. Missing the bike rodeo made her very sad. The other kids got to bring their bikes and decorate them and do an obstacle course. So to appease her I let her decorate her bike one afternoon before everything was packed up and she put one her own bike rodeo. The older kids were the audience and we cheered for her and she loved it.
She made her own sign, which stated who owned this wonderful bike. She is quite the little thing.
Yes I am aware that she was not practicing bike safety with no shoes and no helmet. We didn't do any off roading and she does know that helmets are required and so are shoes!!

I can't believe she will be starting school this fall. Of all my kids I am having the hardest time sending her off to Kindergarten. I don't know why but I just can't get my head around the fact that she is old enough to go. She is pretty excited about it too plus the fact that she gets to ride the bus makes kindergarten that much more cool.

{The Big 10}

One of the major things that happened before we moved was Ayden turned 10!! No more single digits for him, he is almost pre-teen by golly and "lucky" for us he is starting to act his age!! :) Major mood swings, Dad and I are dumb and we for sure don't know nearly as much as he does. All that aside we do love this kid.
(I know the candle says he is only 1, sadly I didn't have a zero candle and Ayden was fine being "one" for a night. What a trooper!!)
Among the extensive list of things that Ayden said he would be happy to get for his birthday, he listed a ripstik.
He loves riding it around and thinking he is pretty cool. I like it because he is outside and being active. I say a win-win for both of us.
Ten things we love about Ayden are:
1. He has a great sense of humor
2. He loves to be active doing something all the time
3. He does well in school and enjoys it
4. He is a good athlete
5. He has a good heart and really wants to do what is right
6. He is creative and can build anything, even if it doesn't really exist, out of Legos
7. He has a good imagination and can entertain himself for hours just playing
8. He is a good brother and a good friend
9. He is always willing to help me when I need him to
10. He is all ours and we love him to pieces
Happy Birthday

{Another Goodbye}

Goodbyes are not my favorite. Especially when you have to say goodbye to people you really have grown so close to. My dear friend Heather is one of those people. She has been my neighbor for the last four years. Our kids are best friends and we talked just about every day (if not a couple of times a day). We swapped babysitting, food, advice and sympathy for one another (her husband is an OB too). We have been each other's family away from family. She is a blessing and I am going to miss her more than I can tell you.

Heather knows how to throw a party, the kind where everything matches and there is a cute theme. She was a sweetheart and threw me a going away party. I got to see some of my good friends that I have made over the last four years. It was so thoughtful of her and it was so good to see everyone one last time as well. I know there are new friends to be made here in Maryland but I really will miss these ladies. Thank heavens for Facebook and blogs, they won't feel so far away!!!

Thanks so much Heather for a great party and for being a wonderful forever friend!! Love ya girl-

{Goodbye}

I know it has been almost a month since I last blogged. I have been kinda busy with a few things, one of which was moving clear across the country. So I have a little catching up to do with all the things we did before we left Washington. We sure packed a lot in the last few days. Bear with me as I get the blog up to date with our family happenings.

The day after Ryan graduated his mom threw our family a going away BBQ at his grandparent's house. It was also going to be a celebration of Ayden and Ryan's birthday since this was the last time getting together before the transcontinental voyage. Most of Ryan's extended family came as well and it was so good to see everyone one last time.
What wonderful grandparents Ryan has. We have been blessed to live by them for the last four years. If we ever needed anything they were the first to help. Papa always took us out for ice cream on our birthdays and we loved sharing several dinners and holidays with them. The kids love going to their home because they always feel so loved.
Ryan's Dad and Stepmom were also there for Ryan's graduation and stayed for the weekend so we got to have them at the BBQ as well.
After we had a delicious dinner of hambugers and ribs the gift giving commenced. Ayden was excited for a few new DS games and books and a new camera from Papa Don.
I think as well as turning ten he has also hit the socially awkward stage too!! Lucky us!
Ryan got a Kindle for his birthday and graduation and was really excited about his orange case (trust me it is orange)!!!
Unbeknownst to me I was also getting something. Ryan's stepdad started by having me come sit in front of everyone. Being the center of attention is not one of my favorite things to do. Then he proceeded to make me cry...another thing I don't like to do!! He wasn't being mean, he was in fact being very sweet and thoughtful. He felt like I deserved a graduation gift as well. Seeing as how I had been at Ryan's side over the last eight years of medical school and residency and had put in my share of hard work and long hours, he felt I should also be recognized for it. It is nice for someone to recognize what you have done even though you are mainly in a supporting role.
Some more crying......
...ok enough of all that crying!!!
I could have never guessed what they were going to give me. A new camera, a REALLY cool camera!! I love it and I love them for being so thoughtful and generous!!!
The kids enjoyed playing in the pool and the hot tub, running around the yard, playing football and just enjoying the day with family. It happened to be a beautiful day in Western Washington, which for the time of year was a welcomed surprise.


As a final goodbye we had to ride in Papa Ralph's wagon. The kids love getting rides and I think the adults like giving them almost as much.

Lauryn got lucky and got a chance to drive it herself. Papa is an excellent teacher, hopefully she is paying attention.
Thankfully we have several years before she is actually driving!!! :)
Family really is the best and we are so thankful for ours. We don't know what we would do without their constant love and support. We are going to miss them for sure!!!
Until we see you again....