This week...

It has been a busy couple of weeks trying to take care of the little details for our big move as well as spending quality time with family friends.  Steve has been in Belgium for the last week working and taking care of moving details on the Belgium end. We originally planned for him to stay in Europe until we were all ready to come over but his being away for long periods is really hard on everyone,especially Bronwen. Daddy is her best playmate and she misses him terribly when he is gone. He'll probably come home next week for a visit and then head back over to Europe until our move. Each trip gets harder and harder so I am very anxious to be together permanently. 

Meanwhile, we are having a great time in Washington.  This last weekend we went up to "the cabin" for the annual tube float.  I didn't float but got to enjoy hanging out with a great group of people.  Bronwen did not adjust well to sleeping in a new environment for the 4th time in just over a week.  She woke up in the middle of the night screaming and woke up the entire cabin...stressful!  Alex woke and was crying too but fortunately both Joe and Kathy helped me calm B and eventually we all fell back asleep.  The next day Joe, Brad, the kids and I set out on a walk to the river and got caught in crazy hail, lightening and thunder storm.  We tried to seek shelter under a pine tree but it didn't protect from the large hail so we had to run back to the cabin.  Running with a baby in a bjorn is not fun but the experience was still exciting. 

Thanks to everyone for all my happy birthday wishes!

Weekend at the cabin

Charlie's angels (B, Natalie, and Lauren)

Visit to the horse ranch

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We went to visit the horses at the horse ranch where Heather (Kathy's sister) works.  Bronwen and Natalie had so much fun.  It was really impressive to watch Heather with the horses too. 

Rosario beach

The Morrisons

Joe, Kathy, Natalie (sleeping), Steve, & B

Photo with grandkids (Bronwen not cooperating)

I'm back!!

We've been without internet for the last 4 days here in Anacortes but we are finally back and running.  Here are some pictures from the last couple of days...

New England clam boil (with crab of course!)

Steve's beautiful work

"Cheese!!!"

Monkey adjusting to life at Grandma & Grandpa's

Mark, Nikki, Alex, & Peyton (3 days old)

Apartment pictures (thanks Kate!)

View of canal

Hallway

Living room

Kitchen

Bedroom

Bathroom

Livingroom & diningroom on left

Front (second floor)

So happy!

And he's out...

Bronwen loves playing in this fountain at Cal State Long Beach..."Wagua!"

Cheese!

Bronwen and I with the final draft of my thesis

My thesis is done!!!!

Yay!! finally!  The thesis office contacted me to let me know that my thesis "cleared" pending 3 minor corrections one of which was "print page 46 on clean paper" haha I thought that was pretty funny, I wonder what was on it :)  Now I get to go pay more money to get it bound (you don't have a choice) and then I will have my MS degree.

Thank you to all my friends and family for your unyielding support and encouragement!!!  This was certainly a team effort!

Alexander's first giggles...so cute!

I can't believe I caught his first giggles on camera.  I can't wait to show Steve when he gets home tonight.

We got the apartment on the canal!

It will be ours on September 1st. 

8 days til the move

I am so overwhelmed that I don't know where to begin so I end up doing nothing! I should be packing now while the kids are sleeping but instead I am blogging...I think I might be addicted.  I am so looking forward to next Thursday when we are settled in Anacortes.  Steve found a place for us in Gent which I really hope we get.  It is on a canal in a quiet neighborhood but is 15 minutes walking distance to the city center.  I love the pictures and Steve says its even bigger than it looks.  Unfortunately the "mansion" I wanted was taken but it was so big and not practical with little ones.  I look forward to visitors (hint-hint)! 

Alex and auntie Kate

The baby wisperer..Shhh...

Baby for rent

This one's for grandpa Bob..turn the volume up :)

Let's play ball..with uncle Ned

Naughty but cute!

My smiley little boy!

Bronwen and dad in the petting zoo at the OC fair.

Count down to Washington

11 days until we head up north to Anacortes and thus begins our move to Europe.  The movers will come next Monday, the carpet cleaners and house cleaners Tuesday, and then we are off Weds to spend 4-6 weeks in Washington.  We'll be heading over seas around Sept 18th straight or via Montreal for a few days...still unsure about what will be less painful with 2 little ones.  I'm getting excited but still have so much to do...