And we moved!

And suddenly, there we were, the day came, and it was time to pack the cars and make that final trip for good. 

I thought I had taken pix of the packed cars but I guess I didn't. It was like the Beverly Hillbillies, suburban style. We had both cars packed to the gills, plus luggage top carriers on both, plus a hitch on the back of the van. We thought we had packed virtually everything when we took the trailer on down 3 weeks prior, but OBVIOUSLY we hadn't. I don't think we're very good movers!

Good-bye pix

Justin & La & Annalisa came over to see us off. 

I didn't cry at all...until I went to hug La good-bye. Then I bawled. At least they're not super far away!! Close enough for long weekend trips.

I got these two cuties in the back of my van.
(Braden was kind and gave me the two easiest travelers. They are seriously perfect on road trips.)
I packed A TON of travel snacks...or I should say Maddie did. She's my road trip prepper now and does it just right! Sandwiches cut properly, everything portioned out and labeled. She's got my magic system down. 

Daddy got the two crazies in the back of his car! But they did well, they really did. Traveling with just two kids in the car as opposed to four, you'd think it would be 50% easier, right? But somehow it doesn't work out like that. I think it's more like 95% easier! 

And then—away we drove...

...to a new state
a new way of life
new church
new friends
a new family chapter.

Our "Lasts"

Last Jimmie Cone:

Last Playdates:

The kids were sad to leave their neighborhood friends Kaelyn, Peter & Philip. They've grown up together thus far, as we moved into the neighborhood when Caleb and Kaelyn were both less than a year old.

We also had a final play date with the Weltons. We miss them!! 

Last Time With The Pastors & Wives:

The pastors and wives had a farewell dinner for us. Amanda made me cry. Thanks, friend! ;)

Last Dinner Club:

And the day finally came for our last dinner club. 

We broke with tradition completely and went out to Founding Farmers. 

Since we are no longer near FF, I'll have to recreate their food myself...especially their beignets!

It's a good thing our friends Tom & Flora gave me the FF cookbook! I'm gonna have fun with that one. 

We had a great time—of course...though it was tinged with sadness. 

Many many memories of many many nights around the table together. 

We love and miss you friends and can't wait until we reunite at our house (if we can ever get our crazy house built!!!). 

Braden's Birthday

We celebrated Braden's birthday just days before we moved. Sunday was also our good-bye at church. We stayed late as lots of people came up to say good-bye to us personally. One couple—that Braden had just married—gifted Braden with Mickey Mouse ears they had brought back for him from their honeymoon to Disney.

We went out to Carrabba's for dinner. 

Sucking on a lemon, just like Old Sneep.

Then we had cake back at home. I made something rich and chocolatey as usual. 

Maisie helped me with the whipped cream. 

Cake was bowl-licking good!

More please! ...Please!!

I think I just might have another slice...

Camp Hemlock

Braden and Caleb got to go away for 3 days for a camping trip. They (Caleb especially) had a great time! But do I really need to say that? You could probably pick that up just by a quick look at this photo. :)

 They did lots of outdoorsy things like swimming, campfires, archery and shooting. 

Hard at work! 

 He and his friend Daniel worked on this fire together.

Caleb was thrilled to win a medal for being the best shot of his age group. He'd never shot before but loved it and (obviously) did quite well. Seems to run in the family...we all remember Nana's story, right? 

Grandpap was trying to get some of his men to qualify for shooting and was getting frustrated at their failure. For some reason Nana was there and Grandpap grabbed her and said, "Even my wife could qualify and she's never shot a gun before!" and without any heads-up he gave her a gun and told her to "Shoot the target!" She shot and nailed it.

The Fair and Final Fun Before Moving

It's Batman!

Following tradition, Braden took the kids to the fair with his parents. I ducked out and went to see my friend Becca instead!

Hannah and Mark had Braden and I and a few friends over for a super yummy Korean dinner. Hannah is a fab cook!!

Braden's panorama didn't work so well, but you can see the yummy spread of food on the table.

Braden and Caleb went to one last Nats game.

 

Maisie, who had totally regressed in potty training once we moved in with Braden's parents, was FINALLY potty trained once again just about 2 weeks before we moved. We celebrated with another cake...and I held my breath and hoped that she would maintain her potty trainedness through yet another move. 

 The Duke just being The Duke

The Mummy Sleeper aka Caleb

Having fun in the car together 

This was Duke's "wideen on my gahbich chwuck," which he did just about every time he passed by the high chair.

And, once again, keeping us laughing, here's the Duke drinking his smoothie.

And here he is with Maisie's sneakers on. Every since we bought these for Maisie, Duke has wanted to wear them. We'd find him throughout the day having snuck them on. Silly boy!