Fake Father's Day

6/23

For real Father's Day, Justin was up here all by his lonesome while we were in AZ.

He had to book it here cause his school started that Monday (June 17).

So we celebrated a week late.

And I know it's just not the same (especially in the middle of unpacking),

but at least he got a much-needed nap with his favorite baby.

Oh and we can't forget Drew's coupon for taking off his (Justin's) socks happily.

Shout out to Justin:

Thanks for working your bootie off for us.

And for being both an awesome dad and a fun kid at the same time (it's a rare talent).

We love you!

Alan Here

6/20

My dad is awesome and volunteered to drive the kids and me to Monterey,

then stay and help us get settled for a few days.

Our adventure started with him treating us to ice cream before 10 in the morning.

Oh look...more sweets.

His first lolly and he ate it like he'd had 50 before.

We were in the car all day.

It wasn't too bad though, thanks to my dad driving, all the snacks, movies, and stops.

We even added a little driving time by taking the scenic Hwy 1 route.

Said route was very windy.

 Prettiness.

The next 2 days were filled with unpacking and more unpacking.

I kept trying to talk my dad into taking breaks for fun,

but he was seriously just happy working and enjoying the nice weather.

The one request he did have was clam chowder on the wharf.

6/22

 We love sampling them all, but always end up eating a Crabby Jim's.

Sunday we took a walk down Navy Pier to see what we could see.

 6/23

Then played at the beach right by it.

Drew was excited about sticking his finger in an anemone for the first time.

And those are not short shorts, just pants he rolled up.

That's the pier we walked down and beach we played at.

Before going home, we drove along the coast for a little bit.

Last time we lived here we were about a mile up the hill from the ocean.

Our house now is about a mile inland from that old house.

So I've had it stuck in my head that we're farther away from the ocean this time around.

But Sunday as we were driving around I realized we live on a point (aka the Monterey Peninsula).

So if we go east OR west (or even north) we'll get to the ocean.

Had no idea.

Here's a picture in case you're geographically challenged like me.

Monday the boys and I rode bikes down to the coast.

I'm still learning this neighborhood so we ended up going the long way.

Then we were too wussy to ride back up the hill so I called my dad to rescue us.

He needed an excuse to see the ocean one last time anyway.

This was just before we took him to the airport (which was sad).

6/24

It was so so helpful and awesome having him here.

Sally wanted to hide his plane ticket so he'd have to stay.

If only that would've worked I would have helped her do it.

*"Alan here" is the greeting you'll get if you call my parents' house and Dad answers the phone.

Swimming and More Swimming

6/14

I had originally planned to head to AZ right after school got out,

but being too tired to drive, waited til the next morning.

(Justin went straight to Monterey since his school started Monday)

Tami and her 11 kids beat me to my parents' house (it was a race in my head okay).

She had arranged a sibling dinner that night at Flancer's.

August and I got to be chauffeured in Tami's 12 passenger Sprinter.
I was laughing at him trying to see me over the seats.

6/15

 Just Dance with Tami's kids.

Drew's got rhythm.

 

6/15

Thanks Tami for the picture.

 6/15

 We met Tami/Jay's #11, Joshua.

And also Jason/Candace's Oliver (how do I not have a picture of that perfect baby???)

Then started 3 days of nonstop swimming.

6/17

Popsicles in the pool with friends' kids.

 Katie's cute Harrison.

This was his first time swimming (at 9 months!) and he loved it.

 Still at the Pearson's fun pool.

That night was my aunt Denise's.

6/17

The next day, Karen's.

6/18

Gwen came back to my parents' with us for a sleepover with Sally.

  

6/18

 So helpful.

6/19

 Cole and his friend serenaded my mom with a birthday song.

6/19

 Met some Hollobaugh cousins at the Mesquite Aquatic center.

6/19

We ended our time in AZ with a family birthday party for my mom at Aunt Darla's.

Packing, Last Days, and Good-byes

6/9

Jacob and Rachel took a break from their beach camping with Jacob's family to meet us at church.

Last Sunday in Carlsbad.

6/9

That night we had a fun time with our neighbors/church friends/school friends at the Rough's house.

6/10

They woke up to a deconstructed kitchen table and made do.

 6/10

 6/10

It was seriously a miracle that everything fit in that truck.
Justin put together one big puzzle.

6/11

Last day of preschool with Miss Leigh.
The "Thriller" dance, speaking Martian, and magic tricks were some preschool highlights.
Leigh is awesome.

6/11
Leigh's daughter/Sally's friend, Brienna.

6/12

Bonus last day!

She normally didn't have preschool on Wednesdays,

but she went one last time for the PJ/pancake party.

Slim pickings in the pajama department during the move.

6/12

Singing to Bieber with Errin.

6/12

Menchie's frozen yogurt.
I love Ellis's obsession with, "Auggie."

6/12

Last time walking home from school.

 6/12

Pierce was so nice to walk them home and carry backpacks.

6/13

Owen got Mrs. Collins as his teacher for the 2nd semester.
Same teacher he had/loved in 1st grade.

Drew requested a picture with her, but did NOT want one with his own teacher.

Had to bribe him.

 

Owen snuck away from his class's ice cream party to say hi to Gavin

(who peeked out from his class's dance party).

They were awesome friends for 2 years.

Drew's best school friend, Lazo.

After this picture they gave each-other the biggest, most sincere bear hug.

Both were fighting back tears and it kind of broke my heart.

Pierce again.

He was in junior high and would wait after school most days to walk them home.

And not his own sisters :)

Another good friend, Jacob.

Owen's other best friend Westley.

By this point the good-byes were too much and Owen couldn't stop the tears.

As sad as the good-byes were, it was almost a relief to have them over with.

Thank goodness for Ellis's comic relief.

6/13

We stayed with Brent & Errin the last few days we were there.

6/13

He discovered fruit leather.

 6/13
Kitchen sink bathing during pizza making.
 

Hopefully there was no cross-contamination.

6/13

Justin drove the U-Haul to Monterey Tuesday,
unloaded it that evening,
then flew back to Carlsbad Wednesday AM for more loading and cleaning.
It was never-ending for me, so I can't even imagine for him.
This was the 2nd load that he drove up Friday morning.

6/14

The lovely (not really) art that Brent installed on the garage ceiling (where we slept).

 6/14

Turning off our street for the last time.

Seems like I say this every 2-3 years, but good-byes are the worst.
And moving is hard.

It was a little less hard this time, knowing that Monterey was in our future,

but we will miss Carlsbad for sure and feel lucky that we got almost 3 years there.