Thanksgiving Weekend

It was fun having family here for a change on Thanksgiving.   We were sorry Rob couldn't be here, but he enjoyed Thanksgiving in Tennessee with extended family.  We were grateful they included him as it was an easy drive from Little Rock.      Carrie took the kids to place on Saturday that 5 and 7 years olds love.   The size of this bouncy castle was amazing - man did they love that thing.   Today our city had Festival that we took part in.   The wagon ride with Santa was fun, but standing in line for 30 minutes ahead of time wasn't.   Thankfully, it wasn't colder and no wind so that helped.   We also enjoyed the Holiday Parade downtown GF  from the 3rd floor of the parking ramp right where they were lining up.

Thanksgiving dinner in Tennessee.  L to R -  Kim, Rob Art, Lisa, and David.   Kim is Norm & Jan's daughter.  David is Don and Jeanne's son.  Both families live in Germantown, TN

Lovin' North Dakota

It's great how these two rascals are adjusting to a new time zone and climate.  This was taken the day after they arrived when the temperature was around 50 degrees.  You can see there is no snow on the ground yet.

Then we got a skiff of snow so out they went to discover how it feels to play in the snow.   I opened the door to take a picture and over heard Ellie say, "It really isn't a snow angel because there isn't enough snow.   It's a grass angel."

Bishop Museum

One of the most enjoyable things we did the past week was go to the Bishop Museum for the exhibit of "Wearable Art".   Some of the most fascinating things I have seen in a long time.   http://worldofwearableart.com

The Moroccan Lantern - made of polyester, vinyl, fusing

 

This is made of vinyl ties.    It was one of my favorites.

Smooth Move....now in GF

Looking back over the past week, I'd say it couldn't have gone any better.   Carrie did a marvelous job of orchestrating the packers and movers.   They told her she made their job easy because she was so ready for them.   The final inspection went well - that was a big relief.   There was a lot of back and forth and running around.   The plane ride went well with two little kids that are great travelers.   Course, Mom had some fun things to do in their backpacks and they watched some videos.

The kids don't take naps anymore but one day Ellie was exhausted. 

Boarding the first flight at 10:25 pm Honolulu to Seattle.  When we got off the plane in Seattle I heard Ellie ask her mother if it was supposed to be that cold.   Course, that got a few chuckles since we had just left Hawaii.

The kids were given some thing to do while we rounded up some breakfast at the Seattle airport.

Curious George came in handy for helping make the trip a bit shorter.

Legos

To say these two loves Legos is a huge understatement.   Of course, most of their things got packed up so they were left with very little to play with.   Mack went with me one day to the Lego Store.  We were there for over an house checking out every set imaginable.    I told him we were going to buy each of them a small set.   He had to pick one for Ellie too because he knew exactly what she had.   That was fun to see how he reasoned it out so he chose the best one for each of them.  He ended up picking one that was beach related - how perfect for our last days in Hawaii. 

Finding things to do

After the packers finished there were still things to be done.   We moved into a TLF. It was nice to have a place to be while the cleaning got done and other jobs were taken care of.  In between, we tried to find things for the kids to do.  That was my main job.

The kids came running to ask me to come and see the pretty flowers.   Mack had one in his hand.  I said what tiny little things they were.  He said, "But, when you see a lot of them together, they are so pretty".   They are really just some weeds but I thought it is neat how the kids really enjoy nature.    They notice so many things -- it is fun to see their excitement.

One evening we took a walk to pick up a few groceries.   I stayed outside with the kids and of course, they had to climb this awesome tree.   It is just perfect for kids!

This park is only a short walk from the TLF - what a great place for these two to climb all over.   It has the most wonderful sand so if you are tired of climbing you can dig and make sand castles.

Monday - Packing Day

Before the packers arrived I took the kids to the park.  It gave Carrie a chance to get them going at the house.   While we were at the park Ellie saw a moving truck and wondered if it was going to their house.....sure enough, it wasn't long and Carrie texted they were there and it was underway. 

The kids were finding things to do while they watched their toys and bikes get packed.

The movers loaded the bunks but left the mattresses so we could sleep in the house one more night. They even left an empty box for a night stand.   We are very impressed with this moving company.  Quality guys are doing the packing.  They move quickly and are nice guys.

Rob The Tree Mover

Even though the movers pack things, there are still lots of details to a move to the Mainland.   Rob is closing up things at his office and trying to help Carrie as much as he can before he leaves for training.    I couldn't help take a couple pictures last night as they were trying to get these rather large palm plants a few houses away to the people that want them.   Course, Carrie has to giggle at him and take note of the kids - whew - there must be 100 kids that live in this neighborhood and for some reason they play in this back yard.    I laughed so hard at the ball that came flying toward them as they were trying to get the tree rolling....well, you should have been here!   Check out Ellie's outfit - Carrie laughed when she picked her outfit and said, "You're only 5 once".