The Big Move

Well it's over. We have moved to NW Arkansas. We moved into this cozy little rental house in Centerton, AR. Centerton is just west of Bentonville. Chris is now about 12 minutes from work, as opposed to 2 1/2 hours. I can't even begin to express how amazing it is to live with my husband again. Single parenthood is not for me!

About a week before our move, our house finally went on the market. So crazy. Even though it was frustrating to not be able to list it sooner, it is nice that I only had to attempt to keep it clean for a week while it showed. Now it's empty and so much easier to show.

The movers came on Wednesday, July 8th- they spent the day packing up our entire house. Which was amazing!!! But it also meant the kids and I had to leave the house for the day. so we headed over to story time at the library. We then spent the night with my parents. Chris stayed at the house during the day with the movers and joined us at my parents house that evening.

Then on Thursday, July 9th the movers came back with this monster moving truck and loaded up all the boxes. The house looks so weird empty!!!

 

 

Then we said goodbye to our sweet little house

 Friday morning Chris and I drove over to Centerton to meet the movers, so they could unload.

 

My parents and sister Laura kept the kiddos for the day so we could get some unpacking done.
Which was such a wonderful blessing. We got so much done without the kids. They drove over Friday night. Unfortunately, Chris had drill in Marshall so he had to drive back Saturday morning.

But Saturday, with my family's help, we spent the day unpacking and setting up our new little house.

Here are a few peeks at the house.

 

The kids are sharing a room in this house so we can have a spare room for guests. Hint- we are expecting lots of guests now that we've moved.

They are sharing a room and doing really well. I was worried they wouldn't fall asleep well together, but they've done great!!!

I love that this rental has a place for my piano!!!

 

My Dad and sister Laura spent most the day on Saturday working on cleaning, unpacking and organizing the garage. After only 24 hours- I could park in my garage. It's a thing of beauty.

The kids did great with the move. When they arrived late Friday night they were still awake and so they got to look around at the house. Tanner kept saying "my new house", "my new room" "my new big window". Everything was his and everything was new. He is in love with our new house and has transitioned so well to our new life. Bailey also has done great.

I had packed a bag of things to entertain the kids while we unpacked- the kids were grateful.

Turns out- packing is exhausting- just ask Tanner.

They spent time playing in the sprinkler and doing sidewalk chalk stencils in our awesome fenced-in backyard.

Oh and we also managed to get some Nanny and Papa snuggles in during all the unpacking.
I'm so grateful my parents and sister came to help us move in.

We are going to miss them so much!!!!

 

Sunday morning we woke up and wen to our new ward. It seems like a great ward. Our neighbors across the street are members of our ward and everyone was really friendly.

Here are my darling babes all ready for church.

My parents and sister left after lunch and Chris got back later Sunday afternoon.

And yes, he came home to a completely unpacked and decorated house. And yes- he owes me big time!

Anyways- we are very happy here. We've been invited to lots of play dates and when we aren't making new friends,  we are exploring the area and having so much fun! Seriously- LOVE IT HERE!

Tanner's First Official Sleepover

Last weekend Tanner had his first official sleepover. He spent the night at Nanny and Papa's house. He has stayed the night before when we've gone out of town, but never just for fun.

This time it was just him, Bailey stayed home. I'm pretty sure it was the best night of his life.

Here are some of Tanner all packed and ready to go to Nanny and Papa's house.

 

He was so excited.

First thing they did was eat some pizza and make a blanket fort. The watched "How to train your Dragon" from inside their fort.

Doesn't this boy look pretty thrilled with his life?

Tanner was too excited to sleep, but finally after reading a bedtime story to his giraffe, Tanner settled down and finally passed out.

The next morning, Tanner got to pick out his breakfast. He got to have whatever he wanted. What did my weird kid pick? Ramen noodles.
He was beyond excited to get to eat the ramen out of the big bowl. Apparently, I've been depriving him of this joy!
 Then he had cinnamon rolls with Papa. Perfect combo right?

Then Nanny helped him get ready for church, and because my family knows how much I love pictures, they snapped a few "before church, after sleepover" pictures.

How cool is my son?

This is probably my favorite picture of Tanner with his Nanny and Papa.

Boy, does he love them. It's going to be hard after we move this week.

 

Thank you Nanny, Papa and Aunt Laura for having Tanner over. You made him so happy!

He can't wait for his next sleepover!!!

Happy Independence Day!

We had such a great 4th of July this year. I'm sure part of it was due to the fact that Daddy was home and we were able to play and have fun with him. It's amazing to have him home.

 

On Wednesday night we went to a friend's bar-b-q and watched the fireworks over the lake.

The party was at a house that's on a bluff overlooking the lake- the perfect spot to watch the Norfork Lake firework show.  The friends who invited us are our neighbors and close friends. We adore them and enjoyed spending the evening with them. We will miss our dear friends, the Oberts.

 

The kids were so cute hanging out together!

I know Tanner is going to miss Ava and Eliza so much!

I love this little face! Little stinker!

Isn't this view amazing?

There were so many boats on the lake to watch the fireworks.

I love this beautiful area!!!

We watched the fireworks, ate yummy food and hung out with friends.
When the show was over we drove home and got in pretty late. The kids were passed out before we got home.

 

The next morning we just hung out and spent some lazy time with Daddy.

Around 11 we went over to Nanny and Papa's house for our traditional "slip-n-slide"

Even Daddy gave it a try this year. The kids loved seeing Daddy slide with them! It was so cute!

 

 

This picture is probably my favorite from the day. I love the look on Tanner's face.
Tanner would run and Chris would slide after him until he caught him.

Tanner was laughing so hard he could hardly run straight.

Each of the kids took turns sliding down the plastic.

( I know our slip-n-slide is redneck, but it is seriously so much fun!)

 

 

We also enjoyed using the cable to pull each other across the slip-n-slide.

Bailey really loved it!

At one point I had both kids in my lap and Uncle Joseph pulled all three of us. So fun!

 

Tanner even gave it a try on his own.

 

After the slip-n-slide we ate a delicious lunch. We had bar-b-q ribs, corn on the cob, cinnamon apples, watermelon and pasta salad. YUMMY!

As you can see, Bailey thoroughly enjoyed the watermelon.

Besides, no 4th of July is complete without watermelon.

After lunch we went home for naps. The kids took great 2-hour naps and then we packed up and headed to the lake. We decided to go to "Jordan Rec Area." It was way less crowded and had actual natural sand beaches. The water was amazing and the kids loved the sand.

We played and then ate the dinner we'd packed. We stayed for a couple hours and it was wonderful!

 

 

Here are my kids playing with Papa. How we adore Nanny and Papa!

Then Aunt Laura and her friend Sam decided to make an awesome sandcastle.
Bailey, of course, had to help.

Bailey spent more time "helping" with the sandcastle than she did in the water. She loved it!

 

 

Tanner and Papa had a great time pretending to be fish. Tanner would swim away and then the "Papa fish" would swim after him. So funny to watch.

I need to get this kid in swim lessons. He's such a little fish!

 

Here's the picnic crew, eating dinner at the lake.

After dinner at the lake, we packed up and went back to Nanny and Papa's house for fireworks.

Some of the kids' favorites were the poppers and sparklers.

When Daddy started setting off the loud ones, Bailey hid between my legs.

Haha. She cracks me up!

She wasn't satisfied until she was wearing the noise-cancelling headphones.

After that, she really enjoyed the rest of the fireworks.

Tanner also really liked the roman candles.

 

The weather was beautiful. The high was only 85 degrees- perfect for playing in the water and then in the evening it dropped to the low 70's. Such a gorgeous day (and so unusual for July!)

We had delicious food, great time with family and lots of fun!

Such an amazing 4th of July.

I'm so grateful for this country and all the freedoms we enjoy.

Happy 4th of July!