Last weekend

  Before another weekend happens and I get behind, I have to share with you what happened last weekend.  Last Friday, our dear friend, Maggie, flew in from Seattle to come help.  And boy did she help!  Not a minute went by that she was not efficiently using.  We joked about how it would be so nice to have her around as my mother's helper all of the time!  I can't believe we didn't get a single picture of her or anyone unpacking boxes and/or all of the packing paper that could have filled a room floor to ceiling.  We were in work mode, no time for documenting!

 

We did stop to enjoy lunch out on our patio Friday afternoon.

  These two did some major bonding.  We were able to have dinner at our friend's, and Maggie got to meet their baby!

  Saturday morning was our epic IKEA trip.  We originally went there to get lamps (Lots O'Lamps!) and a second shelving unit for toys and crafts.  We ended up getting a whole new book case/shelving unit AND of course, lots of lamps.

 

  We didn't really think about how we were going to get it home.  Fortunately, we were able to shove it all in the car, but dang, we were squished!  That was my attempt at trying to keep it all from falling on me.  The poor kids were champs about it too.  I tried to make it fun and told the kids they had their own little tents!  This was totally unsafe, just thinking about it makes me cringe.

  On top of it all, Mike had gone to Home Depot just before and so we had to fit in some lumber too.  He had to show you his "this is crazy!" face.

  After a long weekend of unpacking and organizing, we finally had to say good-bye and take Maggie to the airport.  She is seriously such a great friend.  She and her husband have always been super helpful to us, letting me and the kids come stay at their house when Mike was in China, bringing dinner over to us when Hannah broke her arm, and many other little things.  I now feel forever indebted to them for helping so much with this move.  Great friends are certainly a gift from God!

  After the airport, we headed straight for Santa Cruz.  We decided we needed a fun day before Mike started work and Hannah started school the next day.  We happened upon a flea market in Santa Cruz and found two great finds (to be shared later).  Sometimes you get all excited to go to a flea market and it's all old junk, but not this one.  There was all good stuff.

 

  We had lunch/brunch at a café right across from the beach.  Bringing 4 kids and 2 strollers into a tiny little place brought a lot of attention to us.  Thankfully, I could tell they were nice stares, and as we left we were complimented.

Calvin's very typical pose and/or dance for the camera.

  I don't know who started this, but both Hannah and Calvin were doing this while waiting for their special treat to enter their mouth.

  We decided to reward them for being so good during the whole move and also celebrate Mike starting work and Hannah starting school with a special treat.  We all split a cup of chocolate ice cream from Loard's Ice Cream and it was really, really yummy!

What a fun adventure.  Until next time, Santa Cruz...

 

Hope you all have a great weekend!!