We made it

 

 We arrived in Cali this afternoon!  We got to the airport, through security, on and off the plane, and to our new house with all 4 kids and crazy amounts of luggage successfully!  When we finally got to the hotel we had to hit the pool.  It was sure nice and sunny this afternoon, but by early evening it was a bit windy and had cooled off quite a bit.  They mostly stayed in the hot tub, which was only a little warmer than bath temp.

 

  As we drove around the cities today I got super overwhelmed with trying to keep track of where I was and how I needed to get familiar with it all.  I mean, everything is new.  In Bellevue I would have never paid attention to every single building or billboard.  Right now I am taking all of these mental notes as we drive by things thinking these places could potentially be the new doctor or dentist or Uwajimaya or PCC.  Fortunately, I saw a number of Trader Joe's and Targets, and I know those places!  :)

 

  One nice thing about driving around today was that we got to do it in our own car!  Contrary to what the relocation people have been telling us, the truck drivers of our stuff and the transporter of our vehicles are all very efficient and had to wait for us to get down here.  We were told everything would take 7-10 business days.  Our cars were picked up in Seattle yesterday at 10:30 am and were dropped off in front of our house in San Jose at 7 this morning. (Thanks, Shawn!)  We thought we were going to have to use a rental car for a week.  As we drove up to our new house for the first time, there were are cars welcoming us.  It was kind of a trip.

 Today went as smooth as it could have.  We got lots of love from people around us (versus the usual smirks we get for having so many young children) and it really made a difference.  I think everyone thought it was cute seeing a train of little kids pulling luggage through the terminal.  Either that or this little baby's sweet face.  She is really smiling and cooing at us now and we just can't get enough!

Thanks for all of your prayers for us.  They sure work!