Christmas In California

Even though we knew December would be chaotic, we decided a couple months ago that we would utilize Dave's work break to travel.  It was partly to celebrate Christmas, partly to spend time together without any sort of to-do list, and partly to reward the girls for their help with the Cheyenne house over the past year.  In our search for travel destinations, we searched for some cheap flights and I pushed some warm destinations, but the girls wanted to see great-grandpa's beach house in California.  It was not super warm, but that didn't stop anyone from jumping waves or even boogie-boarding in 60 degree temps.

Since the beach was only half a block from the house, we spent a ton of time playing in the sand, freezing in the water, walking to the pier (with the goal of hitting the donut shop or getting ice cream), and I got to ride bikes down the boardwalk every day, even that one pouring day.  We took a couple excursions to Balboa Island, Lego Land (next post), Christmas Boat Parade, and did some shopping. The girls got to go shopping with grandma as their Christmas present and I would guess that was their favorite part!

The Torlands also decided to join us and it was great to cook meals together, play some Cribbage games with Milan, watch Indie and Garrett wrestle it out in the living room, and the kids spent hours doing crafts in the house.  Their routine was often beach, drag sand through house, shower, craft, spread paper through house, fight, repeat.  Honestly, they had a great time and we had the perfect break from real life!  

Moved In- Kinda

It's been a crazy month and we have come out of the other side moved in with running water and the wood heat going strong.  It took a while to get those things going and there were times that we thought we would call it with this house.  We did get closed and I think it will be fabulous with some more time and lots of white paint. 

We have been in Saratoga for a couple weeks and have enjoyed getting to know people.  I have met some acquaintances through church, school events, the dental office, and story times (I even met our future dental hygienist at toddler story time!!  What are the odds?!?)  We have been the recipients of very kind service from neighbors helping with our chickens, giving us some wood for our stove, and even cutting up our delivered logs.  We have gotten to know Doug, our plumber, very well through our water debacle and I even joked that I would use him as the Emergency Contact on my girls' school enrollment forms.  We are very excited to continue getting to know people and become a part of this community.  

I have been working in the dental office during Indie's preschool and am feeling more relaxed about my upcoming job responsibilities. I still feel overwhelmed about the upcoming transition, but do think it will be manageable.  We have casually met a lot of people in town that have been really positive about us taking over the clinic.  Many current patients plan to keep coming to us and other people sound excited that we will have extended hours and will accept more insurance.  Dave and I are both feeling positive about the practice so even though it will require a lot of work, we feel that it will pay off. 

Best part of Saratoga so far seems to be the mountain views from our home and the wildlife on our 3 mile drive to town.  The girls still get a kick out of all the town deer and it is fun to hear stories of deer fighting outside the classroom windows.  As an added bonus, we were able to hop over to the forest this year and cut down a really fabulous Christmas Tree.  The whole thing was done in an hour and our dark house started feeling a bit more festive.  

This Show's Moving

T-7 days until we officially start our moving weekend.  Our moving date is closer than we originally thought, we are half way packed, and our entire lives are "under contract."  The next couple months will be busy with moving, selling this house, buying our Saratoga house, a Christmas trip to Newport Beach, Dave's 3 week guard training, learning my new job at the dental office, buying the office and building, and finally Dave transitioning into his new position there.  Phew!  With all that coming up, how have we decided to spend this week?  Playing games, hanging out in the snow, doing family drawing contests, creating play-doh makes, and making graham cracker houses with friends, of course.  

 One of Indie's IEP goals for this upcoming year was drawing a person and she crushed this one of dad!!  

Indie's 4 Year Old Pictures

How did this happen?

All the Halloween Festivities!

Monday night was our family Halloween celebration with pumpkin carving, soup in bread bowls, and pumpkin cookies.  Milan did a creative tree, Cora had me do do a unicorn stencil, and Eden did a cute Jack-o-lantern.  

Wednesday was a half day at school with class parties and costume parades.  

Thursday was the big day and even though the forecast initially showed freezing temps, we had very comfortable trick-or-treating weather.  We hit the Redd's neighborhood with them and the Boyd's for a bit then hung out at the Redd's house with savory treats, great company, and way too much candy!  Another successful Halloween season!!  

Winter Is Coming

With colder weather and our house under contract, we are enjoying a bit of lull in our to-do list.  We know that this next year will have overwhelming periods with renovating an office, learning how to run a dental practice, building our business, and likely updating a home (we think we may have found THE house, but are waiting on financing) so we are savoring these relaxed moments together while we can.

 That time I found Cora quizzing Milan on her geography homework.  

 Enjoying a beautiful day at Harvest Farms with the Young Women.

 Impulsively bought Indie this sink off of Amazon and it has been the BIGGEST hit with all the girls.