WE MADE IT!!

After six very long days, we made it to Texas. Wow, what a trip.

I wasn't quite prepared for the movers when they showed up on tuesday morning. They informed me they couldn't take any food, and they were really in a hurry so I started dumping my dry goods - refried beans, potato pearls, etc. - down the garbage disposal, well, not a good idea. Wednesday evening it was still plugged up and we had the call the plumber who said he had never spent that much time on a kitchen sink.

We lucked out, driving to LA and then over we had no weather problems but a little fog near Fresno. Some of you won't believe this, but I drove most of the way, as Nate got a bad cold/flu virus and was miserable. I drove through the Siskyous and down into LA on a sunday morning. I just about peed my pants, but I made it and we are all alive. (I have horrible anxiety/panic attacks in the car and this was a huge challenge for me as they have gotten worse since having the baby, a few little blue pills help alot) I don't understand the allure of California. They drive too freaking fast for me and Palm Springs us ugly, at least in December from the freeway.

We had wanted to make it to TX by christmas, but traveling with 4 kids, we took it slow, stopping at dinner time and playing at the Hotels. We spent Christmas Eve in Benson, AZ. We spent Christmas night in a little town in TX where we were hopeing to find a birthday cake for Natalie, all the stores were closed so we had birthday Doritos and Oreo cookies.

We pulled into Fort Hood at about 8:30 last night to be told that all temporary housing was full on base and were sent looking for a place to stay. Luckily, we found a brand new Marriott, residence Inn. The kids and I are hanging out in the room today while Nate checks into base. We don't have any address yet and my computer is in the moving truck, plus my comcast email doesn't work, but got cancelled before I was able to get all my emails-so use my hotmail email. We are haveing our mail forwarded to my parents in Shoreline.

This internet is extremely slow, and I don't have the patience for it-where are those pills, ha ha. We will keep you posted as we get settled.

Merry Christmas and Happy 7th Birthday Natalie!!

TULIPS

I have a wonderful husband. Look at the surprise I found on the doorstep when I got home from grocery shopping on friday. I love you Nate. And - I love Tulips. (this is the 2nd time he has sent me flowers while being away, the others were yellow tulips-they were sapposed to be fire orange, but they were still beautiful)

HOLIDAY IN THE GROVE 2007

Know that we are getting ready to move, I am in love with Forest Grove. We had a great saturday, we just wish dad could've been here with us. Forest Grove had a fun christmas event, there was a horse drawn sleigh ride (yes Sam had shorts on and by the time we headed for the walk home he was coooold), we made a Reindeer out of wine corks (this was in The Urban Decantur, a little wine shop, it was pretty funny because there were tables for wine tasting and Alison kept saying really loud "I'm hungry" I had a hard time convincing her that they didn't have "kids" food there), origami star ornaments, and a picture frame mat. They also had a gingerbread house contest, which after seeing the entries, we should have entered, and there were Santa pictures, but my kids, and my husband have Santa issues, so we passed on that. The best part, it was all FREE!! (except for the Santa pictures). It was fun seeing a bunch of our neighbors there. We also spent the evening driving around looking at christmas lights. In the words of Natalie "They were so beautiful". We also enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Light Parade on thursday. People decorated their tractors, trucks and selves with christmas lights. It is so fun living in a place with so much community spirit.

NEW FAVORITE SNACK

For a while my favorite snack was Special K Protein Bars-but I have found a new love.

Fiber One Bars-they are so good, chewy, a little hint of chocolate, lot's of oats, low on calories, high on fiber, and very yummy!

Thanks to the girls in Seattle for turning me on to these.

FOR SALE

UPDATE!!
I sold the kayak-I was surprised it went so fast, I was worried so when someone called and said they would come pick it up, I took his offer. I am sad, but it was necessary and we will be able to get another one or something else in the future. The kids had so much fun with it and I spent so much time canoeing when I was younger I hope we can do more of it in the future.

Anyone know anyone who wants a kayak? Yes it is true, we are selling Nate's kayak. It is too long to go with the moving company and it would cost too much to ship it. I am very sad but Nate convinces me it will be ok. It is a great kayak, it is a tandem, there are two seats and it is an open kayak so it is easy to get in and out of.



http://www.oldtowncanoe.com/kayaks/tandem/loon_160t.html



I also have a rocking chair/glider and an Avent Breast Pump. Let me know if anyone is interested. The cushion on the chair needs to be cleaned, but in good condition otherwise.