Off to Minnesota!

At the beginning of June we got confirmation that Scott received a promotion with Coke.  The journey started in March and through many conversations, interviews & prayers we were now letting the fact that the promotion would take us to Minnesota...far, far away from our family, our church and our friends.  While we knew it was a possibility when he interviewed for the job, it was now a reality!  We were nervous and a little overwhelmed but we knew that God was in control and had great plans for us in Minnesota.  Our house went on the market and then sold on day 30.  We visited Minnesota and found a house on the 3rd day of looking.  It all came together in record speed and we were moved into our new home on July 25th.  Looking back now it was too fast!  On a serious note, we are grateful that the transition went rather smoothly.  We all made it in one piece and we are starting a new phase in Minnesota.

Here's a really rough picture of the house.  It's a new build so it'll be awhile before we have it just like we want it.

4th of July

The 4th of July in Ohio was a typical boiling hot day!  Our friends the Guentter's invited us up to Columbus to spend the day with their family.  We headed out early and got there around lunch time.  The kids quickly changed and we went to the local Pickerington Swim Club.  We used to be members there so it was fun to check it out.  We ran into many people we knew and even a neighbor! 

After the pool and dinner at Matt & Dana's, we went to the local Pickerington parade.  We always went to this parade with the kids when we lived there.  In fact, we even sat at our usual spot!  Morgan & Emery are only 1 month apart in age.

The whole gang...Elese, Morgan, Lilli, Jacob, Eliot, Eli & TJ (not sure where Em is)!

It was sooo hot that day...I mean sweat running down your back hot!  After the parade we made a dash to Graeter's Ice Cream to cool off.

We had such a fun time hanging out with the Guentter's.  Our kids always have a blast and the adults had fun too.  It was a little sad to leave because we knew it would be the last time our families would be together for a long time.  We're hoping they can make it up for a visit!

Paco is a good friend of ours.  We met at our church in Pickerinton when we lived there.  In the past year Scott & Paco became really close and even met once a month at the 1/2 way point in between Columbus & Cincinnati.

Sweet Eliot was soooo hot!  Check out his cheeks!  Did you catch the double sucker...oh yeah, living it up!

Last Days in Milford

We spent our last days in Milford visiting with all of our friends.  June & July were busy months for us!  Grandma, Uncle Jason & Cassidy came for a visit.  We had a pool party with our small group & the Morency family invited us over for dinner.  During the day time the kids were making the last play date rounds and keeping cool in the pool!

Eliot was determined to fill the pool without.any.help.  He screamed when I tried to help him with the hose!  Not a good sign for the years to come :)

Not sure why Elese will need those goggles in such a tiny pool!  By  the way, that froggy swimsuit is her absolute favorite.  It's from last summer but she refused to give it up!

Look out now...Eliot has the squirter!

Such a busy little bee.  Eliot loves the water and was a happy camper at the pool this year.

This is hilarious!  I turned around and there he was sitting in my chair with the iPad...naked!  He even looks like he knows exactly what he's doing!

The Thompson family was able to squeeze in one last visit before we moved.  Karen was visiting with a college girlfriend in Cincinnati so I got to spend time with her 3 youngest (Ella, Ivy & Oak).  We swam, played outside, had popcorn and had a fun sleepover.  I have pictures of Ella & Emery when Em was a year old & Ella was 2.  Ivy has gotten so big and is such a beautiful girl.  This was taken before their performance.  Nice job on the clothes and hair girls! 

The Jackson Grandparents Visit

Mamaw, Papaw & Great Grandma came up for one last visit before we moved to Minnesota.  Papaw brought a special knife for both Eli & Scott.  Eli LOVES his knife!

Great Grandma always likes to give the kids a $5 bill.  Elese was excited about her money.  She was also showing off her coloring skills!

Such a sweet picture!

Great Grandma was relaxing...it was a little chaotic! 

Eliot ran into his bedroom and brought out this wooden horse.  This was Scott's horse when he was a little boy.  Great Grandma & Great Grandaddy bought it for him. 

Elese couldn't be left out and jumped on to give it a try.

Happy Father's Day

A little hand print action for the best Dad around!

Mr. Ben was an overnight guest the day before Father's Day.  He was finishing up some last minute details at their house in Milford.  He was just in time for the Father's Day breakfast!  We brought the breakfast to them in bed but they decided to eat together at the table.

I'm thankful for the friendship Ben & Scott share.  It's a great bond between 2 Christian men.  Happy Father's Day!

Potty Training!

After Eliot turned 2 it was the perfect time to potty train him.  He was showing many signs of being ready so I took off the diaper and put on the undies!  He was so proud of his new underwear.

The other kids were such a big help keeping Eliot busy.  I kept him in the kitchen so my carpet & furniture stayed clean.

Look at that cute Mickey booty!

Scott & I have never really kept track of accidents with the other 3 but with Eliot we had to because we just couldn't remember!  It really was a little crazy trying to potty train Eliot in the midst of the chaos.

Check out the little Mommies! 

Can you tell that he loved the attention?  Sweet boy!

After every successful potty, Eliot got to choose a prize from my bag.  He loved the goggles!

Potty training Eliot was just as successful as the other 3 kids.  He was very eager and caught on quickly.  By the end of the weekend he was in undies except at nap & bed time.  Way to go Brother Bear!

The Moore's are moving :(

Our dear friends the Moore family just moved!  We went over on the last day to visit and say our goodbyes.  Chessa reminded me that it's not goodbye, just see you later.  We do have plans to visit them in August at their summer house in Bethany Beach, Michigan.  In fact, that might be our meeting place for years to come :)

Tyler & Eli are good buddies and really hit it off from the start of our freindship together.

I just love this picture of Ginger.  We will miss you!  I am not a dog person at all but Ginger has a special place in my heart.  We really got to know her when she would stay with our family.

Ginger's BFF is Elese...or so she thinks!  Elese loved taking charge of Ginger and trying to take her on walks.  Ginger would always get away from her and she would get so frustrated.  We would laugh so hard at Elese & her Ginger stories.  One time she told Chessa, "Ginger's going to be so excited to see me!" with a big smile on her face.

Eliot loved Ginger too!  He would always say, "No, no Ginger!"

We will miss our playdates with Katelyn! 

It's different without the Moore's just around the corner.  I drive by their place just to check on it and still look for them any time I see a black Expedition.  I will miss hanging out with them but I know that we will be life long friends.  We may be in Minnesota but we will only be a phone call or text away!  Thank you for your friendship Chessa!

While the movers were loading the truck all the kids starting following them around.  Chessa & I thought they might be bugging them but this guy was a trooper!  He sang songs and the kids were having a ball!

Up the ramp...

Into the van...

And back down again!

At the end of the summer the Moore's are off to Charloette, NC and the start of a new journey!  God truly blessed us with their shared faith, friendship & good times spent together.  If I could change anything it would be that we would have met when we first moved here!  I know God's timing is perfect and I am thankful to have the memories we share.  Here's to new adventures in Charolette & Minnesota!

Last Day of School!

There's a little tradition here in Whitegate Farms.  On the last day of school all the parents gather at the bus stops to pelt the kids with water balloons!  We wanted it to be a surprise to our kids so Scott & I started filling balloons at 10:30 the night before the last day.  I was soaked and Scott's fingers were totally cramping!

Tim was the official photograher & Scott was all ready with his bag of balloons!

Jen brought water guns!  Eliot was thrilled & attempted to spray them all.

I had this great idea to use my baby sling to hold the balloons...it was so genius!  The kids thought that I had a baby in there so it was good to sneak up on them.

Molly walked over to join in the fun just as the bus was rounding the corner!

Here's a couple shots of the aftermath!  I had to stop taking pics to unload on the kids.

It really was just as fun for the parents too!