Back home from our trip to SoCal, the big move began...
After four full days of packing, loading, and cleaning the movers drove our belongings to Nevada while we stayed in Arizona for one more night.
We woke up the morning of my birthday, and after packing up our hotel room, we went to IHOP for my birthday breakfast (my choice)!!!
While we waited for the food, Mom kept Presley occupied by giving her plastic straws to play with; for some odd reason they fascinate her.
Despite the voiced discontent regarding my restaurant of choice, everyone seemed happy when the food showed up...
We all laughed as we watched Presley shovel in her eggs!
We have to give her credit- that fork is huge!
After a quick goodbye to our Arizona house, we loaded the cars and drove to Nevada.
Early Sunday morning we met the movers at our new house and the move in process began. As difficult as moving can be, Mom found ways to make it fun for us:
Within a week we were all moved in. Presley was glad to be back in her high chair, and Mom was glad to be out of boxes!
We spent the weeks after our move shopping around town. From pantry staples to home decor, we were in and out of stores. Presley seemed to enjoy it WAY more than Macie and I.
At home, while Mom sorted, organized, and "situated" things, Macie and I would play dress up together. Here are some of Mom's favorite looks...
Snow White:
Rainbow Dash:
Pirate:
and Joseph!?!?
Mom laughed for hours over the creativity of that costume! While we (Mom) was organizing my closet, I dressed Macie and I in some fancy frocks- I even did our hair myslef...
Presley didn't enjoy dressing up nearly as much as we did, so she spent lots of time hanging out in Uncle Will's Room. They are like two peas in a pod:
On our first free weekend in Vegas, Dad surprised us with a trip to the Mandalay Bay Shark Reef to celebrate Mom's birthday.
Presley loved seeing all the animals,
and Mom was glad to be spending time with her family!
At the pool, we were able to touch the sting rays and Macie literally dove right in...
We had hours of fun together as a family!
That afternoon Aunt Hayley drove into town to stay with us for a few days. As a belated birthday present, she took me out the next evening to see Mystere, an age appropriate acrobatics show on the strip, and I was SO excited.
When we arrived at Treasure Island we walked through the shops and had some good laughs trying on all sorts of silly hats.
Before the show, we ate dinner at Senor Frogs,
and got some balloon hats of our own! I got a princess crown,
and Aunt Hayley got some lips.
We had a blast together, and I love seeing all the flips and tricks. When we got home I told Mom and Dad that "it was the BEST birthday present ever"!!!
That next day Grandma Judy came to visit us, and boy did the fun begin!
Grandma even taught Presley how to climb up the stairs and go down the slide all by herself...
It was sure nice having Aunt Hayley and Grandma Judy visit with us.
Once the final items were finished in the house, we barbequed to celebrate this next chapter in our lives. We feasted on steak, potatoes, and corn, and Presley couldn't get enough of the corn:
At the beginning of August Mom, Macie, Presley, and I loaded the car and drove to the beach. We wanted to catch a few more waves before we started back to school. Macie and I were thrilled to be down at Grandma's! We captured our first morning at the beach with a photo shoot:
At the beach, we put on our wet suits and jumped in the ocean.
Presley was super excited to be back at the beach. She loves running in and out of the water!
Back on the sand, we all soaked in some sun with big smiles!
Over the course of a week, we went to the beach a ton- it never gets old!
At the bay we practiced "surfing" on the boogie boards,
and Presley spent hours running in and out of the water!
This kid has NO FEAR!
When the weekend came, we spent time with Pa and his family. We played, ate, and laughed. Presley bonded with Pa over a cupcake...
Pa has a friend for life!
With only a few more days in San Diego, we made sure to make the most of our time. We spent an afternoon swimming with Mom's friend from high school. Miss Alyssa and her daughters were lots of fun!
We went to the Science Museum with Mom's friend Janelle and her boys, and played at the park- Presley had a blast!
Who knew a suspension bridge could provide so much entertainment...
We spent our last day at the bay taking in the sun. Presley played with the eggs- the BEST beach toys ever,
while Macie and I took turns paddling out on the surf board...
Presley even got the courage to try the boogie board.
She loved being pulled around the bay by Grandma!
We had a great time visiting with friends and family in San Diego, but it sure felt nice to be back in our new home with Dad. Presley's picture says it all...
This coming week both Macie and I start school! We can't believe that summer went by so fast, but we are looking forward to settling in to our new community.
