A quick trip to California!

A few days after moving into our new house, Mom told Macie and I that we would be making an impromptu trip to California to deliver some furniture to Grandma Judy.   I had two days off school, as did Macie, so the timing was perfect!  Uncle Will agreed to make the trip with Mom, Macie, Presley, and I, to help with the loading/unloading, and driving (since poor Dad couldn't take time off work).  After a half day of school all of us loaded into the car and headed west.

We made great time (considering we were hauling a HUGE trailer full of furniture), and got to Grandma's right at bedtime.  We were all so tuckered out that we passed out as soon as our heads hit the pillow.  Macie and I woke up bright and early the next morning ready to hit the beach!

Mom dressed Presley in her suit, but she seemed a little unsure of all the excitement.

While Mom loaded up the car, Uncle Will calmed down Presley by showing her pictures on his Ipad- She loved all the pictures of the family!

At the beach we posed for some pictures before running into the water!

 Presley's first trip to the beach wasn't met with the enthusiasm that Mom had hoped- in her defense it was super hot and she was starting to get sick...

Macie and I played in the sand for hours, building castles, and enjoying the sun(the type that feels good and energizing- unlike the type that will suck the life out of you like we have at home)!

 
 At the end of the day we went back to Grandma's to clean up and eat.  While we took baths Presley and Will caught up on some much needed rest.

The next morning we were up bright and early to do it all again!

We spent tons of time in the water chasing waves and pulling each other on boards.

Mom came prepared for day 2, and Presley was much more comfortable!

When she became tired Mom laid her under the umbrella and Presley just loved it!

She even took a catnap!

It felt good to be back on the sand, and I showed Mom how I could do a headstand!

 We left the ocean in the early afternoon and drove over to the bayside to meet up with Aunt Liz and our cousin Avery!

Because Uncle Will was off visiting with friends, Mom had to get creative with carrying our gear to the car- I have to admit, she came up with a clever solution...

Everyone laughed as Mom walked by carrying backpacks, chairs, buckets, food, and a baby on a  body board!

I tried to pull her along the sand, and boy was it tough!

At the bay we saw Aunt Liz, her Mom, and Avery.  Macie and I were thrilled when the ice cream truck pulled up and Liz's Mom treated us to a snack!

It was great to get all the cousins together, and Presley and Avery enjoyed staring and cooing at one another.

By the early evening Presley started to get tired, and Mom insisted that we pack up and head to dinner.

We wouldn't leave the bay until Mom took a picture of all the treasures we found on the shore.

After we each downed two sushi rolls, one rainbow, and one caterpillar, we were pooped.  Macie started to sleep sitting up,

and I looked ready to pass out myself.

Presley had it made- she slept in a comfy spot and was the envy of everyone at the table.

 When the bill came the waiter brought ice cream for all of us, and Macie perked right up!

We passed out as soon as we got in bed, and Mom gave Presley her first bath in the bumbo- she LOVED it!

The following morning we dressed for another fun day at the beach.

By the third day we all had it figured out- even Presley!

After playing in the water, 

 Macie and I were buried in the sand.

Mom couldn't believe that we weren't panicking- the mere thought of being buried drove her insane.

Once we were out of the hole, Mom relaxed, and her and Uncle Will tried to get Presley to enjoy the beach.

 She still isn't sold with the sand or the water, but give us time and we will convince her!

At least she loves lying under the umbrella...

 Our trip to the beach was super fun, and we are grateful that Dad allowed us to take the time to drive out and play- he is the best!

After another long day at the beach we cleaned up and drove out to see Pa and Grandma Jean.

We met up with them at Lake Murray and Pa brought Watermelon for us to snack on.  After we fed the ducks some bread scraps, we sat down to eat and catch up with one another.  We all ended up having a fun time eating watermelon.

They couldn't believe how much Presley had grown, and were grateful that we came out for a visit.  It was a fun way to finish up our California trip.

 The following morning, we loaded up the car and drove back to Arizona.  We were all glad to get back home to Dad, and were eager to start life in our new home!

All settled in!

Thanks to help from Grandma Judy, Mom and Dad were able to get lots of packing and moving done.  With only a week to go until the end of the month our life was hectic, but we all took some time out of our busy schedule to celebrate Macie turning 4.   Here she is; her last day of preschool as a 3 year old:

After a fun day of school, her friend Graham came over and the two of them had some silly time together!

Presley and Will couldn't handle all the excitement, and fell asleep sitting up (the workload with this move has been exhausting and has taken a toll on us all).

Later that night the whole clan went to  Chuck E Cheese to celebrate with Macie (Dad had to leave town for a few days and wouldn't be home for her bday).

All of us had a blast eating, laughing, and playing!

We spent the day in the pool on Saturday, and Macie wowed all of us with her exceptional dive.   I was a little perturbed by her success considering I have been practicing for weeks, and her first try blew me out of the water.

That night Macie posed to signify the last night she would be going to bed as a 3 year old...

She woke in the morning ecstatic and ready to celebrate her big day.  Mom made her pancakes, and she ate them so fast she could hardly breathe.

 After breakfast she opened some of her presents, and then spent most of the day playing with them!

Opening her Princess Celestia Pony from Grandma Jean was a big moment for her:

 

 Presley and Grandma lounged on the couch together and caught up on the news while Macie and I were occupied with the toys.

 After a fun swim, Mom, Grandma, Presley, Hayley, John, Will, and I all gathered around to sing her happy birthday.

With a full tummy Macie went to bed a happy 4 year old!

That night after Mom did my hair, she put a curler in Presley's hair- we all though it was hilarious!

 

In the morning Mom dressed me for purple day, and I got to wear my new purple kicks!

After I went to school, Mom and Grandma took Macie to Toys R Us to pic out her birthday gift from Grandma.

Macie was SO excited she could hardly stand still long enough to pose for a picture.

In the store Macie went straight for the My Little Pony aisle and picked out a set of ponies!

Just when Macie thought her day couldn't possibly get any better, Mom bought her a carousel ride!

The following day was orange day again, so Mom decked me out in some orange and black!

Macie chose to wear her "4" shirt for her first preschool day as a 4 year old!

Mom and Grandma joined Macie for lunch and brought in cupcakes for the class.

After lunch everyone sang Macie the birthday song, and then got to eat cupcakes!!!

 
At the end of the week our new pool gates were installed in the new house, so we spent our final night in our old rooms (all we had left in our house were mattresses and blankets).

That next morning I took a picture to remember my last day in the house (no one else was interested in having their photos taken).

While we were at school, Mom, Will, and Presley spent the entire day moving the beds, couch, and kitchen items to the new house.  Apparently it was a lot of work, because when I got home from school Will and Presley were passed out.

The next day was the last day of the month, and while Mom was busy cleaning the garage, Dad, Macie, and I got to swim in the pool for the last time.  We spent most of our time lapping the slide and doing tricks on the diving board- we will definitely miss the pool!

After we said our final goodbyes to the old house, we were ready and excited to move on to our next chapter.  On Sunday we all enjoyed a swim at the new house, and can't wait to create new memories together.

Thanks to everyone who helped physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc. to make our move a huge success; we are lucky to have the support of such wonderful friends and family.  Without everyone none of this would have been possible. So many wonderful things lie ahead for us; we can't wait to share the stories!!!!!!!!!!!