We're Moving...Again

Things have been pretty quiet around the blog lately, but with good reason. Remember how I mentioned in our year by numbers post that we moved zero times? And how that was a big deal for us? Well, we've been in our current place for 18 months, the longest of any place Joe and I have ever lived together, and come this weekend we're moving on to not only a new house, but a new city.

As much fun as we've had here, money just doesn't go that far in the Bay Area so we're moving on to the state's capital: Sacramento. Since Joe is fortunate enough to work from home, with only occasional trips to the office, we were able to pick pretty much anywhere we wanted to live within a reasonable distance. Joe went to school in Sacramento and we've made several trips there over the past few months and it stood out as somewhere we'd like to live. So with just three weeks left till our lease was up we scrambled to find a place, and somehow, miraculously, everything fell into place and we found a beautiful house which all four of us love.

In case you're wondering how Ez and Declan are dealing with all this change, they're absolutely loving it. Mountains of boxes to climb, bubble wrap, messes - it's basically a toddler paradise over here. If you scroll down a bit you can see a short video of Ez and Declan going wild with the boxes. And so far they love the new place too. Both times we've visited they've taken over like they own the place, exploring every nook and cranny and playing hide and seek in the closets. Fingers crossed their enthusiasm carries over after the actual move.

This week is gonna be CRAYzzzzy, and the chaos of having half my stuff in boxes is starting to get to me, but we're all so excited for what's to come. The boys are going to have a yard, and much more room to play and run around, and the master bedroom has THREE closets. THREE!! So yeah, lots of good things waiting for us at the end of this crazy week. In the meantime, if you need me, I'll just be over here boxing stuff up at breakneck speed and trying to cram in a few more of our favorite local things.

2016 in Numbers

Maybe it's because we ended the year with a stomach bug, but I feel really really ready to leave 2016 in the past and move onto 2017. In between scrubbing the carpet and endless loads of laundry Joe and I managed to do a bit of recollecting on the past year, all the fun, the unforgettable, and the stuff I hope to forget sooner than later. I'm looking at you Declan and your near-death experiences.

2016 will go down in Craig history as the first year since becoming parents that Joe and I managed an overnight getaway - not once, not twice, but FOUR times. Why we waited so long I'll never know. It was also the first year since we've lived together that we didn't move at least once. Apparently we're a very nomadic family. My five sisters and I were all in the same place at the same time for the first time in fifteen years. That's big news right there. 

On the other end of the spectrum 2016 marks the first year since becoming parents that we had to make a trip to the ER thanks to Declan and his bff the black widow. (Thankfully he wasn't actually bitten, but better safe than sorry). Declan also had to be heimliched by Joe when he nearly choked on a grilled cheese. At this rate I'll have a full head of gray hair by 2018. 

We traveled, we day tripped, we explored, and we adventured. We binge watched House of Cards, Game of Thrones, This is Us, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Ez played soccer for the first time and my tiniest little baby took his first steps. We spent lots of quality time with family and I hope one day Ez and Declan realize just how lucky they are to have such a loving and supportive network surrounding them. 

And, possibly most noteworthy of all, Joe and I got MARRIED!!! It was a day I'll never forget, and for that plus many other reasons 2016 will always hold a special place in my heart. 

That being said, I'm so ready for 2017. We don't have any grand plans for the year, but to quote Anne Shirley:

 I don't know what lies around the bend, but I'm going to believe that the best does. It has a fascination of its own, that bend. I wonder how the road beyond it goes--what there is of green glory and soft, checkered light and shadows--what new landscapes--what new beauties--what curves and hills and valleys further on.

Hoping you all find delightful surprises beyond the bends in your roads. Happy New Year!