Setting up house + life update

There are so many things I've been wanting to write about but just haven't had the time to sit down and get them out! So after all the time that has passed, I think the easiest way to catch you up to speed with where we are now, is to give a list of the highlights from the last couple of weeks.

1-

If you missed my last post, we spent our last days at our Lakeland house (Lakeland is the name of our old street) and moved into our new house a week ago today.

our last picture at our old house

2-

In the weeks prior to moving, I would have the kids nap at the new house while I unpacked boxes and cleaned. Mimi (Matt's mom) was a HUGE help with cleaning, unpacking, and picture hanging! One of the many things she did was scrub away at the kitchen stove and clean the oven until they both looked brand new. It was a labor of love that was super appreciated by this mama who loves to cook and loves a clean kitchen!

Natalie was excited about the clean kitchen too. ;)

3-

While I moved from room to room, I brought the gang and some toys and tackled as much as I could for as long as I could. On this day, Mimi was there helping me hang pictures. If she wasn't there helping, maybe one picture would be up on our walls at this point- I was so thankful for her help!

When Ryan woke up from his nap, Mimi took him down to the backyard to explore and Ryan wanted to take a dip in the pool. I snapped this from the porch- love Ryan's nakey buns and Mimi's grin in this picture!

4-

The night before the move (last Sunday) we drove down to my parents' new house that they just moved into last week! So crazy that we ended up moving homes at the exact same time. But even amidst all of their own craziness, they let Ryan and Natalie spend the night (their first sleepover away from home!) so that Matt and I could move the next day and get their rooms set up at the new house. They didn't even have silverware unpacked but took the kids without hesitation. So, so sweet!

Sweet Nanni Girl (our nick name for Natalie) was down early, but she was there too!

5-

On one of our visits to the house, I stopped by the park that is very close to our neighborhood and explored some with the kiddos before unpacking at the house. We managed to snap a quick pic while we were there. :)

6-

Tuesday was our first full day at the new house, and Matt came home early from work to have our first official swim. Ryan was SO excited! And Natalie was too. ;)

7-

Wednesday morning we went for a walk in the neighborhood and Ryan got to ride his bike! We lived on a busy street at our old house, so I never felt super comfortable letting him ride since I also had Natalie and Tally with us on our walks. He was really excited to take his bike out and also thought the side walks were pretty cool. :) 

8-

Friday night, we had both of our families over for dinner and swimming and a tour of the house! Our nephew Jackson was talking non-stop about jumping off of the diving board prior to coming to our house, and was super excited when he got his big moment. Sweet buddy!

Tal is a big fan of having a little more space to spread out at this house!

Matt and I kept saying to each other how much we loved getting to host both of our families and not feel like we were squeezing everyone in. We both love having people over and now we have the space to do that!

Sweet Jackson and Tally :)

Popsicles on the porch!

9-

Sunday (yesterday) I turned 32 and celebrated with breakfast on the porch and the sweetest gift from Matt and the kids before hopping in the car to head down to the beach for a week! (we are nuts, hah)

  

I just cried when I opened this. On the back of the two larger frames are hand and foot prints of the kids with their ages. When I flipped them over and saw that I cried even more! So, so sweet. And also made me realize how much craftier Matt is than me, ha!

10-

Making the drive to Seagrove, FL to meet up with my family for a week!

And celebrating with my September birthday buddy, Maddox, after dinner. :)

Blog posts to come:

Natalie 7 months (working on getting that in before she turns 8 months) ;)

House Tour

Beach Week