Here we go again

So at this point most of you know that by this time next month we will be moved into the DC metro area (probably northern VA)!

The move:

The timing is a little stressful but I know that it will all work out and at least we will be settled in before the baby comes in Oct (fingers crossed).  It is going to be a time of new beginnings and we are all excited for the move (well Orson doesn't really get it).  We are hoping to find a 4 bedroom with one of the rooms being an in-law suite because Matt's dad is moving across the country with us as well.  So far Gainsville, Burke and Herdon, VA seem to have a few options in them.  This upcoming weekend is our only weekend left when all of us will be home together, so we will spend it packing and organizing our lives so that the rest of the month works out.  The next week we will all be in DC looking for a house, the next Orson and I will be home but Matt will be staying in DC to work, the next week Orson and I are in TX for Nathans wedding and Matt will be home (Matt will join us for the wedding that weekend) and then we come back and the rental trucks will be here waiting to load!!!! Whew, we never do things the easy way.  We probably should have stayed home and packed this last weekend but we had been planning a trip to Tahoe with the Pats for over a month and we didn't want to cancel at the last minute and the weekend before that we didn't have the move offer yet (although we thought it was going to happen so we spent Sunday packing up the front room) so we went to a garden in San Mateo to take pictures for my class (which ends just before O and I fly out to TX).  
With all this excitement going on we are also having to say goodbye to all of our dear friends, the house (which we are trying to short sale), all the adventures we have had here in Sacramento and my garden.  Last Thursday was our last time watching Lucy :(, this Wednesday will be our last play date at the house and this week will probably be the last time I get to go out for tea with the moms sans babies, I have been trying to take lots of pictures of everything.

San Mateo Gardens (Folili Gardens and Estate):
The gardens were so pretty, they were walled off sections with gates in between each.  I really liked the formal flower gardens but the fruit and veggie area was interesting as well (Orson liked the unripe pears the best).  The house was also interesting but I am an outside girl for the most part.

Goodbyes during the week:
Last Thursday with Lu
Play Dates

Tahoe and Virginia City:
This weekend was tons of fun.  We stayed in the condo of one of Pat and Pat's friends in Incline Village (we had never spent time on the North side of the lake), met up with Matt's Uncle Greg, Aunt Rene and their twins Royce and Jackson who were in Squaw Valley showing their Rolls Royce (the pools there were amazing!!!), and then on Sunday, drove out to Virgina City to ride on a train and walk around.  It was so nice to have some family time and some time that we didn't think all too much about the move (except to hyperventilate every once in a while about how much we had to get done).  Thank you so much Pat and Pat for such a lovely weekend.  Orson is still complaining that we didn't bring Grandma and Grandpa home with us :)

Settled In

Well we finally have things pretty settled in at the house. I thought I would post some pictures for everyone to see. Pictures on the wall really make a house feel like a home :)

Family Area

Office Space
Living Room
Guest Bedroom
Master

Trip to San Diego

It has been a fun week away from the boxes and the mayhem at home. Matt and I took the weekend to drive down Highway 1 to San Diego stopping at the Monterrey Aquarium and many beaches along the way and spending the night in San Simeon. And then spent most of the week in San Diego so that Matt could attend the ESRI conference.

This is the first beach we stopped at with the girls. They didn't like the water but loved the sand.

We were happy to see that Chuggles didn't seem to mind taking another car ride, in fact they seemed to enjoy not being in a Penske and in their own seats again!

Chaquita mid sneeze....she was in a huff that I captured this one on film.

We also introduced them to the Pacific Ocean and swimming while here in San Diego at the Ocean Beach Dog Beach.

They have become real water babies although we have to watch Snuggles as she gets extremely cold if she stays in the water too long.

We also took them to Balboa park for a long walk.

After all of that they were just a little smelly so they went to their first dog wash....it went really well and boy were they soft when we got through bathing them (not to mention they both used the dog perfume that was available for them, "Romance"). They also ended up with new collars and matching city leashes. I told Matt that it wasn't quite fair that they were the ones that got gifts from the trip but it looks like they are going to be the beneficiaries of this week :) Over all they have barely moved today and seem content to sleep in the soft bed here at the hotel, I think they maybe a little sore.

Chaquita's new collar
Snugg's new collar

Matt and I are also being spoiled, Matt found a 4 star hotel on hotels.com and we are living large at the Sheradan (dog friendly by the way). We even have our own balcony which the entire family has been enjoying. We have also discovered some great food and are enjoying relaxing. Tomorrow we shoot home on the 5 and start back in on the boxes waiting for us there.

The view during the day.

The view at night

Sunset on the beach, who could ask for anything more?