We had a great but busy week last week, it was filled with play dates and packing.

Blake really has taken off climbing and being mischievous. I really have to watch and make sure he doesn't climb on the table because it's a place he really likes to be.

Samantha has done well with the move and even packed up her kitchen stuff. She had a rough time Friday afternoon and started crying and we talked about it and got through it. She says she's going to miss her friends.

Travis came back Friday evening and we went right from picking him up to meeting Tracy and Cheryl for supper. Sabbath was a great day with the Alex, Maddie and their families. Maddie's pool was open so the kids and dad took a swim. In fact, it was hard to get Samantha out even though her lips were blue!

Sunday we packed and then went to a Sabbath School social. Samantha loved playing in the sprinkler and slip and slide. The down side was that she got sunburned and hurt. She's doing much better. That evening we met up with Kathryn, her parents and Gigi for supper.

Dad left on Monday and we picked up BeBe several hours later. She is hear to help us finish up packing and move.

We've said lots of good-byes this weekend but we know it's not forever. I've somehow not cried yet but I think I've put up a great wall right now and reality will hit very soon and the tears will flow. We have so many good friends and they will never be replaced.

The moving van comes on Thursday and we will begin our new life in Kansas City. We're looking forward to being with Travis again and getting settled into our new house.



We have a climber in our family...




Randoms...





Poor Samantha has cried because she's going to miss her friends (somehow we didn't get a picture of Maddie)...

So tired after a very busy weekend...

Back to Blogging...

Travis left on May 3 for Kansas and took the computer with him so we've been unable to update the blog. The week before he left he wasn't working so we spent a lot of time together. Travis and Samantha especially spent a lot of time together.

Monday of that week Travis' previous work asked us down to Dalton for a going away lunch. It was great to socialize with everyone and know that Travis was so liked there. The employees there were always so kind not only to Travis but all of us and we will look back on that time with smiles on our faces.

Friday we decided to to ride the Tennessee Railroad. It was a bit rainy that morning but it was a nice ride and the kids liked it I believe. Poor Blake feel asleep on the way back but he needed a nap.

Travis was gone two weeks and just returned Friday for the weekend. While he was gone we finished running errands for our move, got estimates for our move and played.

Travis was able to find us a house in Olathe, KS. It's about a 20+- minute drive from his work and the school. The house has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, family room, 2 car garage and a great yard. I'm excited to move in!

Here is a summary of the other things that have been going on...
*Blake has pointed occasionally
*Jealousy is a big issue in our house. Blake bit Samantha on her calf because I was holding her and he wanted to be held. The spot was black and blue for days.
*Both kids LOVE playing in the car.
*Samantha saw her first rainbow on Sabbath, May 9.
*Samantha has really been doing much better on her pleases and thank-you's.
*As much as they fight, Samantha is still very protective of Blake and making sure he doesn't get near cars or close to edges he could fall off of.
*Samantha seems to have been more talkative lately and asks SO many questions. I keep telling myself it's her way of learning.
*Samantha missed her dad something terrible while he was gone. She was grumpy something fierce a lot and would blame it on missing Travis. Once she cried on his voice mail just telling dad she needed him.
*Blake now says ball, amen, go, bye, night, bell (the neighbors horse). He also has his own version of a dark bark and does a little jig when he says it.
*Samantha said she can't wait to get to Kansas City to explore all the knew Starbuck's.
*Blake loves to splash in the puddles-- shoes, clothes, and all. He also loves trains, trucks and anything with wheels.
*One night Blake was playing with one of Samantha's toys and I started to tell him no. She told me that she could take care of it and eventually told him no so forcefully he started to cry and went into the corner. I had to go rescue him!
*Samantha has really been interested in playing with barrette's, make-up, etc. She often puts barrette's and clips in her pony's hair.

This week we're looking forward to spending it with friends for play dates and also packing up the house (the part we're not looking forward to).


We spent Sabbath afternoon at Alex and Ian's house. Blake made himself at home in the pool...


More fun at Alex and Ian's...

Random pictures...

Our kids are spoiled. They both think they need Starbucks milk:)

Our trip on the Tenneessee Railroad...

Samantha suffered from allergies just like her dad did and she was sure a wet cloth would help her eyes so one night this is the way she went to bed...