Change

I pledged that I was going to get better at posting - but then life got in the way.  We had lots going on - including a cool trip to see the salmon spawning - what an awesome sight!  But most exciting of all - we decided it was time to move.

 This house came on the market (to rent) and it was just perfect for us.  Big and roomy with a big ol' fenced yard.  Gorgeous kitchen, lots of rooms, big party deck - perfect!  And so over the course of about 2 weeks (really, less), we moved.  There's still a lot of junk (and dog hair) at the old place, but we've got a whole month to get it cleaned out and back to the landlord.
Wednesday, Brian and I spent the afternoon moving all our furniture after air mattress and sleeping bag-ging it for a few days.  It was incredibly painful work, but it was so exciting when it was done.  If there's one thing we do well - it's move!  It helped that our new house is literally only a block away....
Wednesday night Brian's sister and boys arrived and our Thanksgiving/Moving in festivities began.  The boys love eating in the kitchen - we added a small table and some stools and it makes a great little nook!

 4 boys in a big house equals a lot of noise.  Especially from this kid -

 I tried to get some good pics of the boys - and they aren't bad, but this is how we started...

Ethan was so not in the mood....

Eventually they came around - when I had them imagine their father doing silly things.....

I love the leaves in our front yard - and the cool tree that drops them all.  I suppose I won't love it when we have to rake them, but for now - so cool!

 I told the boys to have a leaf fight.  They thought I was nuts.

 But pretty soon got the hang of it....  Especially Ethan, who got some good throws in.

 I had to let Lucas take some mercy shots - which he totally enjoyed.

 Thanksgiving was fabulous - my parents' cooking was exactly how I remember it, and the boys were all reasonably good.   Cooper was the cutest turkey!

 Along with turkey, there was a lot of football -and a lot of giggling in general.

 After we ate, and a quick run to get some furniture from the store, we came home to work on the house.  It's still not totally put together - and definitely needs some decluttering (and organizing), but it's really coming together - and I love it.

 This room is so cozy - the dogs have now staked their claim on it....  I love it.

 And in here - I'm totally remembering that I like to cook - I don't even mind dishes when there's enough room for two people to do the job.

So this year, I'm thankful for a new house - one that I love coming home to, and that I can have some of my own space in!  I'm thankful for my family - for my husband who worked tirelessly to get us in here and settled, and for my boys who are just as excited as I am.  I'm happy.