Our small group, minus the Martins who were gone for a couple weeks because of Jess' surgery.
Some of our best friends in the world. Our Pennsylvania family at Faith Church.
"Oh, mom, I need to eat this leftover birthday cupcake to help clean out the fridge for the move? I'm on it!"
Grandma and grandpa came to visit the weekend before the move! It was amazing to have their help and Gabriel loved having bedtime stories from new voices.
"Mom, I'm helping you pack. I'll put this box together."
Can you find all 3 living creatures in this picture?
Moving day breakfast - all the dishes are packed.
Miss Bethany. One of our very favorites. It was so fitting that Gabriel hung out with Bethany on Wednesday morning since he spent all semester with her on Wednesday mornings. Even after just moving her own family, Bethany was glad to welcome Gabriel into their new home while the movers packed us up. We are so grateful for all her love and care. You can see how much Gabriel loves her!
And of course Bethany is a package deal with Nathanael. What a buddy! These two have spent the semester learning to share, hug, be gentle, and be the best of friends. Nathanael's 6-months on Gabriel means he's an excellent role model. :-)
Well you can tell the movers have taken away all the soft surfaces in the house. The kitties are only interested in laying in the one soft spot in the house.
We knew we were going to be quite sad after the movers left so we planned a mini-adventure to Barnes & Noble. Gabriel had an excellent time looking at so many books and he got to pick out one to take home.
Miss Cassie!! And Roslyn of course. :-) Miss Cassie has helped us by babysitting several times this semester and she, Scott, and Roslyn are just some of our bestest friends. Gabriel's been going to their house every Tuesday for small group since he was only a month or so old and he hangs out like it's his home too. They're the best! And to cement their "best" status they invited us over for dinner the night that the movers left with all our stuff. It was a wonderfully welcome distraction.
Gabriel's first "official" steps were at our house, while the movers were moving our stuff out. But over dinner that evening he took a few small steps to show off for Miss Cassie.
At least someone appreciates the blow-up mattress (that sinks... a lot...).
The Martins! The day after the movers came, we spent the day cleaning and closing out things in Bellefonte. The Martins asked us to come over for dinner that evening - even though they had only been home from Jess' surgery for a few days! It was so great to spend time with Jess, Andy, and Aiden.
Miss Jess is always ready to step in and make sure the boys are playing nice. :-) She has absolutely been our savior this semester by keeping Gabriel on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons as well as long days while I was observing a student teacher. We are so grateful for her love and ability to take care of our boy like he's her own. Aiden & Gabriel have had so much fun together and we're going to miss our Thomas the Tank Engine buddy like crazy.
Here we go! The cars are packed nearly to the brim... including kitties of course.
Bag of toys in reach - check! Puppy nose resting close by - check! Let's do this trip!
Goodbye 247 Governor's Park Rd. 4 years, a new doggie, a Masters Degree, a new virtual web developer job, most of a PhD, amazing friends and family, and an angel baby. You have sheltered us through much and we will be forever grateful.
We stop for gas on our way out of town and he's out cold before we even leave the parking lot.
Potty break! Baby and puppy hanging out in the back.
It's incredibly difficult to wiggle on a long car ride. And even when we stopped there were no good, baby-safe places to wiggle. So Rosie had to share her bed (and head...) with some legs that just needed to move!
Not a bad view welcoming us to Indiana. I'll take it!
Aaaaahhhh. The day is done. Sound asleep in the pack-n-play in our new house. He seems ok with it. :-)
