what now???

I feel the need to catch you up on what is happening in our lives so I am taking a bit of literary license to interrupt the SI trip saga...

Did I mention that we had moved on the Wednesday before we left for the SI (South Island) on the Friday?  Well we did.  Granted it was very simple and only took a few car trips to get our suitcases and what few things - wooden spoons, skillet, dolls - we have amassed to the new house about 5 minutes from the other house.  So we moved, we packed and off we went.  We returned.  We unpacked.  We settled in.  The girls started back to school and Adrian back to work and I began making our home homely.  When we first saw the new house there was some terrific art on the walls and it was sunny and warm outside.  The house is larger, has more yard/garden space and 3, yes, THREE, bathrooms (one even has a large bathtub!!!).  Happy family!!!  When we moved in the art had been removed and it was still sunny and warm.  OK a great reason to by some art!  (We found a great artist on the SI trip - but don't let me spoil the next chapter.)

living room

one of the patios 

We are finally really settled.  The house is continuing to come together.  I sent some of our photos to a place that will put them on canvas to fill the walls and we have bought another Gus Watson piece - there I go spoiling the next chapter ;-)  The neighbors have three children that are happy to play with the girls - they are the same ages with a younger brother AND they have lots of outdoor toys!  There are two neighborhood cats that are learning to love us!  One that looks a lot like Adrian's Oreo back home.  The other is a mouse catching lover of a boy.

roses still blooming!

We have a great yard and gardens in which to play and work.  The view from the kitchen is great and we have lots of white rose bushes.  The girls' bedrooms are upstairs and they have a room for play up there too.  This move has had a huge impact on all of us feeling more settled.

Adrian continues to walk to work.  It is quite a bit further so he has been happily listening to books on his i-phone - the walk seems to take no time at all according to him.

hydrangea by laundry line

more gardens...

The girls have started a new term of swim lessons and have joined their very first basketball teams!  What a hoot that is.  Grace is the coaches' "project" as she is scared of the ball.  She will be player of the game if she fouls twice during tonight's game!  I think she has the potential to have her Aunt Mary Love's fire and determination!  Abigail is still in the "herd" mode that we experienced in soccer.  She is also very good at practicing her dance moves on the basketball court.  Rather than fight that battle we enrolled her in a dance class!  I am taking a six week photography class beginning the end of May - just to learn to use the camera really.  Adrian has become accustomed to his work and is settled in there.  They are so pleased with the contribution he is making (of course).

We have decided to stay on another year here.  We are all happy about the decision and excited that it will give ya'll more time to come over!  We have plenty of room now!  So that is the update on our lives.  Now back to the SI saga...