Our Second Stop
We finally got a chance to visit Matt and Mary’s house. What a cute house it is. Lots of space and in such a nice neighborhood. As you can see by the photos below, Charles and Ezra really enjoyed eachother’s company; and all the other kids too. We had nothing to worry about leaving the kids behind while we all went out on a double date.
The girls loved playing together.
Ezra and Charles were partners in crime.
Lots of animals in the house. A cat, guinea pig and an ugly frog.
Ok, these portraits were taken before hair was brushed and pjs changed out of. These kids look pretty good in the morning.
Lucy giving INdia a hug goodbye.
Lucy and Ibby saying goodbye to Ezra in the car.
On the Road
We left Wednesday morning after spending our last night at Rebecca and Tige’s house… which is probably the last time we’ll see that place since they are going to move! So much change these days.
Our last night with the cousins was lots of fun. We ate Chinese food at a really fun resturaunt decked out with a koi pond, dragon costume and even a ship model. Then the girls played together and had a last slumber party. We already miss those girls!
After saying our goodbyes we headed out to Pennsylvania to see the Falling Waters House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. We had to have something to look forward to. Well, it was raining torrents and, since we hadn’t reserved a spot, we could only do the exterior tour. That’s ok, the kids were able to see it rather than just having mom go through. I think the youngest they will allow in is 6. In any case, worth the damp conditions. We were all glad to have seen that cool building. I think this place inspired us o nour home purchase. More on that to come.
How cool would it be to live above a river and waterfall?
Evidence that we were all there.
The pool, fed by a spring.
We couldn’t get in, but we could peek through the windows.
Ezra kicking the rain drops.
From the look out, with the self timer and a good amount of mulch propping up the lens.
India’s 1st Recital
Leading up to our move date we had tons of things to distract us from packing. Going away parties, birthday parties, dinners with friends and this recital that India was very excited about. These photos are from the rehearsal on Saturday. The next day I made sure she knew to have fun on stage and that I wanted to see her smile from the back of the auditorium. It worked, at the performance she was all smiles. I didn’t take photos there since I knew I couldn’t get as close to the stage… and something about bringing my huge lens while holding Ezra is unappealing. So here are the rehearsal photos. She had both tap and ballet so her class had two dances.
Each dancer blew a kiss in this number
Lots of twirls, India loves that!
My little ballerina
She was worried she wouldn’t remember all the dances. Thankfully her teacher was on the side of the stage giving the same direction as in class.
Even more going away fun
Not only did India have a going away party at school, one of her classmates wanted to throw her a party also. Christopher, whom we had suspected of being India’s imaginary friend (since it took us awhile to meet him), was the host of an awesome going away party the Friday before we left.
So all the gang from school, or a lot of them at least, got together for a last hurrah. They loved throwing this huge balloon frisbee in Christopher’s huge back yard. Here are some photos from that night.
I know India misses these kids. I sure do.
Hannah, what a cutie
Evan in Darth Vadar’s voice; “No, I’m playing with it”
Thanks for coming Seiya!
Everyone wanted a turn with the flying saucer
I got it, I got it! Seiya and Garrett chasing that saucer.
India loves Colleen’s Japanese paper folding!
India and Christopher, happy together…
Here I think India was feeling a little sad. She suddenly stopped smiling and I think began to realize this was one of the last times she’d be playing with her friends.
Days Before the Move
Ok, so the sore throat over Easter weekend turned into the flu. We had plumbers come over the Tuesday after Easter. By the time they did their damage and left I was feverish and unable to stay upright. Thankfully when Zach came home I went to bed while he cleaned up the mess the roto ruters left us. Let’s just say we stopped payment on the check to those guys.
Anyway, after I spent spring break recovering India returned to school for her last week. Some of the moms put together a little going away party for India and Sonya, a girl moving back to Korea. Below are a few images from that day. Ahhh, good memories. We miss you all. Moving is so difficult!
India loves chocolate chip cookies, especially with m&ms.
Ezra was there for the party too.
Some of the girls.
Two awesome teachers.
Do you think India likes school?
These are a few shots of the kids in India’s class. Click on each to see them larger.
Easter Fun and then some…
It was so great to spend our last Easter in Baltimore with family. Rebecca, Tige and the kids came up for the weekend and we all had a blast. I cooked up some of our (ok, my) favorites and had fun in the kitchen while the girls played hard. Each night I would be exhausted. Not only did I have the pressure of Easter but the demands of our buyers were at hand. Friday the HVAC guy came for a few hours to look at our furnace and AC. Saturday I got lost on my way to a shoot. To top it all off I had a sore throat; a sure sign of pending illness.
Now some of us take exhausten gracefully, they grin and bear it. Me, I get testy, impatient and often wonder why people (um, Zach) can’t read my mind.
BUT in spite of all the throat-ache and crazyness, I had a lot of fun and really did enjoy having family in the house. Especially now since we are so far away from anyone. Below are a few images from the Reb and Tige family portrait I took.
Egg Hunt
We visited our friends down at the farm the Saturday before Easter. Not only did we get a great brunch but the kids were treated to an awesome egg hunt. Where else could you hunt for eggs while being serenaded by Nick? Why would you ever want to go anywhere else. I think Nick’s calling in life is not on the farm but on the stage!
Here are some picks from that morning of fun.
The East Coast cousins
Agnes… we’re missin’ you
Camille looking pretty
Nick singing like a madman