welcome to the Northwest.

After just 2 weeks of arriving in the Northwest, we received a very "cold" welcome.  what a shock of climate change for us Californians.  We left a 75 Degree December for a 30 degree January.  Oh, with snow, sleet, ice & rain.  They say we are living through the worst storm that has hit the northwest in almost 30 years.  2 WEEKS after we arrive?!  Total craziness.  And so our luck.  

The first few days of the storm were a novelty to us.  The girls have loved their time in the snow.  This little one is such a little snow baby.  She LOVES it!!!

The snow sure is beautiful.  and COLD.  That is, until you try driving in it....

The roads are so dangerous.  Snow, slush, ice....definitely not the driving conditions we are used to.  

School has been cancelled ALL week!!!  Madison & Morgan have loved the snow as well.  They spent some time out on the porch watching the snow fall while enjoying hot chocolate.  

Day one of our snow.....the girls were so excited to play in the snow, and we had a small layer on the ground.  Little did we know at this point that this was just the beginning of a HUGE storm with lots more snow to come...

Hayden has been SO cute with the snow.  She just absolutely loves it.  Here she is making snow angels.  

my sweet baby...

The last few days we have been snowed in at home...we had a major case of cabin fever.  We had some played in the snow, played lots of wii just dance, read books, and cleaned!  We woke up this morning to a power outage.  Since Brad needed to work, and our place was getting cold fast we decided to leave.  We made the typical 15 min drive to Brad's office in about 40 min.  We got there safely and enjoyed the heat.  We were, of course, the only ones there.  Brad worked and the girls enjoyed playing in his office.  Fun fun.  And with no power, no heat, and unable to get home, here we sit in a hotel room for the night. I can't wait for this storm to end and the roads to clear.  welcome to the Northwest Calhoun Family.  

ups & downs.

today marks 2 weeks.  In some ways it seems like we have been here for months, and in other ways feels like we just arrived.  2 weeks ago today I was on this plane with a 1 way ticket to Seattle.  As we flew above San Diego I felt very nostalgic.  I felt a rush of 3 years of Southern California memories passing through my blood.  It was a chilling feeling.  I spent much of the trip thinking about our time in Southern California and grateful for the experiences.  Both thankful for the experience, and saddened it was over.  Our new adventure awaits us in the Northwest.

The first few days of our new adventure were a blur.  As we walked into our temporary housing we all felt an excitement, similar to that excitement you feel when you walk into your hotel room on vacation.  There was a new adventure that was ahead of us.  We spent the next days looking at homes day and night.  We tried to add a little exploring in between.  We went on walks, explored, found a beautiful waterfall, and slowly began to learn our new area.

Our new journey which includes big decisions, small decisions, and learning new things.  Important things like, what will I replace my In N Out craving with?  ;-)  We went to 5 guys, which I hear is the "northwest" version of In N Out.  In my professional opinion, it was a good burger, but nothing compared to In N Out!!!!!!!  Nothing!  hehe.  

We have done some exploring with our friends, which we are SO grateful to have here.  Our best friends from college live about 45 minutes south from here, and they have been awesome.  We went on a ferry ride, walked around the island, enjoyed some starbucks (to keep us warm), and had a wonderful time.  Well, aside from FREEZING!!!  You know how cold the back of this ferry is???  Well, look closely at this picture.  Windy enough that my hair is blowing back at about 20 miles an hour, freezing my face.  Cold & windy enough that Hayden is having trouble keeping her eyes open!  Cold enough for Madison to feel the need to put her hood on like an eskimo.  We were COLD!!!!!  Cold enough to send me coat shopping Monday morning for a nice, warm, down coat!

Here we are on the front of the ferry heading to the island.

Seattle truly is a beautiful city with so much to see and do.  It will be fun to learn all about it....

By about day 10 we made an offer on a home.  Scary and exciting all at the same time.  Exciting part is that we get to put the girls in school in this area.  We are feeling good.  The girls are super excited about their new school, and I am loving it as well.  An amazing school, with fabulous programs, and the highest quality education.  I couldn't be happier for my girls.  

Day 11, our cars are finally here!!!  Now this was exciting.  My rental was nice, but it is so nice to haveyour own car back after not having it for so long.  I was so excited to see this truck pull up.  

We found an amazing park nearby our home that we fell in love with.  The lake in the background is amazing, the beautiful trees, the green...LOVE!  The girls loved it and can't wait to go have a picnic there.  

Things are beginning to fall into place until day 13.  We had a home inspection on our potential home, and they found a large amount of water in the crawl space.  Since the home is new construction, we should not be starting out with issues.  That was enough to push us away from wanting that home....day 13 provided with lots of emotion, lots of tears, a wave of homesickness.  Day 14 we wake up to start over.  We are back on the search for a new home.  

The past 14 days have been filled with ups and downs.  Laughs, smiles, tears, frowns.  I can't say enough, all I want is the best for my family.  I try so hard to make everything work, and it doesn't always work out the way I want.  And that is OK.  What fun would it be if things always went the way I wanted them to?  I sit here on the ride of life, and try my very best.  

The story of relocation.

moving day.

I woke up first thing Wednesday morning to this sight in my driveway.  I am not quite sure how it felt.  I was definitely still feeling shock, hard to believe that the day was here.  Our home would be empty at the end of the day.  That made me feel sad.

The loading began, and before we knew it the moving company had arrived to take our vehicles.  They are shipping both of our cars on a truck, which will take about 2 weeks.  I was actually kinda sad to see my Tahoe being towed away.  I can't wait to get it back again!

Here is the big truck.  

The hardest part of the day was not the packing, the chaos or the physical labor.  The hardest part of the day was the goodbyes.  We had many wonderful friends come by to say goodbye.  It broke my heart in a million pieces to see my girls sad as they said goodbye to their friends.

Morgan and her friend Nicole.  They've been friends since the beginning of kindergarten.  The get along so well, and are so much alike.  Morgan will miss her so much.  We have so many great memories with Nicole and her family.  Her mom and I have laughed together, cried together, and experienced life together.  She will be missed SO much.

A tough goodbye for Madison.  Hannah is one of her very best friends.  They played together so often, had sleepovers, and enjoy the same things.  They both have their Kanani American Girl dolls, and have so much fun together.  Hannah is the oldest of 3 girls too, and our families have so much in common. We have had so many great memories with them, and we are very confident that we will have many fun memories ahead of us! My heart aches as I look at this photo, feeling what it was like to be in that moment again.  The girls did not want to smile, "because the were not happy".  They embraced one another and would not let go.  We will miss the Surina's more than we can say.

Another goodbye that broke my heart.  Madison went over to Bella's house first thing in the morning after our moving truck arrived.  She played with her for a few hours, and I went back to pick her up.  As Bella and her mom walked us outside, the 2 girls embraced.  They would not let go.  I was teary watching the interaction.  When they finally let go of one another, they were crying as Madison walked to the car.  I got in the car and Bella was crying as her mom held her tightly.  We waved and drove away.  Why can't this be easier?

We were so happy that Brad's brother and his family came by to say goodbye.  The girls loved playing with their cousins, Grant & Audrey.  Grant is such a sport to let all of the girls pile on him like this!  We were so grateful for their help around the house, and were so happy to see them before we left.  We will miss them tons!

I love this photo of Morgan.  Our truck had left, our home was empty.  We were finished cleaning and were out front.  Morgan found this and asked me to make a wish.  I love this moment.  Everything about it.

My last night in Southern California.  You better bet that I would eat at In & Out!!!!!  I will miss this restaurant sooooo much!!!!!  We met the Byres family at In & Out, and had a great time talking.  I was sitting there trying to push to the back of my head that I would have to say goodbye very shortly.  Trying not to think about it....

Madison and one of her best friends Ian at In & Out. They were born to be friends.  Born the same day, just hours apart in age.  They get along better than any boy/girl combo I've ever seen.  

Morgan and one of her best friends, Emma.  These 2 little ones have SO much in common.  They've been friends since they were born.  Better yet, since before they were conceived!!!  These 2 are like 2 peas in a pod.

As we walked outside after we ate at In & Out my stomach was aching.  My heart was heavy.  I knew that I would have to say goodbye to some of the very best friends that a person can ask for.  We love this family so much.  Teresa and I met when our first born babies were just a few months old.  We've been close ever since.  We love their family so much, we all get along so well and have so much in common.  We will miss them dearly, but will see them again very soon.

After dinner it was dark out, but we needed to make one last stop at our house again to say goodbye.  It was a surreal feeling walking in and seeing it empty.  A heartbreaking feeling knowing someone else would move into "our" home.  We love this home, and will miss it so much.  But even more, we will miss the wonderful friendships that we have made while we lived here.

Christmas Day 2011.

Christmas 2011.  We had such a perfect day.  Although we had the relocation hanging over our heads, we decided to forget it all and enjoy the day.  

Brad and the girls looking through a new shutterfly book of our top 10 photos for 2011.  

Morgan and Hayden opening the first gifts of the morning....

Hayden loves her new Bitty Twin!

Morgan loves her new American Girl bed for Kit!

After some present time, we took a break for breakfast.  I made my great-grandma's family recipe for crepes.  The girls love them!

Madison trying out her new boots and umbrella from Grammy.

Brad's parents spent the afternoon with us and joined us for dinner.  We all had a wonderful time!

Our family Christmas day.  

goodbyes are never easy.

It's been almost 1 week since we had to say goodbye to our teachers and friends at school.  As I went to bed Thursday night I was nervous for the day to come.  Nervous in a good way, yet a heart aching feeling settled in my chest.  We absolutely love our school, both the girls and I.  It is hard to say goodbye to something you love.  The girls have wonderful friends, and wonderful teachers.  This is the only elementary school that they have gone to, and will always be their first experience with school.  And what a great one.

Morgan with her 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Shea.  Morgan is so loved by her, I could see it each time I saw them interact.  She made a book of letters that the children wrote to Morgan and they all told her how much they loved her and how much she will be missed.  Such a sweet gift for her.  Morgan adores her.  What a wonderful 2nd grade experience Morgan has had so far.  We will miss Mrs. Shea so much.

Morgan with some of her classmates (it was pajama day at school).  So many of her little friends came up to me and told me how sad they were, and how much they would miss Morgan.

The last day of school was an extra special day for Madison.  She was awarded student of the month in her 3rd grade class.  I was so proud of her.  It was such a special day for her to receive that award.  She was so excited when 2 of her best friends in other classes received student of the month as well.  

Madison got a congratulatory hug from her principal, Mr. Dignan.  Again, it was pajama day!  haha.
He told her how much he would miss her, and his compassion was so apparent.  He truly is a wonderful principal.

Madison receiving her student of the month award from her teacher, Mrs. Griffin.  She has taught Madison so much this year, and Madison has really enjoyed her class.  As room mom for Mrs. Griffin, I have really enjoyed getting to know her.  She is such a sweet person.  We will miss her so much.  

Friday was an emotional day.  I expected it to be hard.  I knew it would be a hard day for the girls.  It breaks my heart to see them having to tell people they love goodbye.  It's hard for me to do as well.  Each action that I took on Friday played through in my head as the last time.  As I drove them to school in the traffic, as I walked them to their classes, as I watched the Friday assembly, as I picked them up from school, and as I drove off after school.  It was a goodbye for all of us.  Our daily routine will change.  Our surroundings will change.  I know the girls will absolutely love their new school and new teachers, and will make great friends.  But it's always hard to say goodbye.

a perfect day.

Madison's 9th birthday, that is...Madison woke up early knowing what to expect on the kitchen table when she came down.  I always set the table up with gifts, balloons and birthday decor the night before the girls birthdays.  The most important thing to do that morning was open gifts!  She loved each and every one....her favorites were her American Girl shaved ice stand, Kanani doll clothes, Justice gift cards, movies & clothes.  

We took our time in the morning, I made her favorite chocolate chip pancakes.  

My first baby is seriously 9?!  When I look at her I just cannot believe it.  She truly looks so grown up here.  HERE she is on her 6th birthday.  Just 3 short years ago as we were getting ready to relocate from Northern CA to Southern CA.  3 years go by in the blink of an eye.  She looks so young here, but I know at the time I felt she looked so big.  I am seeing a pattern here.  As a mom I will always see my baby as growing up, but I will look back on this in a few years and think "wow, she was so little".  Lesson: enjoy every minute.  My girls are growing up fast.  

Madison had her choice on her special day of what we were going to do.  We went to Panera for lunch, and Barnes and Noble after.  She enjoyed her chocolate birthday cupcake, and picked out a new book.  After, we met Ian's family for the afternoon.  Madison & Ian share the same birthday, and are just hours apart in age.  They have been best friends since they were just a few months old.  Playing with Ian on her birthday was definitely high on her priority list.  

All 4 of the kids together playing while Hayden napped in her stroller....

After a few hours of play, we headed to dinner.  Madison's choice, BJs.  I had no complaint, I love that place!  Here are Madison & Ian ready to enjoy their birthday pizookie together.  

After dinner we decided to take the kids to see the new Alvin & The Chipmunks movie.  Madison had an action packed day of fun.  We headed home at 9:30 exhausted.  Such a great day, I loved spending the day with my 9 year old.

Happy Birthday Madison.

Happy birthday to my amazing, beautiful girl.  Madison is 9 today, and it is hard for me to believe that 9 years have gone by since that life changing day that Madison came into my life.  I just love my girl.  Love her.

We had a perfect day today, Madison was busy from morning to night.  I will post all about her 9th birthday when I get the pictures uploaded.  At this point, I am one tired mama after a busy day with my beautiful 9 year old.

party time!

We celebrated Madison's 9th birthday with a party on saturday.  I cannot believe that my first baby girl is almost 9 years old.  Her official birthday is saturday the 17th, so I feel like I have a few more days to mentally prepare!  (hehe)

Oh my goodness, looking at this photo makes me teary.  She is growing up so fast, and is just a beautiful little girl.  I love her so much.

We had 3 hours of non-stop fun.  We decorated cookies & cupcakes, enjoyed lots of good food, played Just Dance 3 (even I played!), and the 3rd grade girls played some intense handball games.  Madison and her friends LOVE to play handball at school, so they were anxious to get out back and play.  Here are the official 3rd grade handball girls!

Madison with her decorated cupcake!

Madison opening her gifts!

We had so much fun, Madison enjoyed every minute.  I am so glad that she had this opportunity to get together with her closest friends and celebrate her 9th birthday.