August 12, 2013

Happy Moving Day! We go to our new home in Byron Center, MI at 7:30am to get the keys and explore. It is raining and will rain throughout the day with a few downpours mixed in. Cooper happily picks out his room and Bella finds a closet to hide in. The movers arrive a little after 8 and we watch as they carefully drive John’s car off of the truck. For the next 5 hours we hang out in the bathroom playing with cars, in the laundry room playing trains and the play set when the rain lets up so that we stay out of the movers way.

The swing set is by far Cooper and Bella’s favorite part of our new home. It is a simple 2 swings and a slide but they have always dreamed of having their own “playground.” It is so green in MI- you don’t see the burnt grass very often.

After the movers leave we decide to go to Art Van, a furniture store to look for a bunk bed, bed set and couch.

Of course, after getting furniture and dinner the kids were ready for the swing set. When we got home we went directly to the backyard to play. As we were playing we met both sets of neighbors. Ryan (from Sioux City,IA- there always has to be a connection to Iowa) and Kelly (met each other in Iowa when they were at Palmers college becoming chiropractors) with their 3 kids Owen 6 (yes- Cooper now has 3 friends named Owen- he was immediately comfortable), Lauren 4 and Sydney 18 months. Scott (high school principal- connections for later?!?!) and Jodi with 1 of their kids Mason 7. They baked us cookies and rice krispies. The boys were very sweet to Cooper letting him decide between tackle or touch football.

Maybe this move will be okay!!!

August 11, 2013

Today is a day we have been anticipating with many emotions (excited, nervous, scared, impatience, etc.). We started our journey at 9:00am leaving Gramy and Gramps house in Altoona, IA. But before leaving Cooper and Bella had present #1 to open from Gramy and Gramps. This gift idea was perfect for the long car trip ahead because every hour they were entertained by a new surprise. Cooper received a Monsters University book and Bella a Minnie Mouse book.

The drive was fairly easy. John drove and I distracted the children. We stopped in Peru, IL to eat at Steak and Shake. This little city will probably be a popular stop for us because it is the half way point and has lots of eating choices.

We arrived in Grand Rapids, MI at the Courtyard our hotel for the evening. We went swimming and ate pizza. Then bath and bed because tomorrow is a BIG day, we will see the house together as a family for the first time.

Here is a list of the presents (best idea ever):

Cooper
1. Monsters University book
2. “keep on trucking”- Hot Wheel trucks
3. “Sweets for a sweetheart”- ziplock bag with a random selection of candy
4. “Silly Billy”- silly putty
5. “What do these begin with?”- gummy worms
6. “Flying down the highway to your new home”- Dusty the airplane character from Planes
7. “I can hear you crunching from here”- container with crackers

Bella
1. Minnie Mouse book
2.”This is for all your treasures”- pencil case with marker to color it (she spent 30 minutes focused on coloring every space)
3. “Sugar and spice you’re everything nice”- ziplock bag with a random selection of candy
4. “I love it, I don’t care (Bella’s favorite song)- silly putty
5. “Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle”- gummy worms
6. “Cuddle up with this and make sure mom and dad hear it LOTS”- baby that makes giggle noises
7 “having fun? See how loud you can be with these.”- crackers