Our 1st visitor is here!

We're mostly unpacked although since this house is on the smaller side we've had a little more incentive to get rid of or sell the things that we no longer use. We also have a growing wishlist of things that we want to replace such as new couch, area rug, different pictures for the walls. One thing at a time, that's what I keep reminding myself.

Nick's 12 year old daughter Victoriah arrived on Friday night and she'll be visiting through 8/13. It's very exciting for her especially because she's never been further east than Colorado. Yesterday we all went to Philadelphia which was a little over an hour drive. We arrived around lunchtime and had what else...Philly cheesesteaks. Not so healthy, but when in Philly..... We strolled around the tourist area and walked through the National Constitution Center which is a museum dedicated to the constitution. They had an temporary exhibit from the National Archives that was interesting. We looked down upon the ruins of Benjamin Franklin's 18th century home. It was very hot and very humid so by the time we got to where the Liberty Bell was we were content with just walking by the building it was in. We stopped off for dinner at Buca di Beppo (family style Italian restaurant) in Cherry Hill, NJ. By the time we made it home at 8 pm we were all tired and exhausted so it was an early bedtime for us all! Nick has to return to Kalamazoo, MI today and he'll return Tuesday. I'm sure we'll be busy here keeping Tori entertained.

We're home!

We are in our new house and have been swimming our way through boxes. We are at the point that we are seeing more of the room than of the boxes but we still have a lot to do. Nick has spent two evenings hanging vertical blinds to cover the windows. Until the blinds were up it was like we were living in a fishbowl! Andrew has just "graduated" from his crib to a toddler bed. He loves it although he has trouble actually getting into his bed at bedtime. He'd rather play with his toys now that he has the freedom to get in/out of bed. Lauren is sharing the room with him although up until now she has been sharing half of the night in our bed. We're working on changing that! Nick left for Michigan yesterday and he'll be returning tomorrow night. I will post pictures of the house after I upload them

Still on track....

We are still on track to move in on Friday. Our washer, dryer, and refrigerator were delivered last night. I can't wait to use the washer and dryer! I think they will actually pay for themselves after a few months. It's been $6 to wash and dry 2 loads and I've been doing laundry 2+ times a week. It adds up quick! The movers should arrive with our stuff Friday and we'll get as much unpacked and set up as we can and our first night there will probably be Saturday.

Last night was very warm and humid. As it got dark I noticed fireflies EVERYWHERE! It was kind of magical seeing the flashing lights all around you....until I came back to reality and remembered that they really were flies!

Update on the Nudelettes: Andrew will be 20 months on 7/19 and Lauren will be 6 months on 7/14. Lauren has been getting used to eating solid foods. Just in the last few days she has tried carrots, squash, applesauce and bananas. She's at the point now that she would rather be upright and looking around the room rather than on her back. She is almost able to sit up now on her own. Andrew has gotten used to sitting at the table (on a phonebook) for meals so I guess he's graduated from the highchair. Now it's Lauren's turn! Andrew is getting 4 molars all at once but you'd never know it, he hasn't complained. Lauren is still toothless but we're hoping she has one soon. That may explain her fussy period in the evenings. I've been taking many pics of them with the digital cam but can't upload until our PC is up. Until then, I'm attempting to attach 2 camera phone pics taken today.

New move-in date!

The water problem should be resolved next Monday and the house will have the city inspection next Wednesday. We will reschedule the moving truck for Friday, 7/13. (Yikes! Friday the 13th....hope it's not a bad sign!)

We had a loud loud loud thunderstorm about 1:30 am this morning. One lightning strike seemed to flash very close with an almost immediate loud crackling thunder. I wouldn't be surprised if it struck a tree in the parking lot here. The kids slept through the whole thing.

Nick just purchased a flight for his daughter Victoriah to come out here and visit 7/27 through 8/13. It should be a lot of fun for her with all the beach activities and theme parks around here.

Delay, ugh!

I got a call from the homeowner on Tuesday and found out the house will not be ready to move into tomorrow. Apparently there is some type of water problem that needs inspection and we can't move in until the city does the inspection and gives the a-okay. That may not be until the beginning of next week. We've had to reschedule the moving truck and delivery of our appliances from Home Depot. We just can't get out of this darn hotel!

On Tuesday we went to a spectacular firework dispay in Red Bank, next town over. We parked pretty far away and walked to the waterfront and were among 150,000 other spectators. They do the fireworks a day earlier in Red Bank so as not to conflict with other shows on the 4th. I thought the noise might scare Andrew & Lauren but they were very quiet and awestruck the entire show!

Nick will be traveling to Duke, NC for the day next Thursday and he's expecting his travel increase even more in August, including a trip to Brazil!