Returning to normal...S.L.O.W.L.Y

You may want to grab a cup of coffee and sit back for this one...

It is hard to believe that two weeks ago today we left Rochester. There are times when it seems like yesterday, and moments when it feels like a decade ago. I think because we have been so busy getting things up and running, it seems like we have just arrived. But when I think about family and friends I haven't seen in over 2 weeks, it feels like an eternity! That's the part that will take a long time to get used to.
So much has happened in that short time. The most exciting was the celebration of our 8th wedding anniversary on the 8th!

Paige had to get in on the action while Nate was napping. We left the house at 3pm and returned around 10. We love our kids, but there is something so fun about spending time alone together without the little ones! We had dinner at the greatest restaurant in the world. One that all visitors will be treated to while at the beach...HINT!!!! We did some shopping...for ourselves! Then we finished the night with ice cream and a walk on the beach! Perfect!
We are enjoying be so close to the ocean. Here are a few shots from our most recent morning there... Always time to pose for the camera
Nate's not so sure about the feel of the sand on his feet!
It has been fun lately to watch their relationship grow. Now that Nate is old enough to do and understand more, they actually enjoy playing together...most of the time! The new house has a very open floor plan, so they love to play chase. The other day Paige found me in the kitchen and asked for Nate's hate. I thought nothing of it. A few minutes later I heard them laughing and running. The kind of laugh that goes so deep it sound painful, you know? This is what I found...

They were in Nate's room and I asked Paige what they were doing. She said, "we needed our animal rescue hats on because we are searching for animals to rescue." Too darn cute! He had no idea what was going on other than chasing his sister and loving every moment of her attention. Another one of those moments when I looked at Michael and said, "are you sure these are our kids and we get to be their parents...for real?"

I went grocery shopping for the first time today! Honestly! You may think that is impossible...we've been here 2 weeks. Well you see, my sister-in-law, Lisa, and mother-in-law filled our pantry and refrigerator before we arrived! Maybe you don't get it...we have lived off what they provided for 2 weeks. Lisa even got bath toys for the kids bathroom, body wash and lotion for our bathroom. The greatest of all...the first night we saw the house Paige stopped at the fridge and called for me. Lisa had taken pictures from my blog of my family and Paige's friends and made magnets out of them. I was in tears! Paige goes to those daily and talks about Zach, Meghan, Boppa, Bammy, Cameron, Charlie and Allie...EVERYDAY!!! It meant so much to me because we miss these folks deeply. It made our house feel more like home to see familiar faces. Mostly, it made me thankful for you, Lisa!!! Thanks for helping that stage of the process go SO smoothly!
Do you feel updated yet? There will be more to come!!!!