Addison & Isla: The Final Countdown

We are currently T minus 3 days from our official departure from MN to CA. The last month or so has been a blur of DJ traveling back and forth between his new job in Santa Barbara and here and me wrapping up my tenure with Target and juggling the girls solo, getting the house prepared to go on the market, putting it on the market, facilitating showings, getting it sold, organizing packers, movers and all associated logistics, purging closets and making runs to Goodwill, categorizing belongings, scheduling shut-off of utilities here, ordering new utilities in SB, signing the girls up for their new daycare, getting in last doctor and dentist appointments, saying goodbye to neighbors, co-workers and friends all while attempting to maintain somewhat of a normal existence in terms of the girls' routines and day to day life.

While we are extremely excited to begin this new adventure and chapter of life for our family, we are also sad at the thought of leaving the life we have in Minnesotaa and the things we love about it. That list includes:

Warm summer rains and sleeping with the windows open
Peonies and lilacs
Change of seasons
Crisp fall weather and the smell of bonfires in the air
The first snowfall where everything turns quiet and white
Fantastic restaurants, theater and culture in general
Crazy and cozy cabin weekends with friends
A very involved and loving Ba and Nana down the street
Best daycare provider across the street
Amazing neighbors and community

There's also a long list of all that we're looking forward to in Santa Barbara, but I'm sure you'll see that pop up here in a future post. :)

Addison had her big dance recital last weekend and will be enjoying a few key playdates with her best buddy Claire over the next few days. They both did GREAT with each of their dance numbers, and Addison actually had to be guided off stage after the curtain dropped, big surprise! Such a performer. Isla had her 2 year check-up yesterday and is healthy and right on track at 26.5 pounds and 31 inches, compared to Addison's 25 pounds and 33 inches at that age. Short and stocky! The weather has been gorgeous here with temperatures in the mid 70s, making it perfect for lots of playtime at the splash pad or in the water table in the front yard. Tomorrow morning the movers come bright and early to start packing, Friday they load, and Saturday we all fly out! DJ and I are staying in a hotel Thursday and Friday while the girls sleep over at the Barats. So we get to have a much-needed little reprieve before the next wave of activity ensues.

There may not be much action here on the blog for several weeks as we get settled, move into our new house in the 21st and I start my new job on the 25th, but check back to see how we're faring as Californians!

One last look as I'm walking out of my building at Target