Week 5!

We can't believe it's been over a month since we've landed in Santa Barbara. To say it's been a whirlwind is a massive understatement, and though we miss family and friends back in the mini-apple, we couldn't be happier that we're here. The fact that we've eaten dinner outside EVERY single night that we've been here for dinner makes us instant converts - it's amazing! Warm but mild, no humidity and no bugs. We're finally starting to feel semi-settled into our new house, which couldn't be more perfect for us. The cardboard moving boxes are slowly starting to disappear and the framed photos, artwork and decorative things in general are making their way off the floor and onto walls/shelves/tables. My entire family has been instrumental in our transition, from letting us crash for a week to physically moving us into the house, to taking the girls for the day so we can get work done, to making initial grocery and Costco runs, to loading up the extra furniture that didn't fit and hauling it away to storage to building a perfect swing-set for the girls in our yard, we couldn't have done it without each and every one of them. There has been lots of family time, beach time, farmer's market time, outside in the yard time and some relaxation thrown in there as well. It's been so nuts that I clearly haven't kept up with the blog, so my apologies to our family afar. Here are a few pictures that capture some of the moments during our transition. In no particular order...

Addison on a day of adventure with Gramma Pam, at the place where Gramma was house (or estate!) sitting

At the beach with Oakley, the son of my childhood friend Catherine!  It was bizarre meeting her baby after not having seen her in, oh, about 20 years.  The ironic thing is that she and her husband live in Minneapolis now!

Pic from family photos before we left MN

Addison at one of the pools at the estate

New swingset in our yard

Our patio - many hours spent here

patio at night - love the lanterns!  Thanks for strategically placing them Dan :)

Naked snack time

Elizabeth's office

Ahhhh...the best farmer's market ever, a Saturday morning tradition

Our last night in MN

More Addison and Gramma adventures

Moving day - glad that's over!

Beach house with Oakley

Shot of our dining room into the kitchen, pre-furniure

First of many dinners on the patio - love the cardboard boxes!  Again, glad that's over.

Our cute little house

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

 Cheese!

 Family picture day with Leah P!  Stay tuned for those shots

 Lunch after pictures - the girls were still in smile mode

 On our way to the dance recital!  Addison loved he makeup :/

 With best buddy Claire before the recital

 After the recital all Addison wanted to do was eat massive amounts of apples!

 Giving hugs to Gus

 Isla at her check up

 Giving love to Nana and Ba

Weekend (a couple weekends actually) Update

We have been BUSY, busy bees in the Barat house for the past month or so.  With our pending move to Santa Barbara, life is definitely on overdrive.  The stress level was insanely high, but as DJ and I have conquered one task/obstacle after another, with the help of family and friends, things are really falling into place nicely.  Which further confirms our belief that all of this (new state, new jobs, new LIFE!) is meant to be.  Our house (sniff sniff - we will miss it) goes on the market today and DJ started his new job.  It's only 9:40 in the morning there and he already loves it.  He sent me a picture of the view from his office - green, green, green with the beautiful mountains in the distance.  The same mountains that were the backdrop of our wedding celebration. 

Speaking of work, Target is being so flexible, understanding and supportive as I transition out of my role here.  My boss is the best and has given me the grace to do what I need to do from now until June 8th (my last day) which translates into the ability to come in late, leave early and work from home when necessary.  This is especially helpful right now during the 2 weeks I have the girls on my own.  I have been anxious over the thought of it, but the weekend was wonderful and this morning was a dream.  The stress level has dropped a ton, and I think that helps.  It's actually really nice for me to be able to connect with them and spend one on one quality time.  We've done some fun art activities, went to the zoo, had picnics and playtimes at parks, had a picnic in our front yard for dinner one night and spent the best Mother's Day afternoon at Brenda's house with her family.  We didn't get home until 8:30pm and the girls zonked out and slept all night. 

Our wonderful neighbors the Zieskas are throwing us a going away bash and everyone has heard the news, so I've had lots of visits from and nice chats wwith all of the special people in our little community.  Yet another thing we will miss terribly about living here.  We have the best neighborhood on the planet!

Hope everyone had a great Mother's Day - Happy Monday!

Addison's "Spring Sing" at school last week

 Our water heater broke and we were without running water for 2 days, so we hung out with the Augers almost all of one day - Isla and Addison love Jef and Natalie and Baby Goose (as they fondly call Gus)

 Isla loves her blueberry oatmeal

 Fun at the park - beautiful day!

 OOooohhh boy, did Isla dig her snowcone!

 Addison's creation - a "barbie" made from a toilet paper roll

 Crooked shades :)

 At Brenda's

 Isla fell asleep on Ryan's lap (Brenda's son) and then she just chilled here for a bit

 My little angels this morning

 The wonderful Zieska girls!