Move to Washington!

I know that Grandma and Grandpa are waiting impatiently back in California to see some pix of the big move to Washington and to hear all about our journey north. Even though I know they didn't want to see us go, Grandma and Grandpa were a great help packing up the truck, cleaning the house, and getting us moved to our new place. And we're all set up now in Port Angeles and the internet is up and running, so it's time to update the blog!

Our first pictures tonight are of Miss LB saying "bye-bye" to Grandpa. She was none too pleased with the idea of goodbye.
But it's hard not to have fun with Grandpa around.
We've also got Poppie Teddy and Nannie Annie here from Australia helping with the big move. And boy have they been a BIG help: packing, cleaning, cooking, organizing, baby watching, bed making, dusting, fixing, and doing just about everything else needed. Yippee for awesome in-laws!
We had lots of friends to say "bye" to in R'side, and here's LB enjoying a choco-maple cupcake at a goodbye dinner with Auntie Crystal and Auntie Franceil. The fabulous cupcakes were courtesy of Crystal.
LB helped with the packing:
And the goodbye dinner with G. The saddest part of the whole move is that LB and G won't get to see each other nearly everyday anymore. They love each other very much, and LB has already been asking, "Go G's house?" But G will be coming to visit us lots and lots; we're already planning her October visit. And of course, we'll be having lots more visits to G's house.
Tom and Ted drove the moving truck to Port Angeles as quickly as possible, but LB, Nannie Annie, Donald, and I took 2 1/2 days to drive up to Washington. Nannie was in the back of the car with LB, helping to keep baby amused, and Donald and I were in the front, taking turns with the driving. We left Sunday morning and drove up that day to Santa Rosa, where dearest Sheila and Mike put us up for the night and fed us very very well: caprese salad, spaghetti, homemade marinara sauce and meatballs, and some great appetizers:
Auntie Sheila let Miss LB have free range of the house.
And after that long car ride, she was ready for some fun!
On Monday, we stopped in Weed, CA at the house of another great friend, Melissa, who fed us another fabulous home-cooked meal: homemade lasagna, salad, bread, brownies, and a blackberry pie that featured berries picked by Melissa. Yum!

Here's the gorgeous Melissa with her brood of beautiful boys.
There are some great views of Mt. Shasta near Melissa's home.
And finally, on Tuesday morning, we made it to Washington and to G.G.'s house in Rochester (about three hours south of Port Angeles). G.G. had set up this little play area for the miss, and LB was very happy to be out of the car and doing some serious coloring.
Playing with her G.G.
Brothers reunited.
And, finally, on Wednesday morning, we piled into the car for the final drive up to Washington. Donald was staying in Rochester to hang out with John, so it was just us girls for the final leg. But before we left, the boys gave the windshield a good clean. Donald was a great help throughout the trip. He drove half the time, and he's a great driver. Thanks, bro!
And finally we arrived at our new home! And we're nearly moved into the little place we're renting. Here are some shots from Wednesday afternoon (when things were a bit more chaotic).

Miss Lilybeth's new room.
Mama and Papa's room.
Living room. I'm looking forward to getting a fire going this winter!
The guest room. Come and visit us, people!
Lilybeth sitting in the hall.
And something I'm super excited about: a laundry room!
The place also has a little office, but it was far too chaotic to be photographed yesterday (it was stacked full of boxes.) You'll have to come and visit us if you want to see it.

One of the best features of this place is the fenced in backyard. LB got straight to work yesterday in the little herb garden along the side of the house.

The backyard is looking a wee bit rough at the moment, but the owner just reseeded the lawn and I'm looking forward to planting some flowers on the raised platform. That's also the garage at the top of the yard.
We spent today unpacking boxes and organizing and just getting things back to normal. Lilybeth had her usual nap from about 1 to 4 PM, and when she woke up she enjoyed a little snack in her room. She did not want to be photographed enjoying her snack.
Post-snack, I took LB and Nannie down to the little pier in Port Angeles so that Baby could see a bit more of her new hometown.

Down at the pier is a little jungle gym shaped liked a ship:
"Come play with me, Cousin Sophie!"
"I like my new home."