Friday, May 28, 2010

Good-bye Chicago, Hello Heat!

Since we now have a new address, a new home phone number and new cell phone numbers, I think this move is official. Although we still have several boxes out and not one picture hung, so maybe not. The week we left Chicago was so crazy! The packing always seems like it's never going to end and then it is always crazy loading the truck, cleaning, etc. Bryker decided he needed to nap and he didn't care where! I so wanted to join him.




We were lucky to stay with Gary's brother here in Arizona until our stuff arrived. The day we arrived at the house to do the walk-thru with the real estate agent, Bryker walked in, looked up at me and said, "Mom, can I run?" And he hasn't stopped! We are still so homesick for Chicago but we are definitely loving the space. And the sun. (Except for the first week when my kids were getting up at 5 am. Thankfully they are adjusting.) Moving would just be so much easier if we could bring all our friends with us!

I love the area we are living in. There are two community pools, lots of parks and grassy areas and tons of paved trails that go throughout the whole community. People are always out biking, running, roller blading, etc. It's totally my kind of living!

Bryker has been loving the outdoors. Sometimes a little too much. His cousins laughed and laughed when he ate some ants at the park. But nobody was laughing when he picked up a bee and got stung! Live and learn! He hasn't picked up one moving thing since then.

Here is the house we are renting here:


Here is the house we don't really miss too much!



Here is the living room here:

**Which of these things just doesn't belong? Oh wait, nothing belongs yet. But for sure not the kid in the wall! Unfortunately it's his favorite place to hang out. (Probably because his sister can't reach him or any of his stuff!)


A little change in kitchen space!

Chicago...two people couldn't be in there at a time!


Arizona...I'll never fill this kitchen!


Here is the ghetto park that was across the street from our house in Chicago. I still remember the day I drove up to the house and walked Bryker up and down the street until our landlord arrived to let us in.



Last November, the city renovated the park. Check it out now: I'm definitely missing the Chicago parks. They are amazing.



I won't be missing this though:


There are so many memories! I decided to upload the millions of pictures I love because I couldn't narrow them down! They are in separate posts below. Enjoy...or skip them!! (The last one is titled, "Friends.")

The Beach

My very most favorite place in Chicago! LOVE THE BEACH!



















(p.s. Thanks to Kristal for taking some of these pictures. She's the one holding Flat Stanley above!)

The Zoos

We spent many hours at the Lincoln Park Zoo...







We also made several trips to the Brookfield Zoo...







The Parks

I said it already, but I LOVE Chicago parks!



















Museums and Such

Not in any particular order. Too many to label!