Early Christmas in Minnesota

Earlier this month Sean, Cora, Brigita and I flew back to MN for 8 days to visit with our families and celebrate Christmas with them. I was planning on a horrible time traveling with an 11-month-old and a dog in heat, but both our flights there and back were as perfect as they could be. 

Erin and Chris picked us up from the airport late on Friday evening of the 9th and we spent two nights at their lovely new house in Minneapolis. I was able to see my friend Allison for a hot second when she came over during some of our free time in the afternoon of the day after we arrived. Although as my mother says, a little time is better than no time.

Sunday afternoon we celebrated Christmas with Sean's family. A wonderful time was had of fellowship and gift-giving. Cora received some great toys that kept her well entertained while we were away from her big stash at home. 

Varsana and Malia

Cora with Daddy and Auntie Erin

Erin and Chris

the cousins

Malia learning to take pictures with Dad

Granda and Cora

After spending a couple days with Sean's parents, we drove up north to visit with my family. We picked up my brother on the way and also stopped halfway and met Sean's Grandpa Walter and his wife Carol, along with Aunt Mickey, for lunch at a cute little 50's diner. Cora was a big hit and even allowed herself to be held for a little while. 

Poor Nany... we wanted a pic with Cora just before we left but she was not in a very good mood :)

Cora, Daddy and Great Grandpa Walter

Daddy and Cora, Great Grandpa Walter, Great Grandma Carol, Great Aunt Mickey, and Uncle Korry

We spent the next few days in northern MN with my family. We had a little birthday party for Cora where she got to see extended family and Great Grandpa Jim. She absolutely loved her four year old cousin Abbi and wanted to be near her the whole time she was there. 


Cora met all of Gramma's critters. She loved the dogs! She met chickens, cats, fish and, of course, the ponies. We were able to see some snow falling on one of the days we were there but it did not hinder our travel at all!

meeting the chickens

Cora loves Zeke

opening presents with Grandad

It's a rooster!!

meeting the outside kitties with Gramma

Gypsy the pony

Cora and Great Grandpa Jim

I love you, Abbi! Will you come home with me?

Cora and Great Aunt Dawn

Abbi frosting Cora's carrot cake birthday cupcakes

Gypsy the Christmas Pony

Georgia the Birthday Pony

One Year!! pumpkin pie

Birthday/Christmas dress

What a wonderful time we had!

California or Bust - The Big Road Trip

I have been taking pictures all along the way on our big moving adventure to California. We left Chicago on June 21st and are not able to move in until the 29th, so we made a vacation out of our trip. It has been interesting to be technically homeless and living out of our car, although Sean says, "everyone should do that once in their lifetime." 


Instead of writing about it all again on here, I just decided to share the link to all of the pics. 


Next post from a California girl!

Easter in California

Sean, Cora and I spent this last weekend in California looking for housing for our move in June. We are planning to rent for a while first until we get to know the area. We were only there for three full days, but we feel like we had such a productive trip. We really got a sense for the rental culture, and we saw such a variety of places that we were able to rule out certain areas. Poor Cora did spend many an hour in her carseat, but she was a magnificent traveler all around. 

The more places we saw, the more we thought we may have to make another trip out closer to our move date. Everything has a really fast turn-around. There is a large military presence as well as a big college in one of the cities. Plus it is just a desirable area anyway being so close to the ocean. Most houses are not even shown until they are vacant and it appeared would rent very fast after placed on the market. A move at the end of June was almost too far out for anyone to consider us.


We do have three places we like, and now after speaking with the property managers, we are optimistic that we may get one of them. We will keep you posted. 


Since we were there over a Sunday, we decided to check out one of the local churches in the area. And being Easter Sunday (as well as Cora's 4-month birthday), of course I had to get her a cute dress.

We headed back home early on Monday morning. Applications have now been submitted, checks will be in the mail tomorrow for credit fees, and we are excited to see what is in store for us in the near future!

Why can't I take the car out, Dad?!