Last week at The Lake with Gigi

We went to the Lake Cabin in northern Idaho to visit my Grandmother, Gigi, my parents, Auntie Susie, my brother Josh, and the Darlings.  We were also there for the 4th of July for fireworks.  I don't have photos of that evening but we walked down to a neighbor's dock and sat there while the fire works went off above the lake.  The kids kept oohing and ahh-ing.  And they were allowed to stay up super late (10:30)!  Archie and Sylvie loved it.  It was a great treat and something that I remember doing as a kid.  So glad they are old enough to make and remember these moments.

The lake was beautiful and the weather improved while we were there.  There have been a lot of great improvements to the cabin in the last few years including the deck and railings being completely replaced plus wifi!!!  The weather and water was warm enough that the kids braved a swim.  Sylvie was in the water the most.  

On the wall at the cabin are some old photos of lots of family and cousins.  This is one of my favorite.  I remember sitting under the table laughing.  The three of us were having a great time by ourselves and giggling.  I am on the right, Traci in the middle, and my older brother Ben on the left.

And here is a great one of lots of cousins on the steps of the Strobels cabin (Grandma's brother's cabin).  Lots of cousins and loads of fun.

And the kids spent hours on the water in these blue kayaks.  They love these and can paddle around easily.  This was the start of lots of fun for these three.  They played super well and had some many adventures.  If they weren't on the water, they were up in the woods behind the cabin in their fort (that they all built over the past few summers).

Archie and Ruby going fishing.  They didn't have as much luck this year but enjoyed trying.

Grandpa putting some more worms on the hooks.

Finally the sun came out and they enjoyed the swimming.

We went to the nearby town of Harrison to visit the ice cream shop.  It was a good treat.  This air balloon thing was dancing and Archie was having a great time trying to catch it.  

Down on the beach for some more fun with all the cousins.

We perfected our dual selfie!!  Wish we would take more of these.  You can see the kids messing around in the reflection of our glasses.  We were totally ignoring them to get the best angle and have a good laugh trying to do so.

Kids Table for dinner not the beach.  They were having loads of fun and laughing the entire time.  Funny how Traci and I had many dinners laughing with our brothers at that exact table as well.   The kids' table is always the best table to be at.

Obligatory cousin line up photo.

And these two!  Best buddies!  Sylvie and Archie miss Ruby the most of anyone and everything from our move.  They want to go back to the lake and spend time with Ruby.  Archie is already asking when we can go back.  Now, Mom?  Why not now?

Can't wait to get these kids together again and hopefully at The Lake.  I don't know how I didn't manage to get photos with Gigi.  We were having a lot of fun and I tried to take photos but never seem to take enough.  I guess that is a good thing because it means we are having fun together.

Up next, our trip to New Zealand and getting settled in.

week 1 of 2 with the Darlings

So after our eventful days of moving, we headed to the eastside of the state to visit the Darlings for some cousin time.  Archie and Sylvie LOVED being with their cousins and really had fun with Ruby as they are all the same age.  Brought back many memories of playing with Ben and Traci when we were young.

It was a really fun and super easy to relax....mostly.  Unfortunately, we learned we had a bad case of lice that we brought with us.  Sylvie must have picked it up at school before we left and I didn't spot it correctly (how would you know if you never had to find it on your child?!?!).  And because we all slept in the same bed before we left, ALL of us got it.  Lovely.  So we spent the week doing shampoos, treatments, and lots of combing out nits.  Lovely.  Poor Traci had to do all the work.  My head itches now just thinking of it.  UGH.

Out for a scoot

Strawberry picking!

We went strawberry picking.  The weather was perfect and the berries were warm and sweet.  We picked a lot for Traci to make some jam and we ate plenty as well!

Going swimming at the neighborhood pool

Going to watch Incredibles 2

We went to see the Incredibles 2 movie.  The kids had a great time and the chairs were recliners.  Super fun with treats and popcorn.  

More good cousin memories

Carousel Ride

After the movie we went to the park and the kids rode the carousel.  I rode this as a kid and it was fun to bring back memories and see the cousins enjoy it.  So funny to be back in a place where I grew up when that so rarely happens.  The last time I rode this was back in 1998 or 99.

Posing with the blooms day sculptures!

We also went to Manitoba Park for some fun to play, see the koi pond, and have a good run around.  Last time I was here was for Traci's wedding photos.   I won't comment on how long ago that was but let's just say we were babies!

And after a week of washing bedding and clothes everyday, quarantining stuffies, vacuuming cars and carpets, washing hair, and combing out daily,  we headed out to our favorite place, The Lake.  Move on that for the next post.

Final Move Day and leaving with a crash

So the final day of the move was busy.  The movers got everything out and packed into the truck to take to the shipping container.  It was weird seeing our old house all emptied out.  It doesn't feel like our house without our stuff in it.

Our last two nights in Seattle we slept at our neighbor Joyce's house.  On the last night I was all ready to have my first full nights sleep in a long time.....except when a huge crash woke me up at 1am.  I thought someone was trying to break a door to get in.  Our other neighbor Gina texted me as she heard it as well.  The police came, searched everywhere, and found a huge limb on the tree had fallen onto the power lines to the house.  So all awake and full of adrenaline, Gina and I stayed up and calmed our self with, of course, Rose!  It was really nice having some time to chat albeit in the middle of the night.

The next day we say the huge tree.  We finished up the last bit of work while Gina was so nice as to let the kids play at her house.  And about midday we headed out of Seattle to Spokane for some time with cousins.

....And all was going well until we found the lice that we brought with us and had exposed multiple friends too. UGH!  So our whirlwind of activity continues.  I will post more of the great weeks we are having here before we leave.  But we are all looking forward to being in our new home and back with Campbell.

Last Scouts Meeting, Kindergarten Graduations and Day 1 of the Move

Archie finished up his last scouts meeting.  They had sword fighting and jousting at the den meeting (all foam weapons of course).  He had a great time and only wished that I was there with him.  I had to stay home to get ready for the movers.  And it was some good time for him to be with the boys.  We hope to find the scouts in NZ for Archie and Daisies for Sylvie.

Sylvie graduated from Kindergarten.  She didn't want a big deal made of it.  And no dresses!  She was super cute and had her 5th grade partner walk her in.  She was confident, smiling, and happy.

No longer a little kid!  

5th Grade Partner - Stephanie

Sylvie with her best friend Ellie.  They were in preschool together last year and both started at Bryant this year.  They are going to be pen pals and do some FaceTime to keep in touch.

Sylvie, Sofie, and Sofia!  How the teacher keeps the names straight is beyond me!

And with a blue popsicle the celebration was complete!  Well done Sylvie!

.......And then the move begins,

So I feel like I have been waiting, planning, and losing sleep for the past few months for today: the day the packers come for the move.  I haven't been sleeping the past week because I have been organizing, purging, sorting, and tagging things for the packers: things for the suitcases, things for the air freight, things for the sea freight, things to toss, things to give away, etc.  So I was all ready this morning for the movers to come.....and I waited, and then they were delayed likely to arrive from 11-1.  And then they were delayed until 2....and then 4....and then 5....and then at 6, one of them arrived.  Eventually 5 showed up and spent 3 1/2 hours packing.  They have to load it in a container tomorrow!  So I spent the entire day scrubbing outdoor furniture, golf gear, and tents.  There was pollen, moss, mold, and dirt on all of it.  Fun times.

I walked the kids home from school and I was hurrying them because the movers were supposed to be there.....and Archie melted down.  We walked home while I let him be angry and frustrated.  He was so mad and was aiming it at me.  When we got home I gave him a big hug and he started crying at how he was going to miss his friends and he didn't want to say good bye. :(  So we both had a cry and talked about how hard it is to say goodbye.  And then I turned on a Lego movie and he decided that could be a good solution for today.

So we are super lucky to have some great neighbors.  And our neighbor Joyce, who is a good friend, like a 3rd Grandma, and just a kick in the pants funny, the is letting us stay in her house while the move is on.  It is so nice being here and having furniture, dishes, bedding, wifi, and TV!  I only wish she were here!  She is away visiting family so we had to say goodbye last week.  We will miss her dearly.  She sees a lot of our life since she is right next door to us and we also share with one another what is going on.

So Day 1 is done.  I didn't think the packers would be able to get it done.  They ended up having 5 guys show up and they got about 75% packed.  Tomorrow will be a long day for them.  I don't have any photos as I was busy running around.  But I was able to enjoy a nice Rose that my good friend Sara gave me!  A mature Rose! :)

Lots of changes for the Coopers

So I am few years out from my last post.  I am starting again (I never really wanted to stop). This turns into a great family diary that I  hope the kids can look at.

So this school year was a big one as we changed the kids to our neighborhood school.  It was a great decision.  Although we loved their other school it wasn't getting the kids where they needed to be academically.  And it is great being part of our neighborhood community.  The kids have friends that live just houses away.  And they LOVE that.  They run up and down the street to play with their friends.

That was a big change but they have done well.  Sylvie never missed a beat.  She has thrived in Kindergarten and is finishing the year reading on her own.  And Archie worked so hard this year on his reading and math.  I am amazed at his progress and so proud of the work he has done. 

Warm weather and dinners outside!

......And now the big news, Campbell has taken a new job that will move us to NZ!  Auckland to be exact.  We have been back in the states for 3 years and I can't believe it but we are leaving again.  We are now in May and will be leaving in July.  Campbell is really enjoying his new job and is getting our life lined up there.  We are excited to be near his family and our friends.  We are also excited about the schools and quality of life that we will have.  I am excited because I have never lived there and there are so many places I have wanted to explore.  Now we will have time to do that.  

At School Carnival

The kids are doing ok as we near this big move.  Archie is already sad to leave his friends and understands that we are leaving them.  Sylvie wants to go so she can swim in PE and get a dog.  

I am solo parenting it right now as Campbell is already traveling for work.  That has been hard and I feel for all those that have to do this on their own.  It is not easy on anyone.

Going for a walk....in our socks

I hope to continue working as an architect.  I love my current job and friends at work.  I will miss both dearly when we leave.  It is one of the best firms in the US and am so proud that I have been able to contribute to it.  I don't want to leave my friends and our work.

Enjoying sunshine with good friends

We are also sad to leave family and friends here.  We have just finally felt settled and started an new routine and school with the kids.  So it is hard to just leave when it feels like we weren't finished here.

Impromptu slide with some extra cardboard....kids thought they should wear the helmets!

Ultimately, this will be a great move for our family and we are excited.  At the moment, I just want to get through this hard part but then I remember that I don't want to rush our last weeks and wish it away.  I am nostalgic as the sunny weather is here and the city is so beautiful and scenic.  The mountains are visible with their snow still on top.  And everything is green as spring is just finishing.  

But we are keeping our house and pieces of our hearts will always be here.