The Fleetwood Four

With just a few weeks left in Connecticut, we kept busy getting organized for the move and getting in some final good-byes and story times.

The library did not dissapoint as we attended a few more story times before heading out. We enjoyed both a music story time and a stuffed animal sleepover.

Getting into it

Picking up Larry the Lobster after his night in the library

Eating donuts in the library

Enjoying our free slurpees on 7-11 before heading to the park to meet friends.

A few months earlier we signed Annabelle up for VBS, once she got used to the idea of me leaving her she had a great time and was all smiles.

In the end of the week performance

Spinning

Annabelle made a few friends at the library, one of her best and one we will miss is Zoe. We took the opportunity for one last playdate and to say goodbye.

Silly, happy girls

Before we knew it it was moving day. Luckily we had nice weather and were able to hang out outside and stay out of the way of the movers.

With most their toys packed up the kids entertained themselves by making "bird baths" out of papaer plates.

Annabelle with hers

Hudson working on his

Last picture on the rock

Our stuff waiting to be loaded

Had to get a picture of this, the only thing Sam moved

the joys of having the company pay for movers.

All the movers were great. The driver took some time out to show the kids around the truck, including letting them honk the horn.

Have I mentioned story time, I will miss everything about it (I'm sure Annabelle will too). We made it in for just one more the day before flying out.

Saying goodbye to Miss Allison

I may have cried here

and the frog

one last picture

The kids then went to our friend's the Hicks while Sam and I headed back to clean the house. We enjoyed one last dinner and power outage with them before saying goodbye. The next morning we were on our way to Idaho. Our trip west went well, and both kids did good on the plane despite Hudson having a fever and throwing up on each flight (luckily it was contained and easily cleaned up).

Keeping him entertained on the plane, he watched for a short time

then spent the rest of the trip like this

Watching her own movie

Keeping busy

Arriving after midnight we got to our hotel and got some sleep. The next day we were able to visit the house, the Boise River and Rosauers (grocery store) as we waited to close on the house.

Throwing rocks in the river

Cooling off

Enjoying the free ride at Rosauers

Official Idaho residents

First meal in the new house

In their rooms with their new house gifts

Our next visitors were Sam's parents. They had planned their trip before we knew we would be moving (they arrived twenty-four hours after Sam and I returned from Boise). Needless to say we had a great, but very busy time with them.

While Serenity and I were enjoying the sights of New York; Daddy, Grandma, Grandpa and the kids enjoyed looking at the cars at the Sycamore Drive In in Bethel.

Summer Cruise Night at Sycamore

Checking out the cars

After a day to settle in we returned Serenity to her own kids, picked up a rental car and we were on our way south for a few days. Our first stop was Philadelphia for cheeseteaks, we tried both Pat's and Geno's doing our own taste test. Both were great, but Geno's came out the winner for us.

Enjoying his "meat meat" sandwich from Pat's

Annabelle's turn

Onto Geno's

Grandpa digging in

We then headed over to the Independence Visitor Center before seeing the Liberty Bell and a tour of Independence Hall. Side note there were so many pictures from here and D.C. that I "limited" it to those with people in them.

Annabelle and the Phillie Fanatic statue

Daddy and Hudson with the bell

Mommy and Annabelle and the bell's "good" side

Grandma and Grandpa's turn

Does not want her picture standing where Lincoln stood

or where JFK stood

Sam, Hudson, Annabelle, and George Washington

Relaxing in the lawn before our tour

Sitting on the steps of Independence Hall

Getting directions

Then we were off to Washington D.C. and our hotel to rest up for a day in the capital. We spent one day walking around the National Mall seeing the sights and a tour of the Capitol Building. It was one long day, but we got to see a lot. I look forward to going back when we have more time and kids that don't "need" to be carried.

First stop: Starbucks

White House from Pennsylvania Avenue

White House from the south

Walking around the National Mall

Fleetwood Four at the Capitol

Grandma and Grandpa with the Capitol Building

On the tour of the Capitol Building

(in the Rotunda, painting Landing of Columbus)

Hang Loose

Photo op with one of our favorite state's statue

Reading a story in the Library of Congress

Back outside for more sights and walking

With Thomas Jefferson

At the FDR Memorial

With Mr. Lincoln

Taking a moment to rest

One of my favorite photos from the day

The ducks checking out Grandpa's shoes

at Signer's of the Declaration of Independence Memorial

Hudson and Mommy leading the way to World War II Memorial

The next day we headed across the river to Arlington National Cemetery and spent a short time there before getting in the air-conditioned car (it was a hot and humid day) and heading back home.

We tried to have a some "down" time, but still found things to do. Like getting in as many story times as we could and a trip to the local zoo.

Story Time

Peacocks at Beardsley Zoo

Getting a closer look at the prairie dogs

Annabelle and the Alligator

(Sam helped paint this during his works volunteer day)

Cooling off

Then we were off and running again. We headed into New York to see the 9/11 Memorial and a bit of Central Park.

City Hall Park

Resting in the shade on the Brooklyn Bridge

Subway ride toward Central Park

Great way to travel and great view

Enjoying NYC hot dogs in Central Park

Nothing like a Dora popsicle on a hot day

Taking a ride on the Central Park Carousel

Alice in Wonderland Statue

a very different scene from our last visit in April

Yeah for getting a nap in

The rest of the visit we stuck close to home. Both kids got haircuts; Hudson's first at home, Annabelle's first ever. We visited the Danbury Railway Museum and spent the Fourth of July in Ridgefield with a trip to Dunkin' Donuts, farmer's market and park thrown in. Sam and I did get out alone a couple times. We spent some quality time shopping for a fridge for our new home.