Oh my! So much to catch up on. We've had a very busy summer and have put a lot of miles on our van!
We said goodbye to Knightdale on June 16. When we loaded everyone into the van we said a prayer to start our journey. David offered it, and said, "Thank Thee for all the fun we had at this house," which sent Nathan and I into tears. It was good house with good memories. We miss it, but look forward to the new opportunities out here. Thus began our long trek West. At least we weren't pulling a handcart.
We were traveling a few days ahead of my parents, who were driving our truck out, so we stopped for a couple days at their Utah house, which happens to be next door to my sister, to recoup and let them catch up. It was a nice break after 4 days of driving to be able to stretch, do playgrounds, cousins, and laundry. It was also fortunate timing since while we were there we realized Isaac had an ear infection. I was glad to be able to visit my sister's pediatrician and get him started on antibiotics. (I have officially dubbed him "My Utah Doctor" since we seem to often get ear infections on Utah trips.)
We pulled into Los Banos, CA on June 23, right on schedule. Our first impressions of the town are that it's not much to look at, but the people are very friendly and welcoming. Our landlord wasn't quite ready for us, however, so we did a quick drive-by to see the house and then immediately headed for Lowe's and Home Depot to purchase laundry machines and a refrigerator. My folks arrived with the truck the next day, and we spent the next four days unpacking, unpacking, and unpacking. We got pretty much everything unpacked except decorative stuff, since I didn't have any shelves to put things on (miss my Knightdale built-in cabinetry! *sniff, sniff*) Then on June 29 we loaded up the van again and I headed back to Utah with my folks and the boys.
First on the Utah agenda was my Grandma June's 95th birthday party/reunion on July 2. Sometimes I really think she's immortal, ya know? All I can say is she is a good testament to healthy diet and regular exercise.
On July 5 my parents and I took the boys up to ride TRAX from Sandy to Temple Square. Daniel, you see, loves all things that go, and has been asking me when we are going to ride an airplane (since Christmas), a train (since March), and a boat (not sure when that cropped up). We figured the light rail was as convenient and economical option as we would find to check "Ride a Train" off his bucket list. D1 and D2 both loved it. This was also Nathan's and my 10-year wedding anniversary. My how time flies! Too bad we couldn't spend it together.
On July 8-9 my immediate family convened at Heber Valley Girls Camp for our family reunion. This was my boys' first camping experience. From the perspective of a parent-traveling-single with three little ones, I was very grateful it was cabin camping. The highlight for David was the brownie hike and a giant swing activity, where they harness you to a swing and pull you on a line halfway up a tree, then let you go. David volunteered to go first, having no clue what he was signing up for, and went as high as possible. He had a good show of bravado for his cousins when he got off and encouraged them all to try it, but he secretly told me later that he thought it was scary at first. Daniel had a turn too and although he didn't go all the way to the top, he wasn't far from it. It Freaked. Him. Out. All he could say for at least 30 minutes in the aftermath was "That was scary! That was scary!" I took a turn all the way up too, and while it was fun, I agree with Daniel that it was scary! I can hardly believe my boys did it. The highlight for Daniel? Playing in the gravel in front of our cabin. Boys... Isaac enjoyed lots of attention from his aunts, uncles, and cousins. My brother-in-law Mark dubbed him "Kumquat" because of his fuzzy hair. Love it!
On July 12 my parents took Daniel back up to Salt Lake City for the day (David opted not to go). They went to Hogle Zoo, where there was a Zoorassic Park special display. Apparently some of the animatronic dinosaurs spit water at spectators. Daniel wasn't expecting it and had another Freak Out experience when one squirted him. Dad said he gave them very wide berth after that. But he had lots of fun otherwise and was a good little companion to my parents. They also took him to the Bingham Copper Mine to see the great big trucks. He came home just glowing!
July 14 we said farewell to my family and headed back up to Salt Lake to get Nathan from the airport and meet up with the Nashes. On the way up, David finally lost his first tooth! July 15 we gathered at the Bountiful Temple for Nathan's youngest sister's wedding. It was lovely, and I think Bethany gave Kate Middleton a run for her money as far as gorgeous brides go. We also had a great treat to introduce both Isaac and David to their namesakes, Grandpa Nash and his brother D.A.
We drove back to California the next day. The boys and I were only around for a week before taking off again, this time for Washington, and this time we got to FLY. Check that off Daniel's bucket list! Up there we got lots of play time with Mom Nash, and even squeezed in a visit with my brother Sean and a bonus visit with an old friend of mine from BYU. Nathan drove up a week later to join us for the Merrill Family Reunion at Port Townsend, WA. We rode a ferry to get there. Check the boat off Daniel's bucket list! Sweet! (David's asking for a hot air balloon next...) This trip to Washington reinforced our desire to get back up to the Seattle area. We're hoping to make that happen within 3 years, maybe as soon as 1 or 2. Anyway...
We got home from Washington on August 7. I had just a couple days to pull together a much-wished for birthday party for Daniel. Normally I wouldn't have attempted it, but since David had a party last year and got invited to lots of classmates' parties over the school year, Daniel really wanted to have one. So. I arranged a transportation-themed party (no-brainer, right?) at a nearby playground and invited his entire Sunbeam class--all 3 of them--for lack of knowing anyone else to invite. It didn't go nearly as well as I'd hoped, but it went well enough considering I planned everything over the internet from far away. Daniel was thrilled (albeit bummed his K'dale friends Tanner and Ben weren't there), and I think it really helped him get used to his classmates so he'd be willing to actually go to Sunbeams in our new ward.
OH YES--and I finally got Daniel potty trained!! Wahoo! The Monday after we got home from Washington I took him to choose his big-boy underpants and then took away pull-ups cold turkey (okay, he still wears them at night). The funny thing is, we only had three "accidents," and one on his birthday, which I understand from all the party excitement, and it was done. Makes me wonder why I waited so long. I guess I figured it would be a long, exhausting, stressful process. Anyway, glad that's taken care of.
The next week school started. David has been excited for this all summer, but as I walked him into his new school, he whispered to me that he was scared. Poor lad looked so miserable as I left him in his classroom. He seems to have adjusted well, however, and every day talks about new kids he's met.
Just this past week Daniel started preschool. He too seemed anxious in spite of all his anticipatory excitement, but he was beaming when I came to pick him up. Of course he was; they had toy airplanes there! This preschool is a parent co-op, so I get to go assist the teacher twice a month. I've also volunteered to be the preschool's treasurer. Sounds like mostly I'll be courier between the school, the accountant, and the bank, but I'm glad for an opportunity to get involved and meet people.
Speaking of involvement (I'm almost through, I promise), we have been extended callings in our new ward! It's a tiny ward so lots of people have multiple callings. I have been called as the Relief Society Secretary, and also as a RS Instructor. Nathan has been called as the Ward Pianist (he is the ONLY person in the ward who plays the piano!). He's been extended a second calling as well but hasn't been sustained yet, so I'll have to keep that under my hat for a little while longer.
So that's our crazy summer. See pics and videos at http://tinyurl.com/43xp3p7.
We love you all!
The (Other) Other Nashes
Nathan, Natalie, David, Daniel, Isaac
