Goodbye North Carolina, Hello California!

In June Kevin and I moved to North Carolina with literally all we could fit in both cars. That may sound silly, but I'll let you in on a (hopefully short) story. When Kevin completed flight school in Texas he was told that he would need to do short-term additional training in North Carolina for 5 months prior to moving to California. The movers came, packed our things, and placed everything we didn't need immediately in "temporary storage" out in California. As you might imagine, for only 5 months - especially for a couple with no children - it is silly to pack up a moving truck and take your whole household with you when you're just going to move again in the blink of an eye. And that it did! We actually only stayed in North Carolina for 4.5 months from start to finish before it was time to leave again. Because we hardly brought anything with us, our house was quite empty...we purchased a futon from Target, brought some pots and pans with us, half of our clothing (mostly his uniforms), a fold-out card table that served as a makeshift office desk, and our bed. Spending only 5 months in a state makes you keenly aware of the things that you need immediately, and everything else that is simply unnecessary. I lovingly called it "camping indoors" for 5 months...

Do you like what we've done with the place?

The short time we did spend in North Carolina was so fun! We were able to spend a lot of quality time with our friends that we've met through the whole flight-school journey.

The friends that accompany you through the Marine Corps for years at a time, become your family away from home. You bond quickly and remain friends for a lifetime.

You cherish every moment you have together, knowing that one day it'll come to an end (for the time being).

And with one last outing together as a group, we were on the road again. Hoping that our paths will cross again some day! 

SO LONG EAST COAST!

5 days later...

 The unpacking begins!

Our new house is nestled into a beautiful (and very steep) canyon! 

Pacific Beach is only a 15 minute drive away!

 The neighborhood is nice and quiet...and very sunny! People weren't kidding when they said "the sun shines nearly every day of the year"!

We got into town just early enough to celebrate a birthday and a brand new life! We're so happy to be neighbors with our dear friends that we haven't seen since we lived in Vermont almost 4 years ago. Wesley just turned 2 and his baby sister Layla is not even 2 weeks old in this picture!

And this just happened on Thanksgiving weekend. Yep, I'm getting an early start!

Haven't seen Birds of Paradise in a LONG time. That was one of the many signs that we were back on the west coast. 

As if this isn't enough of a sign below...Oh hello, Coronado! 

We have been in San Diego exactly one month today, and its been a fantastic month at that! Our new home is so cute, our neighbors are all very friendly, and everything is only a short car ride away. So, so, soooo happy to be back in California! How I have missed you!!!