Our friends, the Delaneys, had a going away party for us on Thursday, 12/16 at Old Capitol Grill in Golden. It was great to see everyone and hear lots of well wishes. Gabi had a fun time seeing all of her buddies and running around the banquet room we were in. Unfortunately, I didn't get too many pictures because I was too busy talking with everyone, but I hear a video is in the works! That will be fun to get!
Joe and I sent the girls to our babysitter's house on Friday so that we could pack the U-Haul. A bunch of Joe's buddies came in the afternoon to help pack the big stuff. Luckily, we had already taken three loads up to Buffalo, so it wasn't ALL of our stuff. It still seemed like a lot and we were very glad to have the help. After the truck was loaded, we fed the workers pizza and Coors and let the girls explore their bare home. We kept Gabi's mattress out for her to sleep on Friday night and the girls and buddy, Morgan, had a great time playing on it.
We did some final loading on Saturday morning and then said our good-byes to our cute little house in Golden. I was a wreck. I can't believe we lived there for 7 years! We did a lot of work to that little house and have lots of memories, so it was hard to say goodbye. The house officially changes ownership on 12/29, but we won't have to be there for the closing.
We couldn't believe our luck with the weather. There wasn't even a slight breeze and the roads were dry. Joe drove the big U-Haul with Jackson as his co-pilot. I drove Joe's 4runner with Rocky as my co-pilot and the girls in the back. The trip went very well. Poor Rocky was a little sedated, but he managed just fine.
When I pulled up to our new house on the ranch, my tears of sadness were replaced by tears of happiness for our new beginning. The last few weeks before we moved were some of the most stressful of my entire life, but being out here surrounded by silence, fresh air, and beauty, I knew we made the right choice. Joe's Mom and Dad even put the "Welcome Home" sign up and decorated it with Christmas lights and our tree. Family and friends helped us unload the truck on Sunday and then we gradually just got unpacked and organized.
Honestly, I was a little hesitant to live in the trailer, but it actually is pretty nice and laid out very well. Gabi and Maya seem to like it so far and even Rocky is starting to feel more at home. Of course, Jackson REALLY likes life on the ranch! We hope to start building our new house across the road after the first of the year. Joe is opening his office on 1/3 and is excited about that as well. He has an office space rented in town. I'm sure once Christmas is over we will get into a routine and check out all Buffalo has to offer! :)Soooo......so far, so good! Coming "home" has been a blessing for this little family of four.
Merry Christmas! Thanks for checking in with us!
Tara
Another project I have been working on is a little more intense! I have been making yo-yos for a few months now that I plan to attach together into two matching twin-size yo-yo quilts for the girls' beds. They will continue to share a room in our new house and I've already promised Gabi a big girl bed (twin-size) when we move in. Maya will probably be ready to move out of the crib by then as well. The good news is that I have about 950 done...the bad news is that I have about 650 left! :-) I can make about 15 in an hour. I'm hoping to finish making them before we move and then attaching them together before the girls turn 18! Ha! Wish me luck on this one too!
This print has hung above our bed since we have been married. I bought it as a graduation gift for Joe...right before he ventured away from "home" for the first time. As a native, I think his love of Wyoming is even deeper than mine. The photo was taken by Jim K. Gores and the caption reads, "As a Golden sunset fades to dusk on lofty peaks, deep in my heart I know Wyoming is Home."