Knob Hill

Alright, here’s the final move post and it’s just for me.  The rest of you will probably be bored to tears so just feel free to skip to the next one.  But as I was going over these pictures I was just remembering how great this house was to us.  Not that it was the perfect house, but it was a perfect house to start our family in and live in for 8 years. . .almost to the day.

These are the pictures taken by the real estate agent-so obviously this is our home show ready.  Not exactly indicative of how our house usually looked if you know what I mean. . .

Our first home-I remember how excited I was to move in, in October of 2004 just months before getting married.  At 26 I remember Jay and I being so excited about everything with this house.  Over the last 8 years going from carefree newly weds who laid out at the pool with margarita’s on the weekend to being blessed with 3 active and precious boys this house saw us through quite a few changes.  Lots of tears and even more laughs while we grew up, grew together and grew a family.

I remember how nervous I was bringing Jackson home for the first time.  Having NO idea what I would do with him or how to handle a baby.  Then when he was a few months old we had to barricade this entry way because he would roll from one the living room into the entry and I was so worried that he would bust his head.  Of course both of the big boys have busted their heads multiple times on this floor. . .

Looking at this living room reminds me of the times that we had friends over for games and dinners.  We had parties, wedding and baby showers and celebrated life in general in this room.  My babies learned to crawl and walk in here.  Dozens of play dates and friendships built.  And then the summer before last Adrienne organized my amazing mom friends to come paint and transform this room into my favorite living room ever.  So many happy memories.

When Jay first moved into the house after the wedding I remember him wanting us to go grocery shopping together.  We were just so excited to be together all of the time.  He would even sit in the kitchen and talk to me while I cooked dinner at night.  And then when Jackson was a baby I made baby food and then birthday cakes etc.  Lots of hours logged in this room. 

This picture of our bedroom is pretty amazing because while it was on the market was the only time EVER that it was this clean.  All 3 of our boys were in their bassinets in this room.  One of my very favorite things about our bedroom is that Jackson and Baron (and someday Lincoln) both climb into bed with us in the mornings.  And what seems like a lifetime ago Jay and I would lay in bed and play skip bo and watch movies ALL DAY on rainy days.  Seems hard to fathom that we ever had the free time to spend a day playing cards and watching movies!

I’ve always loved Jackson’s room and it’s been special to him that his Gaga painted it before he was born.  One of my favorite things while pregnant was planning/painting/getting ready the boys rooms. 

The boys bathroom.  Textured and painted by Jay.

Mandy spent the weekend with me while I was pregnant with Bear and we painted the dinning room and Bear’s room.  Nanny made the curtains.

Before kids this was the sunroom and we would hang out in here and play games, read etc.  When Jackson came along out went the futon and in came the toys.  We spent countless hours playing and laughing in here.

Mandy, Aunt Clare, mom and I painted this room getting ready for sweet Bear.  Nanny made the curtains.

Jay also textured and painted the guest bathroom.  I never liked that the washer and dryer were in a closet in the guest bathroom.  Looking back I don’t really think it mattered all that much.

The pool was so much fun before kids-after kids it was a source of serious fear.  We had 8 locks on the back doors just to be sure that Jack didn’t macgyver his way out.

Swimming with the kids was pretty awesome though.  Sadly we enjoyed the pool the very most (post kids) our last summer there.  Jack knowing how to swim so well made it a blast and I could easily focus on Bear with Jack swimming next to us.

We always loved the parks and trails in the neighborhood. 

It’s amazing to think that our entire life fit into this moving van.

Thank you Knob Hill for keeping my family safe for 8 years. While it was time to move on, we leave many wonderful memories of so much transformation as a family and so many blessings.

Our Last Two Days

Aunt Sissy got these UT shirts for the boys.  We used this picture on our change of address postcard which I mailed out the week that we moved.

The boys only attended Highland Oaks preschool for 6 weeks but they LOVED it.  Jackson’s teacher,  Mrs. Charlena, has been teaching for over 30 years and is adored by all of her students.  She also taught “stay and play,” the hour from 2-3 that the boys were in with the Hirst kiddos and so Bear loved her as well.

This first picture cracks me up because it’s Jackson with Cade, a buddy from school.  Sweet little Cade is so small (they are the same age) and Jackson referred to him as his “tiny friend.” 

Our MOMS Connection group had a pinterest party and it was a blast.  Adrienne had put together an awesome slideshow with all of my friends messages as the background music and they showed it at the party.  Definitely touching to hear so many sweet messages from my amazing friends.  Very special and helped me to thank God for all of the wonderful people in my life.

Super baby Lincoln just chilled in the pool room while we had the pinterest party in the living room.

Bear with his sweet teacher, Mrs. Christie.

Here’s a sample of Jack’s handwriting at the beginning of the year.

Jack with his “tiny friend.”

Mrs. Charlena was so amazing and loved on Jack so much!  On his first day I had told her that we were moving and that he would only be attending for about 6 weeks.  She mentioned it to him and he said he was so sad that he was going to miss the class Christmas party.  Mrs. Charlena seriously brought in the class Christmas tree, dressed in Christmas clothes, decorated the room and had a full on Christmas party (complete with a special lunch, cookie decorating and presents) for Jack on his last day.  To say that her absolutely precious efforts for Jack brought tears to this post partum momma’s eyes would be an understatement.  God is so awesome and my boys being so loved on at school during a difficult time of transition is just one example.

Coming home to see our house all packed up wasn’t easy and definitely made the reality start to set in. . .

Of course we needed pre-move haircuts.  Luckily Emilie makes house calls!

Bear with his sweet buddy Frankie Joy.

Our last day, October 17th the big boys went to mom and David’s house and Jay went to Austin to do the final walk through of the house before the closing on the 18th.  Lincoln and I spent the night with Papa.  It was really special to have some time alone with my sweet dad.  He cooked a super delicious steak dinner and we were able to just hang out and talk-kid free.  That pretty much never happens.  I was really sad realizing that we weren’t going to live down the street from each other any more but also felt so thankful to have such a loving and wonderful father who I adore and who adores my kids.  He also got up and made me breakfast at 5 in the morning-crazy super dad.  So, thanks so much dad for hosting us on our very last night living in Plano.  It was a perfect send off.  And thanks so much to mom for keeping the bigs so that Jay and I could get moved in without their, um, “help.”

BATTLE: Jack v. Papa

3 days before the move Nana and Papa came over for dinner.  Jack and Papa of course had an awesome battle and here are the pictures to prove it:

I just love the looks on my dads face in the shots!

I know I say this all of the time but I really do feel so very blessed that my kids have such amazing grandparents.  The boys are so excited any time they get to see any of them.  Papa has such a way with all three of them but especially Jackson and they just really get each other.  I know that I have awesome parents but it’s so cool how God continues to illustrate that fact each time they are with my boys.