Knott's Berry Farm

On Friday, Mom, Layney, Jake, Jett and I ventured to Knott's Berry Farm. This is a theme park in Orange County that I have not been to since high school. We all had a great time, however I did worry about my niece Layney dragging my mom on this sling shot ride (see below). I don't think I have ever seen my mother quite so afraid, even compared to our first night here at her home when Jake vomited all over her new carpet, this was even more scary than that!!! Overall, we had a great time!

Jake and Jett had the most fun watching the bmx bike show, since Jake is an amatuer bmx'er!!

Home Sweet Home

Our home in Abu Dhabi...Four bedrooms and a carport, this is great city living!! We are five minutes from the beach, schools and shopping. Mike did a great job finding it, now he has the fun of getting it ready for us! Mike comes to California to pick us up on July 19, we are so excited to see him, we all miss him so much!!

Good-Bye Tears

We have officially left Birmingham. Our last day was filled with heartfelt goodbyes and tears. The most heartbreaking experience was saying goodbye to all of the kids' friends. Above are pictures of some of the neighborhood kids crying as we drove by on our way to the airport. At the airport our sweet Jett hugged and pulled his little sweetheart's face (Alex) right up against his, as if to say, "you know I love you, and you'll be okay without me." This moment put us all in tears. Jake pulled out his tough exterior self, acting as if he did not care about anything or anyone, but the week's stomach aches that he had and sometimes continues to have tells a different story..we all project our sadness in different ways.

It broke my heart to take the kids away from their friends. Denver, Jake's man buddy..a loyal friends for life! And Trinity, an old soul who loved both of my boys unconditionally...

Life can throw out so many surprises and the fact that we all made such great friends in such a short time in Alabama was a complete surprise that made it so much harder to leave. Mike and I have told each other many times that even though our new adventure will bring us great experiences we may never live in a neighborhood like Village Center in Ross Bridge, where we have so many great, unique friendships on one street!

We know, however, that change is a part of life and one that we crave as we have moved three times in our ten years of marriage. We also know that the friends we made in Ross Bridge are the types of friends that you don't make often in your life, they are the ones that you stay friends with, no matter where you live or how your life changes.

Time for Goodbyes and Goodbye Festivities

One of the best things about leaving a neighborhood with great friends is all the time you get to spend having fun at "goodbye festivities." Our departure has been a great excuse to get together and have fun. One of my friend's husband's calls it the "Oswald Tour." This photo is before our "Girls Night Out" about three weeks ago, we had a great time as a group of mother's trying to blend in at a bar full of singles, the most fun was people watching!!

Poor Danielle on the far left is pregnant, but none us of knew yet on this night!! We should have known by the way she cradled her tummy and we all missed the fact that she bought a glass of wine but didn't drink it!!

Shah our resident photographer made sure that I was in the middle in every picture, I hardly ever had to worry about how I held my arm (right Shah??!!)

I promise it won't be so long in between posts when we get to Abu Dhabi, we have been busy preparing for our move!!