The most difficult part of moving...the actual moving!

I am, by no means, complaining about having to move or having people come in and pack our things up for us, but for me, the lead up to having the movers come in is something I don't love.  I have to say, after this move, move number 5, the lead up in the days prior were a bit anxiety provoking, but the actual day of the move, wasn't terrible, considering all things.  

Some of the boxed up rooms....so sad!!! 

 Putting it all in the containers!  

 Getting ready to load up the Jeep.  My car went about 10 days prior so we'd have it when we arrived in AK. 

 This picture absolutely kills me.  Our home, with so much life and spirit suddenly wasn't ours anymore...time to put life and spirit into a new home.  

The most amazing thing was that everything for this move was SEAMLESS.  We sold our car without much effort, bought a new one, listed and subsequently sold our house in ONE day!  I really do credit it  to the fact that we bought new, the location and timing.  There were many townhomes just like ours for sale in the vicinity that still have not sold, so we are very grateful for the fact that we were able to sell before we went up to Alaska in March to look for a new house.  It definitely eased our minds.  

The house is officially not ours anymore!  And thankfully, through the moving process, we didn't have to stay at our house anymore.  That part is just too painful.  My dear friend, Jen, let us stay at her house while the packers were there.  This is our last night in Houston enjoying some Chuy's, my fave Tex Mex. 

Our very last night we stayed in a hotel which made it easier.  No more normal attachments, just a bit of rest and relaxation before our flight.  

View of downtown Houston from our hotel on our last night.

Anchorage or Bust!!

Easter 2012!

Eric and I really wanted to go to our church in Houston one last time before we left and Easter Sunday was the opportunity.  We woke up early for the 7:30am service and of course, like any Houston area church it was crowded as ever.  After we got home, everyone was getting up so we decided to head out to play some basketball. 

 The lovely Huxley :)

The brothers played 2 on 2 and I believe it was older brothers vs younger brothers.  I can't remember who won though :)

 Love this one!

Haha, my mom looks really interested in the game, right?  Typical Pammy, on the phone, laying in the sun :)

 YOOOOO!  Danny DUNKING!!!!!

 Jedd's still surprised about Danny's dunk, and exhausted

 This picture says it all...and I guess you can tell by Eric's hand who was victorious :)

 My mom's now woken up and has decided she wants to show us her stuff, ha!

 Score!

We all decided to play!

 Chillin' with the awesome Huxley!

Now off to clean up a bit and eat a delicious meal, again prepared by the one and only Carlo!

Our Easter table

I really wanted to make everyone an Easter basket but wanted everyone to be able to bring them with them, so after much trial and tribulation, my mom and I finally figured out how to make these.  Complete with Picket fences from the Picketts :)

 Another Table view

 Jen with her apron and wine, Megen with her snuggie like blanket :)

 Love this dog!  So tired after the basketball game. 

 Everyone enjoying their meal...plus the adorable Easter basket Dan and Meg made for everyone with our names on eggs and a photo of Hux

 Some Easter cookies that Jen and Megen helped make and decorate.  

 Dessert, complete with Blue Bell ice cream for the NYers 

Love this photo.

Thank you to everyone, for coming over to share our first Easter in our home and last Sunday in our home before our move.  Happy Easter 2012!

The M family takes on Houston!

It was especially meaningful that we had my entire immediate family visit us in Houston.  Sure, we'd all been together a zillion times, but having them in Houston to visit was just so special.  It was especially wonderful that my older brother, Jedd was able to visit.  He is always so super busy with his business that it's been impossible to visit us any other place we've lived, so the fact that he was able to have other people do his job while he visited for 3 days meant so much.  

Everyone arrived in waves.  Eric was out of town from Mon-Thursday so my mom arrived Monday morning and we had a few days alone.  It was so great because she was able to help me with the dreaded inventory list for the move.  I don't think it was her most favorite thing to do, but I'm so grateful for her help!  My dad arrived on Wednesday and we were able to enjoy some time with him just the three of us.  Eric arrived on Thursday, Jedd on Friday and Jon-Carlo and then also Eric's brother, Danny and Megen on Saturday!

We made a little welcome note for everyone

My dad was telling everyone he owns this car...hilarious!  Outside one of our faves, Ninfa's on Navigation!

Love!

The next day we went for a bike ride along the bayou and a little food fest.  

First we went to BRC because back in January we went with my parents and my dad found Jedd's future wife there.  He even took a photo with her and told her over and over how much she'd love my brother.  It never panned out as obviously NYC>HOU is a bit long distance but since he was in town, we figured, why not!?  Unfortunately, she was no longer working there, but we'd already sat down!  Darn!  So appetizers were on order :).  Of course, it was also crawfish season, so we headed to apparently the best crawfish place in town, just around the corner. 

The waitress tried to convince them that they both needed a bucket a piece...this was one bucket!  Thankfully they only got the one...boy, those Louisianians can eat!

Eric and Jedd indulging.  Unfortunately for my dad, and this was especially painful for him, they were too spicy for him :(

I can't believe they actually finished it!

One of my favorite photos of my dad!!

Jon-Carlo finally arrived, and we're all together again.  My dad, of course, made a delicious meal of BBQ chicken and all the fixings up on our roof top.  Danny and Megen arrived just in time for the delicious meal!  Wish I'd gotten a photo of all of us up there!

This one is blurry, but I had to include.  Since we had a full house and only 3 bedrooms, Jedd and Jon-Carlo stayed in our room.  Our entire room was beds, ours (a king), Jon-Carlo's (a queen airmattress) and poor Jedd got the twin airmattress.  It was pretty funny and like old times having sleep overs with my brothers as kids. 

I'm going to jump ahead a bit but the day after Easter, Jedd left early in the AM but Jon-Carlo really wanted to go to the zoo so Houston Zoo we went! 

 Dad and Jon-Carlo

 This picture makes me laugh so hard!!

What a wonderful trip we had with everyone!  I really feel it brought all of us closer and reignited our family bond.  I'm so thankful you were all able to visit and can't wait until we can all meet up again, whether it be in Alaska or another location!