Our last few days were spent soaking in friends, finishing up packing and cleaning, and taking care of important business- like getting family pictures taken as I was freaking knowing I would have to find a new photographer in Minnesota who could handle our brood. When would I be able to get in with a new photographer? Would it be crazy expensive? How would the girls do 'posing' for someone they didn't know? Ms. Niki (and her incredible eye with the camera) to the rescue to snap a few shots in the 95 degree, super humid day- ha! She was a trooper, people, and I'm so grateful to have these shots of the 5 of us in our adored Arkansas neighborhood- THANK YOU MS. NIKI!!!
The Squad. Pretty much us in a nutshell: myself trying to hold that smile while pleading with Harper to stand still for 5 seconds, Maggie questioning what exactly is happening, Harper's classic goofy smile, Pete begging for it to be over and trying not to sweat- while holding a smile, and Evelyn peacing-out of the whole thing. Again, Niki- THANK YOU for your patience, friend!!
And ps: this one is going front and center on our family picture wall- Love!
{I mean when did she start looking so grown-up?!?! I know it's the Kindergarten-on-the-horizon talking, but geeeeesh!!}
{Evelyn had just learned to wave bye bye- the bike riders swinging through the neighborhood were getting' the best she's got- the double wave! ;)}
{And our strawberry-haired sweetheart! She was so sweet through the whole thing....
...but who wouldn't be having their Daddy tickle them through the whole thing;)!}
{...a little behind the scenes action- the child would NOT keep that bow in her hair no matter what I did!}
{The two of us...sure do love this guy!!}
{The crew once more!}
Thanks again, Niki! You're amazing...
Ms. Maggie spent her last two days with a few therapy session seeing her favorites. Ms. Mandy and Ms. Tiffany for speech, and Ms. Ashton for aquatic therapy. I know she's not smiling, but maybe it's because she knew it was the end of her time with them. Regardless, these ladies ROCK and are the reason little miss is accomplishing all that she is- we miss you all so much, but so comforting knowing you're making the world a better place for little ones with special needs- Go TEAM!!
And then it all became real in a heartbeat when this bad boy showed up outside our house.
Movers ended up coming a day later than we thought, but they had out house packed up in no time.
Walking around a house that looked like this was slightly depressing, but then when you get a knock on your door and welcome these goofballs into your packed-up house, it puts that smile right back on your face...
Maggie LOVED Ms. Beth, the tickle monster...
...and Harper was soaking UP the friend time with her besties!!!
Thank you SO much Beth and Amanda for the last minute hugs, bag of car treats, and all the good bye giggles- it was the BEST!!!
And then THIS crew came by for last minute hugs as well. LOVE THE PATE FAMILY!!! Already looking forward to the next time we get to hug you guys!!
In true Central Park fashion, there was a water balloon fight the evening before we left. Harper LOVED it!! She was able to hang with all her neighborhood buddies, and their parents were able to help us pack up the last of the things into our car. What a FUN NIGHT!!!
And then... Wednesday came. I left EARLY with the younger two so they could sleep as much as possible on the way to Minnesota. Pete hung back with Harper as the movers finished loading our home into a semi (I'm kinda glad I wasn't there for the final moments- would have boo-hoo'ed for a good while I'm just sure of it)... and away we went!
BENTONVILLE, AR IS AMAZING!!!! I know I was a bit skeptical about moving there in the first place, but I'm telling you, there is something special about it. The area- so nice, quaint, and fun. The homes and neighborhoods- fun, affordable, and super safe. The people- truly incredible. Love it all and really REALLY hope our path leads us back down that way- until next time- LOVE YOU GUYS!!!
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