*ya llegamos

After a very easy day of travel, we arrived here on Tuesday night!  Seriously, the girls were so good and cooperative.  Edie almost started to have a little fit at the end of the last flight, but finally snuggled into my side and said, "I want to be nice." ?? never heard that from her before.

Anyway so we've been here two days - which from my experience moving around is not enough to say how you are really doing.  Basically we have just hunkered down in our empty one bedroom apartment/dorm because it is unbelievably cold outside.  I think like 12 degrees and -man- the wind is ICY.  Our things have not arrived yet either, so there isn't unpacking to do. I have made calls about insurance, getting Vera in school, took her for a physical, refined my resume, took myself out for lattes and tea [we did finally borrow a pot today to heat water].. that's about it. The girls play on their new bunkbed [yes it's way more stressful than I thought. and taller... ben and I had some miscommunication :)] and I have been reading my book Cutting for Stone and checking my phone 20 times a day :)  Ben is busy teaching and preparing for both his classes and setting up to direct a new Boston semester program he will be in charge of.

I can't really tell you much about the town... I know one street pretty well, but cannot tell you which way is north. Isn't that how it is when you first move? At first you get to know your tiny area and are terrified to leave its perimeter... every day you are a little more comfortable and in a few months you know it all.  I'm ok with being where I am on day 2 :)

Posing next to our massive amount of luggage - I tried to keep it simple, but things kept appearing while we were packing!  The side sling here was SO helpful for holding Edie and having my hands free.  I have always liked being out on my own like this, figuring out logistics [we were in Seattle for almost a week].

cuties on the plane. here they were excited about "ordering" their pretzels and oj:

new bunkbed! bedding hasn't arrived, but we are borrowing from some good friends [the McCoys for any of you plnu folks]  Edie transitioned well from her pac n play [which she has slept in since forever] to a big girl bed!

Vera immediately [without asking :/] decorated the inside slats of the top bunk.  She is very proud of her work and I guess it's fine since you can't see it from the outside.

first meal - at the student commons. it is so weird to be on a college campus!! with kids! hahahah one of my friends said she hopes the girls don't gain a freshman 15 :)  I hope I don't!!  Once our stuff arrives we will be able to eat in our apartment better.

the view from our window:

*more soon!*

*day in Boston

I just found this unpublished post with pictures of our day in Boston when we went for the interview.  The train was a 10 minute walk from campus and then a 15 minute ride to Boston Commons (I think that's what it was called?).  We spent the day walking along the freedom trail and going into historic churches, graveyards, famous eateries and shops to warm up.  We walked at least 6 miles in blowing wind and snow in about 24 degrees - good thing we didn't have the girls with us!  This was the only time I have ever visited Boston - I am so excited to get to know it!!!!

Here is Ben in heaven.  He reminded me of his dad here :)

The Green Dragon Tavern where Paul Revere and someone did something related to starting the revolution [I obviously need to read up on it all].  You can order a Freedom Trail hotdog or a Liberty Nacho plate... I got french onion soup and Ben got -- lobster.

We had dinner that night in the North End Italian district.   Our dinner was good, but not amaazing.  I went off some Chowhound suggestions - a little disappointing.  It was still a good time - super cozy and busy.  I was taking a sly picture here of the hostess who looked like she stepped out of 1982 Italy.

A beautiful room in the Boston Public library.  Carson City just turned down a thing on the ballot for a nice new library - people said libraries are obsolete which I totally disagree with.  Just visit a library like this or Salt Lake's amazing Main library!!

Yeah, who uses libraries?  :)

We picked up one these "lobster claws" recommended by Auntie Carol from the Modern Pastry shop and took it back to our apartment. Sooo good. Kind of gives you a stomach ache :)

On the train, lobster claw in hand. I am looking forward to city living!

Ben is already there - girls and I arrive the 22nd.

*picante!

Have I ever mentioned that Edie loves spicy food?  Once she even finished my green curry dish from Chanon Thai!  Lately she's been loving the jalapeño cheddar my parents serve - she winces a bit and then asks for more.  It's fun to watch :)

*los ...... ?

I forgot how to say deer in Spanish.

I love this house we've been living in, I really do. One fun thing is how often we see deer here! There is literally a path across our front yard - like 10 yards from our window - where they walk through every day. This morning I was out feeding Eloise and heard some rustling behind the fence. I opened the gate and said hello to a cute family of four - including two little guys. We also actually had a family of hawks fighting over a captured dove recently too. I miss the "big city" (haha) of Salt Lake, but I do love being in little Carson City!!

from a few weeks ago - things have been covered with snow and ice at least the last 2 weeks

 

*mr. cater

This was several weeks ago, but I want to remember it.  Ben was a substitute for the school district here this Fall and got to sub for Vera's class 3 days in a row!  They were both so excited.  I wish I had a video of him teaching the kindergarteners - they loved him!  Apparently Vera was really well-behaved - so happy with her dad there :)

*la nieve y el friooo

It's been so cold that the snow is not melting!! It's actually kind of fun here in our circle because you can slide out a bit in the car when you are leaving :) :)

*navidad - parte 2

All of my siblings' families, except Liz and her new husband, were here for Christmas. It was nice that we didn't have to travel at all... but to be honest, this might have been one of the most stressful holidays! I guess because we were trying to organize to move across the country while attempting to get to my parents' fairly early each day to spend time with everyone, help with the craziness of serving dinner for 20-25 each night, deal with total potty-training regression and a 5 year old who unsuccessfully tries to fit in with the older cousins by turning on the extra-silly factor :/ Anyway, despite all of the above, it is still always so wonderful and refreshing to hang out with family - I just love everyone so much and love having time to converse and just be together.

Here are some highlights...

Edie walking up to their house Christmas morning. She was so cute clutching her little friends :)

helping in the kitchen - wearing a little bib I used to wear:

all ten grandkids:

in the kitchen ... food was obviously delicious all week long.  Not on purpose, but every single recipe I suggested or made was Barefoot Contessa.  Her spiral ham, tabouleh, hummus, sun dried tomato dip, roasted eggplant dip...

all the grandgirls:

out of order - edie showing me the paper snowball she made me:

Edie wanted to hide Puppy on this high shelf and biggest cousin Christopher helped her out. There is something about these older boys that my girls just adore :)

I think this one is just beautiful ♥

helping aunt gegi - both of them love to help in the kitchen!!

everyone:

We didn't realize it was snowing outside all during Christmas dinner, but when we left we found at least a foot of new snow! One of those magical times where the snow is falling heavy and soft, a pinkish light in the sky.  So beautiful!  Below is the governor's mansion which the girls request to drive by every time we are out.

***

*feliz navidad 2012

I wanted to get these pictures up before things get crazy with packing!! We had a wonderful Christmas yesterday! It was the first Christmas morning we've woken up in our own home - so fun to set out our stockings and the cookies and milk, open presents at our own pace, etc. Vera is extremely into Santa and fully believes - kids have even told her he's not real and she doesn't believe them. 

***

Santa's big presents were a razor for Vera and a tool box for Edie :)  I'd say Vera's favorite is the Cinderella Barbie-ish doll which she slept with!  Ayyy I've come a long way :)  They also got new jammies to go with the new bunk bed with help from Lola and Pop-pop that will [hopefully!!] be waiting for them in MA.

***

This is the cardboard gold-painted star Vera made all on her own:

There was one little tiny present I wish I tool a picture of - it was really a jar of face cream for me, but Edie was convinced it was a little kitchen for her doggie :)

Edie had her first candy canes this year and looooves them!!  She also loved her little Mickey doll - though when Ben tried to put him in her bed last night she threw it out with vigor :)

Edie loves her doduts too:

Matty got them an original lite-brite!

So many wonderful gifts!  I opened up a couple big packages from the Caters the night before and set them around the tree - looked nice and full and beautiful :)  They wrapped everything up so pretty and had nice little notes on each present - it really felt like they were here with us.

part 2 coming soon..

*the holydays

It's been fun preparing for Christmas this year! It's the first time ever that we are not traveling - I don't usually mind that, but sure does lessen the stress.

This was where we got our Christmas tree - it was such a cute, old fashioned lot.  We totally didn't argue about trees or anything either ;)

Vera is in hyper-decorating mode.  She made a couple paper ornaments like this one and has discovered snowflakes!! It was one of the biggest, most exciting revelations of her life and it has been a battle to get her to clean up all the paper clippings!

We've had the Newells over a couple times. Here is Nate playing the piano for Vera's dance performance:

We went downtown Carson for the lighting of the Capitol - it was very fun and small-town, something I didn't know Carson did!

Vera and my mom made a gingerbread house, something she has wanted to do her whole life.

We were at the mall and the girls really wanted these little bags that came free with a gift certificate.  One of those times where you wonder why you buy them things since something like this is so exciting and wonderful. 

Candy Cane express on the V&T:

We had a little party last week with several families. It was really fun to watch all the kids play.  Wish I had a picture of Edie Morgan feeding Edie Cater crackers :)

Riley and Edie - so glad she has more friends her age!

Reagan and Edie ♥