Life in boxes

We are about to be reduced to living out of suitcases in one week. The movers will be here to pile our stuff onto the truck and then we'll be homeless for 2 weeks. Last night we were talking about how wierd it's going to be to have no home for that time. Our poor furbabies will be at the kennel for that time and we'll be traveling to live with family for that time. On July 7 we'll begin the 1200 mile trek to Denver! How am I supposed to pack enough stuff for us to live for 3-4 weeks (til we get our shipment) and fit it all in our cars!? This is proving a challenge. I'm not one to pack light.

My dad suggested that during our time in Michigan, we visit Frankenmuth for a day. In my family that was a yearly tradition, the trip to Frankenmuth. You are supposed to go up there, walk around these quaint little tourist shops for a few hours, while loading up on treasures like logo shot glasses and fudge. After a few hours you go sit down to a family style chicken dinner which is served by women or men in traditional German attire. Then you hit the world's biggest Christmas store on the way out.

If you interested in more information on Frankenmuth, just call their number at
1-800-Fun-Town.

Yep.

I can't believe how quickly time is passing...it seems like just yesterday Marty accepted the offer in Denver, and now we just have 2 weeks until we close on the sale of this house...eeek! I have some mega packing to do!!

EB is officially on summer break. It was sad to say goodbye to her teachers and friends at school. But she got lots of contact info so she can keep in touch. Now she and LM are busy getting in as much play time as they can with their buddies before we move. And OMG I cannot believe my baby girl is a 4th GRADER now...geez where do the years go? She is going to be as tall as me soon.

On the karate front: EB tested and earned her red/orange belt last week. Tomorrow LM takes his very first test to earn his red/white belt. They really like karate and we are hunting down a school in Denver that teaches the same style so they can continue in this particular discipline.

New house!

Marty went to Denver for several days to house hunt, and he found our new home!! Pretty much all of the subdivisions built in the last 20 years have pools, tennis, walking trails, etc...our new neighborhood will have those amenities, AND we are a half mile from the kids school, one mile to shopping or restaurants. Everything there is laid out so that you can walk or ride your bike everywhere, even along main roads. I am really excited to have the chance to be more active, not just in all of the snow sports and other big mountain activities, but in day to day life.

Moving to Colorado!!

Well by now you know that we are moving to Denver! This is a move that we have been open to if the right situation presented itself, and it did. Marty's company offered him a position out west and he really wants to go for it. As much as I'll miss those who I've grown close to in Liberty Township, this is not where my roots are, so it's not too hard for me. The kids are taking it well, Emma is sad to leave her best friends but she is excited for our new adventures. She has always made friends easily and I know she will be fine.

I've talked to people at some schools and we have decided to move to the suburb of Parker. I'm really excited to have found schools that are much like the one we are leaving, good schools are so important to me.

Beyond that, we have a lot of things to do with preparing for the move. Our home sold in under a week and while we are extremely grateful, we weren't prepared for it to happen so fast! We have to be out of here by June 25... Eeek!

Updates on the kids: LM is out of preschool...I can't believe our little man will be a big, bad kindergartener soon! He joined karate like EB, and he LOVES it. He had a brief, muddy spring soccer season and had fun. He really likes soccer and will probably continue in it for the next few years at least, I imagine. EB has a week left of school. She has mixed feelings, eager for summer and sad about it being the last days with her friends at Van Gorden. She is going strong in karate and was preparing to join the competition team for the dojo...she is sad about leaving that opportunity, but we know we'll get them into karate as soon as we get settled in Denver.

And I will be sure to post tons of pics!!!

Even though he's just turned 5...

Yesterday Marty jr. was chillaxin'...watching a little TV. A commercial for baby bottle pops came on. He declared, "I love baby bottle pops, I haven't had one of those in years."

Happy Day!

Today is a big day at the Brann house. It's Marty jr.'s birthday! He is the big 5 today. I can hardly believe how fast our kids are growing up. It seems like just yesterday he was a sweet, sleepy newborn....and in just a few minutes he's going to come downstairs to open his presents and blowout the candle on his birthday cupcake, and then quite likely request to immediately play his new lego starwars video game :)

And for our even bigger girl, tonight is her musical! The annual school musical is a big deal in this house. Each year Emma has tried out for a solo part and has earned one. She LOVES performing and this is a wonderful time for her, hence for us.

Grandma and Grandpa Brann are coming down to share the afternoon/evening with us. Emma was thrilled Grandpa came to watch her performance last year and is so excited to have them both come to see her musical. It's a long haul for them to come on a weekday evening and we're so happy they want to come celebrate with us.

Happy Day!!

Well said!

Emma (while looking through her microscope):

"I've learned something, camel hair is not very appealing."