Belle Isle

We just completed our first three weeks in Virginia.  The week was busy with things like

Painting our toes

Creating a compost bin

Mowing the lawn for the first time

And going out for frozen yogurt

Steve also completed orientation for residency.  We watched the craziest one hour storm ever and were slightly worried for a minute that we might have to figure out what to do if our power didn't come back on.  We attempted to get library cards and I got completely lost while driving one day.

Today technically starts our 4th week here.  We started if off right by registering our vehicles and applying for driver's license.  I'm pretty sure while we were there somebody must have thought we were the worst parents in the world, but Cadance never cried or screamed, so whatever else she was doing, like wondering around in a circle and laying on the ground, pretty much mean success in my book.

Afterwards we went to Belle Isle.  It's a small island in the James river that is only open to foot traffic. It has a walked path around the island with walkways out to rocks.  There were lots of people out for picnics, sunbathing and swimming in the river, so next time we're bringing out swimsuits.

Foot bridge that hangs under the main highway

View from bridge to downtown Richmond

Stopping for lunch

Cadance wanted to get right in

  

We just thought this was a funny face

Wading in the river

A Bold Move

So we know we've talked to some people about our painting adventures, so here are the pictures.  We still have one more day of touch up, but it's pretty much done and we're super excited!

This is our pre-painted room.

Day 1
We bought paint and supplies and blocked the walls for the first coat.

Day 2
We painted all the walls this fabulous grey color.

Day 3 
The orange was added to the diagonal walls and window wall

Day 4
Steve blocked for the stripes to be added.

Day 5 
White stripes were added!

We love how much more awake this room is!  Cadance got very excited when she saw it this morning.  We think it's going to make a great play room and craft area.

Steve did most of work, with me in supporting roles, so thank you Steve for making this possible.  It's going to be so much fun!

The Move

So here is what should be like 5 posts in one.

This is what our apartment looked like in our last few days in Fort Worth

What's more amazing is how quickly Cadance caught onto the fact the meals were now served in the middle of the living room.  After a wonderful weekend in San Antonio we came back up to Fort Worth on Sunday, said good bye to friends, packed up the truck, and left Monday morning.

With fabulous Steve and his dad taking the lead, my dad and I took a not so leisurely two days to arrive in Virginia.  We drove through Arkansas in the craziest storm ever

Entertained Cadance

Ate what some believe is the best BBQ in the country.  (I'm still thinking about the pork tips!)

And, dealt with this little beauty

Can I just say, once again, thank you dad for taking the journey with me.

The house is coming along.  Here are some things I love about our new digs: I can pretty much get from 7am to 8pm without turning on a light, Target, Barnes & Nobles, and groceries are within walking distance, water from the tap is drinkable, the backyard, and all boxes we don't want to deal with are conveniently stored upstairs and out of sight.

Also, Cadance seems to be liking the house a lot too.

More updates soon, maybe, we still don't have internet at home yet.

Eleven Days Til Move

Cadance ate like 5 pieces of a sushi roll, which both surprised and delighted us.  We left out the wasabi.

We watched "We Bought a Zoo for Christmas" tonight.  Matt Damon is a dream boat.

All the pictures around our house are now in boxes.  It oddly makes me feel like we're moving in, not moving out.

I said goodbye to my doctor, which I'm pretty sure is extremely odd.

I went to Sprouts for probably the last time, although I may need to find another excuse because I like it so much.

Cadance decided she no longer likes baths.  In all of the horror that that implies.

I still can't decide if I should be stressed out because there's too much to do in not enough time or if I will have way too much time on my hands.

Dr. Ellsworth

I'm married to a doctor.  I keep telling myself this in case I forget.  It began official sometime about 3:30 last Saturday.

It's all very exciting.  One of those things where there really isn't much to say about it except that it's amazing this step is done and that everybody was right- it does go by quickly.

It was wonderful to have family in town to celebrate.  Here are some pictures at the graduation.

Gary, Cindy, and Jane

Gabby and Carolyn

Keith and Susan

And afterwards

Everyone

Cadance and Steve

Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible.  Thank you for your friendship, support, and prayers.

What's Going on in Our House

Steve is graduating in 4 days.  He's currently trying on his cap and gown.

We received notice that our house is in line for underwriting.  I think that's the most nerve wracking phrase ever.  I hope it's a short line.

For lunch we ate at a restaurant called Paco and John.  We wondered why we'd waited so long.

Cadance is saying things like "what's that?" and "mine."

In the course of less than a week Steve and I watched the entire season 6 of Design Star.  Yep.  Get excited.

I made basil lemonade and realized it's the most delicious thing ever.

Our hot tub was 85 degrees yesterday, which made for a fabulous swimming pool for Cadance.

We have not started packing.

We're Going to The Zoo, Zoo, Zoo

Today was zoo day.  Get excited.  Cadance liked running around looking at stuff and we had fun showing her animals.  I think she was mostly in a state of awe at all the new stuff there was to look at.  Her favorites were the fish tanks and elephants.

Running around

Riding the tortoise in front of the reptile house

By the flamingos

Riding the alligator

Sweet lion giving us a roar

Cadance looking at something

By the elephants

Giving some love to the fake elephant