Then it was back to wrapping up the last few weeks of the year…

Where else can you sail in December? :)

Some hiking…

Some b-day celebrating…

And then LOTS of packing… That was our sad Christmas tree for the year with one lonely ornament as we packed everything else up.

The containers arrived… We were still on pins and needles, awaiting a closing date as our current house had sold and we had to leave by end of the year. The bad news came that our new place wouldn’t be done until later in January. This meant we had to put everything into storage for less than a month, move out and then wait until our house was complete. Wasn’t what we wanted to hear but we just had to accept it and move forward. Thankfully, the builder offered to cover all storage, moving, temporary housing AND food costs while we were “displaced”.

Loading up.

Elias’ growth wall. He is going to miss this place… So many good memories, especially during lockdown.

On the bright side, we got to try some new eats on the builders’ tab… like this new Japanese cheesecake place.

Boba and dessert.

Another Japanese cheesecake place.

IYKYK. :)

Christmas was super bare bones… But the Reason for the Season didn’t change. And despite circumstances, we’re grateful for our Savior, whose birth we celebrate — lowly He came in unideal situations. (What do we have to complain about?) He is unchanging and ever our hope.

Youngest to oldest…

TX friends were in town — long story but they are sibs to our future neighbors (who have already moved into the neighborhood)!

And we met their newest addition to the fam! Her mom was one of our wedding planners and when we got married, they had just had their oldest who is going into high school. Has it really been that long???

New neighborhood playground that we only had like a couple of weeks to try out, haha.

These two are always happy to be reunited since they don’t go to the same school anymore.

Safari play date.

We found them more fascinated with the ducks. :P

Save the chubby unicorns. :))

Jumping attempts.

This made us think of a Pokemon and its trainer. :D

This tree is like, really, really old.

Slushies AGAIN??? When will the parents learn? Never!

More sunset mountain moments to savor before we leave…