MOVING!!!

Part of the reason I am so far behind on blogging is because of our BIG move from Michigan to Spokane, WA!! This was by far the best one ever, since we got to use a moving company. Jon went to Spokane to start a little early, and then came back for the actual move. Since he wasn't going to be around to help pack, I also had the moving company help pack a bit- and let me tell you, that is the way to go! I did about half myself, but boy it was nice for the help.

Since they would also ship our van, we decided to take a detour and drive to Florida first for a trip to Disneyworld, and they ship our van from there and FLY to WA. While our stuff was crossing the frozen February country, we would have a nice little warm vacation! Definitely the thing to do- we had a blast!

Our truck as it was packed (our stuff only filled about half):

It about broke my heart, though, when the neighbor boy, Christian, who always played with the kids came over on moving day with tears in his eyes and said "WHY DO YOU GUYS HAVE TO MOVE?" It is hard to say goodbye to friends, that's for sure.

We stayed the night at our good friends, the Kaminski's, after our stuff was hauled away, we finished cleaning and before we took off for our drive to Florida.

On the way to Florida, we spent the night ONE last time at Laura's in Ohio, then we took two easy days of driving to get to Orlando (spending the night near Atlanta).

Lillian and Rachel- Lillian sure misses her cousin- they are two of a kind!

We were packed so full for our drive!!

It was fun to drive through states I had never been to- Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia! It was also so fun to see the seasons change as we drove south- from freezing Detroit weather to 75 degrees and sunny! Nice.

On to Disney!

Last 6 months in Michigan- part 9: A crazy new year's week!

2012 came in with a lot of drama! I decided to visit my sister Laura in Ohio (without Jon, since he couldn't get the time off) for several days and to celebrate the new year and for one last longer visit. After a fun filled New Year's Eve, things started to get a bit crazy! Truly, heaven was watching over us because we saw several miracles amidst all the craziness! One day after the festivities- Tyler woke up in the morning throwing up- - oh joy! Laura came in and was helping me take care of things and we heard her husband Chris calling urgently to her (so unlike my brother in law to get stressed about anything- so we knew something big was happening). Come to find out Ben (my 7 year old nephew) had a seizure and was non responsive. Minutes later the paramedics came and off to the hospital he went, where he would spend the next several days while they did tests. He ended up being fine, though he will be prone to seizures. Meanwhile, I stayed behind at the house with all the children- - and had fun as I took care of Tyler and Lillian who both got really sick with the stomach bug. Lizzy (the one year old) also was kind of a mess with a major ear infection. So, it wasn't quite the "vacation" we were hoping for- BUT I am soooo glad I was there during this stressful time for my sister. Because we were visiting, they were able to catch the seizure sooner because he was sleeping in their bedroom. Also, it made it easier for them to go back and forth to the hospital, and I was there for moral support and to help back at home. Despite the craziness, it was still nice to visit- - and it is amazing how how the Lord was watching out for my little nephew, who was able to get the care he needed so quickly.

Last 6 months in Michigan part 8- Holidays 2011

Thanksgiving and christmas- and everything inbetween! What a glorious last few months of our time in Michigan. After the holidays were over, pretty much everything revolved around getting ready to move in February.

Thanksgiving with the Coons!! I am writing this post after moving, and my heart aches when I see these pictures- it was so wonderful to be able to drive 3 hours and see a beloved sister and her family. I miss it so much!

Thanksgiving dinner!

We had fun going on a carraige ride (a member of her ward puts this on)

Downtown Dayton, Ohio puts on fun Christmas festival during Thanksgiving weekend to kick off the holidays! It was fun to walk around and see the beautifully decorated downtown buildings, do crafts, the scavenger hunt, call an elf in the north pole (the pictures where the kids are on red phones), and best of all, see Santa!

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Our other fun outing for that weekend was the amazing Air Force Museum - Dayton, Ohio is famouse for it's aviation history- and this was truly a sight to see!

Back at home, the month of December went by in a blur. Fun with friends, cub scouts, school and ward parties . . that was only part of it! The first week of December is when Jon and I went to Spokane to look at houses to buy. I actually posted about this back in December right after we went- so I know this is a bit out of order as I am writing my "catch up" posts half a year later!
Anyway . . . it was a quick and exciting trip as we prepared to make an offer on a house. We spent much of December thinking and praying about what we should do. We actually picked one house (the one on Rolland that was a short sale), but then after three weeks and realizing we wouldn't be able to get it in time or for the price we wanted, we changed to a different house- the one we live in now (on Calispel Ct). Now that we are here and have lived here awhile, I can truly say that we made the right choice!!!!!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE our cul-de-sac and neighbors, and the elegance and functionality of our house.

So back to Michigan we came after our long weekend- and the kids were mostly great with my friend Alicia who stayed with them- I am so grateful she helped us out like this.

Just to show you the craziness of the season, though- this is what the girl's room looked like when we got home!! Sigh- back to reality!

I digress, though- it was a wonderful season still. Always so many wonderful things going on.

The ward Christmas party and Cub Scout party:

I love christmas time at our house!!

I-spy christmas book with daddy by the fire- - it just doesn't get better than that.

Except on Christmas eve and day!

Marcus stayed up and helped Daddy set up the train- even building little buildings with lincoln logs!

Sporting our BYU shirts from Uncle Brian!!

On to 2012- good things happening in this Wilson family! To be honest- this is why I am sooooo far behind on blogging . . .

Last 6 months in Michigan part 7: Halloween 2011

Carving Pumpkins . . can you guess what each one is?








(this one is the favorite- the Angry Bird!)



The church put on a fun trunk or treat, and then we spent Halloween night in our good friends, the Bendorf's neighborhood. The kids had a ball trick or treating and we also had fun sitting around their fire-pit on the driveway.

I am not sure why- but I hardly have any pictures from Halloween! We might have had some on the computer before it crashed in January, or on our old video camera which is currently broken (water damage from Disneyworld) . . . maybe I will be able to track some down later and add them. For now I don't have much.

Tyler dressed as a "Detroit Lion"- this was a favorite among the native Michiganders!


Cynthia was an Indian Princess


Lillian was a cheerleader

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and Marcus was Spongebob again (this picture was taken at the ward trunk or treat)



Cynthia and her best friend Macey (who is a zombie cheerleader) on Halloween nt!