Sunday, June 11, 2017

New Mesa Rental

Sadly our time at a temporary rental after we sold our home came to an end. We had moved to the mesa from downtown to a lease that was only five months but was also the only decent thing we could find in a decent price range while we figured out what to do. Well it turned out to be one of the best decisions we had ever made. We love LOVE the neighborhood, the neighbors, the community, the proximity to the beach and on and on and on. And temporary became almost two years because they kept extending our lease. Until one day, it sold. 

So the painful process of moving began.





Friends came over the night before our move to "help" us pack. 




Downsizing by doing some "shredding" of unneeded paperwork. 



And then the next morning we were off on what ended up being one of the biggest rain storms we have had this year in Santa Barbara. I can't think of anything else worse than having to move but moving in the rain.


The movers began to deliver our stuff a half a mile away. Yep, we found a little gem nearby that is about 500 feet from the beach. So basically, you walk out our front door and around the corner and then you are at the point of Leadbetter. 




Moving is the worst! The only silver lining is getting rid of a ton of stuff, which we did. 





As we moved things in, we realized our old furniture was too big and just didn't really fit aesthetically. I feel like we have moved twice since we have been here because we have been shifting a lot of old furniture out and new stuff in. It's a little beach house which needed smaller, more beach-y things. So slowly all of our dark furniture has been replaced. 




I even bumped into this crazy crew while out shopping one day! 











Still a work in progress but hopefully soon each of the rooms will be transformed. 


And we, along with many other families who have lived at the previous rental, said a final goodbye with some graffiti, I mean, ART, before we officially left the property for good. 


Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Samantha's 9-year Checkup


Hearing passed. 


Eyes 20/20 in the left, 20/40 in the right. No need to correct that, yet...


63 pounds (50%), she gained 7 pounds since last year.  


55 inches (88%), she grew 3 inches since last year. 




Healthy and happy!


Monday, May 29, 2017

Random December Photos



Attended the Gals Give Back holiday fundraiser with Jillian. 



And then kept the party going downtown afterward. 


Samantha and friends on the Goleta Valley Girls Softball holiday float down State Street. 



Our big fluffy Christmas tree! 


I think Todd picked it up from Costco. Or Home Depot? I can't remember. Either way, we skipped the traditional Christmas tree farm, again. 


Trimming the tree and going through all the fun decorations the kids have made since they were little. 



I have never seen Thatcher vacuum so well. I mean, he had his body in all sorts of contortions in order to get up every single pine needle.







Guess I didn't take a picture with all the ornaments...


Holiday decoration boxes also unearth Lollipop's decorations. She looks thrilled! 


Not the best photo but we did have a pretty lit-up house.


Our reindeer blew off the roof about every two days. 



I was tasked with helping the Pirozzi family get a holiday card photo. 


This job was WAY over my head and I was using Jill's fancy camera I had no idea how to use. 


A little blurry but ended up coming out cute. I won't be changing careers any time soon. 


Alexis turned 40! 


Grey Matter Marketing holiday dinner at Les Marchands. 


Celebrating Victoria and Willa's soon-to-be arrival at the Bacara. 


Jenny turned 40!








Thatch was skeptical if he was going in to say hi to the real Santa. He walked in. Gave him a glance. And walked out. My guess is he wasn't impressed. 


Lot's of sugary projects were done in first grade this month. 




Samantha doing a holiday drawing with her little buddy at school, Taylor. 


Pajama day at school and look at the twinsies. 


Thatcher's Kwanza doll art. How cute is this?!


The newest dog on the Mesa, Otis! 


Duo's holiday party! 



Mesa Burger opened! 






San Roque Supper Club holiday party. What in the world are Andrew and Todd discussing?! 



Tacky gift exchange. We gifted Jules with a wearable elf! 



Our favorite holiday decoration for the house. 


Christmas vacation play dates. 










Jenny Schatzle holiday party!


Of course her party included a mile run. 






Signed a lease on a new Mesa house! 


One giant play date for parents and kids to get us through another day of Christmas vacation and NO SCHOOL! 


Every time we go to Lure, Thatcher hangs out with the oyster shucker, Mikey. 


And Mikey always sends over dessert. 


Not surprising, Lure is Thatcher's favorite restaurant (as long as Mikey is working). 


How Santa Barbara kids dress in the rain. 


Day after Christmas craziness at Maggie's house. 




Sierra arranged for a neighborhood trash pick-up at the park for one of her school projects. 


Hair Chalk. 



Last days of vacation. 




Saying goodbye to the giant avocado tree. 


Lisa turned 40!




Rio turned 9! 


Fort building.