From North to South

Our first few weeks in California have mostly been filled with pure chaos in the form of boxes and more boxes, buying cars, activating utilities, living between two houses, stalking the Apple store for an iPhone, registering the kids for school, tying up loose ends in the UK, adjusting to California road rage, watching with tears as our things from the UK were delivered to our new house and a steady stream of visits from UPS and FedEx.

Somehow we made it through this initial period without completely losing our minds. That is probably most likely due to a few intermittent escapes from our chaotic surroundings. At a few key moments (read near meltdowns) we defied rational thinking and left boxes unpacked and loose ends untied and took off. For the day, for the week, whatever! It all helped to clear the mind and nourish the soul.


Lunch at grandma and grandpa's, just an hour away! It was great to get away for the day!


Next we headed south for a week of reunions with friends in the OC (and to see our house for the first time in two years!). It was a little nuts making the drive and spending the week down there riding solo, but it was worth the pain. Our plans got even more exciting when we realized we'd be down south the same time my brother would be there on business. We had a fun day going to lunch and doing some hiking before his flight left.











Our week in OC was just what I needed to refill my tank. It was so wonderful reuniting with good friends after two years away. Our week consisted of lunches with friends, playdates, beach trips, an awesome Amazing Race party and girls nights out (thank you to my wonderful hosts and babysitter for making this all possible!). Sadly most of the fun went undocumented, but here's a few shots.


No doubting which kids just spent two years living in England :)