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 :)

Right Back Where We Started From

Today marks exactly two months since we left London. It's been an unbelievably crazy time of moving and transition. So much has happened, yet so much of it has felt like a painful slow motion dream. We are getting settled. Things are more or less in place, kids are in school and life carries on. I can't say I've made much progress settling in emotionally. My heart is still solidly in London. It feels much like I've just gotten out of a serious relationship. I'm hurt and finding it hard to move on. The post-London blues partially accounts for the lack of blogging, as does the pure insanity of life around here the last few weeks!



But alas here we are, right back where we started from. Back in a town where we lived seven years ago during Scott's law school. It is strange being back in a place that marks many beginnings for us.


Dallin was 9 months old when we moved here and just three and a half when we left. Madeleine spent the first four months of her little life here.


T-man was negative seven when we moved here the first time.

Reunification

Our reentry back into the US began with a family sweat-fest in the American deep south. Landing in small-town southern USA made for some serious culture shock after two years in London, but time with family did some good to distract me from an otherwise unbearable homesickness for London. Our ten-day southern USA tour began with a family reunion through Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama. We spent the balance of our confederate tour at Stone Mountain, Georgia with Scott's mom and then time seeing the sights of downtown Hotlanta with Scott's dad.




Reunion at the lake


This setting was perfect therapy for this nature-loving, city-dwelling boy


Paddle boating was a hit (even at 6:00am, thank you jet-lag)


Perfectly worn lakeside adirondacks


Pathway to the rope swing


Tree person standing guard at our cabin








Canoeing aunts


Fun at the souvenir shops, with first cousins once removed


Ruby Falls






Lakeside critters


Kayaking cousin


I think they would have camped out on the lake if we let them


Kayaking




Canoeing cousins


Dad and Trev


Paddle boating cousin once removed


Madeleine jumps off the rope swing in style!


So surprised we found mobile reception here!


Canoeing uncle and first cousin once removed


What're you laughing about?


So happy in nature!




Dallin made fast friends with his first cousin once removed!


Although not everyone was able to make it, it was still a very large group (and challenging to photograph!)


Good thing the keys weren't in the ignition!


Glow stick dancing by the fire


Sweet home Alabama! (yes they are Georgian plates, but this was in 'bama)


Visiting Rainsville, where Scott's Raines family originates


Ancestor gravesites in Rainsville




The oldest known member of the Rains family dates from the 18th century


Overlooking Chattanooga, Tennessee from Pointe Park of Civil War fame


Visiting Rock City






Hanging out with Scott's aunt helped me understand Scott's fear of heights a little better








Reunion talent show, hooping Madeleine


This impromptu dancing lip-synching act really stole the show!



After a great time at the Rains reunion we spent a few days exploring Stone Mountain, Georgia with Scott's mom. Stone Mountain is the southern Mt. Rushmore commemorating the Confederacy. It is a good place to learn a bit more about the southern side of the civil war, and it's also a fun recreational area.




The Memorial Carving depicts three Confederate heroes of the Civil War: Confederate President Jefferson Davis, General Robert E. Lee and Lt. General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson


Skyride to the top of Stone Mountain


With Scott's mom atop Stone Mountain






Each evening the park hosts a spectacular laser light and fireworks show over Stone Mountain




There are a variety of activities to choose from at the base of the mountain. The kids especially loved the ropes and climbing course


There was even a mini-course for the littlest ones, and Trevon tore it up!




Getting ready for his very first ever zip line!


He loved it!


He couldn't resist having a go at the rock climbing wall


His climb only lasted about 15 seconds


But he sure was proud of himself!


Dallin, Madeleine and Scott hit up the challenging second story ropes course.








One of the highlights of our time in the south was visiting with Scott's step-sister W. She doesn't have use of her legs or arms, never has from the day she was born, but she moves you in a way that nothing physical can compare to.


We don't get to see her often, but when we do I am struck by her bright spirit. When I look at this photograph the influence of W's shining soul is apparent. She makes you smile. My children are notorious for fake smiles in photographs no matter how much bribing or prodding I offer. I said nothing when I shot this photo. The smiles here are a result of the happy influence of W.


W and Scott's mom


Scott and W


After a lovely few days with Scott's mom Scott's dad swung down from nearby South Carolina for a quick visit. We enjoyed our visit with him and getting to see a bit of the heart of Atlanta.


At the World of Coke museum and tour, Coca-Cola is headquartered in Atlanta


We got to see a bottling plant in action and learned a lot about how soft drinks are made


The best part of our Coke tour was the taste test room, which ended here at the flagship product fountains


Dallin was in heaven. He's a big Coke fan. He doesn't get to drink it much ever, so this was a treat!


We also toured the CNN studios. We got to see a live broadcast and learned a lot about how the news is produced and delivered. We even saw one of the news anchors in front of us in the Chick-fil-a queue!