Goodbye Big Apple

I love New York! Or so the saying goes...

For us it's been a wonderful experience and the statement rings true. Three years together saw an engagement in Paris, a marriage in St. John, and a birth in Manhattan. For Ella, it was the home she came home to and the only home she's known.

The weeks in June were non-stop activity based upon transitioning to a new job (Mom staying home full time), wrapping up school (a future at UW for dad), preparing for a new career challenge in Seattle, packing up an apartment, visiting Seattle to look for a new home, and moving into a hotel for the last week in the city. Through it all Ella was a joy. You would not have noticed all the activity or the various locales we called home for the night.

Ella shows a little flair as the closets are organized for packing.

During our last couple weeks in the city Mom & Dad too Ella to many of our old haunts. Many of our friends insisted on spoiling us with dinners out about town (or drinks), but for our last night in Manhattan Ella's godmothers arranged a laid back evening over at Kristi's apartment. With all the buzz surrounding the packing of the apartment and temporary stay at a hotel, the night was a perfect way to spend an evening.

As usual, no stress for Dad.

With Ella out west, Tucker will lose his competition for Kristi & Kerri's attention. Ella will surely miss having her toes licked by the big kitty.

Kerri never got her wish to play charades (or even Cranium) on the final evening. Maybe more wine would have done the trick. Anyhow it was a schoolnight...

Even a low key evening will wear out the munchkin.