Moving Update

So it's been a busy 2+ weeks. We officially closed on our house, but not after it was delayed for 4 days due to bank/inspection issues. Then off to Hanover where we moved all of our stuff up 2 flights of stairs and a ladder to Darik's old bedroom in the loft (thank you in-laws for letting us put our stuff in your house for 2-3 years). Of course, Darik hurt his ankle playing hockey 4 days before we left and packing your entire house and moving it doesn't exactly lend itself to healing so his ankle has yet to heal....if it's not better when we get to SA then he'll have to get an X-ray...

We then went to Chazy, NY to see my family, then to Albany to spend the night with Aunt Christine and then to Gold, PA for the family reunion. That was a lot of fun. Good to see people I only see once a year and fun to camp with my family...everyone was there which was fun too.

Then back to Chazy for more time with family. Of course, because a 9 hour car ride isn't enough, we got back to Chazy to realize the door lock had broken while we were gone. So, instead of going inside the house, mom, Rigel and myself drive off to the police station to see if they can help us with the door. Meanwhile, Rigel is wondering why we aren't stopping at "Grandma's house". I remind him that police help people and that we are going to the station to ask them to help us. He gets very excited about the "officers" only to have us arrive at an empty station. So, we turn around to head back and Rigel asks if the "officers are helping other people open their doors". We eventually get in the house when I climb in the kitchen window.....

The rest of the visit in Chazy was nice and gave lots of time for conversation with family, visits to Preston's office, finishing up the next two family photo albums, and a bit of downtime.

On Friday we left for a wonderful time with college friends. They had asked a couple months ago if we could all get together in July for a last get together before we left. It was really special to have time to play games, talk, loose badly at minigolf, learn ultimate frisbee, and generally be together. We are really fortunate to have such great college friends...it's been 7 years since I've graduated and we still get together a couple of times a year.

Now we are back in Hanover and have until next Sunday to pack all of our stuff AND, most importantly and scarily, get our work visas. I called this morning and found out that the person that would have processed our request at the Consulate in NY has returned to South Africa and our applications have been sent to the Embassy in DC....5 mailing days before we leave...I'm just a bit nervous.

Other items of note:

Rigel is hilarious and talking up a storm. Highlights include a conversation that went:

Rigel- "where is grandma and campa"
Me- " do you mean grandma and g, g, grandpa?"
Rigel- " no mommy, campa...with a C"

Rigel- long conversations and narrations about everything including the trains at grandma's house, fireworks, deer in the woods