Botanical Garden with just the ladies

Hannah, Megan and I went to the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks and explored last week. The girls just love flowers and looking at fish in ponds, so they really had a blast. Its great to watch through the eyes of a child, they love every little thing. Of course I had to take a picture of almost EVERY single plant that they saw and they found a new favorite in each garden. It was nice to hang out with them and see the garden through the eyes of a child. Then of course we went to Cracker Barrel, which was super yummy. Hannah was mad at me for a while as she wanted to go to a sandwich place ( we used to go to la bou together in CA) but I tried to explain to her that I didn't know where one was...so she refused to talk to me right up until we walked in and she saw the little store inside, then she said " OK mommy, I will give this place a try- but you need to find a sandwich place on the GPS! But until then can I have......"I made it out with only three packages of cotton candy pop rocks. that was a MIRACLE!!!

Birthday Boat and other fun

So Jason finally got a small boat to use on the lake. Sometimes in life when a good deal is there you have to take it. We called it his birthday present, for a few years. On his actual birthday we went on a ride to Eureka Springs ( a small little tourist town) about 45 mins away. It was a good day. We celebrated Jason's 33 years with ice cream cake. This hotel is the Cresent Hotel, which is rumored to be haunted.

Arriving in our new home in Bella Vista, Arkansas

HI all, we made it here (I am still amazed that we all survived three days in the car, Jason of course drove too fast) and have been here for little over a week. The kids are finally settled in thier rooms and we have them unpacked and decorated. So far, we LOVE it. We are still searching to get settled in with jobs, and life in general but we are here and unpacked. A major feat, I had over 50 boxes .

I really can say that all of us miss "home" in California, we miss our old house and our family and friends. ALOT. I hope in time we will find new friends here and come to think of this as our home. Berri is also settling in, she is funny and gets let out of one door, then searches for a way to get back in the house by running around to all the doors, back, gargage and front. its funny. She needs a doggy door.

We took a walk the other night and the kids logged in thier journals the "interesting" things that they saw, including a red bird, blue bird, teeny tiny birds, many flowers, a cottontail bunny and pointy leaves. We found the creeks, lakes and community pool all to be great. we have also seen deer, turtles, and badgers while we have been driving around.

The weather had been SUPER hot, but has settled to just warm. Its humid and will take some getting used to, but we will adjust.

We have been searching for some property to buy and hopefully build our house on. Most days I just want to stay here and never move again.