Today was another incredibly productive day. Michael staged things, while Stacia and I bought groceries AND made another trip to ST Vinnies. We bought all their blankets - don't try the one on Q street if you are looking for blankets. Blankets are great to wrap around furniture. They do have a great Instant Pot for $20 - missing the seal(4.50) and liner (19.95) both available on Amazon. I wanted to buy it - but "saner" heads prevailed. NO EXTRA BUYING until we are in Alaska.
When we got back to my folks', Stacia put away groceries, Michael and I climbed in the attic and got down the girl's coffee tables and end tables, and began wrapping and loading furniture. Will dropped by around lunch. We enjoyed a bit of a visit and he helped Michael and Cory with some lunky items.
Cory (below left) got off work at 0900 and joined us around 1030 to pack the rest of the trailer. This involved a lot of juggling as we had big furniture items and a distinct shortage of things to "stuff in cracks." Cory had helpfully brought some boxes they had packed which helped to make a "tight fit."
They did fit in MUCH we hadn't expected to get in. 😊👍😀
My elliptical fit!!!! Barely...and the oak mirror right at the back door.... |
They did it! This is how we bond with son in laws. |
By 2:45 p.m. we were loaded. We COULD put some clothes from BreZaak in the cracks.....but none of us really want to unload things to fill cracks at this point. We'll probably repack in Olympia with the clothes BreZaak gave us to take up.
The plan is for the Kayak and 2 or 3 bikes to ride on the sides of the trailer. The others on the Jeep.
Can you read the Kayak? We plan to do some more inking. |
Michael left one of our trailer tires to be mounted for a spare last week when we bought new tires. He went to pick it up and they'd LOST OUR TIRE. They gave us a brand NEW tire free. We have spares for the jeep, spares for the trailer, extra gadgets and such for the RV....I think we're ready.
We asked BreZaak and CoRielle if we could have a "family meeting." Family meetings were a "thing" Michael and I instituted years ago. Lately, we've been hearing from the older ones that they disliked them. Ah well - what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. 😏 Michael and I tended to wander in those meetings, we don't do that so much these days. We often addressed behavioural or character issues in those meetings.....because it was easier to lay the base line in a group and then work one on one. We still have family meetings with the younger three - they seem much funner than the earlier ones. I think we've grown in our 32 years of parenting. 😀🙌😛
That's the back story. The kids were eager for this FAMILY MEETING.....we discussed the logistical details of having 7 extra people move in with our 5...and merging 3 distinct family units....We know which rooms they want. We have somewhat of a plan for meals. We brainstormed where to put big items and discussed the merits of wood and carpet flooring. That sort of thing. WE LOVED Izaak's suggestion to have a weekly family meeting to make sure we're all still on track! Way to go, son! You've got it! 😀😀😀 We reminded the girls they are adults now; these meetings will not be about character training. They may have been doing a bit of groaning and gnashing of teeth.
Added benefits of this meeting were seeing Bella and Gideon, and praying as a family before we began the trek north and they finished their last weeks here. Michael and I decided NOT to leave in the morning. We will have a "down day," I will take Mom to a neurology appointment, we'll rest and start out on Wednesday instead.
Granna and Gideon |
Grandpa and Gideon |
BreZaak bought Bella her very own backpack. She LOVES it. She'll be able to carry a couple of things...which is helpful in an airport.
Izaak and Bella |
She is READY to go places!
Bella is sweet with Gideon. She DOTES on him and watches very carefully over him when others are around.
Gideon and Bella |
Of course Bella wants Auntie Arielle - why would Uncle Cory try to compete with that???😏😉😏
Cory, Arielle, Bella and Baby S too. |
We said goodbye, "See you again in Alaska!"