Saying Goodbye to Atlanta

The time between Joseph getting his offer from Netflix (May 20) and us flying out to California to live (July 8) was 7 weeks.  Joseph said that was a long time, but I think it was pretty quick for wrapping up a life in a city where we had lived for 16-17 years.  We crammed a lot of things into those last few weeks.  Here's a summary.

• Sold our house - We listed our house for sale two weeks after we decided to move.  It took a LOT of work to get the house ready for listing.  A lot of cleaning and purging, plus a few small projects.  Joseph and I worked nonstop for 4 days straight to get ready for the photos.  It paid off, as we were under contract at full list price after just 6 days.  That was a huge relief - I don't know how I could have kept the house clean with two small children and in the midst of a move.
• Visited San Jose - The relocation package included a trip to visit the area and look for housing.  We met with a Realtor, Cristina, and looked at several houses.  We also drove around and explored different areas of the city.  It was a helpful visit since we narrowed down where we would like to live, but we didn't find a house (and we didn't really expect to on our first weekend of searching).  We also toured two daycares.
• Mom Visit - My mom had a pre-planned visit to Atlanta, so she was with us for 9 days in June.  She was helpful, as always!
• Parties - Our friends the Brunes and Edwardses hosted a going away party for us.  It was really great to see everyone together one last time, and the kids had a great time playing.  The following weekend we hosted a party at our house for Nest and neighborhood friends.  We also went to four children's birthday parties during our final weeks in town (Parker, Wren, Sawyer, & Lena).  I think we got to see almost all of our friends before we left, so we were really happy about that.
• Random logistics - Took care of random things like taking Lucy to the vet for a checkup, getting the cars serviced, getting a final haircut from my awesome stylist, etc.
• Research - If you know me, you know I like research.  I spent a ton of time looking at real estate listings, researching schools for the kids, learning about the area, etc.
• Actual packing and moving - While the relocation included packing and loading, we still had to do a good bit ourselves.  We knew we'd be in temporary housing for at least two months and most of our belongings would be in storage, so we had to determine what we'd need in temporary housing and pack it.  I ended up shipping a box to our apartment so we weren't completely overloaded with luggage on the plane (although we still checked 5 bags, 2 car seats, and a cooler full of breast milk).  The packing/loading process was pretty stressful.  The packers got burned out by the end of the day and left a lot of loose items unpacked, which we had to deal with ourselves.  The movers came the next day to load the truck, and for some reason they brought a half full truck.  Of course all of our belongings didn't fit on it, so they had to go get another truck around 4pm, which took a long time.  I had anticipated the movers finishing by 5 or 6, so that we could pick up the kids from school and come home to say a family goodbye to the house.  But they were still waiting on the new truck at 6, so we got the kids and Joseph dropped us off at the hotel by the airport.  He went back to oversee the rest of the loading and didn't get to the hotel until 9, so my lovely family evening didn't happen.  But at least Lola and I enjoyed a room service dinner while waiting for Daddy :)

Here is a photo download from our last two months in Atlanta (and a few from before we found out we were moving too, since I was behind on posting).

Uncle Philip was in town for work and paid us a visit!

So happy to see her uncle

Poppy & Meemaw came through town on their way home from Texas

Lola's first haircut!  With the wonderful Marie

So excited

She did great

No more mullet!

Doggy kisses

Play date at the park with Mackenzie

Spinning

Joseph pushing the girls on the tire swing - I think Jessica was having a heart attack :)

Blowing bubbles with Wally

Playing with school friends at teacher Ginny's going away party

Cute guy

Tummy time with Lucy watching

Porch swing

Zoo with the DePetros - the day after we found out we were moving

Trying out the jumper

Smiley boy

At Parker's birthday party in Cabbagetown Park

Matchy-matchy

Sweet girls

Excited to wear Anna's old dress

Buzz

Flying to SFO for our California visit

She didn't nap on the plane, so she passed out immediately in the car

She loved the hotel and her sofa bed

Ice cream treat after dinner

Playing at Vasona Park

Thomas wanted to ride too

Thomas just passed out sitting on our bed while we were doing computer research

Back in Atlanta, enjoying a walk in Grant Park

Overalls!

Cool guy

With Eden & Hank at Wren's birthday party

Scoping out the cake at Sawyer's birthday party

With Paige at our going away party

Mike, Conrad, Thomas, & Paige

Mom,Thomas, Arnie, Conrad, & Mike

Lola eating by herself

With my girls :)

Thanks for a great party, Sarah!

With Kelsey

Future besties

Walking around the neighborhood

Mark & Lola at Lena's birthday party

Enjoying the splash pad

She loved the sunglasses favor

Relaxing on the porch

With school friends Preston, Hank, & Helena at our going away party

Naked girl in the pool

Saying goodbye to Grandma

Father's Day brunch at Waffle House

Daddy snuggles

(Slightly out of order) Another goodbye photo with Grandma

Popsicle fun at our going away party - Lola, Eden, Wren, & Colin

We will miss these friends!

One last bath in the clawfoot tub

Lola & her buddy Preston at school

Balancing Thomas

I found Lola nursing her baby doll :)

Floor time

Play time at the Brunes'

Lola, Mark, & Hannah

Thomas relaxed on a towel

Couch cuddles

July 4th party at the Downs'

Saying goodbye to Lucy :(

We know she is in good hands with Meemaw & Poppy

We miss you!

Boxes upstairs

Boxes in Thomas' room

Boxes in Lola's room

Boxes in the kitchen!

Boxes everywhere!

More boxes

Sibling cuddles in the crib on our last night at home

Sweet kids

We brought the kids popsicles on Lola's last day of school

We will miss the Nest so so so much!!

Reading the super sweet book they made for Lola

Joseph swinging the kids around

Lola scoping out the empty house

Goodbye house!

Checking into the hotel by the airport

First room service means we must get dessert!