Wow, this one is even longer.
With under two weeks left, the final goodbye gatherings started.
The Schicks - such precious friends, we savored this night out at Kramer's in DC.
VBS week at 4th came at a perfect time. I got to pack like crazy, and our boys got to spend time with their friends. Here Will is singing up front with his sweet neighbor friend Matthew.
Dinner with the Skaggs, our dear across the street neighbors.
And then came a wonderful send off party with sweet friends at the Gilbert's home.
Dishing up the delicious grub from Rocklands bbq
Liz and Carin
Chris, the infamous K's, and Mike.
Newcotts!
Loved sitting around the table with this crew - Grandpa Jerry, Grandma Dee Dee, Grandma Kathy, Bill B, Tommy, Abigail, Jean, myself, and Terri.
So many sweet friends, Palma's, Yancey's, Smedley's, Yingling's, Perrins, Robinsons.
The were many valiant battles.
Kokulis', Jim Byrne, and Newcotts. So may hours spent on this couch with dear friends every Tuesday.
Huffs and Thatch's!
Aimee and Annemarie - Aimee goes back to 3rd grade, Annemarie a dear Tuesday Bible study friend.
Epic.
These battles were intense.
Jim telling us about that time Chelsea Clinton came to TBC at 4th - apparently the secret service don't like it when you get too close with a chain saw.
The Bronsons!
The Mums. I was so thankful my mom could be there for a week to help pack.
The Buekemas
The Korrosy's and Meyers!
Sweet Ashley - dear friend from 4th, and an old co-worker at AU.
Aunt Gin.
We are going to miss being close to these guys.
And these guys. Thanks Choi's for throwing such an amazing party.
Kato - dear dear friend and hostess extraordinaire.
We felt so loved and spoiled.
Dave teaching his last YCF class. A lot of years, a lot of history in this room.
We wanted Caden to be able to celebrate his birthday with friends, so we threw him a birthday party just a few weeks early. We rented the old gym at 4th School - it was so fun to come back to such a special place with friends from his new school.
Store bough cake was necessary - our cake pans were packed.
The balloons were Seahawks colors - Seattle already on his mind.
Dave led them in games.
Making up their own team cheer.
It was so fun to be back in the 4th school gym!
Kaleigh was such a good sport.
And so were the parents and grandparents - this was "Peg the Parents"
A Football cake for our football loving boy.
Eating cake in the gazebo.
Announcing the winners.
We sped to church (after getting shoes real quick at the Nordstrom sale) to get to the Sunday evening VBS service.
One last outing with Aimee to the National Cathedral cafe for coffee.
Caden's message to our neighbors "Bye, I'm moving to Bainbridge".
Love this girl - she was so sweet to come and help us pack.
One last run, and coffee with our precious Chelsea.
We had one last swim meet the night before our moving truck arrived. Andrew is cheering Will on in his race.
There he goes!
I'm so glad we were able to be part of swim team season!
Will getting his pre-team metal.
Grandpa and Grandma were sweet to come watch.
Andrew with his buddy Alex. I will never forget the image of Alex chasing our car down the road in his bare feet.
The big day arrived - our moving van was there bright and early. Our bulk trash pickup was ready.
Jean and Sparky popped by with coffee - love them.
Our sweet neighbor Ashley.
As I was driving back from Giant, I saw the car carrier with Dave's car pulling out! He met them at a gas station.
Chris and Ginnie were kind to take our boys for one last sleepover. I love this picture.
I was so happy we ran into the Yancey's as we were turning our keys in. Love these friends. And Will loves his Will Y.
Our van was PACKED.
We spent our last night at Grandpa Jerry and Grandma Dee Dee's. Hannah, Martin, Chris, Ginnie, and the kids came for dinner - which was sweet and tearful. I'll never forget walking up to the house and seeing them all sitting around the table through the window - after the being so focused on getting everything packed and loaded, it suddenly hit me that we were leaving everyone.
The Choi's came to send us off the next morning. Lots of hugs. We were so glad they were coming to visit in just a few weeks.
Tears and smiles.
Grandma Dee Dee blowing last kisses.
And then we were off.
Just. Like. That.
