2013 Summary

Just so I can feel like we captured our year here, I will try to sum up 2013 here and have a clean slate going forward in 2014. 

• We started the year living in a condo in Long Beach, California (this becomes relevant later on).
• In February we traveled to Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. 
• Also in February, Tiago turned 2.
• March was quiet, no trips or major events.
• In April, we spent a weekend in San Diego.  Tiago and I also traveled to Walla Walla, Washington to attend my grandfather's funeral.
• In May, we spent a long weekend in Northern California, a short weekend in Las Vegas visiting some family, and had my parents come visit for a weekend. 
• In June we traveled to Seattle/Vancouver, Jaime's mom came to visit for a weekend, and Tiago and I went to Disney with some good friends who were visiting from Texas. 
• In late June we put our condo on the market.
• In July, we packed up and left California.  Jaime and Tiago flew to Amarillo, I drove from LA to Amarillo, Jaime flew back to California to be there when the movers packed us up, Jaime started a new job in New Orleans mid-month, and by the end of the month we were all living in a rental house in New Orleans.

 Our last 4th of July parade in Long Beach.

 

 The parade always ends with games at the park.

 

 Tiago loved spending time in the pool at the condo - and also enjoyed the recycling boxes.

 

 We miss Glenda, Tiago's favorite babysitter!

 

 My drive from California to Amarillo.  Looked mostly like this.

 

Not a great picture, but note the temperature.  My car did great, but I was a little nervous.

I stopped at one point and the "breeze" felt like a hair dryer.



• Tiago and I spent a few weeks in Amarillo mid-move.

 Snoozing in the blue chair with Jack.

 

 Pumping water at the Museum with Gram.

 

 Riding the saddle at the Museum.

 

The Donut Stop.  It's the best.

• In August we house-hunted in the New Orleans area, traveled to Illinois to attend a wedding, and had Jaime's parents come visit twice.

 We had a huge backyard in the rental house.  Tiago loved it.

 

 Exploring a new park - found a rabbit!

 

 At the wedding in Illinois.  Beautiful setting!

 

It was a really beautiful wedding, we were so happy we could be there!

• In September, we closed on a house and moved in, Tiago started school, and my Mom came to visit for a weekend.

 The moving truck!

 

 A fraction of all the stuff we own...

 

 Just for fun.  One of us loved the "treasure hunt" that is moving.

 

Also for fun.  I have no idea what was happening here.

• In October we spent most of our time settling into the house, trying to empty boxes and fixing things on the house that needed work.

 T was not into Halloween costumes.  But was willing to wear a hardhat...

 

 And some kitty ears, but only at home.

 

Smiley kid.

• In November, we spent one weekend and Thanksgiving week in Houston visiting friends and family.
• In December, we spent about a week in Amarillo with my family for Christmas.

 Decorating the Christmas tree.  A HUGE hit this year.

 

 He loved it, which is why it is still up on January 10.

 

 Our first day in Amarillo we got to see several inches of snow!

 

 Jack reading stories to two little rascals.

 

 One week after the snow, it was 60-degrees so we went hiking in the canyon.

 

 The day was beautiful, and Tiago enjoyed the walk.

 

Hungry Hungry Hippos was a big hit with the under-4 set.

Sorry for the photo dump.  I would like to do so many posts, but if I'm being realistic, it's probably never going to happen.  But at least we captured a summary!  Hoping to do more in 2014.

It's interesting to see the year summarized like this.  No wonder it felt like the 2013 went by so fast!  We loved the time we spent living in California (almost exactly 2 years for Tiago and I) and miss it more than I ever thought we would.  New Orleans is a different world, and I hope to document some of the differences here.  It is more different from Texas than Long Beach was, definitely.  And the weather is nowhere near as good.  But we do feel much closer to "home" and are getting settled in.  It is great having a real house for the first time.

Now in early January, King cakes are showing up for sale everywhere, and we are interested to watch Mardi Gras from the perspective of a local.  I think we may find it to be just a pain in the ... neck ... but we will see!