Joe's new digs....

So Joe has just completed his first official week of work at his new job.  Me too I guess, since now i am going it solo up here in Oregon and Joe is working down in California.  We won't be moving down till near the end of school, hopefully. Depending on how soon we can sell the house.  Joe gets to come home most weekends right now, but when March and April come around we won't be seeing him at all. :-(

I am so busy right now, getting the house ready to sell that I guess I probably won't notice how much I miss him being around.

To help me get a feel of what his new work place is like, Joe texted me a bunch of photos of his office and work building floor, the 25th floor I believe.

Their floor had been newly remodeled.  In fact it was done JUST in time for Joe to start his new job.  They get this floor for the next year while their REAL floor (the 26th) gets the same remodeling treatment.  It is really nice, and has all the latest technology perks etc.

His new office:

Obviously he just moved in as it is totally devoid of all decor or even tools for the job, or his name on the placard out front.

Part of the kitchen, it feels like a restaurant.  Cool beans for him.

The entrance, you can see the elevator area through the doors.  The walls are kind of cool because they have quotes written vertically  throughout the trees.  Kind of fun.

A view from the doors above.

The meeting/social area of the floor:

You can see all of the bins brought up from the other floor, still awaiting their final destination.

I can't remember what he called these desks, but they are essentially landing places for visiting employees from outside the California area.

The cubicles where most of his employees work.  They have floor to ceiling windows and amazing views of Lake Merritt and the Oakland Hills.  This building is only 27 floors, so they are right near the top of it.

The other side of the kitchen.  Very nice.

One other view of the kitchen.

Joe is really happy with his new work space.  I am happy that he is happy.

I can't wait to come and help decorate that sorry looking office as soon as we are down there!!

Some January Moments...

January was mostly spent stressing and changing....

Joe moved down to California, I started working full tilt prepping the house and pretty much that was our life.

But, there were a few moments in time that I felt like capturing.

These cute little preschoolers have a tradition every time I pick them up from preschool that they find this little rocking chair and sit on each other.  It is SO funny that this is what they choose to do everyday, but they do it EVERY day.  It makes them giggle each time they do it.  Anybody who doesn't believe little kids love repetition is Crazy!

Another fun scout outing happened in January.  We went to go see a Winterhawks Hockey game.  They share the Blazer's home, the Rose garden, and it is amazing how they can transform it so fast from Basketball to Hockey and back again.

Everyone got a free hat at this game, which of course, my boys were over the moon about!

Kaelan and his new hat:

The Winterhawks at play:

The rest of the boys enjoying the game in their new hats:

Oh did I mention we got a sweet deal on popcorn, hot dogs and soda?

Too much fun! I am glad we went.

Afterwards, the next day we went to our favorite pizza place that is in walking distance from our house, Pizza Shmizza.  We found out that it was their last day open!! They were going out of business, we were sad.  But Calder said, maybe they heard we were moving and deciding they couldn't  go on with out us!

Ha!! Very funny Calder...

Goodbye Pizza Shmizza

Claire and KK in The Little Gym.

Claire and KK have been taking a gymnastics class, every Friday, at the Little Gym since the beginning of the school year.  They have so much fun in the class, probably a little bit TOO much fun together.  But hey, that is why we signed them up together, right??

Mid way through the season they have a mid-season showing, where the kids show off what they have learned so far this year.  The following pictures are KK and Claire showing off their stuff.

I love these kids!!

KK being assisted by Teacher James, a VERY funny english gentleman, who has found his calling. He is so great with the kids.

Teacher Adam, whom all the kids absolutely adore!  Too bad he just took another job somewhere else!  The kids miss him, but to be honest he should be moving up the world and not wasting away at the Little Gym.  Not quite the career for such a capable man.

Best Friends Forever.

January Snow and a visit from Ashlyn and BJ

As everyone knows, it rarely snows in Oregon...

But when it does it seems like it is always at the most inconvenient times.  Like right before Christmas break, shutting down all traffic and transport of PRESENTS!!

Or when BJ comes out with Ashlyn to attend a conference and it snows so he can't drive into the conference...

But, hey we are good at making Lemonade out of lemons, so out in the snow we go, with our little pink and blue people.... Making snow angels and snow men and realizing that the snow only covers up the mud, it doesn't make it disappear. 

Kaelan making a snow angel.

Ashlyn mesmerized by the snow on the trampoline.

What a get up...

The snowman being created....

Jumping on a snowy trampoline is WAY better than jumping on a regular one...

Snow man is complete...

Or should I call it a mudman?

Not a good Idea Kaelan....

Please don't even try!

At this point Ashlyn was done.  She wanted to go in and she definitely didn't want her picture taken!!

Bj did eventually make it out for part of his conference, and then had to drive home in the inclement weather...

Poor guy, what a trip.

But ! was glad that he made it up with my cute little niece!!