Was there even life before technology?

Most people? Yeah, when they decide to sell their current house and buy a new one, they might not choose to go on vacation the very next day. Apparently, we are not most people. Instead, the moment both of the counter-offers were accepted and signed – before the ink was even dry – we were headed south on 101. Not to return for another 11 days. That’s how we do it.

Thusly, we have not ever been too far from a computer, and I have actually managed to keep my cell phone not only charged, but within earshot. Thank the heavens for technology. And lots of it. At the rate we are going, we could feasibly close escrow on our new house before we even got home (even though we have chosen not to). Meanwhile, we have been droning on and on (and on) to anyone who will listen about remodeling and landscaping and miscellaneous repairs. Everyone has had to listen us endlessly discuss the finer details of flooring, windows and the differences between a cess pool and a septic system (we were originally told it was the first, but it turns out to actually be the latter). Yes, everyone, we are the kind of people that, if you see us coming, you should probably run. Run quickly.

Aside from the house ramblings, we are actually doing a bit of vacationing. And by vacationing, I mean leaving our children with whomever will take them so we can do luxurious things like shop, sleep in and ignore their whiny tantrums. Stella is wowing all of us with her aquatic skills (she is practically swimming!), and Porter is showing everyone how his adorable cuteness is only matched by his insanely short temper. And tenacity. And ability to bend metal objects with sheer will alone. But you know, all in a really cute way.

When he is not busy attending to whatever the heck he damn well pleases, he is dragging people around by their index finger. Get me this. Get me that. You can see the look of exasperation in his eyes when you just aren’t getting what Uhn, Ma Gaaaaaa! means. Come on people, get with the program, here!

You’ll notice I haven’t made even one whiny complaint about oppressive heat yet. Mostly, it is because there has been some crazy system following us at each stop that changes the aforementioned oppressive heat from hot to humid, which somehow makes it mildly more tolerable. Not to say we haven’t taken every available opportunity to float in the pool like hippos. Because we have. A lot.

Although we are rounding out our trip, and will be home in the next few days, we have continued to get inquisitive calls and emails in regards to our current housing situation. I thought I’d check in and let you all know how things were going. All inspections are completed (on both houses) and it is looking more and more like this is gonna happen. (Although, I still feel a little awkward saying as much.) If things continue on at their current pace it won’t be much longer until you’ll begin to see a lot of photos of a certain yellow house.

It was like being shipped off to Lazy Parents Camp

This past weekend, we decided to capitalize on my day off, and take an impromptu trip down to Celene and Thad’s. Getting to escape our daily routines for a while? I’M. SO. THERE!

It took us no time at all to 86 every one of our soul-crushing routines, and become the anti-parents.

Bedtime? Whatev.
Meals? Here’s some Pirate Booty.
Educational TV? Stella, this is the E! Channel.

It was warm. There was ample shopping. There was no pressure, no phone, no drop-off/pick-up logistics, and other than keeping our children alive, no real responsibility to do anything other than breathe. And to be perfectly honest, there were times when even that was just a little too taxing. Heck, the kids even got into the spirit of things and gave us a couple of night’s of decent sleep.

If this one was any indication, it is my suggestion that all future vacations be planned no earlier than 36 hours in advance.

Although I didn’t take a single photo all weekend, Ryan (as in “Shannon and”) snapped these when we stopped through on Thursday night, and spent the better part of the evening wowing them with our hobo family activities:

Stella using their bed as a trampoline:

stella

Porter hanging out in nothing but a diaper:

Porter

We are either your dream guests, or your worst nightmare, I’m not quite sure.