This past week has been a great one. We spent some of the 4th of July down on the Esplanade people-watching and remembering all the amazingly fun 4ths we've enjoyed there in past years. Had it not been for Nathan, we probably would have been down there again. Instead, we went to a dessert buffet at our friends' home at the top floor of the Four Seasons. They have such an amazing view of Boston from their home. We enjoyed lots and lots of tasty treats and some fabulous fireworks. I'm still about six years old when it comes to fireworks - they are one of my favorite things ever. I love watching them explode, waiting to feel the thud from the big ones, admiring the sparkly ones, and ooh-ing and ah-ing with the best of the little kids. Nathan fell asleep during the tail end of the fireworks and was a champ the entire way home despite being up WAY past his bedtime. We tried to put him down at the Stigum's but there was too much going on and too many people for that. So far he seems to be a social creature like his mom.

This is Nathan and I on the Make Way for Ducklings statues in the Public Gardens. We walked through on our way to the Esplanade on the 4th.

Friday was a momentous day for us - Chad signed his contract and we signed our lease. The moving truck will be here in less than two weeks, Chad officially has a job, and we have a home to which we will be moving. I guess that makes all of this official. The funny thing is that we had seen this job posted months ago, but had said there was no way we were moving to Jacksonville. If we had shot down Asheville for being too small, despite the beautiful weather and mountains, why on earth would we go to Jacksonville which was smaller with not so fabulous weather and no mountains at all for Chad? It's funny where you end up when you listen to personal revelation.

We are pressing forward with the packing and getting rid of extra stuff. We dropped off five garbage bags and two large paper bags full of old clothes, vases, etc at Goodwill yesterday. It felt good to get rid of it and not have to move it.

Chad also continues to get all of the necessary things to start riding his new bike. Yesterday, we picked up pedals, socks, and a helmet. Now we just need more socks and some shoes, and we should have everything. He's getting excited about getting back into biking.

Nathan continues to grow and just have fun. He's starting to get better at rolling over, sometimes even doing it on purpose. He has even started waking up at about 7:30 in the morning while still going to bed at 7 in the evening. Hooray! He really is a happy kid. He's currently making happy noises in his crib, letting us know he's done with his nap. I hope this finds all of you well!

This is Nathan from last night. We went in to check on him, and he was sleeping on his side, crazy baby. Isn't he adorable!?!