Sarah and Jeff and Abe and Josie

I thought I’d post a quick update while Abe’s napping. It’s been a somewhat chaotic, yet oddly relaxing, few weeks. The cats are growing accustomed to the house and the neighbors are getting used to us.

Before the movers arrived we got to do a bit of recreating on the Greenbrier River; our old friend and Flag neighbor, Sean, an Elkins, WV native, stopped by for a quick visit; and we got to enjoy the neighborhood scenery.

Things got a bit busier once Phillip and the big truck arrived. Getting in the driveway was a bit tight, but that’s why truck drivers get the big bucks. Right now we’re probably unpacking an average of about two to three boxes per day. Should be moved in sometime in November.

There’s a huge garden next to the house, part of which is being used by one of Sarah’s coworkers, Angie, who also moved to Marlinton from Flagstaff, about a year ago. Sarah’s been clearing a few rows for us to start on our fall garden.

Abe’s taking it all in stride. I’m loving life as a stay-at-home dad. Not hard to see why, huh?

Everyone has arrived safe and sound to Marlinton. Mom (aka Nana J)and I arrived Monday evening and Jeff got here with the cats late Tuesday night. Nana J has been enjoying her time with Abe and I think is looking forward to seeing more of Abe, as well as West Virginia.

West Virginia has been good to us thus far- beautiful weather, rural rolling mountains, nice people, and we even went for a bike ride along the Greenbrier River Trail.

The house is great- 4 bedroom, 2 bath with all hardwood floors, a garage, garden, and blueberry bushes. My commute to the ranger station is about fifty paces, and from the windows(!!!) next to my desk can see our house. Our front yard looks into a horse pasture with five draft horses at our fence in the mornings.

We’re moving into the house tomorrow. After a week and a half of being in limbo, we’re ready to sleep in our own bed (metaphorically speaking- our actual bed doesn’t arrive until Monday). We have a ton more pictures of West Virginia, the house, and of course Abe, which will be posted as soon as we have internet at the house.

One week from today we’ll be headed out of Flagstaff to West Virginia. These past couple weeks have been pretty busy making arrangements for the move, keeping the house in showable shape, and finishing up our jobs.

Before we left Arizona we wanted to take Abe on his first camping trip. Definitely a little more frontcountry than we’re used to, we camped about 5 miles from our house. Abe was still able to entertain himself, and us, without all the comforts of home.

Our backpacking tent was quite cozy for the three of us, but that didn’t keep us from getting some good sleep.

Deb is here visiting, helping with Abe and us to clean/organize in preparation for the move.

The weather in Flag has been hot these last few days, so Abe has been pretty naked lately. Which makes for lots of baby pictures. Here are a couple of blog-appropriate ones.