NORTH CAROLINA!!!

We made it! Joyce & I drove the kids in the van while Josh and my brother drove Josh's car. We stopped for an overnight in Knoxville, TN to break up the trip which was at least 15 hours.

Our furniture was delayed 2 days but it eventually got here and we unpacked everything in about 3 days. Joyce was a huge help!

We've been busy visiting parks and exploring the area.

It's more beautiful and lush than I expected. And there's so much to do outdoors.

In our area there's tons of outdoor malls and open air restaurants with outdoor seating. And there are tons of huge, fancy churches. I read that there are 90 just in the town of Matthews where we live.

One of my favorite things here are these pink flowering trees seen in the background of this picture. They are everywhere!

After unpacking our 1st weekend, we decided to drive to the coast for our 2nd weekend. We went for an overnight to Charleston, SC about 4 hours away.

Our kids got to play in the ocean for the 1st time! The water temperature was perfect. I loved swimming in the ocean until I got stung by a jellyfish on my foot!

We thought the weather might be too hot for us but it's been averaging in the 80s and is comfortable.

I feel like I'm on vacation everyday here. It just hasn't set in that this is our new home.

Josh's job has been going good and he likes his coworkers. The kids start school on Thursday the 22nd. Aaron starts preschool after labor day.

Joyce left last Tuesday but hopefully she'll be back soon. She's still planning on moving here but is waiting until we buy a house.