Last Few Days in LR

Well, we moved.  It has been three weeks and one day, but I haven't taken the time to post anything.  We've been busy unpacking, the kids had VBS at my parents' church and we had friends visit for the weekend.  Now that I sit down to look through pictures from those last days in Little Rock it makes me REALLY sad, and I don't have any idea what to write about the moving process.  Lane and I did think it was strange that June 6th would be his residency graduation date and our final night in Little Rock.  That date was once again associated with life change for us.  

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Sunday, June 1st--last day at FBC.  We loved being a part of this church family.

One more dinner at Larry's Pizza--R & A had coupons for free kids' buffets from school.  As usual, they ate quickly and spent most of their time playing in the game room.

We had a couple of park play dates with friends.  Alexee and Morgan and Rhett and Jeremiah became such good friends this school year.  I'm so glad we got to know their family.  We will miss hanging out with them, and we'll also miss all of our favorite parks in LR--lots of fun memories.  

Last day of 4th grade for Rhett...

...and last day of 1st grade for Alexee

from a little girl in A's class:

And one day Crosby and I had lunch with Emily and Cole then went to the zoo.  What sweet friends they are!  We will miss being able to have play dates with them on a regular basis.  

Friday evening Lane's parents came over for the residency graduation banquet, and the kids spent the night with Kyle, Jillian & Jack!  They were so sweet to take them swimming at their neighborhood pool and then they went to the park the next morning--they all three had a great time!  Lane and I went to pick up a small U-haul Saturday morning then stopped by Kyle & Jillian's to get the kids.  Then we went by Ali's house to say good-bye to Ali's family and Lianne's family (they were in town for the weekend).  Forever Friends!!!  This was hard, too.

(Crosby was already in the truck and didn't want to get out.)

We finally got everything packed (we didn't realize we'd moved so much stuff to the apartment) and left town around noon.  Lane, Alexee, Crosby & Bogart were in the Tahoe pulling the U-haul, and Rhett and I (plus the guinea pig and the fish) took Bobba's truck.  It was such a weird feeling leaving town...excited about the new chapter ahead but terribly sad to say good-bye to a place we all love.

Neighborhood Party & Girls' Night

We spent a fun Sunday evening hanging out on our old street with our neighbors.  It had rained all week long, but cleared off just in time for the party.  The girls were so sweet to make a "Goodbye Garners" banner for the food table, Laura organized some games (involving water balloons, which the kids LOVED), and they served pizza, water melon and homemade cookie cake for dessert.  It was hard to say good-bye to these friends that have been such a big part of our daily lives for seven years.  Our kids were really lucky to have so many great friends to play with, and it was always nice to have other moms to visit with while the kids rode bikes and played.  We will definitely stay in touch with them and drop back by to visit when we're in town.  Thank you, neighbors, for a special evening.

A sprinkler is always simple, perfect entertainment for kids!

Can't believe they are all finishing 1st grade already.  Seems like we were just attending Kindergarten Round-up.

What a great group of kids!

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Tuesday we had a play date at the park with some friends.  I'm so glad Alexee and M met in their 1st grade class.  We've loved getting to know them this year.  They are moving in June too...I just wish we were moving to the same town!

Then on Wednesday evening my friends Cameron and Ali hosted a farewell dinner at Cameron's house, which was so fun (not the "farewell" part, but just hanging out with everyone...it was nice to catch up, hear what their families had been up to, talk about summer plans, etc.)  We (plus several other girls) used to all play Pokeeno together a long time ago, but schedules just got too hectic with kids' activities and other things...so now we just get together for dinner occasionally.  I love all of these girls and will miss them, but they've promised to plan a girls' trip to visit soon!  :) 

                                  

Cameron, me, Becca, Katie, Ali, Mindy & Mary

(It was obviously a night for white jeans-ha!)

The food was all delicious and the flowers were so pretty.  (Wish I would have taken more pictures.)  Cameron's house is so warm and inviting--I love going there!  And she always serves the best mint tea.  Ali brought an assortment of wonderful cupcake from here...I had my usual Red Velvet.  AND, they were SO sweet to give me this beautiful Arkansas pillow as a going-away gift!! I will think of all these dear friends each time I see it in our house.  :)  It has been sad to have to say one good-bye after another lately, but it has certainly reminded me how blessed we've been to be surrounded by so many wonderful people.  We will leave town this weekend with full and thankful hearts!