So just in case anyone is still checking this delinquent blog, here's a quick update on what's new in the Madea family.
At the end of January, we packed up and moved out of Connecticut. Greg has finished his active duty service with the Navy and is excited to transition into the corporate world. SO we are currently in transit to our new stomping grounds... MEMPHIS TENNESSEE!
...but Greg was supervising / enabling (and here's the proof)...
at the Navy Lodge -- Cora and her guard dogs!
Along the way we stopped in Michigan to visit family and friends after a treacherous trip across northern Pennsylvania (we are not fans of flash / lake-effect snowstorms). The drive was "fun" enough caravanning with the dogs and Greg in the truck (sharing the front/bench seat) and the girls and Meg in the Volvo, so we did not see a reason for Mother Nature to spice'n things up any further, however she obviously disagreed. Needlesstosay, we were VERY excited to arrive and are reluctant to ever drive in snow again!
An added little bonus to the trip was that for the first time in many years, Meg was able to celebrate her birthday with the family!
Even the Gilleran's were able to participate!
Colin, Cora and Luke
We were lucky to have Oba and Sofu keep ALL the kids so we could fly down to Memphis and house hunt this week. We found an apartment to rent short-term while we continue to look for our next home. We enjoyed some grown-up time and feel that we got a good feel for the area.
And while we were slaving away trying to find somewhere to settle in Memphis, we found a little time to enjoy a little of the local treats - like staying at the Peabody Hotel! There, for the past 80 years, a gaggle of ducks have "hung out" in the lobby's fountain (a tradition that began after a manager drank a little too much Jack Daniels on a hunting trip and neglected to drop his live decoys off upon returning to the city and instead "hid" them in the lobby). Greg had seen this once about 25 years ago and is now excited more than ever to share the sight with the girls. Dogs are allowed at the Peabody, but the jury is still out on whether Finn and Bonny will ever witness the tradition. It would, after all, be a little awkward if either decided to join the ducks in the fountain...
Meanwhile, "back at the ranch..."
taking some steps
chomping on her sweet potatoes and spoon
carefully carrying Oba's Matryoshka doll down the stairs
Hanging out, looking for anyone to hear her stories of woe...
