Saying Goodbye to Uncle Wash

The month before my brother moved we were able to hang out quite a bit. 

It was so fun to have him around and to get to spend some extra time with him before he left.
He is so great with kids and my boys just love him. 

Ryder, especially, developed a strong bond with Uncle 'Wash'  (he says a lot of things kind of backwards and Shawn backwards is apparently Wash...don't know where the 'n' went. haha)

We have definitely missed having him around these last couple of months. I didn't realize, until we had NO family around, how nice it was to be able to call him if baby sitters didn't work out, or just to come down for dinner. He was so willing to watch the kids for lots of my dr. appointments and I just appreciate him so much. I miss him tons and wish we had hung out more (and hit the gym together for sure!) but I am very happy and excited for his next adventure in med school. He will be amazing!!

The weekend before he left, my dad and Trav came out to help him pack up and move. It was a bitter sweet weekend, but we are so happy we got to hang out with some of ours (especially the boys!) very favorite people:

 Callen met Grandpa Dan & Uncle Trav for the first time:

 We had a fun goodbye dinner at Ihop:

We sure love you, bud. Good luck at Med School!!!

We had one last shindig at our house before everyone left for CA.

West & Kapria are the best of friends:

Tave & Mila have a special little bond. She lets him give her all sorts of crazy hugs, he absolutely loves her and they like to play by each other:

The kiddos with Nonny Kare & Grandpa Dan:

and with Aunt Shar:

I hate goodbyes. Really truly do.

Goodbye to Mom/Grandma and her amazing helping hands and listening ear. Goodbye to late nights talking and sewing together.

Goodbye to Dad/Grandpa and all of his wrestling, soda sharing, and lessons.

Goodbye to my best friend and darling nieces.

Goodbye to spur of the moment dinners together and spontaneous drop ins.

Goodbye to having somewhere to go on those days when I just have to get out of the house, don't want to spend money, and look like poo.

Goodbye to gabbing away with my sister in the midst of the chaos of 5 kiddos 4 and under.

Goodbye to having another place to go that is just like home and being with people who love you no matter how many times you might fight with them (kiddos and adults alike).

We miss you all.