The Donoghue Family: New house, who dis?

We survived the move to our new house! I still think having a newborn is more tiring, but this is probably the fourth most difficult month I've ever had, and I'm glad it's behind us!

Last family shot at the old house

Just the girls

I am so thankful to all our parents for watching our kids A LOT during the 9 days between getting the keys and the final move - could not have done this without you! Big thanks to our friends and family for helping us move the basement and garage ahead of time (Adam, Jason, Justin, Dad, Bobby, Chelsea and Diego)! We also had the best painter of all time do our entire upstairs, downstairs hallway and laundry room and front room... in one week! We love Joe Krause!

First things first - testing out the pool

I could get used to this!

Making waves

We spent the week cleaning, fixing odds and ends, cleaning some more, getting carpet installed - last Monday was the big move day and our movers were exceptional (Changing Places) - everything was done in four hours, boom! We focused hard on unpacking and setting up the kids' rooms that day so they would have a pleasant surprise - the girls flipped out! Best reaction ever (not captured on video though)! Ben was his normal happy self.

Last night sleeping in their shared room

I shall miss you, dear dinosaurs

We took a couple videos of the old house for posterity... these are probably not that interesting to anyone but us...

One last beer to toast our "baby"

So far the kids are doing really well with the transition. We lost power for 3 days, which sort of screwed up everyone's groove, but they generally sleep very well. Evie has been a bit more whiny and emotional, which is understandable... we're trying to give all the kids lots of love and attention since they were semi-orphans for about a week!

Summer camp ended a few weeks ago... I think Jamie is relieved to be done because it always ends up being more work than expected. The girls had an amazing summer there!

Light saber training unit

Dressed up for her end of the year show

Impersonating Daddy

Got a bullseye in archery!

Ben was not super cooperative at their final performance...

We signed Maggie up for a 4-day horse camp with another friend from school. She had a really wonderful time with her horse, Roz.

A girl and her (borrowed) horse

Sitting pretty

Happy horse days

Jamie orchestrated a huge birthday surprise for Alain - a bunch of friends pitched in to get him the "coolest Lego set of all time" (Millennium Falcon). The box was too heavy for me to lift...

Keeping him busy at dinner while we schemed at his house

Happy Birthday!

The kids had a couple fun sleepovers at Grandma and Grandpa's, where the action never stops!

Working on his form

Watermelon eating contest at the local fair!

Cousin dinner

Evie was happy to at least get a pony ride
(she's mad that camp is for 8 years and up)

My mom and dad spent four days with the kids, keeping them busy and entertained. On the last day, the kids prepared a special dinner for us and acted as butler, housemaid and entertainment for our dining pleasure!

Butler Jerry Lewis and Housemaid Kate

The kids played on our emotions and insisted that we go to Jim's Ice Cream one more time before moving (as if we aren't a mere 3 miles from the place)!

Family ice cream night!

Gotta love a place that will smush oreos
into your soft-serve upon request

Happy to eat his "spink-els"

Daydreamer

The girls have been taking swim lessons at the YMCA for the past several weeks, which has been pretty great. They do all their training in the deep end of the pool; Evie was terrified and I thought she would run away and never come back after the first day, but she stuck with it and has come a long way! Maggie is a little fishy with a lot of confidence!