The Starley Family: FINAL DAYS IN JOISEY

The year of 2011 was a good year for the Starley family. We had a lot of change starting with a move from New Jersey back to Texas. We sold our charming, but itty bitty 1939 Cape Cod style home and headed South for more space and warmer weather. We got more than we bargained for in regards to the warmer weather, sheesh! There was so much that we loved about New Jersey including the seasons, the proximity to New York, pick your own farms, our crazy friends, and all the charming little towns. Here are some pictures from our final days in Joisey!

This picture makes me smile because when I came around the corner, Campbell immediately knew he was in trouble for sneaking into the marshmallow stash but instead of cowering, he said beaming with pride "Mama, I was SOOO sneaky!!!" and neither of us could stop giggling. Such a punk!

This boy wants to be just like daddy when he grows up!

SNOW DAYS

This was the snowbank in front of our house.

This was after a bad storm with freezing rain.

Daddy's little helper.

Below is a funny video of Campbell sledding.

On a fairly regular basis Richie would be leaving for some exotic location and I would be at home in a snow storm with the boys dreaming of a vacation. He would almost always ask if I wanted to come and then I would laugh at him and walk away shaking my head. Well on one random Saturday he asked if I wanted to join him in Rome for 72 hours. The trip left in 3 hours and to his surprise I said "Let's do it". We threw some clothes in a bag and the wild men in the car and headed to the airport. The trip went shockingly well with the kids being total troopers on the long flight. Most likely because I was bribing them with pizza and ice cream (gelato) once we arrived. Richie's family was extremely hospital driving us all over Rome and helping with the kids. We were able to see three Aunts, 2 Uncles and a couple cousins while still fitting in eating, shopping and sight seeing.

Before the flight we were able to go into the cockpit. Campbell didn't understand why he couldn't sit up with daddy and had to be in the back with me.

First Officer Starley and his favorite passengers.

Spanish Steps.

Campbell getting a little crazy with the gelato.

The Vatican

Over the years we were very fortunate to be able to just 'hop' on a train and head into the city. We visited Central Park, Yankees games, The David Letterman show, broadway shows, concerts, and would sometimes go in just to get some dinner in Little Italy. On our last trip we decided to visit the Museum of Natural History. Having seen the movie "Night in the Museum" I thought it would be a huge hit. NOT. It was a total fail. The kids were overly tired and wondering where the cool kid stuff was. We finally found the dinosaurs which held their attention for approximately 7 seconds. We may need to try back when they're older.

TRIP TO THE B.V.I.

In February 2011 my mom and sister were kind enough to come out and watch the boys so Richie and I could go on a sailing trip to the British Virgin Islands with Richie's mom, dad, sister and brother in law. Anyone who knows Richie knows that he is obsessed with boats and the water in general. He was besides himself excited and after hearing all of the great things Chase and Sierra had to say I was getting pretty pumped up too. Mama was due for a vacation!

After our first night at sea we woke up early and went for a hike. It was breathtaking.

I had to post this picture because Jim was full on rocking out to the band and had turned his glass of water into a musical instrument using his fork and knife. It was hilarious.

A nice dinner on one of the many cool islands.

Captian Richie!

Our dedicated crew plotting the course.

Sunset from another cool island.

FROM NEW JERSEY TO TEXAS

While looking for homes in Texas we had time to squeeze in a Waterway Cruise on the ferry boat.

Loading up the truck.

This house holds many memories for us including lots of DIY adventures, the loss of my first baby Jackson, and the sweetest memory of all, bringing our amazing little Wyatt home from the hospital. Thank you for holding on long enough for us to move before anything major broke. We will not miss your heater that bangs ALL N IGHT LONG like someone is pounding on the door and waking up my babies. We will however miss regular walks in the neighborhood, watching the kiddos play in the back yard and the great group of neighbors we were fortunate to have.
So long, 12 Woodlawn Drive!