hello, beautiful

Oh, this city.  

I don't think I've been more blown away by the beauty of this neighborhood than this spring.  It's been absolutely celestial.  If I imagine heaven.... there's got to be this many cherry blossoms, magnolia trees, etc. everywhere.  These pictures were from our anniversary weekend.  Nelson surprised us with a picnic at Piers Park in East Boston.  I wish I could have spent every day there during this blossoming part of the year.  In a bittersweet moment though, it's been starting to fade.  Neon pink turns to baby pink to white.... to green.  Not just any green, but the brightest green you've ever seen.  It's fascinating to see this vivid of colors everywhere and I do love the green, but there was something so magical about cherry blossoms floating around you.  A light pink snow enveloping you in it's airy music.  Breathtaking.  

I guess it's about time we say it..... but in a blink of an eye, our time here in Boston has come to an end. We will be spending the next chapter of our lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina!! Another pretty portion of this country.  We really are lucky to be putting roots down in some gorgeous places.  The thought of moving brings pangs of all different emotions.  One hand, I am so sad to leave this place. our home. especially since seeing this spring.  It saddens me that Auden is leaving before being able to comprehend and experience Boston.  The other hand, Chapel Hill is so alluring... with it's siren song of comfortable, more suburban-like living.  Oh, but I have loved living in this city!  The fact that we essentially only use the car once a week has been fabulous.  So many activities available at the tip of our fingers.  So attainable.  But Chapel Hill feels right.  We know this is where we are supposed to be, and because of that, the pain of saying goodbye lessens a little bit.  For those who haven't been able to see us while we've lived here.... don't worry!  A part of us will always be here and we'll be happy to come visit with you. Also, anyone up for renting a beach house along the coast of NC?  Won't that be a bucket full of fun?? :) 

P.S. I realize that these pictures are very similar to our Forest Hills Cemetery adventure...

I guess I like to throw nature in Auden's face?? ;) He sure does love it though. 

{insert "Finding Nemo" pun}

We survived!! Nemo came, went, and we are a-ok!  In all our time of being in Boston, we had never seen anything like this before.  It was incredible, scary, and so much fun.  Not necessarily because of the snow, but because the three of us were able to spend so much time together.  that was the. best. part.  Unfortunately, there were two "Pace-ents" (haha.. "patients?") during the weekend.  Auden and I both have Croup-- inflammation of the vocal chords.  Basically, I sound like I'm dying when I'm trying to sing and Auden sounds like the little angel he is.  He was super happy that daddy was around so much so we'd hear him singing in his crib when he'd wake up, and it was a lullaby for daddy: "dadadaaaaaaadadaddadadadaaaaa." It was so sweet.  We really should have a recording of it before he grows out of this stage.

Yesterday, church was cancelled and so we were able to have church at home.  It was a really sweet experience to see and feel the Spirit so strongly in our home.  I am so grateful to have my wonderful husband be a worthy priesthood holder so we are able to have an opportunity like that.  Again, this weekend was so wonderful because the three of us had so much time.

This is NOTHING compared to the aftermath. 

For lunch on Saturday, we had pizza that my innovative Nelson made on a skillet (our oven was broken) and watched "Arthur."  We've watched it a few times and Auden loves it. he dances every time the theme song comes on.  And I don't mind if he likes it.  It is some great stuff.  Such great life lessons.

about two-thirds of the work... see that car on the left next to the truck?? basically you can't even see/tell it's a car now.  Luckily the snow plow/bull dozer didn't take it with them.

it's sad and beautiful to see trees sagging from all the snow.  

the two Pace boys matching! I love it. 

a little shout-out to me: i made that headband that i'm wearing. pretty cool, right?

the person taking this photo didn't seem too interested in taking it. He took and it and left. it was cold. we had to go inside, so this is it-- the family "Nemo" picture! :) 

Auden doesn't seem very happy in these outdoor pictures...

 but he's much happier now indoors!!

"Shark bait! Oh haha!" Thanks, Aunt Kaykay for the awesomely cute Shark hat!

our little shark boy! Hope you are safe and warm wherever you are!! We're hoping we can finally go outside tomorrow.  It was too rainy today.... not even having the option to go outside is kind of hard though! *sigh*.... wish us luck!