Saying Goodbye

Our dear friends the Woods moved away about a week ago. After a year of planning and preparing, they sold their house and fulfilled their dream of moving to Durango, CO.  We are grateful for the time we had with them. We made many memories. Our friendship goes way back and has survived long distances before. There are future Rocky mountain memories to be made. God Speed Woods!

Going Away Party

Friends began gathering around 3 PM at the Woods' house. One last yard stomping before they head west to CO.

Cora's daddy is an archeologist who is currently abroad digging in the dirt. There were no shortages of other daddies who were more than happy to hold little Cora. She's a charmer.

Trevor and Casey, buddies.

Joe and Casey pulling the pork. Everyone came together to prepare fantastic food. We had three kegs of home brew, pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, cole slaw, peach cobbler, lemon-lime bars, beans, birthday cake, chips and dip, and so on...

All three kegs floated by the end of the party.

Amy, Joe, and Jessi - family photo

We have so many pictures of these three, in this yard, dating from back before they were walking. 

These three are going to miss their playdates.

There were plenty of adorable children to entertain each other. 

At one point, I think there were at least 15 kids.

Friends

CHEESE!

Girl driver.

Man of the house.

It's not a party without a man and his gee-tar.

Casey brought back some authentic East TN moonshine from our trip to TN.
The jar was passed around.

Motherhood

There were plenty of popsicles to go around.

Cora dragged her tiny chair from the other side of the patio
to sit with the ladies. It was pretty adorable. This little lady has some sass.

Ashley (Cora's mom) and Anna

Denny's birthday was the week before the party, so the going-away party doubled as a birthday party.

Denny and his pirate pinata.

At one point the pinata detached from the rope and one of the older kids got the honor of breaking it open.

Loot

Like I mentioned earlier - there were plenty of adorable children.

Gavin enjoying a cupcake with the ladies.

Birthday boy - 5 years old.

Darts and cornhole kept the teenagers entertained.

A little live music at the end of a great evening. The party lasted until midnight. Holy Moly.

Night before moving. Packing and saying goodbye.

Almost all packed

Goodbye little house. So many wonderful memories here. 

Goodbye backyard on the creek.

Empty house. Busy, busy, busy.

Friends came over to pack up the Uhaul and clean the house.
Final walkthrough and closing were the next day.

Lady friends

When all the heavy packing was done, we visited on the front porch one last time.

Sisters

Tiff and Jess 

The final play date as a trio. We basically let these three go hog wild.
They stayed up way past their bedtime, ate too many popsicles, painted their bodies with markers,
and everything else we typically don't allow.  

Goodbye hug

One last movie night.