some things about new jersey:

the roads are extremely windy and confusing

you can't tell where anything is or where you are headed because there are too many trees

there is little to no mexican food, and what mexican food there is, is pitiful 

you cannot pump gas yourself- it's illegal. when you pull up to the gas station someone walks out to pump gas for you

the grocery stores are tiny with low ceilings(all you've been to have high ceilings- think about it.) and minimal stock

there is literally an italian place and a deli on every corner- and it's delicious!

people drive super aggressively, and honk lots!

there are road signs saying things like, "opposite traffic has extended green light" because people are so gas-happy here that they'll run the red light when they see cars moving

there are no convenience stores(where am i supposed to get my diet coke?!)

the towns are small and close together

people are rough and tumble, but usually pretty nice once you get to know them

in the city!

on saturday we decided to go into the city.  we are just a short 30-minute drive from manhattan, so why not?!  we found street parking in the west village, and took a stroll down to the world trade center memorial.  it's such a beautiful tribute to those who lost their lives.  i think hazel could sense the somber, reverent feeling there.  

we then went to the staten island ferry and took pics with lady liberty.

 perfect view, and the boat ride was free!  hazel loved it.

check out those piggies :)

this bridge!  so pretty.

then we perused through chinatown, and found the best taiwanese drinks and most amazing fried dumplings!

then we walked up bleecker street (and fawned over cute little boutiques along the way) and had the most delicious banana pudding from magnolia bakery.  i should have gotten the large.  we enjoyed that while hazel played at bleecker park.  it really was an exhausting and fun day!

we are alive and in new jersey!

we have had a serious whirlwind of a week!  in the last 9ish days we have driven to new jersey, gotten all of our stuff moved in and about 80% of it unpacked, gone into the city once, gone to turtle back zoo, plus lived with only one car until our second one got here... we've been so busy i feel like i've been going nonstop!  it is super exciting to move to a new place, and also stressful and i'm just trying to take the organizing/cleaning/cooking slowly and giving myself a break if i don't get completely unpacked within 1 week.  i'm sure we'll get there some day....

anyways, we made a little video of our road trip to new jersery!  it isn't anything too special or exciting, but i'm sure i will watch it in the coming years and think back fondly on how fun our girls were at this age!  enjoy!

Road Trip!  from Paige Brunt on Vimeo.

this was our dallas home.

this was our dallas home.

this is where we learned to love tex-mex, blue-bell, and blue bonnets; say y'all, and made and strengthened dear friendships.  this is where we brought baby cora home, and where hazel learned to talk.  we are excited for the new adventure ahead, but are fully aware that part of us will always love this wonderful city.  i finally understand why native texans have so much "texas pride".

the dallas children's aquarium.

yesterday we went to meet john for lunch at one of the places on "the list" - meaning, a place we have to eat at one last time before we move on thursday.  eeek!

so since we were close to the children's aquarium, i decided on a whim to take the girls to it after lunch.  i am so glad i made the effort.  hazel is obsessed with animals and particularly loves things in water.  plus, she is repeating everything i say these days so i can teach her the names of things!  hurray!  we came home and watched finding nemo to solidify my teachings ;)

so i made a quick video of our little adventure.  it's not professional or even well-done, but it took me 20 minutes to make and i'll get to have our day recorded in a special way.  plus, hazel will watch it on repeat for an hour on my phone so i can get things done around the house ;)

The Children's Aquarium from Paige Brunt on Vimeo.

on your mark... get set... go!

Untitled from Paige Brunt on Vimeo.

cora's blessing day pictures:

a couple weeks ago when we went to utah we took the opportunity to bless cora while we were in town.  so much of our family got to be there for the blessing and it was really, really special.  john gave our little cora mae a beautiful blessing.  it's amazing how your heart just grows and grows to accommodate another tiny human being in our lives.  gosh, we love our girls so much.