Our New Home

…well, sort of. We are renting a home until we decide what we would like to purchase or build. We didn't want to feel any pressure or rush in making this decision. As we unpack boxes, we're quickly realizing that we have too much stuff!
I need to give a huge shout out to multiple friends that have watched our kids, done my grocery shopping, provided meals, let us crash with them overnight and have just taken care of us since the moment we arrived. Rather than rattle off a list of names and inevitably forgetting someone, you know who you are and I can't thank you enough. But, I'll say it just a few more times, Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Let the unloading begin…

Hmmm, where to put all of this stuff???

One of my saintly friends, Elizabeth, packing in my groceries. 

Miraculous timing, I got to see Jess! They were on their way to Utah and I got to be one of her lucky stops along the way. Not only did I get to cry and laugh with her about life, but she totally took baby Myles so I could unpack.

It was challenging to unpack when I had little "helpers" around every corner. :)

*We've now been in the house for almost three weeks and I feel like I know where almost everything is…and if I don't, it must not be that important!

Colorado or Bust!

Let's do this!

After logging as much time as we did in the car, I felt like I should do a blog post or pin something to Pinterest about "How to road trip 20 + hours in the car with a 4-year-old, 2-year-old and 4 month old." Want to know my secrets to even enjoying the time in the car??? MOVIES with headphones for the kids, SNACKS and more snacks and lots of games of "I spy." I don't think that list will make the Pinterest creativity cut. I didn't even make one thing by hand, not even the snacks. :)

I almost started crying when I saw this sign.  So happy to be headed back to what feels like home.

I took pictures of the kids sleeping to try and help me remember the positive parts of the last leg of the journey. :) Actually, everyone did really well, including Myles. I spent a lot of time next to him, but he has come a loooonnng ways with tolerating the car seat. It ended up taking us close to 10 hours because we hit Denver traffic-I haven't missed that! 

It almost felt surreal when we arrived in 'Colorful Colorado.' 

It's great to be back. 

Final Stop before Colorado

We stopped one night in Brigham City to visit Tom, Staci and Sadie. Rick, Jasmine and Laney also made it up for dinner. It was great to see everyone! Tom pulled out all the stops and made homemade root beer and smoked chicken. Delicious. My kids were guzzling that root beer. It did taste so good.

Myles reaction when I told him we were headed to Brigham City.

We had a lot of time in the car together and may have become bored at some points.

Staci had the magic touch with Myles and he loved snuggling up with her.

My pictures are rather lacking for this stop along our way. Maybe it's because we were there less than 24 hours? Or I was already exhausted with the thought of unpacking the house?? It was great to see family.

Aunt Helen and Uncle Roger

These two people have always been "the fun ones." I was grateful that timing worked out so we were able to catch up with them at their home. Great memories were made there, and continue to be!

We love you!

I can BREATHE!!

Bryan and I knew that we were feeling quite a bit of stress the last month or so in California trying to pack up the house, juggle different jobs, adjusting to three kids and just managing life! However, I don't think either one of us realized how stressed we were until we arrived in Boise and had so much help!! We both felt like we could take a deep breath and actually relax. Bryan's parents and family were amazing to help us out anyway they could and we really appreciated their time and efforts made towards our family. It truly felt like a refuge from the storm. It recharged both of our batteries and our kids had a blast. It was exactly what each of us in this family needed.

4-wheeler rides are always a hit with Grandpa!

Grandpa even let Luke hitch a ride while mowing the lawn.

The Boise cousins brought over their chickens one night. Huge hit with our kids. I think we might unintentionally be raising some city slickers.

 Princess Belle (AKA Emma) also graced us with her presence that night.

The kids went swimming every day while we were there with their cousins! Love our cousins! 

Myles loved cuddling with Grandma.

Myles tried out cereal for the first time and seemed to think and act like he was ready for steak.

The baby cousins meeting each other.

Logan and Myles.

Logan is actually 5 weeks younger than Myles…such a handsome guy!

Floated a creek close to grandma and grandpa's house. It was perfect for the kids.

Emma opted out of the last float down the creek so we chilled on the grass and enjoyed some girl time.

Thank you Steve & Carrie and Greg and Tiff! Such a wonderful time and great memories!!!

She's Going Places

Oh, Emma. You are so much fun right now.

Moving Day-June 4th.

We packed up the house, movers loaded up the trailer, towed the accord and then headed for Boise on our way (more or less) to Colorado. The last item wasn't loaded until close to 6 pm that night. That made for a late start on our 8 hour journey to Boise. The kids did well and slept the majority of the time, thank goodness! I felt like I had mixed emotions leaving California. I was thrilled to be heading back to Colorado, but I loved our home and we had made lots of good memories as a family the last year, even amidst all of the craziness and stress at times.  I don't think Bryan shared my sentiments-he could not get out of there fast enough! :) Let a new chapter begin.