The big move

Just feelin' like I need to document that we did in fact actually move.

With the chaos of of life, I failed to really talk much about our move.

But here's some pictures to prove that we did move 1000 miles away from Laramie.

The mountain of boxes in the living room of our old apartment.

Us just minutes before we headed out. There were at least three people taking pictures of this momentous occasion. :)

The big truck. Dan offered to let me drive this beast, but I politely declined.

Can you blame me?

I need your help

If you have read the previous post, you know that we are moving and going to be living the student life again.

In light of this, we (as in Dan and I) are looking for part time jobs.

I know there are some Laramie-ites that read my blog so I am asking if you could keep your ears and eyes open for any part time jobs. Since we are not physically there, our job looking abilities are limited.

I have already recruited my family to be on job alert for us, but the more, the merrier. Right? Well, you know what I mean.

If you do happen to hear of something, please just leave me a comment and let me know. We would REALLY appreciate it.

Thanks!

At little more info: Dan will be in class from 7am-4pm so he is interested in something in the evenings and I am a little more flexible.

Plans

I won't leave you in suspense any longer.

We are indeed moving. St George will no longer be our home. Oh, how we have loved it here.

Loved the weather. Loved the people. Loved the temple. Loved the shopping. Loved Target. Loved the variety of places to eat. Pretty much loved everything, except for maybe the cockroaches.

But alas, it is time for us to call another place home.

The truss plant that Dan worked for is shutting down. So we are on to bigger and better things. Right? At least, that is what we keep telling ourselves.

We are moving to Laramie for a couple of weeks until we hear back from a job in Casper. Then we will see where life takes us.

It's funny how you have your life planned out and the Lord seems to have a different plan in mind.

Thank goodness He knows what is best for us...because apparently, we don't. :)

Good Times in Laramie

Our trip to Laramie was definitely filled with fun and family.

Here's a little of what we did:

Hung out with Grandpa. You can never have too much Grandpa time. He always has glasses, a hat and a pen (which Alayna has in her hand) to play with. When Grandpa and Grandma were busy, Aunt Sarah was the one to play with. These two had a great time together.

One morning we headed up to the ranch. Alayna and I just had to try sitting on the gigantic tractor in the pole barn. The picture doesn't show it, but this tractor is quite large. I have a secret wish of driving it someday.

Daddy had to take Alayna on her first 4 wheeler ride. I don't know how she really felt about that, but she was thinking about steering a few times.

Alayna even had time to dance with Grandma. She LOVED it!

Our trip ended much to soon. Sometimes I feel like more time was spent in the car than out of it. In the end we traveled 1700 miles, but it was worth it.

Going to Laramie

Yep.

We're headed to Laramie.

And we're excited about it, despite the 10 hour drive.

Visiting with family has been long overdue.

If you would like to see us, let us know.

Laramie

Alayna and I just got back from a trip to Laramie to see my family. I had not been back to my hometown since we moved in June and it was a much needed vacation for the both of us. We had such a great time spending time with family and friends. It was her first trip to Laramie and I think she really enjoyed it.

Of course I did not get the camera out as much as I should have so some important family members are not pictured (Sarah, KaLee, Ronnie, Easton, Phil, Karissa, Craig). So I guess we will have to make another trip before long.

Here is Grandma and Alayna reading her bedtime story, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See? One of my favorite parts of being with family was the extra help all the time. Grandma is getting Alayna in her nightie. Alayna sure looks like she enjoys spending a little one on one time with Grandma.

Uncle Jordan and Alayna. Aren't they so cute together? It was so fun to watch them play together. Jordan is such a great Uncle.


Grandpa is telling Alayna some of his great stories. Look at how interested she is.

What a cute pair. Alayna loved Grandpa...especially his glasses. Those glasses kept Alayna entertained (and quiet) during church for several minutes. It was so fun to watch them interact.

Most of our time in Laramie was spent in warm weather (high 50's/low 60's), but toward the end of our stay, the typical Wyoming weather got the best of us. This picture doesn't even really do it justice. There was a pretty big storm and it was quite cold. (I definitely am getting used to the weather in St. George. It was in the 80's while I was enduring this weather.) I had to scrape my windshield. Something that I haven't done in a year! That was weird.

As always, the days flew by and our vacation was over before we knew it. We had a marvelous time and can't wait to go back.

Here is Alayna flying in an airplane for the first time. I think she likes it. Don't you?

My little brother, Jordan, told my mom that it wasn't fair that Alayna got to ride in a plane when she was only 5 months old. He had to wait a lot longer than that. Too funny.

By the way, Alayna did great on the plane! She cried for maybe 10 minutes collectively. I think she didn't like it when the Captain would talk on the intercom. It was pretty loud. And she fell asleep within 30 seconds of take off. (Probably the fastest she has ever fallen asleep in my arms.) Do you think there is a way to create that plane ride effect during church? I would kill for her to fall asleep that fast again.

Oh, and she did even better in the car on the way to Laramie. She maybe cried for twenty minutes collectively throughout the 10 hours. I am not kidding. If you don't believe me, ask my family.

We loved our trip, but there is nothing like being with Daddy. We sure did miss him!

(The entire hand in the mouth is due the tooth that is coming in.)

Thanks Mom and Dad for letting us come!

Ready or Not

Here I come!

So tomorrow is the big day. The day all my dreams come true...ok maybe not, just my dreams of going to Laramie. Alayna and I will be traveling with my family. We are so excited (and nervous). I don't know if they are as excited, but hey, they are the ones that offered.

If you have ever traveled with a baby before, you know anything can happen. Especially when our trip consists of 10 hours of driving. Lucky for us, we will be splitting the driving between two days and our traveling home is flying in an airplane* (which also makes me nervous).

Let's just hope that Alayna has learned some patience from the Vegas** trip that we just got back from and will be a good traveling baby. We'll see. I'll keep my fingers (and toes) crossed and I'll let you know.

So here's to being with family back in my home town!

Yea!

*If any of you have traveled with a baby on an airplane and have any tips, they would be much appreciated. :)

**More on this trip in a later post.

Coming Home

I get to go home to Laramie!

This announcement is a little premature since I will not be coming till mid-march, but if you can't tell...

I am EXCITED.

Who would have thought that I would be excited to go to Laramie in the winter time...

Especially when it is in the 70's here.

Nevertheless, I am ecstatic.

Snow, cold, and wind,

Here I come!