We Finally Did It!

Well, the day finally came. We packed up the moving van and headed out west. I can still see my mom standing in the middle of the cul de sac jumping up and down and waving her arms. It was a bittersweet moment and an image I most likely will never forget. I will miss my family more than I can say (bitter) but I am so excited to start this new chapter of our lives (sweet) and I know that there are many wonderful adventures in store for us over the next few years. There were only a few tears shed in the last moments together as a family. Mostly as a result of Brooks saying "we will miss you, Mike and Paige" in his teeny tiny little voice, knowing that he means it but not understanding how much he in turn will be missed. Thanks family for all of the support and please please please come see us soon.
Ok, so now on to the move. Mike's mom, stepdad, and little sisters, Katie and Rachel were nice enough to help us with the move. And Mike (stepdad) and Leslie (mom) were even nicer to drive the U-haul through traffic so that we could get there ahead of the truck to get everything set up before we started moving in boxes and furniture. I am so happy that we had their help, but even happier that we had their company.
So, I had no idea, but this was the first time to the beach for these two. These are Mike's little sisters, and they are both so much fun. Rachel (on left) was my driving companion. She read to me, and listened to me sing at the top of my lungs for 12 hours. What an awesome girl! I can't wait for these two to come out and spend a weekend with us.
I just love this picture of Rachel. She looks like she is loving life at this moment and she honestly couldn't get enough of the beach.

Just the girls.

So for now things are going pretty good. Mike starts work tomorrow and we have been busy the last week and a half. We almost have our apartment put together (we just need to hang a few more things) and it is feeling like a home more and more every day. I don't know what I am going to do with myself after he starts working. It has been so fun being able to spend the whole day with him. I still don't have a job, but I am vigilant with the search so hopefully something comes up soon. I am so happy that we are here. Life is good and hopefully only gets better. Here's to California Dreamin'.

never thought i would say this

This is a long post. . .scroll down for more pics and stories. And they are all out of order. I tried to get it in order, but to no avail. So, sorry.

One Last Thing

Over Labor day weekend, we decided that we probably ought to have one last hurrah with the Randles before we move, so we met up in Las Vegas (the Randles currently live in the middle of no where southern Arizona). We (Steph and I) thought that the boys could golf and we could get a spa treatment. It ended up being probably 150 degrees outside (maybe a little less) so the boys gave up on golf while Steph and I were hanging out in the mineral pools at the spa. It is a difficult life we lead. Then we headed in to Vegas for some, you guessed it, shopping and good food.

In the spa, they had these signs everywhere. I am pretty sure they were directed at all the twenty-something girls who come to have a treatment done, and all they want to do is talk. We thought it was pretty funny.
We ate dinner at Maggiano's, an awesome italian restaurant. It was the first time I have ever had a five course meal, and paced myself enough to still be able to enjoy a leisurely walk down the strip afterward.

The Randles

And the whole gang.

We thought it would be fun to go to the Excalibur and see the Tournament of Kings. And it was really fun. While I was there, I decided 'what the heck!' I am going to enjoy this.' Steph and I cheered so loud for our knight, and at the end he apologized to us for not winning. I am pretty sure that the rest of our section hated us because we wouldn't shut up. After the show, the knights were outside taking pictures and signing autographs. We thought we totally needed a pic with our (little) knight. He was up on a horse the entire time, so we had no idea he was so tiny. I guess in mideval times, you didn't need to be tall, as long as your horse was the same height as the other guy's. It was really fun, although next time I go, I am bringing some silverware with me. I don't do so well when I have to tear my food apart with my hands.

Thanks you guys for a fun weekend. We will see you in California soon. :)

Just a few more pics of the beach in southern California. I thought this was kind of funny. They are all standing with their left hand in their pocket looking at the same thing. From left to right, we have Mike, Bryan, my brother Mike and my brother Trent.

Just the two of us!

Ok, so this house was the cutest house. I took probably eighty-three pics of it with the dream that one day I would have one just like it, with a view of the water, of course.

From this part of the state, on the day that half my family got in the car and the other jumped on a plane, all heading home to Utah, me and Mike were off on yet another adventure. This time we flew to Northern California to go on the monster of all apartment hunts. We looked at probably 25 apartments in 4 days. And no, I didn't take any pictures. But we did find one and signed the paperwork before we came home the next week. We will be living in Campbell, CA. I am really excited, and as I am writing this, I am thinking that we get our moving truck today and in two days we will be on the road to California. Now enough about that because I have a feeling today might be an emotional one.

I've Been Everywhere, Man, I've Been Everywhere. . .

Well, we are finally back home after it feels like the mother of all vacations. It started in the Mile High City (for those of you who aren't down with the Lingo, Denver). I flew out there to meet Mike on his loooong drive back home from Oklahoma. While we were there, we thought we would hit up a Rockies game. We had really great seats and the game itself wasn't too bad either. The stadium is really pretty, and I am bummed that the only picture I got was of the scoreboard, but at least I took one. I am usually terrible at remembering that I have my camera with me.

And from one baseball game to another, (and one state to another) we ended up at Dodger stadium. We spent the week in Newport Beach with my family, and although we tried to take in a game in Anaheim, the Angels weren't in town, so we settled for the next best thing.

Me and Mike at Dodger Stadium

This is the view of Dodger stadium from the (not so) cheap seats. Thanks mom and dad for an awesome vacation. And yes while we were in this vacation, we hit up Disneyland and California adventure, but as I mentioned before, the not-remembering-the-camera problem struck again, but not to worry I always have my 'memories, like the corners of my mind. Misty water colored memories. . .' oh sorry. Anyway, the trip was a blast and I am so glad that we got to go on a great trip before we move.

Girl From Ipanema and Going Mad

There are days when I am at work and all I hear in my head is La di da di da, or some other wordless, mindless tune. . .and usually it passes-until today, that is. The la di da di da, I finally figured out, is my brain's way of telling me that I am slowly going MAD! MAD, I tell you! MAD!!! So, as I was participating in my daily surfing, I decided to check the website of an awesome show, fittingly called "MadMen", thinking I may stumble across an interview or something else that I haven't previously read. Then, I came across this little activity on the website, probably aimed at people just like me with nothing better to do than create 60's era avatars of themselves, while trying to make it through the mind numbing boredome at work, called "MADMEN YOURSELF"! Perfect! Don't mind if I do, and while I am at it, I will madmen people I work with as well as my husband!

Well, you guessed it. The top picture is me (in the green dress), in my special little scenario, walking right past my husbands private secretary "excuse me", to surprise my hubby for lunch. And of course a homemade lunch is waiting in the picnic basket in the car, along with a checked blanket, perfectly suited for an afternoon picnic-seriously, it's not like anyone actually worked in the sixties!
And here is the famous hubby. We will pretend that Sterling Cooper (in this scenario) is an accounting firm, instead of an ad agency. He is the big man on campus, with his power suit, briefcase, and of course his always lit pipe! Ow, baby! Eat your heart out ladies! Just remember-he's taken, and I am always watching. . .(how's that for drama?)

I am so excited for the new season to start! Thanks Erin and Bryan for getting me hooked on this awesome show. And for those of you who have no idea what I am talking about, seasons 1 and 2 are available to rent! Run, don't walk, to your nearest video store and watch it! NOW!

And yes, you can call me a nerd.

(Ok, so a little explanation on the title. Whenever I watch MADMEN, or if I am reading an interview with an character/actor, for some reason the song "Girl from Ipanema" pops in to my head. I think it is because it has the most old school, elevator-music sound to it than any other song I have ever heard. And it totally belongs in a poolside scene-man, I should be a writer or something).

Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?

HOME! I can't believe where the time has gone! My little brother is home from his mission! It has been two years! He served in the Phillippines, Tacloban mission and although he has somewhat of an asian accent (or whatever you might call it-a mix of tons of different languages all rolled in to one), and acts really strange (why is that?), it is so much fun to have him home. It feels like it did before I got married. It was me and him, and here we are again.

These are the delicious cupcakes (at least one flavor) that my parent's neighbor, Rebecca Jensen, made for the homecoming get-to-gether. She did such a great job! Heck forget about the returned missionary, we have gourmet cupcakes here! (If you need cupcakes for any sort of occasion, i.e. wedding, farewell, homecoming, baby/wedding shower, GNO, let me know, and I would be more than thrilled to get you her info. Her website should be up an running soon.)

Trent with Mom and Dad

And of course one with Brooks. We made him a shirt that said I {heart} Uncle Trent! And he HAD to wear it the next day too. It was so cute to see Brooks with Trent. He stood in awe the entire time we were at the airport.

Welcome home, Trent! We love you and missed you! It is so great to have you home!