Sunday, December 8, 2013

Missouri or Bust

We moved to Missouri! That's right… middle of the country, no Starbucks for 26 miles, and weird Mexican food that pours queso blanco over EVERYTHING. That being said… I LOVE it here! Granted it hasn't even been a month but it's beautiful, everyone is super nice (I get called ma'am a lot), and I get my family back!

Packing up. Don't be fooled, we were not the ones packing. Thank the Lord for the military and that they pay other people to pay and move us! I can really get on board with this situation.

Day 1: Eugene to Yakima. We stayed with some good friends of ours, Russ and Kimber and their baby girl Ellie. Russ and Vic are fishing buddies!

Day 2: Kimber and I took Ellie and Asher out galavanting and shopping whiles the boys fished! We finished off our night at Jean's Cottage Inn, the most down home steakhouse you'll ever see!


Day 3: Yakima to Caldwell, ID. Ranger is never allowed on our bed but as it was his first time in a hotel we made an exception! The boys were loving their snuggle time.

Day 4: Idaho to Salt Lake City, Utah. Here we are at Temple Square. We stayed with some friends from Camp Harlow, Jeff and Rebecca Shores who live just south of Salt Lake.

Day 5/6: Utah to Colorado which meant driving through Wyoming. BOORING and windy make for a long day. At one point we stopped at a gas station only to find out that it was the gas station, grocery store, restaurant, and post office for town that consisted of about 15 trailers. When we asked about the nearest town the response was "Well in 40 miles there is a McDonalds but if you want a big town there is a Subway in 80 miles." Oh geeze! Anyways, we stayed with Vic's step sister Amy and her family in Colorado and has such a fun time with the kids/exploring Fort Collins.

Day 7: Colorado to Kansas. In July my best friend got married and his "mom", Aronda, lives here in Kansas. I had only met her the one time and probably spent about 5 hours with her. I knew she lived in Kansas so I decided to call her and see if we could stay with her on our way through. She is so sweet and said we absolutely could. When we got there her house wasn't quite finished (she's remodeling) so she hooked us up with a bed and breakfast her friend owns. Lo and behold this friend, Marian, was the kindest most hardworking lady I have ever met. She took us around the farm, we played with the animals, and then she even babysat while Aronda, Vic and I went out to dinner. Disclaimer: I have never ever let someone I just met babysit but I trust Aronda's discernment. It turned out to be so great! We got to have a little kidless break all the while Asher was having a blast with Marian and her sisters. Eating, playing, getting a bath. Really this little detour was such a blessing from God for us on our last night before coming into Missouri. Later that night after dinner and bedtime Marian invited us up for homemade apple pie and ice cream. We sat and talked to her for a couple hours about life, God, and His many many blessings. She is such an angel and we are hoping to go see her this Christmas since she is only about 6 hours from here!



Day 8: Kansas to Missouri, FINALLY! We did it! We made it but not before seeing the worlds largest ball of twine, obviously!


Snow Baby!

If you are having a rough day just look here!




You're welcome!

Lula Elsie Christensen

My sister-in-law Eva FINALLY had her baby girl! They were never quite sure of the due date so we were waiting around a little longer than we thought for this scrumptious little thing! Meet Lula Elsie Christensen. Eva and I laugh that maybe somehow Lula and Asher got mixed up in the womb because he has red highlights (Eva has red hair) and she has the blackest hair! hehe what a chuba-chuba love!

Mirror

Asher meet Asher…

A

Peas

Literally the ONLY thing he's ever been unsure of and he still ate the whole jar! I think our family alone will keep the local grocery stores afloat… oui!

Carhartt Baby

I mean I really think this picture could sell these overalls in a snap!


California Trip

I got to spend a full week down in California visiting some family and very close friends of mine.


Asher with Great Grandma Grace!

This is Aliya. I used to babysit her when she was little and now she is all grown up! What a privilege it has been to be around watching her grow into such a beautiful, mature, and respectful young lady!

The Benabous… a crazy fun family that I've been "big sister" to since I was about 12!

Great times at Nathan's birthday party!

These two were such little hams for us!


I really do have the best little traveler! He does SO well on planes!