Thursday, September 27, 2012

Jersey

A few weeks ago, we traveled back east to New Jersey for Rochelle and Eric's "Grimes Family" reception. The last time we were there was for our own version of this awesome party. We love meeting up with the Grimes Family in New Jersey. They are so fun and we always have a great time! We landed at midnight and finally made it to Uncle Joe's house at  2:30 in the morning. E-x-h-a-u-s-t-e-d. 

But we got up bright and early a few hours later to finish the drive to the shore of Ocean City New Jersey! 

First activity of the day:
Miniature-golf on the Boardwalk. Joey has been wanting to play since we first got together in 2009... poor guy. So we finally got in a solid, sweaty game. We were neck and neck the whole game and I barely squeezed by with the win. Proud moment. 


An Ocean City picture tradition.

To calm our sweat glands we met up the Grimes Family at one of their Shore homes. I love this place! Relaxing and so fun! 


Joey's dad has 8 brothers and sisters and they throw quite the party!!


Rochelle and Eric headin' out to sea on the kayaks.

 Chelsea gettin' her paddling on. 

One of many attempts to stand up :) She finally got it!


Uncle Joe giving us one big push off the dock.  

Getting the hang of it. But still hard! 

Joey going out with his momma and Uncle Jim for a quick ride.  

 Sunset at the Shore. Love.

Early morning stroll on the boardwalk. 

Grimes Girls 

A great party with awesome family. So perfect! Can't wait for next time!!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Nebraskans!

Remember that big "Welcome Home" party we had after China? Well you better believe I wanted to see each and every family member before taking off to another foreign and distant land... Nebraska!

The weekend was full of family get togethers. Just the way we like it! I had to fight back the tears as best I could with each "see ya later", though I didn't win the fight most of the time!

Just 5 days after we decided we were moving to Nebraska for school, we packed up our Penske Truck (with the BEST help from Grimes family!!!!) and didn't take off...

We ended up selling our car that morning. Then spending the day buying another car. Got it all strapped to Penske then enjoyed another night with my parents.

Last night at home.

 Early Tuesday we started our ridiculously long journey.


Tuesday night we stayed with my brother JT in Provo. We have only seen him for a total of about 5 days since he's been home from his mission! Not fair! Let's just say it was definitely a "guys" apartment and I didn't dare walk around bare foot in there.


The next day we met up with one of our good friends that taught with us in China, McKenna and her boy Justin. We went to Kneaders (for the second time in our first 15 hours in Utah!) and it was so fun to catch up! 

One of my favorite people! 

That night we stayed at my Sister in-laws sisters house (got it?). They were so awesome to take us in. Thanks Mel and Nick!! We met up with our good friends for Fro yo that night and had a ton of fun chattin' up a storm! I really love Utah!

Next up, Denver!
 Joey couldn't pass up a 50 cent ice cream cone at 9 in the morning! 

We visited my cousin Lindsey and her husband Robert. They recently moved to Denver for dental school and it was so great to see them!! Lindsey is due with their first baby boy next week! So excited for them!!! We love you Linds and Roberto!

Early Friday morning we began the final, very straight stretch to Lincoln. I swear the road didn't turn or curve once.
Gorgeous sunrise Joey took while I was sleeping :) Notice there are NO mountains in sight? Slightly depressing but beautiful in it's own way. 

We were so excited to finally arrive in Lincoln! Especially to get that dang car off the back of the truck. 


We really lucked out in the Apartment situation! We spent hours and hours searching online the week before. We applied for two that said we could get our deposit back if we changed our mind (which ended up turning into a ridiculous hassle.). We visited the first one, I was NOT impressed. Then we went to the second one and loved it! We talked about it for a whole five minutes then signed the lease and paid our dues. One hour after pulling into Lincoln, we were unpacking into our new apartment!!


There are about 8 couples or so that live in the complex who are LDS and law students! So we immediately had help when we announced to one of them we arrived. Five guys finished the sweaty hard work, carrying all of our things to the 3rd floor :) and then we were done!

Joey was pooped. 

We found some surprises when unpacking. Apparently my candles didn't like being out in the garage during the Summer. 

Joey with his slew of text books on the first day of orientation. Thank goodness they keep those at school!

Sunset view from our balcony.

His new home for the next 3 years. Here we go!

Joe is in week 4 and doing great! He is diligent in his studies and goes to school for 10 hours every day. 

I was able to get a job after two weeks at the local running store here, Lincoln Running Co. It is an awesome store and I'm enjoying it so far!

We know this is where we are supposed to be. How else would everything have aligned and worked out so perfectly in getting us here? All of the friends we have made are great, down to earth people and have been very welcoming to us.

I get asked daily if I bought my "huskers gear" yet. These people are serious fans!

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Long Live Summer

Coming home from China was the best thing ever. You may think being away from family for nearly 5 months is not that big of a deal, but let me tell you (!) it is a BIG deal to us/me!!!!!!!! 

Summer was awesome! Filled with family, beach trips, Rochelle's wedding, Californ-i-a, friend get togethers, and a whole lot of relaxing and just hanging out. Wish we could relive it right about now!

At our "Welcome Home" party with our families. This is the first time we got to meet our CUTE little niece Avery!! We love her!!! Jimmy and Meghan make one adorable baby!!!

Bennett - LOVE

Milly - LOVE

Newport Beach with the Grimes - Rochelle's wedding week! Sooooo fun!!

Family pictures on the beach the morning of the wedding 

Rochelle & Eric Bustamante - Newport Temple
Thankfully they waited for us to get home from China so we could be there!! 
Such a great day!

Sisters - love these girls

 :)

After our week in Newport with the Grimes, we headed south to Solana Beach to spend a week with the LeSueur family.



Joey has waaaaay too much fun digging holes at the beach.

4th of July with these cuties

Waiting for fireworks


Uncle Joey

Jordan & Guilian's sealing day

Julie, Guilian and I
Crossing our fingers that Julie has her baby girl umm... like TODAY! She's a week overdue. Guilian had a beautiful little girl about a month ago. So happy for both of you and wish we could be there to see your new little families!


Reunited! Girls night before Brooke had her baby. Awesome to catch up. I miss the olden days. Brooke had baby girl #2, Jacie, a week later. So happy for her and Jay!

After a whole lot of changing our minds and going back and forth between U of A and Nebraska, we ended up deciding that Nebraska was the place for us. More on that next!