From Sea to Shining Sea!

I know it's about time for an update.  I always find an excuse not to.  Maybe because I have to think about what I want to say or how to say something somewhat intelligent and interesting.

We have gone through a BIG change over the past couple of months.  The BIG change of moving from one end of the country to another.  It is a LONG drive, had a few challenges but was also able to take some time and see some amazing, interesting and memorable things along the way.

We bade farewell to Naples, Florida . . .

And said hello to Salem, Oregon . . .

We shed tears and the Florida skies wept with us as we headed out of town and finally arrived in Oregon to warm welcome rays of sunshine and cool breezes to comfort and refresh us.

We spent time seeing sites such as . . . Andersonville Prison Cival War Site; St. Louis; Nauvoo, IL; Carthage, IL; to mention a few.  Pictures of all those to come.

We stayed in Idaho for almost 2 weeks for a family reunion.  We relaxed, took turns preparing meals, had some hilarious activities, did some kids crafts, canoed, played ultimate, rode 4-wheelers & motorcycles, hiked, went swimming, played basketball and attended the home ward for church where all of us grew up and the men and boys shot handguns & shotguns while the girls crafted .

It had been several years since we had been back to my mom's.  She has made some wonderful changes to her home, deck and yard that we all love.  Two years ago our reunion was in Texas, so we didn't get there then.  The next year was our turn to visit John's family in Washington, so we didn't go then either.  

The kids also got to ride horses.  One was thrilled, one was not. 

And even I got to ride. 

We made a stop at Multnomah Falls just before dark as we were on our last push or leg of our LONG drive.  It is beautiful here in the Northwest.

We were able to spend a few days with John's family . . . enjoying more of the outdoors.

We did finally find our way to our new home . . .

unloaded with extra help that we were sooo grateful for . . .

We are settling in slowly but surely and getting ready for our new adventures here.