The Sunset Was Awesome

Photo by Tyler

They Made It!

This is the first post coming to you from the Greater Seattle Area. We made it.

We had tons of family and friends help us load up the truck in Minnesota. It was crazy how quickly everything got done, and how perfectly it all fit.

We had plenty of "Last Suppers" with people who we knew we may not be seeing for quite some time. My family, Tyler's family, and lots of friends.

 After some last minute trips, cleaning and errands, we were off.

I think it's safe to say that if either of us had the option, we could have done without the first day. Our goal was to make it to Miles City, MT; but after 10+ hours and some of the worst road conditions I've experienced (which is saying a lot considering I've lived all my life in Minnesota), we decided that Bismarck, ND was our new goal. As we exited to find a hotel in Bismarck, we noticed a sign that informed us the highway from Bismarck to Montana was closed due to weather.

Not the best day.

I noticed this on the truck tire at a gas station - so cool.

 We officially had no option but to stop, as did every other traveler. The hotels were packed and trying to find a place to park the truck and trailer proved to be a challenge. Once Tyler finally pulled into a spot, he went to inspect the trailer and noticed that the straps holding the car on were lying on the trailer next to the tires. The car was on the trailer, but the only thing keeping it there was the e-brake. As upset as we were, we realized it could have been a lot worse.

Maya even got out to enjoy the fresh Montana air. Yes, I was that person.

The trip from then on was free of disaster (thankfully). The views along the way were amazing.  We were able to spend all day every day on the road thanks to many books on CD and our handy walkie talkies that enabled easy communication with each other (and the occasional Montanian and Washingtonian using the same frequency). Our 10 hour day to ND was followed by a 13-hour day (slept in Butte, MT), a 9-hour day (slept in Ellensburg, WA) and finally a 2-hour drive through the Snoqualmie Pass and to our new home just north of Seattle. We pulled into our apartment parking lot, anxious to see the place we will be living for the next year. Tyler's Aunt, Vickie and friend, Dee, were here waiting and ready to help. They were wonderful and we appreciated their help!

I promise there are more blog posts to come. We have one stack of boxes to get put away, and then pictures of our place will be posted.

We really appreciate the support we have gotten. This has been a big move and a long time coming - it would not have been easy to make this huge leap without all of your support. We love you all:)

The Countdown Is On

In just two short weeks, the truck will be loaded up, one car on the tow dolly and we will be pulling away of our Minnesota apartment for good. We'll head out on our 24+ hour road trip to Seattle, which will be where we call home.

Things are coming together, and the move is coming up quickly! Tyler starts at his new position on March 11th, which will also be the first day I work from my home office. We have our apartment all picked out, and I just spent an hour reviewing the lease. It's all so real!

We are in the final planning stages - when exactly to load up, where we'll stop along the way, and how Tyler will survive driving the 16-ft truck across the country and through the Cascade Mountains (and how I'll survive the drive with a cat...)

This entire move is bittersweet, but we are so excited to see what adventures are waiting for us. My goal is to be more diligent about blogging in order to keep family and friends updated on our life. I know I've said that before - but maybe this time is different? I suppose time will tell:)

It's Almost November!

We recently (ok, in July) upgraded from our point and shoots to a digital SLR camera. we ended up going with a Canon, and have been VERY happy with it. We have a vacation coming up in January, and wanted to make sure we gave ourselves enough time to play with it and learn how to use it well. Here's a few shots!

They Go to California

Almost two months ago (wow, time flies), we spent five days in Southern California. We had a fantastic trip.

We went to a Twins/Angels game with Tyler's friend Ben and his girlfriend Jacqueline. Ben just moved out to LA this spring, so it was great to see him. The Twins lost, but we got to see Jered Weaver's no-hitter - which was very cool. We'll get to check another stadium off our list when we go to Kauffman Stadium in a couple of weeks here.

We decided to drive up the coast to Santa Barbara. I noticed tons of people pulled off with cameras pointed toward the water. I asked Ty if we should stop, figuring there had to be something out there. We pulled off, not knowing that the rest of our day would be spent following a pod or two of gray whales. They were within 100 yards of shore at times. We would pull off, watch for awhile, and then drive up a ways longer to watch for longer. We got to talking with a few locals who were doing the same thing, and it ended up being a really great day that we couldn't have planned.

So big and awesome. There were at least five, possibly up to nine.

 On the way home, we stopped just south of Point Mugu to watch the sunset.

Another day, we drove down to San Diego. We were on the hunt for Hard Rock drumsticks, a Starbucks mug, and La Jolla. After literally 17 calls to various Starbucks locations, we were able to consider all three things a success.

We spent our last day in Hollywood. Walked Hollywood Blvd, and ended up going to see Avengers (for the second time in the less than 48 hours it had been open) at El Capitan Theater. Definitely a worthwhile experience. There was something neat about seeing the movie where it had premiered just weeks earlier. Oh yes, and we were lobster-like.

Tyler & I have decided that traveling is a priority. We have been able to see places ranging from Greece to Turkey to Seattle to Mexico, and many in-between. We know we are very fortunate, and are working hard to be able to take the trips that we do. Next on the list? Kansas City, then Hawaii and hopefully an east coast trip.

The Wedding Video is Finally Posted

Click on the image below to see a highlight video from our wedding.

The Christmas Recap Is Very Belated

Christmas this year was quite crazy - but just fantastic:) Neither Tyler or I had any time off work, so everything was squeezed into a short amount of time.

First, we Tyler bought Justin Bieber wrapping paper. We watched Elf and had a Christmas wrapping party (don't judge the tree, we have judged it enough for all).

 
The weekend before we spent with my dad, brothers, step-family, grandma, aunt and cousins. Since I was 4, we have gone to a dinner theater every Christmas - The Season's Dinner Theater.

Tyler and I just filled stockings for each other, since we had bought a new TV on Black Friday. We did our little celebration on the Thursday prior to Christmas (clearly, we are the perfect, very photogenic couple).

After a week of work, we left Friday evening and drove to Ontario, WI to see my mom and celebrate Christmas with her, my brothers, step-dad and sister.

A drive home on Saturday night preceded Christmas day spent with Tyler's family. Sherlock Holmes II happened - and unlike two years ago - the reels were in the right order. It made for a much less confusing movie.

I would say that our first married Christmas was a success.