Los Aldama

Okay, so the title is totally how I feel right now! We have two weeks to go in Sacramento. Do you have any idea how hard it is to prepare for a move with a 5 month old and a 2 year old? I have set a BIG goal to do 2 boxes a day! (Pre-kids I would have thought that that was such a silly little goal) Making good progress- but feel like I'm going a little bonkers! We are, for the most part packed up. Thank goodness for a sun room that can be devoted to packed boxes. The big plan is to fill up a Penske and to caravan with the car. We are hoping to purchase a new car this week (don't ask... it's a long story) So, as we prepare to say goodbye to Sacramento, we are trying to squeeze in as much time with friends and family as possible. We have been playing daily with Lucia and Marco and trying to swim often at both grandparent's houses. Today we played all morning at the park. Noelle keeps talking about going to Utah. It's such an abstract concept to her. She just knows that she has family out there and talks about them all of the time. She will say, "Where's Utah? I can't see it!"

All in all, however we are just thrilled for this new phase in life. Dan is eager to start back to school and I think the student housing life will be an adventure. (To say the least) We hope that when all is said and done that Dan will be well educated and that we will have a lot to show for these next few years. In the meantime, I have to keep this in my mind as I pack up my home and prepare to take my babies 700 miles away from home! Thanks to everyone for keeping up their blogs. I love looking at pictures and feeling connected to family and friends far and near!I'm sorry we are so bad about keeping this one up to date. We have been so busy!

-We are selling a piano, amd fridge. If anyone has any leads, please let us know!

Reality, right now, feels like putting my face into an ice bath. WAKE UP!!! We have about five more weeks in sunny California before we start our pilgrimage to the land of plenty - Utah. We have been accepted to live in Student Housing at the U, and move in mid August. Frankily, the apartments look like a glorified jail cell - cinder-block walls, concrete floors, and some sort of dark purple carpet. Martha Stewart, where are you?! I don't mind the living quarters, because the pros definitely outweigh the cons: less than a mile to school, rent is inexpensive, the grounds look like a mob of toddlers just passed through and left every sinlge toy they possess on the sidewalk (pro or con? you decide). The community seems more than ideal for Noelle, and Corom, there's plenty of room for them to play - safely. Along with the sweet feelings we have for the move are the bitter ones of leaving our family and friends in California. Only time away from those we love will reveal the yearning we have to be back at their sides, which will cause for some long, restless nights. Thank goodness for web cams. Speaking of which, Brian mentioned "skype" for an online phone service. On the surface it sounds great, so I was wondering if anyone else has had success with this service.
Another reality we're facing is the moving process, uugghh! I won't bore you with the details. All I'm saying is there's a lot of toys/clothes that have to go! Any takers?
We are so looking forward to start a new chapter in our lives - new friends, family members, surroundings, experiences. Until next time...

Dan

P.S. To the Shirley Cycling Gang: I have been training on my road bike for the last 2 months, I'll see you at Lotoja! :)

It has been a playful week! Callie and Brian came home from their long backpacking adventure through Asia and in route to Arizona, where he will be starting his new job. We swept away tears as they drove off this morning! We have just been crashing my parent's house, swimming, eating all of their food and being lazy as can be! Uncle Brian and Callie sure know how to entertain kids! I think Noelle, Lucia and Marco all think that they came just to play with them! We had a yummy barbeque at my parent's house on the fourth with the Aldamas and went to see fireworks at Sunrise Mall! Yesterday was mom's birthday and we all got together for yet another dinner! We have really cherished our time with the family this week. It's been fun!