Follow That Penske Truck!

We are finally here! On Wednesday we squished all Aldama belongings into a little 16 foot Penske. It took Dan 3 plus attempts to fit everything in, but he managed to do it. That night we closed our doors and crashed at my parent's house. We slipped away in the middle of the night (3:45) to get an early start on the road. Dan's parents helped us with the tedious drive. We shuffled seats and took turns with the driving. It took us almost 14 hours, but all went well. We could not have done the whole move without their help. It was a long drive, though Corom slept most of the way and Noelle talked the whole time! That night we spent the night with my Aunt April and Uncle John.

The next day, the adventure really began! We got the keys to our little apartment. A girl walked by and said, "You are moving all by yourselves..let me go make some calls!" For the next few hours our stuff kept marching up the stairs being carried by tons of unfamiliar faces. Our new ward members (neighbors) came to the rescue with an overwhelming welcome! There is something really humbling about watching people work so hard to help us get settled. It turns out that our new student ward is our courtyard. (Three buildings) The only thing that didn't make it was our couch. Off to the DI because we couldn't get it up the stairs. For now we have one recliner. Whoever is the quickest gets to sit down!

We are getting settled a little at a time. We are just trying to figure out where to put everything. What do people do without garages? Camping gear? Bikes?????? Anyways, we are feeling really blessed. We have been fed by John and April 3 times this week and are making new friends every time we go down to the playground in the courtyard. (Just at the bottom of the stairs) Dan started UPS this morning and will begin school next week. I'll post pictures once we put the place together. It kind of looks like the kind of mess you make on Christmas morning right now with all of the boxes and displaced stuff. We love you all and miss you like crazy! Noelle keeps asking to visit her people in Sacramento. She'll understand in time! We'll keep you all posted. If anyone has a webcam, let us know. We would love to keep in touch that way!

Summer Luvin'

It has been a fabulous summer...so sad to see it draw to a close. We are on the countdown now- just 6 more days until the Penske truck drives us away! We are, for the most part packed up and are just preparing for a moving sale on Saturday. (YUCK! But so much to get rid of) We said goodbye to our one and only car today- our Honda CRV. Tomorrow it will be replaced with a new Land Rover. (New to us at least) It was one of those finds that just screamed, "I'm your new car!" Plenty of room for the family, good for the snow, checked out and in really good condition and still under warranty. We are soooo excited. So, with our new car, Dan's parents, a big moving truck and our babies we will be taking off next Thursday. Thought I might take a second to showcase our fun summer since I haven't put up pictures in a long time.

AHHHHH!

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!

Five Weeks and Counting

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! :)

What a Fun Week!

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!

The Smoke-in-the Air Blues

For all you fellow-Northern California folk, you know what I'm talking about with this title. I'm telling you, it's like the world's longest rainy day recess. (Only smoke in the air) Thank heavens the fires aren't closer, but for goodness sake, we sure wish the air would clear. I've been trying to think of things all week for Noelle and I to do inside. My saving graces are having gymnastics classes and the cousins next door. I've been to gymnastics 2 times this week! I just can't figure out how to explain smoke to a two year old who can't actually see the fire. She wants to run and play outside and to her, the air looks fine! Okay, enough smoke talk...a quick moving update. It's looking like mid-August. We had a fun time searching for apartments in SL. We had Dan's parents come along and managed to squeeze in a little time with my cousins, grandparents and a little sight-seeing. Thank you to all the Shirley cousins for a fun weekend. It was Noelle's first time flying-she loved it! Since returning, we have been trying to pack a few boxes at a time. It's always hard to pack up a home, especially here, where we have brought home our babies! We have loved living here. I need to wake Noelle up. I'll update the pictures later!

Just Checking In

Ahhhh... all family members are tucked in bed and fast asleep. Quiet time- my favorite time of day! Noelle actually fell asleep at the dinner table tonight. It all started with some yawns, followed by "Is it bed time?" She kept closing her eyes and Dan and I would laugh because we thought she was just being silly. Then, she really did fall asleep. It was only 6:15! My fingers are crossed that she will sleep through the night and not wake up at some crazy time in the morning. She's excited to go on her first airplane ride tomorrow. We are off to go apartment-hunting in SL with Dan's parents. Wish us luck. If all goes as planned, we are hoping to find a place to take us in August. (Stay in Sacramento as long as possible) Life is good! Keep up the blogging. We love staying connected with everyone!