Adjusting

What an amazing experience we have had over this past week. We are extremely grateful right now for all of the help and love that have been given to us. We had amazing friends help us pack and clean. We had over 15 people come and help pack up the truck. We had a crazy few days getting everything packed up and cleaned, but through the help of our amazing friends, we did it and got out on time. Thank you Bozeman!

We made it through the thick and thin of the cold and the storms to our new house. We left Friday morning and drove most of the day through fog, snow, ice, and white-out conditions. It wasn't icy, but it was really hard to see. I drove with the kids in the van with my non-stop talker while Brent drove the 26-foot U-Haul with a trailer and car on the back. It was a long, slow day and we only made it to Casper, Wyoming. We were hoping to make it all of the way, but the kids were very tired. So, we stayed in a motel and got up early to finish our drive. We made it to Greeley at 12:30 and we had the elder's quorum arrive to help us move in at 1:00. We had over 15 people come to help and we had the entire truck unpacked in an hour. It was truly amazing to watch and we had a great welcome into our new ward. The amazing thing about it is that one of the men in the presidency said that they normally just have the three men in the presidency show up, so they were amazed that so many had come.

Grandpa and Grandma Powell were here for a day to help entertain the kids and get things set up for us. The kids and grandparents were both thrilled to play with each other while Mom and Dad worked like mad to get beds set up and things put together. We celebrated Jacob's birthday on Saturday evening with Grandpa and Grandma Powell and we even got our Christmas tree set up. We had a really fun first evening in our new home.

Our first week in Greeley, Colorado has been very productive and... interesting. First of all, we didn't receive mail keys from the landlords and they had no idea what to do about it. I called the post office and they said that if we didn't receive the keys from the previous tenant than we would have to pay $30 for a lock change on our mail box. Unfortunately they only do the changes on Tuesdays and Thursdays and they're not doing it again until NEXT Tuesday. At least I can go to the post office to pick up our mail that way.

We got the washer and dryer all set up on Sunday evening so that I could start laundry on Monday morning. So, Monday morning comes and I go downstairs and start the first load. The water is running and I'm putting in the clothes. Next thing I know, my feet are getting wet and water is POURING out from underneath the washer. Hannah and I grabbed lots of towels and got everything soaked up. When Brent got home from work on Monday evening, we tipped up the washer and he looked underneath and found a huge crack in the outside container of the washer that holds the drum. The only thing that we can figure is that there was water left in it when the washer was put on the truck and then it froze in the two nights of being on the truck and cracked the tub. Well, I called a couple of repair places Tuesday morning and discovered that a repair like this would cost upwards of $350! Ya... seriously! The washer is only 3 1/2 years old and hasn't given us any troubles. This was my very first washing machine, so it was a little hard for me to admit that we needed to get a new one. I had a good cry, said my goodbyes, and we went to Sears last night and bought a new washer for the same price it would cost to fix our old one. We got the washer home last night and set it up and started up a load right then and there. Mostly because Hannah had been crying all day about having to wear Sunday socks and it wasn't Sunday.

It's all new and it's very hard, but we're excited to be here. Brent has had three days at his new job and he's thrilled with how they are treating him and with his co-workers, with the benefits, and with the job in general. It's going to be a fun and challenging position with lots of growth and potential. We are very sad to leave our friends in Bozeman. Hannah keeps asking if we can go back to our "white house" and if she can go to preschool and if she can to see her friends. It's heart-breaking for a mother to try to explain to her three-year-old that we have to make new friends and that we won't see our old friends for a long time. It's also an adjustment for me to go from three part-time jobs to just being at home. I absolutely love being home, but I have to start all over again finding things to do and places to go. We just need to give it some time and get into the groove of things, and hopefully we'll love it here as much as we did in Bozeman.

I'm using Brent's laptop to do this post and give you all an update. My computer is not set up yet, but as soon as it is we'll get pictures up of Jacob's birthday, our new house, and of Christmas. We love and miss you all. We sincerely wish you a Merry Christmas! May Santa Claus visit you and yours tonight!

Happy 1st Birthday Jacob!

Happy Birthday little man! We are so in love with your easy-going spirit and your happy smile. Thank you for this wonderful first year with you. We love the laughs that you've given to us and the fun things that you are doing every day. We wish you a wonderful 1st birthday and we are sorry that we have to move today. We love you, sweetheart!

Jacob's Birth-Day

One Week Old.

2 Months Old

6 Months Old

8 Months Old

One Word Answers

Rule: Keep every answer to one word (not easy)

1. Where is your cell phone? Charging
2. Where is your significant other? Bed
3. Your hair color? Brown
4. Your mother? Amazing
5. Your father? work-aholic
6. Your favorite thing? Sleep
7. Your dream last night? Packing
8. Your dream/goal? Weightloss
9. The room your in? Office
10. Your hobby? Organizing
11. Your fear? Economy
12. Where do you want to be in six years? Done
13. Where were you last night? Hammar
14. What you’re not? Witty
15. One of your wish list items? Hutch
16. Where you grew up? everywhere
17. The last thing you did? Movie
18. What are you wearing? Jeans
19. Your TV? Small
20. Your pet? Someday
21. Your computer? Fixed
22. Your mood? Overwhelmed
23. Missing someone? Lisa
24. Your car? Minivan
25. Something you’re not wearing? Shoes
26. Favorite store? Target
27. Your summer? Fun
28. Love someone? Jacob
29. Your favorite color? Red
30. When is the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Yesterday

The Packing Has Begun

The boxes are out and getting filled up. Our Christmas tree and decorations are still packed up and won't be seen for another week. We are getting very excited to moved next week and set up house and Christmas decorations. Every day Hannah tries to throw her blankie into one of the boxes to make sure that it comes with us. That's all.

State Farm Insurance

Brent has received an official offer of employment with State Farm Insurance. He will be working in the Greeley, Colorado regional office. Brent is very excited for this new learning experience and for the prospects that State Farm presents. We are also very excited for the job security during these hard economic times. We will be moving to Greeley on the weekend of December 20th. That's right... the weekend before Christmas. We will try to give updates as we move along, but wish us luck during these next few weeks. Goodbye Bozeman! We love you!

Hannah & Mommy Go to Sesame Street

Hannah and Mommy went to Sesame Street last night! We went to the Sesame Street Live show called "Elmo Makes Music." We had a great time. It was well worth the splurge. These are my attempts at a picture before the show started. Hannah couldn't look at the camera with so much else to see. I finally got her to do ONE for me!
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Here are some pictures of the show. Hannah was THRILLED to see all of her Sesame Street friends. She was extremely concerned about Bert when he would go off stage. Hannah was also very sad at the end of the show when she realized that Abby wasn't in the show at all. Hannah kept saying "I'm VERY worried about her!" Big Bird would talk to us to let us know about intermission and when the show would be starting. He would say "The show is going to begin in 3 minutes." Hannah would jump into her seat and get ready for it to start. Afterwords, we were talking and she said "MOM! Big Bird said that the show is going to start in 3 minutes just like I'M three!"

Here is a picture of Hannah dancing and singing during the show. It was very interactive and fun. It was a great show for little kids.
ELMO MAKES MUSIC
Mark your calendar for a musical event like no other—monsters making music! Elmo, Zoe, Big Bird and all their Sesame Street friends are taking to the stage to share their love of music in Sesame Street Live "Elmo Makes Music." Jenny, an enthusiastic new music teacher, arrives on Sesame Street only to discover that her instruments are missing. Jenny’s new Muppet friends quickly come to the rescue and discover ‘instruments’ they never knew existed…rubber duckies, trash can lids and even cookie jars. Elmo and friends teach children that everyone can make and enjoy beautiful music together. Adults will hear music they’ll recognize and enjoy sharing with children, such as "The Hustle," "You Should Be Dancing" and "Rockin’ Robin." "Elmo Makes Music" features nearly two dozen songs, including classics that children will love to sing along with such as "C Is for Cookie" and "The Alphabet Song." THE CAST Bert, Big Bird, Ernie, Elmo, Oscar, Grover, Cookie Monster, Zoe, Rosita, Count Von Count, Jenny, Telly, Baby Bear, Prairie Dawn, Phoebe, Googel, and Honker.

A Weekend Trip... to Colorado Springs?

A 12 hour drive is nothing when you're going just for the weekend, right? Well, the kids did wonderful considering how long the drive was. We borrowed a bigger car seat for Jacob and he was very content with the space until the last two hours. At that point, there was nothing we could do for the poor, tired little man. Thank the heavens for DVD players! That was Hannah's salvation right there. Movies, movies and more movies.

Why did we drive to Colorado Springs for the weekend? Brent had an interview in Greeley, Colorado on Monday morning with State Farm Insurance. (We'll find out next week and let you know.) My parents are only two hours from Greeley, so of course you can't get two hours away from Grandpa and Grandma and not go see them! We had a great three day visit. Hannah woke up every morning at 6:45 and went and jumped into bed with Grandpa and Grandma. They, of course, pretended like they loved it and they were thrilled to have her non-stop chatter in their sleepy ears. We terrorized Grandpa and his clean house, wore out Grandma, and came home.

Why no pictures? Mom forgot the camera. BUT...in my defense, I didn't forget ANYTHING ELSE! We got all of the toothbrushes, bottles, snacks, underwear, and entertainment for the car.

Halloween 2008: The Pretty Princess & The Cutest Rat You've Ever Seen!

We had a GREAT Halloween! Hannah was SO very excited to be a beautiful princess all day long. Mom let her wear makeup and did her hair in pretty braids. We had a really warm day, so by the end of the evening, Jacob had decided that he couldn't handle being in his warm costume any longer.


Here is Hannah in her full princess costume riding her pink unicorn and wearing her princess hat.

The rat and the daddy.

Princess Hannah posing.


Hannah going through her stash of candy. Hooray for candy!

One Frog, Too Many Princesses

Last Thursday was Hannah's Halloween party at preschool. As you can see, there were more than enough little princesses and not enough frogs in the bunch.

(Thanks Celia for the picture!)

Carving Pumpkins

We carved pumpkins last night. Hannah did a great job digging out the insides. She complained about it being gross, but she did it.

Saturday Afternoon

Brent and the kids had a fun Saturday afternoon while I was at work. We had a nice, warm afternoon, so they went out for a walk/bike ride and played on the playground. Hooray for nice weather!

Harvest Creek Pumpkin Farm

On Friday we went to the Harvest Creek Pumpkin Farm here on the outskirts of Bozeman. We had a great time playing on hay bales and in the pumpkin patch. Jacob liked the feel of the hay and even tried to eat a few handfuls. There was a huge tree with probably 10 or more swings on it that the kids loved playing on. We went for a hay ride around the farm and we even drove through some HUGE, MUDDY puddles!

The Morning After the 3rd Birthday

Needless to say, Mom was very tired the morning after the birthday. Hannah was enjoying the wrapping paper and her new makeup kit. Yea for birthday's!

The Birthday Party

Hannah had a GREAT 3rd Birthday party. She got a new dress to wear and was SO excited when she came home from picking up COSTCO pizza and there were presents set up for her. We had a few friends, the Poulson's and the Enslinger's, for a little party. Callie was very excited to come and help Hannah open her presents. Hannah was spoiled beyond the meaning of the word. She got a bike from her Grandpa's and Grandma's. She has been riding her bike every day this week and has loved every minute of it. Hannah also received makeup, jewelry, 3 dress-up dresses, ballet slippers, Princess slippers, a Princess-Unicorn costume for Halloween, books, a piano, toys, jackets, dresses, and the Barbie that came out of her Princess Birthday Cake (Sorry, I didn't take a close-up picture of the cake. I made it myself and I think it turned out well). I think that over-all, Hannah had a great day. Thanks for all of the love, cards, and presents!







This balloon mysteriously attached itself to the ceiling and stayed up there for hours.

The girls were ecstatic at licking the frosting off of the Barbie after she was pulled out of the cake.



Hannah's new dress, which she wore to church yesterday and got a million compliments on.