Cool Desert Nights

Goodbyes stink.

Our good friends the Allens came down from Summit County to see us one last time before we officially moved away. They are some of the dearest friends we have and I get a little choked up thinking its going to be a really long time before we see them again. But I know that when I do, its gonna be just like old times. I love that I have friends in my life like that.

Rocky Mountain High

Ah, Denver. I've missed you my old friend.
Ivy and I came in to town Thursday morning to pack up the house and say so long. Its been bittersweet being here, but I'm excited to get a little more settled in Tri-Cities. I think the worst part about packing is knowing that a week from now I will be unpacking. Yuck.


Ivy and I on the airplane. I think Ivy's bags under her eyes are bigger than mine. She did better than I expected I guess. What can I expect when we have to get up so early. We took a break from packing on Friday and went to the Denver Aquarium. I picked the aquarium for a couple of reasons. Its a good size attraction. Good as in not too big. Especially for a 2 year old that doesn't want to be in the stroller, but is being clingy and won't walk. We saw some turtles and a bunch of fish (duh its an aquarium!)



Ivy was most interested in the tigers. We were standing there looking through the glass at a tiger that was pacing back and forth. Then the tiger saw something-I think it was Ivy- and kind of crouched down with that predator-ish look in his eye. He ran right at us! I backed up and ran into somebody and Ivy was just laughing and saying "Tiger! Tiger!"




Its interesting how little kids have some fears and others are learned. I hate sharks but Ivy was jumping up and down and sqealing about them. She wanted to "touch it" whenever they swam by.




The other reason I picked the aquarium is because we went in the afternoon. And on a summer afternoon in Denver you are almost guaranteed a thunderstorm. I have loved that we have had a bunch while we are here since they are rare in Richland. Ivy says "funder" with a bit of awe in her voice. We have also gone to the park, the farmer's market and played a bunch around the house. Luckily we had a bunch packed up before we left in September or this would have been a much more stressful trip. I have also had a bunch of help from our good friends the Davis' who let me use their car for the weekend and helped pack and a bunch of other things. We sure are going to miss all of our friends here.

Too Much To Do

So the big news around here is we FINALLY sold our house! I actually arrived in Denver yesterday to pack up our stuff over the next week and take it to Washington. Ivy and I flew from Portland and I have to say she did pretty well for having to get up at 4:30 in the morning. We took naps and then got to work. Getting here made me a little sad cuz I love this house so much. But no looking back now! We are renting a place until next spring since we have to have a a two year history with Greenies. Its been pretty annoying taking a couple of steps back in that way but I found a sweet house that will work for us that has a park right across the street which I am excited about. We have also started remodeling Darin's parents kitchen (started the project with no end in sight of moving out) and luckily I got to leave right when all the hard work began!. I designed it which has been a lot of fun. Maybe when Ivy goes to school I'll get into interior design or something. The only bummer part is not having millions of dollars to do the kitchen but we've made it work. I'll post before and after pics when its done. Greenies is rocking it and Darin comes home exhausted every night. My little brother Cory just graduated from high school this week and he is going to come work with Darin which will be a big help. We had Paddle Fest a couple of weekends ago where we took the kayaks down to the river and did demos along with a couple of other kayak shops. The Hobie rep came to help out and brought those paddle boards. They are like big wide surfboards that you stand on and paddle around. I am in love with it. Its so much fun but the river is FREEZING! Ivy is growing up way too fast. I'm having kind of a rough time with the fact that she is turning two next month. Well thats just a little update of how busy we are. I've taken some fun pictures this week but I'll have to wait until I get back home to post them and fill you in on all the fun adventures we are having!

Best Buddies

These guys are the best of friends! We wake up to Ivy yelling DAAAD! I have to tell her he is at work all day and she is so excited when her friend comes home from work to wrestle and chase her around the house. Not to mention going to the park and working outside and mowing the lawn on the tractor and on and on. Darin is the best Dad and Husband. I love you!

Random Fairs are Fun!

We went to the fair last night. It was just a little thing in the parking lot of a store. There were a few rides and some games and stuff. Nothing too exciting but probably just the right size for Ivy. We went with Rich, Laurel, Claire, Lytton and Darin's parents to check it out. I haven't been on a ride in probably 10 years which is sad cuz I love em. I think it has something to do with Darin's aversion to large crowds of people and carnival rides. All Laurel had to do was say the magic words and away we went. Those things get more rickety the older I get. I was crying I was laughing so hard. And its not very often you get to see Tri-Cities from the sky. Good times! So until the big fair comes to town we will sure enjoy the random little ones!


Laurel and I went on the Ali Baba. Oh man I was laughing so hard.


Ready to go down the super slide with Dad. My little slider was in heaven!


The carni helped Ivy pop a balloon to win a prize. I kept trying to steer her to the cow but in the end Ivy snatched up a blue salamander. What a great $5 toy!


Ivy with her Salamander. She even took it to bed. What a fun evening. I love getting to see everything likes its the first time by watching Ivy.

Fairlane Feeling!

Its that time of year again. The fairlane decides what we are doing pretty much every weekend from now until the nice weather goes away. We went to the cruise in at Wendy's last night and quickly learned that a DJ makes all the difference at those things. There were some cool cars and nice people but nothing to keep us around for very long. Hopefully we can find some more cruise ins that know how to jazz it up. Darin and Ivy went to the Benton City car show last weekend and had a blast even though everyone came home a little pink cheeked. Yay for sunshine!

Heading to the cruise in

Just blowing in the breeze!

Ivy eating, imagine that.