Day 1: Vancouver, WA to Boise, ID

We didn’t exactly leave on schedule, guess we weren’t in too big of a hurry. Our original plan was to be in Boise by 3pm so that we would have enough time to go to the waterpark, but the weather channel reported low 70’s, partly cloudy, and possible thunderstorms. So, I guess we just didn’t care what time we got there. That, and it all suddenly hit what we were about to do [the move]. Mostly the realization that we wouldn’t be coming home after this seemingly ‘vacation’, and we both kind of broke down. It was really sad.

Anyways, before leaving I wanted to get a picture near a “Leaving Washington” sign, but apparently this sign can only be found on the Idaho/Washington Border on I-14, somewhere we would not be crossing on this trip. So, we settled for this picture as our documentation of leaving ‘HOME’. (It’s just in downtown Vancouver.) It doesn’t say WA, but oh well. Aaron has spent the last 25 years in this area, and myself almost 20 years.

Nothing too eventful happening on this day. We have only two long ‘boring’ days scheduled for this entire trip (not bad for the whole 11 days worth), and this day just happens to be one of them. Thankfully one of the boring days came first so that we could get it out of the way and thankfully, the girls were wonderful! But how could they not be when they will be spoiled with snacks and treats, and have so many toys/workbooks/activities to keep them busy!

We did stop for what was suppose to be amazing breakfast in Pendleton… not really worth the stop, but it was better than like Shari’s or Fast Food. The décor was cute, the kids liked this:

We plan try to catch as many road signs as possible.

Rest stop flower pickers.

Both kids zonked sometime during the trip, Malia just so happened to while we had the camera out for the pic above.

What?!? Sunshine? Maybe we could have been ok for the waterpark. Too bad… didn’t even get to the hotel till 8pm.

But thankfully there’s a hotel pool!

Let’s hope for some good sleep tonight!

Packing up and Goodbyes

We researched a lot of different moving methods for our move to Ohio, but each and everyone seemed to cost a fortune! We decided that we wanted to turn our move into a fun road-trip, so decided against one of us driving a car and the other driving the moving truck with a car towed behind. So, we ended up choosing a company called U-Pack. They deliver a semi-ruck trailer to your doorstep, and then charge you based on the linear feet used. Whatever is left unused gets filled with pallets of commercial products that are delivered in transit. We ended up spending only $500 more than what it would have cost on gas alone for the moving truck, and are pretty happy with our decision. But… we do have to see what shape our things arrive in, considering that we tried really hard to fit/pack things in tight. We are super grateful for the help we received from family and friends during the week! Thank you!

Grandma and Mike’s girlfriend Becca kept the girls busy with games, books, and even dug for bugs!

Grandpa, Papa, Uncle Mike, Toko, Uncle Dan and Anton used their big strong muscles to help move.

This is what it looked like on the inside; packed edge to edge and all the way to the top. Our stuff ended up measuring 8x9x11. Next move though, I’m pretty sure we plan on selling everything. Packing and moving is really no fun.

Packing led to goodbyes. Sad. But, as my nearest and dearest friend says “Goodbyes can be hard, but without goodbyes we would never have new experiences, see or do new things.” She really is so right about that, and as my best friend, I really should believe her. But, at this exact moment, I’m already missing her so much and can’t stop crying! We are of course missing other’s too, but in time we will see everyone again… some way or another! We were fortunate to get to spend our last weekends with some of our closest friends and are so grateful to the time that was spent… but I’m kinda sad I didn’t get pictures of them all! Oh well. You all know who you are.

Here’s Uncle Mike tucking the girls in for the last time. But he has money, so we expect him to visit. LOL

Anton’s been losing weight and looking good! We’ll miss this guy and his mad goalie skills.

Saying goodbye to Grandparent’s is not in the least bit easy when thinking about how much our little girls are going to miss them!

We’ve been living with Dad since last July and it was such a blessing in so many ways that were unforeseen up until now. Not only did we grow closer as an extended family, but the girls were able to spend more quality time with Papa and their Uncles, we were brought closer to friends and family that were maybe a little too far away while living in Ridgefield, and we were prepared in numerous ways for this move such as already having to downsize our ‘life’, saving money, and bringing us closer to the most important people in our lives.

Kristie is the girls most amazing babysitter of all time. This woman is simply wonderful. She was so good for the girls, kept them in line, and always kept them busy with fun crafts and activities. She was kind enough to bring the girls goody bags filled with road trip goodies. She will be missed because now we have to find new sitter options!

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Not pictured is my closest friend Karen, who came down the night before we moved and spent more than 6hours helping me clean up last minute items (like the fridge), and helped me load up the truck with all our toys, snacks, etc. in a child/parent friendly manner. She will be missed so very much. I couldn’t ask for a better friend. But… we didn’t have to really say goodbye. I know I’ll see her again because we have many adventures planned for our future.

And lastly, here’s a pic of us as we prepare to load up the rest of our belongings.

80degrees in May!

It’s a little bit sad to think we will be leaving such amazing weather next week, but in a sense, we may get to enjoy another Spring! So that is kind of cool. (It only stopped snowing in Ohio like two weeks ago!) We took the girls down to the waterfront and found a little sandy pad to play on for a few hours to soak in the sun.

I didn’t realize Allie’s swim suit was too small until we were already swimming! So, we improvised with a hair tie. Kinda cute till the wedgies came, lol!

Malia’s definitely more into swimming than Allie is… hopefully with all the hotels we will be staying at this next week Allie will come to love swimming!

LRD ladies day and night!

I will for sure miss my work ladies and patients. No doubt about that! This week I celebrated 6 years with Lewis River Dental and am so sad to say goodbye to my career. But… I am also happy to know that in a few years I’ll be back to enjoying this same sort of feeling all over again. Love you girls!

Oh, and there couldn’t be a better send-off than spending a whole day shopping on the boss’s dime, getting pedicures, eating at the Cheesecake Factory and being kid free all night at the Embassy Suites! And to top it off these girls surprised me with a brand new backpack, waterbottle and jacket for riding my bike to and from school. These ladies are awesome!

Over the [waterfalls] and far away to Grandma’s House we GO!

Before heading to my Grandma’s house for a little farewell dinner, we decided to officially ‘document’ our many trips through the beautiful gorge and it’s waterfalls. For example, we’ve driven by and seen Multnomah Falls, the third tallest falls in the world, like a million times but I think only once as children did either of us actually get out and semi-hike to it. So… before moving, we thought the girls would like the memories captured on photo.

First stop on the old highway: Horestail Falls. I apologize for the water spatter on the lens, but the water was GUSHING!

Cute snap of Al.

I thought this sign just seemed appropriate since the previous week was spent  in Tacoma/Seattle, and next week we will be hitting Pendelton and Boise… maybe we should take the train???

Second stop: Multnomah Falls

Thank goodness for uncle Mike. No way we would have hiked up to the top if this buff guy didn’t carry a little girl the whole way on his shoulders. Thank you!

Cave Zombies!

That’s quite the drop off!

I’m sure one of the many things we will miss about the NW is the scenery… we won’t be seeing many hills/mountains in Cleveland!

Surprised??? Not me. They make fences with guard rails for everyone BUT Michael apparently.

So pretty up here!

A perfect family photo!

I’m so glad we actually made it a point to visit this before moving. Simply Amazing.

Third stop: Wahkeena Falls

Last stop: Grandma’s house. It was so nice visiting with Aunt Celeste, Grandpa, and Memere!

Grandma just got her eyes done (new lenses put in?) and she is trying to show Malia how glisteny her eyes have become. It seriously looks like a diamond is in place of her pupil!

Aaron loved that all through dinner Grandma kept ‘sarcastically’ calling him her favorite grandson.

I love my Grandma so much! And she makes THE best grilled cheese according to the girls. We sure will miss you!