July 2014 - Portland and Onward...

I've been stalling with posting for July since A: I've been just slightly busy  B: There seem to be just too many pictures and memories to sort through....what a month!

So, I think I'll start with just posting from our last few days in Portland and our travels to Greeley.  

July started off with last-minute packing, farewells to neighbors and the final loading of the moving truck.  Thankfully my parents were there to help with all of the packing/loading/childcare etc.  We couldn't have done it without them!  After loading up the truck, we all stayed at my parents' friend's house while Bryon finished up his last few days of work before leaving town on July 4th.

We miss all of our Portland neighbors a lot!  But, this neighbor is actually from Colorado and has family living just 20 minutes away from us, so maybe we'll see her again someday!

Moving day, and 97 degrees.  Here we are, tired and hot, hanging out in the shade in our backyard while the guys loaded the truck out front.

Friends of ours are now renting the house we rented in Portland.  Kai decided to make a treasure map and buried treasure in the backyard as a surprise for his friend who is now living there.  So fun to know that "our house" is being loved and enjoyed even though we had to leave it behind. 

Our stuff barely fit!  So thankful for my dad, Bryon and neighbor friends who helped with the daunting/hot task of piling all of our junk into the truck.

Empty house :(

One very very tired boy.  He held it together pretty well leading up to the move, but had several meltdowns the day of.  So much change to take in all at once for a little guy.

Our friends/neighbors had a 4th of July party followed by the neighborhood bike parade.  We thought this would be the perfect last Portland event to attend before we headed out.

  Here's grandpa helping Kai decorate his bike for the parade.

Kiddos playing in the backyard pre-parade.

Kai got to bike one last time with a bunch of friends.  Such a great end to our time there.

Grateful for 2 years with such sweet friends.

We sure do miss all of these kiddos and their families!

All loaded up and ready to go.  Truck, car, bikes.  Onward bound!

Boys' roadtrip!!

First stop - Boise, Idaho

Second stop - Ogden, Utah, complete with a dinosaur park/museum.

Some recreation along the way.

Final stop - Colorado

Meanwhile, Anders and I went up to Canada to be with my family for a few days before flying to meet Bryon and Kai in Colorado.

Meeting the cousins...so much love!

Anders is blessed to have this woman as his great grandma.

We got to celebrate Auntie Jenn's birthday while we were there.  And, Anders gave her lots of baby snuggles which she loved :)

Uncle Jeff

Just doing what he does so well.

Such a peaceful plane ride.

Pictures from the rest of the month to come (potentially!) soon.