The Big Move

Well the move went as good as it could I guess. The girls had a blast for their first time flying. We departed Valdosta at 5:45am June 2nd. We arrived in Idaho Falls around 2:00pm Mt time. I was a little concerned how they would endure a 3hr layover in ATL and a 2hr layover in Salt Lake but they did great. When we landed in Idaho Falls we took my truck and checked into a hotel alongside the Snake River. This is the same place Mandy and I stayed when we came to visit for the first few times. They have a really pretty walk way they call the “Green-Way” here. The girls really enjoyed it. The falls are also along the Green-Way. Once we were settled into the hotel Mandy and I took the girls to their new house for the first time. I was planning on walking them through the house to give a nice tour but that is not exactly what happened. Once I unlocked the door I nearly got trampled as they rushed through. It reminded me of the Black Friday Wal-Mart shoppers when they first open the doors... The following day we got up, had some breakfast and made our way back to the house. The movers were to be there around noon with all our stuff. (Hence the reason we stayed at the hotel). When they arrived it was a mad house. Movers walking in with boxes left and right asking where’s this go, where’s that go.. On and on.. Boxes eventually made their way to the ceiling and space started running out. Once they were done and after signing around 75 pages of forms they left. There we were standing in a jungle of cardboard and furniture. Mandy looked at me and just said “Umm.. huh..” It took nearly all week to get the boxes unpacked and half way settled. We (mainly Mandy) worked on those boxes from early morning till late at night for 5 days straight. I have to say she has really done a lot and great job. The house is coming together. Still have lots of pictures to hang up and a garage to organize. The girls love their new place. Dawn has the entire basement to herself most of the time and has nick named it her “girl cave” . Since I have been here I have made some great friends from work. One couple just happens to also be from Georgia. Heath and Shanda. They are awesome. Shanda has also asked to keep Allie Rai during the summer. That is big help. Yesterday the family along with Heath and Shanda went to Palisades hiking. That will be another post after this one. But long story short the girls fell in love with Shanda. Tomorrow will be another big day. Mandy has her first day at work, I have new hires starting, Dawn’s first day of Cheerleading begins, and Allie Rai has her first day with Shanda. Should be interesting…

Indiana Trip

Well I have now been in Indiana for 2 weeks. It feels like ive been here for 2 mths. If anyone had any future plans or dreams of seeing Indiana let me go ahead and give you sound advice. "DON'T"!!!!! There is nothing here but flat fields, wind turbines, and rude folks! One more week to go and I can write this Place off! Oh and when it comes to football, ha, im getting trashed talked by Purdue fans. Really??? Do they even televise Purdue? Did anyone even realize Purdue was located in Lafeyette IN.??? I didnt.. Well one more week and i'll be back with my girls. Only for a short weekend but cant wait. Really missing them. Then a weeek in Atlanta. Oh boy!

2nd Idaho Trip

Mandy and I had a blast in Idaho Falls again. It was a tad colder this time around. However we really enjoyed seeing "real" snow for the first time. Mandy loved the house we went to see and we decided to take it. So we at least have a place to live once we move now. The house is located in a very nice neighborhood called "Stone Brook". Mandy and the girls will be about 3 to 4 miles from everything they want.. Movies, shopping, shopping, restaurants, downtown events and local places to eat, shopping etc.... Here are some pictures I took while there.

Idaho Move Update

Mandy and I will be flying back out to Idaho Falls Thursday Jan 10th. Mandy believes she has found her perfect house therefore we are headed out to take a look. We have a few others lined up to look at but we feel 95% sure this particular house is going to be the one. We will return home Sunday Jan 13th. I will be flying up to Indiana Feb 4th for 3 weeks for training at our Mid-West Division. I will return on the Feb 22nd for that weekend and then drive up to Atlanta Feb 25th to our Corporate office for another week of training with our engineers. Then returning home again on Feb 29th. After that, the following work week will be my final week working at Southern Division and last days living in Georgia. ((Go ahead and take a moment to dry your eyes before continuing on..)) The second full week in March they are flying me out to assume my new responsibilities at the new North-West Division and start building my department. Cives has agreed to fly me back home a few times during my 3 mths of being away from the family until school is out. At that point I will fly back, gather the little lady and all the children and we will all make the 3 day drive to our new home together. (cant wait to tell the story's after that trip!!) The movers will be taking all our stuff and pulling Mandy's car and it all should be there unloaded in the house when we arrive. (that is if everything works out as planned.) Cives has given us 2 weeks to make the move. They wanted us to stop where ever and see what ever we wanted to along the way on their dime, but I think our plan is to try and just get it done in 3 days stopping in just a few places. Mandy has always wanted to see Nashville TN. So that will be our first stop, then through St. Louis and stopping at Kansas City. The last night we are planning on stopping in Boulder Colorado to stay with my step brother Chris and his wife Christy. They have been trying to get us to come out there for years so this is the perfect opportunity to do so. Here is a picture of our "probably" new home. I will add additional pictures when we get back. This picture was taken very recent so the snow you see is the snow that will be there when we arrive.

1st Trip to Idaho Pictures

Here are some pictures from our 1st trip out to Idaho back in September. I wish I had some from Mandy's phone since she took most of the good pictures while I was driving.

Allie Rai Receives First Love Note.

Allie Rai comes into my office at home tonight with a folded piece of paper.  She proceeds to tell me that a little boy gave her a note today.  I immediately stop work.  These are the moments that my girls have their Dad's full attention!

I asked "who was it from and what did it say"?  This is code for "what little fellow will be placed on daddy's DADD (Dads Against Daughters Dating ) list and how far up the priority list did he make it on his first attempt"??

In her sweet little voice she replies "it was from Jace (pronounced Jase) and he asked me out in the note and the note said to choose yes or no!"  As I swallow the lump in my throat I asked her "Well which did you choose"?

She unfolds the note, holds up to me and said "I CHOOSE NO DADDY"  After a high five and good laugh I took a picture to share.  I think im going to frame this one!  Maybe start a collection of rejections issued by my daughters..

Dad - 1
Jace - 0

Thanksgiving Turkey or Turbacon

Got a great idea for Thanksgiving.  The ol Turbacon..