Day 2: Buy Boat, Hays to Larkspur

On Saturday morning we woke up, left the cats at the hotel, and met the sellers of the boat.  We folllowed them (talking pictures like stalkers) to their ski lake so we could test drive it.  When we saw it, Matt said "I sure hope nothing is wrong with it because it is so pretty I don't think we could drive away without it".

Here we are at their lake testing it.  
Putting it back on the trailer.
Switching the boat from their truck to the Jeep in the driveway.  It is ours!

We got a whopping SEVEN miles to the gallon driving down the highway, we eventually averaged 10.  Part of that is due to the Jeep dying, and part is due to our climb in elevation (from 2000ft in Kansas to 7000 feet in Larkspur).  

We got to Castle Rock after 2 days of beautiful driving weather and got nailed by a nasty storm.  We pulled over into a neighborhood to cover the boat and braved the rest of the drive home.  We decided not to go to the lake to park it because of the weather and instead parked it at the top of the hill at home.  Matt and I ran inside with the cats in the pouring rain (they weren't happy about getting wet) and waited the storm out inside.

So we safely made it here, both cats have recovered from the drive (Magic is coming to get her petting in as I write) and in theory the Jeep is in one piece.  Matt and I are thankful for the safe journey and are very excited to figure out how to use our new boat.

Drive Day 1: Houston to Hays, KS, 13 hours

We left our apartment home at 7am on Friday and started the drive north.  Peanut is such a helpful driver, taking her turn every now and then.  Matt looks so happy to have a friend.

Magic didn't look so happy, but she did very well on the drive.

The Jeep was packed so about 6 inches remained on the top, but Peanut still managed to walk around the entire back.  Right behind the front seats we had their 3 baskets which Magic rotated through.  Peanut usually sat in the very back (as shown below) or on the drivers lap.

...but she did her fair share of bugging Magic as well.

When we got to the hotel Magic had to find the highest point, which happened to be on top of the tv.  At least I could keep an eye on her while we watched the Nuggets game.  That is until I turned it off...

We stayed at a Baymont Inn Hotel chain, which was nice.  Probably older but had been remodled and right off the highway.  We stopped a few times for fast food and gas, and got there about 8:30 at night.  Uneventful, just how a long driving day should be.

Packing Up Houston

On Tuesday Matt and I finished packing up and sorting our apartment into things going into storage for 3 months and things coming with us in the Jeep.  We took down the clock to not forget it and this was the cats first clue that something seriously wrong was going to happen in the next few days.

On Wednesday 3 packers came and packed up all our stuff.  We have a lot of stuff, and I have no idea why.  Not including furniture we had 83 boxes.

On Thursday a mini truck showed up to pick up all the boxes and furniture.  I guess they then transport it into a semi later, who knows.

This separate company came to build a crate for Matt's TV.  Here is one of the guys nail-gunning the wood together.

Another guy wrapping up the tv.

Finished product.
Yet another company came to pick up Matt's Jetta which is being shipped here, should arrive this week sometime.

This is my closet with the stuff that needed to be packed in the Jeep.

Godparents to Lily

Over Mother's Day Weekend we went to Kentucky to visit Matt's cousin and her family.  We also became godparents to Lily, along with Chris.  I finally got pictures sent to me, so here they are!

At church after the baptism:

Matt holding Eli:
Matt and I need to work on our "look at the camera" coordination.
Attempt at seeing Lily's dress.  Rachael bought an old wedding dress from goodwill and made it into a baptism dress.  It was really pretty.

The minister, Danny, Lily, Rachael, Chris, Me, Eli, Matt

Memorial Day Up North

Thursday night Matt and I flew to Detroit and Friday morning we drove up north.

Here is the pretty lawn where we are going to have our wedding.

We are putting up the stage and chairs between the trees in this picture below:

We also put the 3 boats in.

The barn is also done, and I was very excited to see it.  Lisa did a great job inside, its so pretty.  Can't wait to hang out there.

Since my birthday was Monday, Andrea made a cake for me on Sunday night.

Now I need to stop procrastinating and get myself back to packing because the movers come tomorrow!

Peanut and Magic

Don't let their peaceful faces fool you...they only stopped their fighting long enough for me to take the picture.  But I still love them :)

Toe Tricks

Yes the above is not a good picture, but I have improved since this one.

I love skiing.

Fly Boy

*This jump sequence includes different jumps and lands.

*We don't have a jump on Lake Imagination, so Matt will have to take a break from jumping for awhile.  He has enjoyed jumping the past few weeks at Cypress, and we are very appreciative of Bob pulling him and the pictures from Sheila!