A New Everything

Since people keep asking and wanting to know what's going on, here are some scenes from a bunch of temporarily displaced Idahoans:

So many palm trees

Not bad for a high school.

Fisherman's Wharf

Monterey Aquarium, and yes, they absolutely loved it.

 

We got to watch these guys swim in the water right under us! And a couple started getting a little too friendly with each other so Brett and I moved the kids along.

Our kids and the neighbors are instant besties.

In our backyard we have an orange tree, an apple tree, a pear tree and a plum tree. I guess I don't have to go shopping anymore.

Bob, setting up house.



And this is possibly my favorite picture from the day. This is for all you Jimmy Buffet fans out there!

We have settled nicely, the ward is amazing with helping us, moving to California is a pain in the butt, and, no, we have not been shot at... yet.

A few things:

1. I got dive bombed by this crazy bat at the Grand Sierra Hotel in Reno on our way here which made me do the bat dance in front of a whole hotel of people and scream,"Ahhhh, help me! It's going to get me!!!" at least five decibals above my norm, and Lauren got sick and threw up in the car.  Awesome.
2. Brett is the packing champion and got everything we own into the truck.
3. Tuke's barking trainer shock collar is my new favorite possession.
4. I've had a very difficult time keeping up with my school work this week, but am looking forward to a more normal week next week.
5. The kids are loving their new school.
6. The California DMV is the worst I've been to by far, and that's saying something.
7. On the kids very first visit to the beach they got to see seals just a few feet away, an otter swimming in the water below us on the wharf, orcas jumping out of the water for us, and people catching fish of the wharf (Ethan's obsession). They came home with sand on their feet and stinky treasures from the beach filling their pockets.

I can't wait to get back home to Idaho and family, but I'm determined to make the most of our time here in Cali while we must be here. We have decided we need to visit a new beach each week until we've seen them all!
Now I'm off to finish up my school work for the week in the half hour I have until Sunday officially begins. I'm so excited about this.