Our drive across country -- with Joe

In March we attended a birthday party for our friend Joe.  Cute Sara made life-sized cutouts of Joe's face for all of us to hold during the party.  They were awesome.  Since Aaron wasn't able to make the party I asked if I could take one home to show him.  So although we had to say goodbye to so many great friends, we got to take one with us.  As we pulled out of town we drove by our house one more time -- with Joe.

As we drove down the road the boys said goodbye to all the familiar places we passed.  I was sobbing!

We hit the interstate ready for an adventure.

 It was an absolutely beautiful day -- and yet I was still crying :(

 Joe really enjoyed crossing the Mississippi -- usually he's the one driving so he really got a good look at it this time :)

Crossing into Nebraska

Joe thought cousin Sara's chair was very comfy!

 As we drove I received a video from Dillon's primary class especially for him.  It was so fun to watch his reaction. 

 He was thrilled!  We left some of the greatest people in the world :) :(

Crossing into Colorado

 Joe got to stop in and see the Nygards with us -- other dear friends from Chicago.

 He really liked the stay at the Denver Marriott.

 We took the Colorado route rather than going through Wyoming this time and it was so worth it.  The views leaving Denver were beautiful!!

Little Joe really enjoyed the ride too!

 Crossing into Utah!

We went straight to my grandma's to spend a little time with her.  I love her so much!  Sitting on this swing on a beautiful summer afternoon is surely a little piece of heaven.

 We also got to see my cousin and his kids.

 Love you J-Bob!

 Dillon was born at Orem Community Hospital, so we drove by and checked out the doors where he was introduced to the outside world.  Crazy to think that moment was over 8 years ago!

 We also took him by his first home -- half the bottom floor of this house.

We stopped to show Joe the construction on the Provo City Temple

 We also took him by the high school where his wife graduated. Two other Provo High grads were also receiving these texts -- the Froerers -- so we just had to.

 Joe joined us for breakfast at BYU. 

The Creamery Chocolate Milk was just as good as we remembered!

 

Wesley took his stuffed Cosmo (and Joe) with us every step of the way.

 We made sure to take Joe by the Provo temple too.

 

We met up with Aaron's sis, Lindsay and then made our way to the great state of Idaho!

We got to spend the night with my parents.  Thanks Mom and Dad!

 Grandpa pulled out his mower for rides -- Caleb is obsessed with lawn mowers and keys these days, so he was in heaven!

 What a beautiful grandma!

 And it was a beautiful night too.  Love Idaho sunsets!!

 We had a little story time in the play house before hitting the sack.

 

The next morning we got to the Perrine Bridge just in time to watch 2 base jumpers.  Joe thought that was pretty awesome!

About this time, real Joe decided to join the fun by taking a pic by Aaron's old office in Chicago!

We seriously have the greatest friends in the world!!!!

We made our way from Twin Falls to Boise -- that's when the nerves really set in.

We signed on our house that afternoon but had to wait until the next day to move in. But I am proud to say we are now officially home owners!  Pretty crazy. The neighborhood is so nice with bike paths everywhere.  We're loving it.  I'm still trying to decide how all this happened, but we are excited for a new chapter.  And so glad we got to bring Joe along with us :)

 

We miss our Chicago friends dearly.

(This pic was taken when the big truck was in the way, so I'll try to get a better one)