Lisa, Gracie, Anna and Tim

TRP_4410, originally uploaded by eyenology.

We wanted to take a second and snap a family photo before we went to church on Sunday.

Last week we spent a few days in Twin Falls, ID for some training. It was nice to get out of town for a few days. Top that off with a 3 day weekend and we've really had a nice week.

Gracie is crawling everywhere and is starting to get curious about climbing stairs.

Gracie is mobile now, especially when enticed by tasty things like bread crumbs or shiny things like belt buckles. We're excited, but are starting to realize how unprepared our home is for a crawling baby.

This is officially my first post on our web page! Gracie and I have safely arrived to the wonderful city of Rock Springs and are loving life as a family. Tim is anxiously awaiting the arrival of Christmas so work can slow down a bit and we can spend some real time together. Gracie is convinced that crawling is a unidirectional operation- backwards only. I am thinking of as many things as I can to avoid unpacking the mountain of boxes that are taking up residence in the garage. Most importantly, we are together, as a family, and that is making this time of year something to be cherished. Christmas is about family and we are a cohesive family now!! Merry Christmas everyone- remember the reason for the season and think of others at this time of year :)

So with the dust of the presidential election settling, and as the next four years of this country begins to take form, I've been thinking. What are the issues for next year? I decided that I need to start now with taking a stand and seeking out a presidential candidate who can make changes that will make a better America for me and my family. Let's start with this one:

Issue #1.Unsolicited music on websites. This is my hot button issue of next election. I can't stand it when I am following a link to a blog or other website and somebody has decided that they want me to listen to their theme song. Photographers are notorious for this. Have you ever worked in an office setting and had somebody play music that you didn't like? Well, it's like that, except the person who likes the music isn't even in the room to hear it!

Not to mention the looks I get from Lisa when she's trying to put Gracie to bed and I've forgotten to turn down the sound... Not a good thing.

Not to mention the confusion caused when I've got iTunes playing and a websites theme song starts.

Well, I guess that's it. Not the economy. Not the war in Iraq. Sappy unsolicited songs. Make America better.

I voted today, for the first time in my life. I must admit, it felt pretty good. Now maybe I can get one of those "Don't blame me, I voted for..." Stickers. We'll see.

I just wanted to say thanks to all of our friends and family who have helped us out so much during this transition period in our life. There have been a lot of challenges the last few months, but we have such a great family and network of friends that have pitched in and helped everything. I just wanted to say thank you.

TRP_4366.jpg, originally uploaded by eyenology.

Lisa has started Gracie on baby food. She's been giving Gracie a sort of rice cereal for the last couple weeks which she has just loved and always wants more. The sweet potatoes... well they were a different story. She we'd crinkle her nose and spit it out anytime Lisa would give her any sort of combination of sweet potatoes and rice cereal. If it was on its own, it was just fine.
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This photo was actually taken in our townhouse in Rock Springs, which means that Lisa and Gracie were here! Fortunately Lisa said I did an ok job picking out a place for us to live here.

It was great to have them here, even if just for a few days. We got to watch a session of General Conference for the LDS church on Sunday which was nice. I was even able to get a day off! It was one of the first times in a long time that the three of us have had a day all to ourselves.

Lisa is more than half way finished with her student teaching, and starts with a new teacher tomorrow. We're counting down the weeks (7) until we Lisa finishes her student teaching and we get all moved in here in Wyoming.

TRP_4356.jpg, originally uploaded by eyenology.

On one of my last trips up to Rexburg, Lisa's mom snapped this family photo of us behind our apartment.

After more than a month living in hotels with just two weekends at our apartment in Rexburg, I'm pretty anxious to get into a place to live. We've decided to rent for a while, and found a great place that I think we'll really like. If all goes well I'll be able to move in tomorrow or Friday. I can't wait. I'll throw some pictures up here when I get a chance.

Furniture could prove to be an issue. For now, I have an air mattress, two folding camp chairs, and umm... a t.v. (does that count as furniture). So I guess there will be some things I'll miss about the hotel...

The drive between Rock Springs and Rexburg is about 5.5 hours. I left at 4:00am Tuesday morning and pulled into the parking lot at exactly 9:30 to open the store. Long day. Good sleep.

Lisa is pressing forward with her student teaching. It has its ups and downs, but is doing ok. Gracie just keeps getting cuter. When life settles a little bit I'll add some more videos and photos. Lisa's mom is out helping with Lisa's brothers new baby and chipping in to give lisa a much needed hand. Her sister is moving to Rexburg for college and has helped out lots too.

Lisa and I are both looking forward to being able to be settled here. She should finish her student teaching duties around Thanksgiving. We should be able to have a nice calm Christmas in the same state.

Sound like a weird title? Well, it's even more weird that I'm living here! That's right, we're moving! I'm managing the store over here and really enjoying it. The opportunity came up pretty suddenly, and I had to jump on it. Currently we're holed up in a hotel trying to find a suitable dwelling. For those of you who say that housing prices have dropped, must not live here. It is very expensive, so we're not sure exactly what we are going to do.

I've been spending a lot of time at the store. Lisa has been making friends with some of the ladies in the ward. Gracie seems to be doing great, very smily and giggly.