Astros

On Saturday night we went to the Houston Astros baseball game at Minute Maid Park. The optometry students were free and we paid a little extra for me to go. The park is downtown but the traffic was minimal (almost couldn't call it traffic). I was surprised because I planned for a long night of driving. The ballpark was beautiful, covered, air conditioned (but still warm), had expensive food, a huge big screen, etc. It was very nice to get out and do something. We will probably go to another game sometime. Here are just a few pictures. 

Maybe sometime I'll attempt to edit these photos a bit. Since today is the first day of school and I haven't started work I might try it.

Surfside: In Honor of Shark Week

 
Saturday we went to the beach. When we were invited I knew that we had to go. I couldn't say no because I knew if I did I would always say no. As Saturday approached I kept questioning if we should go even though I knew we should. [These sentences aren't coming out right.] 

We went. It was  a great idea. We went with two other couples and it was so nice to get away from our apartment. Especially because we've spent so much time here over the last week.

Things you should know about the gulf coast:

- the water is warm

- the water is warm

-the water is salty
- the water is really warm (like a bath)

At this beach in particular you could drive right on to the beach. We BBQ'd dinner. I even went all the way out so my head would get covered by the waves.

Houston We Don't Have A Problem

We arrived in Houston on Saturday. It is lovely here (if you are inside). It is crazy hot. Yesterday Kendall turned on the news at 9am and the weather report was current temps of 98 degrees and over 70% humidity. They have issued a severe weather warning just for the heat for the whole week. The highs are above 100 degrees and it "feels like" 105-110. My boss describes the sensation of going outside as melting and it fits perfectly. You feel like your skin and fat is melting off your body the instant you walk outside. Inside you are just shiny all the time.

I love our apartment! I am so surprised at how well I am adjusting to all these changes. We are on the third floor, one bedroom. However, I have a washer/dryer and a dishwasher! Amazing. We still have boxes lying around because we aren't sure the procedures for hanging things on the walls and I'm not sure if everything is going to fit somewhere. I convinced Kendall to put up some curtains and it makes the apartment look like my home again.

This is what the apartment looked like right after we moved all the stuff in. Sooner or later I'll get updated pictures up. I think I've got everything out of boxes except wall decor. This will be great. 

Also, still to come, job search, optometry orientation, etc.

NOTE: I do have a problem with the blog world because my webs account is going to be discontinued in September. BLAH. So long to my handwriting; I guess I'll just go back to being boring. 

Pioneer Day

Here are pictures of my poor shoes. They did me well for many years. I had to take a picture or I would have kept them around for a long time. I got new all black ones the other day. These needed to be retired.

This holiday has new meaning for us. On this day we made the trek across Utah, New Mexico, and Texas to our new home. After packing up our car and leaving grandpa's house I was so SAD. I kept reminding myself, "don't look back" because I would see my home that I was leaving. I wanted to look forward with faith to our new journey. Here is our final goodbye to grandpa's house.

We tried to make a few stops on the way to make the drive more enjoyable.  

We stayed at a hotel so our trip wouldn't be so long. We ordered room service and got a good deal because it took them over an hour to deliver a pizza. It was nice to spend some time together alone. We tried to talk about all the things we haven't been able to talk about in the last few months because we haven't had time alone together in a while. We also had a great view of Albuquerque.

There were some beautiful pictures on the drive. I wish I had a nicer camera, but some of these turned out great. 

 Welcome to Texas

This rainbow made me smile and reminded me that this is going to be a great experience.

We made it to the Stouts on Monday and had a great week full of fun. We went to the Splash Park with the kids, had great food thanks to Kendall and Annette, went to COSTA VIDA, visited the Bentley's, Jenny was in town, talked with Steph, did a phone interview, moved with Evan and Kendall's parents, and I could probably pull a million other things out of my head that we did. I didn't get many pictures of the rest.

Did I not post about Texas?

I have been so wrapped up in my not so normal life this last month that I didn't post about our big trip! (My journal writing has also gone down the tube.) Here are some pictures that document our major trip that contained mostly driving. I listed all the events and things we did even if there are no pictures.

Galveston Beach/Evan's Graduation/Stout1 Move

Family Reunion/Oklahoma

We had such a good time and we are excited to go back.

Break. Christmas. Awesome.

This Christmas was sure special for our family. We were able to do so many things and have so much fun. We were able to go to Texas for our break and Sean came home from his mission in Chile. I am so grateful for all the blessings we have for being members of the Church. Here are some pictures of the eventful week. We had snow in Texas on Christmas Eve! It was great. I thought when we left Utah that I was leaving behind the white Christmas, I guess not.

Uncle Kendall and Nephew Brampton went in search for mistletoe for the whole family a few days before Christmas.

We also got some family pictures taken while we were there. We took about ten pictures and we loved most of them. They were outside Kendall's house. Thanks Stephanie (and Jenny for the camera).

Here are the kids dressed up for the Christmas program.

Here are the brothers playing Wii Lego Rock Band. We had such a great time playing Ticket to Ride as well. I am now much better than previous attempts.

Here is a snapshot of Uncle Kempton and Uncle Sean with the kids. I wanted to get a picture of the cute green snowflake pajamas that Kendall's parents gave to all the adults for Christmas. They are so comfy!

I feel like I am missing a ton. It was so great to be with the family and to make better friends with everyone. We miss being with everyone and can't wait until we can do it again. I'll try and post again if I find new or better pictures.