Goodbye Summer

Usually I post about fall, because I love it so much, but the weather is not fall here in Las Vegas. However, I did just add my first pictures to "fall 2011" on my computer.

I thought it would be fun to just pull some of my favorite pictures out of my "summer 2011" folder. So here it is, summer 2011...

I miss all you guys. Wanna play games on Saturday?

Tuxedo Park Apartments #106

When I look at picture, I sometimes try to remember what our home looked like at the time of the picture. This time, before I packed up a room, I took pictures. I know this matters very little to most people, but in the future, I think I will be glad I did this. Sooo.. here it goes, our home in Portland looked like this..















The boy's room was my favorite....



The stuffed animals are all things they got in the hospital (or right when they got home). Elephant: Chandler's, Peguin: from Chandler to Sterling, Polar Bear: from Adam to me.

Dear Portland,

Dear Portland,

It's not secret. You and me, we don't always get along. You probably shouldn't follow my facebook page because, I sometimes say not nic

e things about you. Sorry. I have lived here with my family for 1,138 days. You have made sure that we didn't see the sun for at least 742 days of those days. That's 65.2% no sunshine. Pretty rude, Portland, pretty rude.

But, like the annoying kid who lived down the street. I'll miss you Portland, I will.

Our friends have been like family here. We've been surrounded, built up, and supported through three years of constant school and tests, . I'm confident that we won't ever again have a friend structure like the one we have. Not because we won't have good friends in other places. But because, never again, will there be so many people who are doing the exact same things we are; all of us in the same stage of life, striving towards very similar goals living in the same ward and most of us in the same apartment complex.

What you lack in Sunshine, Portland, you make up for in ward members. Hartley Park Ward is jam packed with friends and memories. You know the term "ward family"? That's what this ward has. I am blessed that these people are so willing to accept students into their family over and over again. They love and give with no reservation of us leaving in three years time. I would bore you, but you can read about my love affair with my calling here. Both of our callings have given us the opportunity to work with and build relationships with people we probably wouldn't have known well otherwise. Amazing people, who I love.

Together, we've trudged through 11 finals weeks, potty training, morning sickness, heat waves, "Arctic Blast 2010", midnight feedings, carpet cleanings, temper tantrums, and disappointment.

We shared with you celebrations, elation, graduation, Christmases, zoo trips, birthday parties, first steps, and excitement mixed with anxiety.

So much, you are our home; our first real permenent location. I remember so vidily the first time I walked into our apartment. The sunlight shined through the sliding glass door, and hit the grey carpet, showing it's brown color. And I knew, that's where we would live. Just 3 days ago, the sight of the rooms so empty made my chest tight, and my eyes fill.

For always, Portland, you will hold a very special place in our hearts. I really believe when it's all done, we'll look back and these past three years will be three of the best years of our lives.

Farwell, Portland. We love you.