What a ride. Literally and figuratively. For the first time in a week I am sitting on the couch just relaxing. Both the kids are taking naps and I only have a short time to get everything in!

The Drive:

24 hours driving a Uhaul is not really 24 hours. It's like 100 millionbagillion hours. Ammon and I left Friday at 12:45pm and arrived in Traverse City at 3am Sunday. It was so freaking long. For all of you who haven't driven across the country, well from Utah to Michigan, you're not missing much. I'm sorry Nebraska but you are so long and boring. Although the drive was long, I loved spending time with just me and Ammon. 

The Godsends:

Todd and Lara Wells, our favorite people in the whole world are true angels. They brought our kids over on the plane so we didn't have to drive with them. Plus the Uhaul only had 2 and a half seats. Taggart ended up screaming the whole night before and during the flight because he got a double ear infection. He didn't eat or sleep, he just screamed and cried. I hate that I couldn't be there and I am so grateful for Lara and Todd! Thank you guys so much! 

Arrival:

Todd, Lara and the kids left Saturday morning at the crack of dawn and took the whole day getting to TC (Traverse City). They finally arrived at 8pm on Saturday night, took the shuttle to the hotel and crashed there. Ammon and I arrived at 3am on Sunday morning. When we got to the hotel Todd and Lara woke up, got ready and left so they could catch the 5am flight out. It was like a baton being passed off. 

Sunday:

We woke up, got breakfast, showered and checked out around 11. We dropped off the trailer that was pulling our car and got some essentials from the store. I am so glad that Ammon and I were able to come a week prior to the move so we at least knew where the store even was. We drove up to our place, walked in and I couldn't believe how dirty it was! Ugh! the last thing I wanted was to have to deep clean the whole house before we moved in but, what other choice did we have? I called the Landlord and of course it was Sunday so they were out. Long story short- we rented it "as is" so they weren't going to budge on giving us a reduction on rent or waive the deposit. Whatever. $800/month for a 2 bedroom house a block away from the beach isn't too bad. 

Monday:

We had unpacked the beds and few things Sunday so we could at least settle in. Monday Ammon was off to work at 6am and I was alone, with the kids, an unpacked Uhaul and a really clean house. ;) I am shocked I wasn't overwhelmed or anxious. I feel blessed that I have just felt calm and collected throughout this whole process. We didn't have to return the Uhaul until Wednesday so I wasn't in a super rush to get everything out quick. The kids and I ended up going to the beach and just hanging out.

This beach is like 5 blocks away. I don't know if you can see the water at the end of this street.

There is a public "put in" Where you can unload boats, jet ski's, fishing boats, canoes, paddle boards, etc. and it's so close. The rental shop was closing up for the season. We got here right at the end of the busy season when everyone starts closing up shops and rentals. I'm bummed but it just means we need to meet friends who can take us out!

If any of you know Aspen at all she is a water baby. She loved it! Every day she asks if we can go to the beach. It's so nice because you have all of the great things about the ocean and the lake all in one. The soft, white sand, no waves to knock the kids down, you can walk out into the lake for at least 100 yards until you start swimming. It's like a glorified kiddie pool. I LOVE IT! This is from the "put it" looking toward the lake.

And this is standing in the lake looking down our street. You just go pass the light and it's the second street down.

I'm standing at the corner end of our street so if you walk down this street you would get to our house. 

And standing in the same corner, if you walk down this street you would get to the beach. 

This is our little house. I am liking it more and more everyday. We signed a lease until May and then we want to buy a house. We didn't want to buy until we knew the area a little better.  

We have already met some neighbors who are great. Ruth is an 87 year old woman who Aspen already adores and calls "little Ruthie". She has a chiwawa named "Tiny". Jim, our other awesome neighbor is a huge teddy bear who had a dog named "Buddy".  Aspen is in heaven. 

We have a nature walk just 3 houses down from us and it's beautiful. There is just so much to do and see. Everywhere you go there is either a farm, a beach, a lake, an orchard or forest. It's the best of all worlds here. 

Ammon had a delivery yesterday in a town just West of TC. It's called Frankfort and it's super beautiful! It is just a small coastal town right on Lake Michigan with a port and harbor. The waves were huge. People were even surfing. I had no idea that it was really like the ocean. 

We have been loving life! Tonight we have a Branch dinner and tomorrow we have a pig roast with the Branch. We are very excited to start meeting more people and get involved. I am not going to lie, it's been super fun and exciting but it's been stressful and overwhelming for all of us. I think it's been the least overwhelming and stressful for me. Ammon has been crazy at work and it's been hard adjusting to new everything but every day it is getting easier and better! I'll try and post more and more as we get settled. 

Oh and here is a picture of downtown and the biggest burger we have ever seen and eaten.