Arriving in Boise

Greg and I had been hearing great things about Boise since we decided we were going to move here...but I have to admit that when we flew over the area, I was a bit scared! All I saw, all around, was BROWN...but then there was a little strip of green and I had a little bit of hope! That strip of green is where the Boise River runs through Boise - and the best part is that we live two blocks from the river! There are paved trails all along the river and people use this for recreation and for commuting by bike. It is a wonderful place, and we go there almost every day! Here are some pictures of the green beltThrowing rocks in the river...a favorite pastime!


A lake on the greenbelt about 3/4 mile from our house.

The trails are nicely paved so it makes biking and "scootering" fun for Joel!

Layover in Portland

My mom flew home to Portland with me and the kids and then we stayed there for the week until our stuff arrived in Boise. We mostly just hung out, and I spent a lot of time on the phone trying to arrange for our new house, etc. But we did get out and take walks and I also got to catch up with an old friend from OMSI, Nicole. I didn't get any pictures, but we picked up right where we left off three years ago and had so much fun talking. Here are a couple of pictures that I did take during the week...Grandma Thomas with the kids...we didn't get any of Grandpa this time, but he spent time with Joel - going on walks and throwing the frisbee. Thanks for letting us stay with you!We spent our last night in Portland at Mimi's house...she got Joel this scooter and helmet for his Birthday (early). He LOVED riding it around in the house and outside. Thanks Mimi!

She and Joel also played a lot in the back yard - working in the garden and playing catch. So fun.

One thing I love about Joel is that he is a great helper...he loves having a job to do!

Mimi and Del with the kids...we had so much fun with you guys!

Friends

The best thing, by far, about our time in Chicago were the wonderful friends that we made. We were surrounded by men and women (and their kids, too) who encouraged us in our faith, our marriage and in the adventure of seminary. We formed friendships early on that carried us through the three years we were there, and our lives are richer for knowing them. We have special memories with all of these people and hope to make more (memories) in the future!

The couples in our bible study (McCutchens, Strombergs, Stroms - and the Backlunds our first year) were consistently a part of our lives and not seeing them weekly since we moved has been really hard! We shared many life experiences and a lot of laughter with these people! (There were two kids in the beginning and five kids plus 2 on the way by the end!) Emily - I miss scrapbooking, Sunday night walks, getting coffee every chance we got, talking on the phone multiple times in a day. Greg and I miss playing games with you and Brian (girls vs guys, always!!) watching the Amazing Race and Lost, talking, talking, talking until too late at night, and having wonderful babysitters for Joel. Hope to see you in August!!

Katie - I miss my original walking partner (early mornings were SO fun, but coffee made it worth it!), our frighteningly honest conversations about everything, laughing until we cry, trips to Door County and Minocqua, feeling loved and included in your extended family. Greg misses seeing Lars every week and being involved in High League, playing Disc Golf and having spontaneous dinners together. We miss seeing your little red-headed angel.

Courtney - your laughter is contageous and being around you is always fun! I miss trading babysitting with you, spontaneous dates at the park, seeing our little boys play together and I will never forget the missing purse incident! I wish we had had more time to do these things together! We miss all the things our families didn't do often enough - dinners, just hanging out together...Joel misses Caleb a lot. (sorry for the old picture, it's the most recent one I have! Caleb is now almost 2, and as of last week they have added Jackson to their family!)
Christy - my partner in pregnancy! I loved being pregnant with you...trading babysitting so we could go to too many Dr appointments, walks to the park, breaking up fights between Anja and Joel (ok, I don't miss that part), great BBQ's in your backyard, and our all too short time together when you weren't working. We enjoyed your famliy so much...thank you for letting us be a part of it!
Our new neighbors, the Helgesons - even after you were there for a year Joel still called you our new neighbors! You guys were such a blessing to us in the short time that we knew you...your hospitality and care were a testimony to us and we will always remember the love you showed us and our kids (especially Joel). We miss our kids playing in the backyard, lunches (or coffee) with Lorraine, Greg and Bruce studying and getting lunch together, borrowing everything from eggs to oatmeal :) We hope someone blesses you someday like you blessed us!

Rolf and Sarah - Our fellow pacific northwesters! We had crazy connections with you guys - Rachel and also our parents going to elementary school together! We enjoyed the times we did get together, and we miss hanging out in the backyard, talking from the porch, complaining about the washing machine...again! We miss being there to see your baby and helping you this year (you will need it!). We expect to see pictures soon!!

Mark H - Joel always had so much fun with you...why didn't we have you over more?!? I know Greg misses being in classes with you (though maybe not the classes themselves) and the talks over lunch or breakfast.
Audrey Hovis - They played SO well together...they just entertained each other and didn't need a lot of adult intervention... the best kind of playmate! Joel misses you!

The Graduate

After three years of very hard work, Greg graduated with High Honors from North Park Seminary. He not only excelled in his classes, but he did it while being a wonderful father to Joel and then Maren, and a loving husband. I am so proud of him.

The yellow cords around his neck are for recognition of high honors.

Maren was past nap time and almost at melt down, but daddy still managed to get her laughing!

Our family...Our family plus my mom, who came to help with the kids and fly back to Portland with me. We loved having her there (especially Joel - she is his favorite person ever) and she was SUCH a big help. We are pretty sure that we would still be in Chicago trying to pack if she hadn't come. :) Thanks mom!

Catching Up...

It has been about six weeks since I have posted anything, so I have a lot of catching up to do! Here are a few random shots from about a month ago (early May) that are just too cute to leave out. Soon I will post pictures of Greg's graduation, our trip to Portland, and our new house in Boise!

Joel loves to play with Maren...they were giggling back and fourth just looking at each other!

Ready for a ride in our brand new (new to us, that is!) double stroller...

Mommy's Girl :)

The Backlunds came to visit from California and Joel & Alia picked up right where they left off. It was so cute seeing them play together, just like in the old days. And, also like in the old days, it was impossible to get a good shot of them. :
Greg's new old bike. He saw this in the garage of our neighbor across the alley and asked him if he could buy it (along with another old kids bike). It was covered with dust and rust, but it cleaned up nice!