Oh Connecticut...

So we've almost been here a week and it truly is crazy how time flies! The trip out here went very good for Brian and I. Brian drove a 26-foot moving truck out here with his step-dad, Russ and it all went pretty good except for at the end of the first day driving, Russ' motorcycle had fallen over in the back of the moving truck (they were brought it out because Brian's mom, Teresa flew out w/ me and they are riding it back to UT) and they weren't able to figure a way to keep it standing w/o falling, so Russ ended up riding the bike behind Brian for the next 2 days:( They were both really good sports about it and they kept each other awake while driving next to each other. When they got here last Tuesday night there were 5 people from our ward ready to help move things in! The church is true is all I have to say...I didn't have to move one box into my new place:) Teresa  and I flew out Wednesday and Thad was an absolute gem on the flight. What did I do to deserve this kid?

He was awake for the whole flight except the last 10 minutes we were descending! What a silly kid. 

After we landed it took 2.5 hours to get home from JFK...it's only 40 miles away! I chose a bad flight (all future visitors take note;-) and it landed right during rush hour. I mostly slept, so I shouldn't complain too bad. In between cleaning and unpacking our new place we went and did some fun things while Russ and Teresa were here:

We ate at this fun little sea food shack just down the street from our house and ate out on this dock. Listen people...COME VISIT...this is 2 minutes away from my house!!!

After that we drove on over the the beach ONLY 5 MINUTES AWAY (hint hint) and were introduced the rocky beaches of New England.

Then we went to Stew Leonard's (that's what the orange sign says) and it's a fun grocery store that is featured in Ripley's Believe it or Not as the largest dairy supplier in the country. You should come to Norwalk...

We also got some ice cream at a little shop that is just around the corner from our house called Sweet Ashley's and it is super yummy. You may have to come out to try it;-) Russ and Teresa are so amazing for coming out and helping us with our move. I would have been a mess w/o Teresa here and I am so grateful for her support and understanding. We were definitely sad to see them leave:

But at least they left in style! They are so fun and adventurous for riding the bike across the country and they are having a blast stopping and seeing a lot of the church history sites. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your love and help! We miss you already and hope to see you soon.

We went to church on Sunday and have already made some friends. A sweet couple that helped us move in invited us over for dinner on the 4th of July along w/ Hannah and Tracy. Tracy and his wife just moved out here too this past week from BYU because he is doing the same thing as Brian. Hannah and I didn't meet til last week, but we feel like good friends because of the whole process:)

Sophie (Hannah & Tracy's little girl), Hannah, Aubri, Me & Thad at Aubri and Thomas' house for some awesome 4th of July BBQ.

The guys: Brian, Thomas & Tracy

After dinner, another sweet couple called us to come over for dessert so we went over and had a blast with them and another new couple that just moved in the ward from Manhattan. Thad got kinda bored and this is the entertainment we came up with for him:)

Now for the MAIN EVENT - - MY HOUSE! 

Isn't it cute! I am going to give a tour of it in pictures. I am mostly posting these messy/stark house pictures so that the before and after is more shocking. We have mostly everything unpacked, no decorations up, and a few more things to purchase before the space is complete. I just wanted to give you an idea of where we're living. (Also, it's kinda like "Where's Waldo" but with Thad)

The view from the front door

The family room

Dining Room Area

The Kitchen

This is to the right of the dining table:  A pantry, half bathroom and stairs to the basement.

Up the stairs we go:)

First stop: Full Bathroom

Thad's Room

Master Bedroom

I hope you enjoyed the tour and look forward to seeing the improved version of our new place. Things are going great so far and we really like it here. Brian started his job yesterday and knows already that he is going to have a good time. He is on two different project teams and is excited to get working. Again, if you are at all interested in a visit back east, you know who to call: Free lodging, free dinner, free tour guide and lots of other perks! We love and miss you all!