Unexpected Vacations

I am so grateful for my family, who made it possible to come out to Utah for my grandmother's funeral from the smallest city I've ever lived in, and on such short notice. I will miss my grandma dearly, but I know I will see her again someday and I am glad she is no longer in pain. Here is all the family at the grave site that could make it.

Daphne, Jordan, McCartney, Linsey, Bridger, Kim, Norah, Jared, Malachi, Lily, Mom, Dad, Me, Felicity, and Brandon. 

 I decided to extend my stay for a whole month as Bryan was going to be in the field for 3.5 weeks playing Army. Why not? I don't have a job...yet. My flight to Utah ended with lost luggage and then "severely damaged" (per the message machine) as they dropped it off in a plastic bag. The only thing I was really upset about were my new black boots- fortunately they were repairable. This is what my CHI came back looking like...

...and here is my make up bag, toothbrush holder, hair brush, and luggage bag.

I kept pretty busy during my visit. I moved out my grandmothers belongings, had a large garage sale consisting of my sisters, grandma, and parents items, moved all of my sisters belongings into her newly purchased condo in Park City, biked across the Salt Lake Valley, and hiked American Fork Canyon. 

I forgot how beautiful Utah is in the Fall. But I also realized how I am used to warm weather. I was always cold, even when others around me were wearing shorts and flip flops!

 My sisters threw a baby shower for me since I didn't really have any plans of returning to Utah in the next 2 to 3 months. It turned out better than I could have imagined!

Yellow and grey was the theme, since that is the color of the soon to be nursery.

The food was delicious. Lemon and strawberry cupcakes, chicken salad sandwiches, carmel apples, chocolate dipped strawberries, & cheese and crackers.

My parents and I then took a week trip down to Phoenix/San Diego for my nephew Maxwell's birthday and of course, to visit my brother and his family. My mother got Max this awesome Power Ranger costume. 

 While in San Diego, we visited the Midway Navy Battleship, the beach/boutique shopping district of Solana, Old Town San Diego, and the Mormon Battalion.

This is a picture of a statue poking my 24 week belly. We thought of other "funny" positions, but there were too many people around.

 Dad, Maxwell, James, Benson, and Brandon saluting. Love that Benson is using both of his hands!

 The whole gang.

I got to spend a lot of one on one time with my parents, which has been nice as I have been away for the last 4 years. They make me laugh all the time. They really enjoyed having my around too and seeing me grow fatter because of baby Ahlborn. On our way up from San Diego, we made a sleep stop in Mesquite, NV. I gambled for my first time and won $9! Bryan was so proud.

The next morning we drove to Kanaraville, UT and hiked up a slot canyon called Kanara Falls. I tried so hard not to get my feet wet at the beginning, but toward the end it was inevitable. The water was numbingly freezing. It was a nice break from the car.

When we got back to my parents house, we traveled to Kim's house to visit her newest addition who was only 1.5 days old. I was so worried I'd miss seeing the baby, but Kim pulled through and delivered just in time! He was a big, chunky baby as you can see with his cheeks. I just wanted to hear him cry, but he was all about sleep. Made me excited for my little one to come :)

 I was so excited to see and be with Bryan after being away for nearly a month! He was glad to be home from the field too. He completed over 100 eye exams and made over 100 eyewear for soldiers, which was awesome given he doesn't do much Optometry as a company commander. I love him and am excited to start working on the baby room and welcoming baby Ahlborn.

We've Moved!

Remember back in 2008 when Bryan and I hauled all our belongings with his tiny Chevy S10 from Utah to Texas? That little black truck held together for 3 1/2 years after that trek through the Rocky Mountains! We finally said goodbye when the truck repairs cost 2 times as much as it was worth (that was back in January).

When he received his orders for active duty, we purchased Dr. Ahlborn his dream truck: GMC Sierra. He sure loves his truck.

This move went very similar to our first big move. However, we had a heavier duty truck and Bryan built a much more stable "box" to haul our belongings.

Bryan left September 6 to report to work the next day. I had to officially sign out on terminal leave September 8, so I left super early in the morning to start the unpacking process. 

We had a few casualties along the way, but nothing that can't be replaced. We found a nice 3 bedroom home right off post (it is seriously 1 mile from post and 3 miles from Bryan's unit). The neighborhood is quiet and we have come to enjoy having our own space. We were truly blessed during the last 4 years to have friends/family to stay with and call their home, "home", but after 4 years I was ready to have my own home and use my own stuff. It was like Christmas morning opening all our boxes that had been in storage for little over a year. We are almost settled in and organized. We just have to make a few large purchases to make our home a little more cozy.

Welcome to Louisiana!

 

Goodbye ICU friends and family

My last day of work was sometime in August. I actually can't remember when I really "worked" this summer because it seemed like I was always on leave or working on out-processing. My fellow coworkers put on a wonderful farewell party before I left. I have truly learned so much from each of them over the past 3 years. I won't say I will miss working at Darnall, but I will miss my friends and my Texas family. 

The ICU: Jimmy, Monty, MAJ Yarde, MAJ Row, Merri, Rosa, Jeff, Jeanne, John, Rebekah Angela, Cline, Joan

I got some maternity scrubs for my new civilian job!

 A scrapbook with all my accomplishments while stationed at Fort Hood.

Texas Memorabilia: blue bonnet seeds, chili powder, Christmas ornament, Texas flag, and chocolate covered pecans!

 I guess I am going to have to learn to make crawfish etouffee.

 I was awarded an ARCOM for my service in the military at Fort Hood. 

Utah 2012

I took a mini vacation to Utah in August to visit family and celebrate a wedding. It was nice to be away from the heat of Texas and spend time with loved ones. Every morning, my mother and I would go to Curves for a good work out. Then we had the rest of the day to do pretty much whatever. Here's what I did:

• Visit with my Grandma Harris and Grandma Frederickson several times
• 22 mile bike ride with my mother up in Park City
• Visited Kristi at Olympic Park and saw where she does all her training 
• went on a 5 hour hike with my father up in Alpine
• Shopping with Kristi and Linsey at City Creek
• Hogle zoo with Kim's girls, Linsey's girls, and mom
• Picnic and roasting marshmallows in Alpine Canyon
• BBQ at my parents house with all the family
• Michael and Lauren's luncheon, wedding, and reception

 Grandma Harris was in great spirits when I visited her at the nursing home. I want to remember her like that.

 Michael showing off his new bride. 

Unfortunately, the temple was under construction. Makes for good memories though.

  Bryan was able to come out for the weekend of the wedding. He was at Officer's Basic Training all of July and August.

 Our attempt to let Robert and Debbie Ahlborn know that they were going to grandparents to the first Ahlborn. Robert thought someone meant to put it on the brides car because she is the first to be married on her side of the family. We gave them 2 weeks to figure it out and then sent them an email with the ultrasound picture attached. It was pretty funny.

My parents celebrated their birthdays together and we got them a special ice cream cake with a picture of the ultrasound on it. It took both of them a few seconds to figure out the picture, but when they did, they couldn't believe I had kept the secret for so long (I was about 14 weeks along). The cake says "Happy Birthday Gma and Gpa!" My dad's first response was "And I took you on the long hike!"

 The long hike. It was actually fine because my dad had to take a few pit stops:)

Hogle Zoo

Our time in Texas

I wanted to compile a list of the things we've done or accomplished over the last 4 years in Texas. I thought it would help bring back some great memories. We leave in the next couple days for Louisiana; definitely going to miss it!

1) Schlitterbahn Water Park
2) San Antonio Temple
3) Tubing down the Comal River and Guadalupe River
4) Our first cruise out of Galveston: to Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and Cozumel
5) Pedernales Falls State Park

6) San Jacinto Battle Reenactment
7) Houston Temple
8) San Antonio Missions
9) The Gaylord Texan Resort

10) Cameron Park Zoo
11) Rafting Lady Bird Lake
12) Mother Nef State Park
13) Rebekah's first 5K, 10K, and half marathon(need to do the full thing someday)
14) Bryan's first 10K, 1/2 marathon, and full marathon
15) The Alamo
16) Ink's Lake State Park
17) San Antonio's Sea World (I think we went every year?)
18) Our first Olympic Triathlon

19) Dallas Temple
20) Houston Rodeo
21) Our first basketball game, Houston Rockets
22) Wicked Musical
23) Canyon Lake Silver Leaf Resort
24) Our first half marathon trail run
25) Fiesta Texas
26) Tyler Texas Silver Leaf Resort
27) Bryan's first motorcycle
28) Colorado Bend State Park

29) Kemah Boardwalk
30) Houston's Downtown Aquarium

31) Lake Conroe Resort
32) Sam Houston's giant statue
33) Dr. Pepper museum
34) Blue Bell Factory

35) Fort Worth Stock Yards
36) Our first ballroom dancing lessons
37) Sailing on the Galveston Gulf
38) Our first drive by shooting, scary!
39) Remodeling our first house

40) Hurricane IKE
41) Brad Paisley Concert!
42) Bryan's first time hunting
43) Cooking our first Thanksgiving Dinner
44) Rebekah's first jury duty
45) Natural Bridge Caverns

46) Our first pair of Texas boots
47) Many trips from Texas- Mexico, Utah, Arkansas, Arizona, St. Thomas Virgin Island, Korea, Hondorus, Alabama, and Washington
48) Houston's Natural Science Museum and Body Works
49) Driving pretty much every highway of Texas:)
50) Our first pregnancy- yeh that's right- we have a baby on the way, due in February!

San Antonio Missions

Bryan started Officer's Basic Training on the 5th of July. He is so excited to start working and just start this new chapter in his life and our life. We will have so many changes and things to look forward in the next couple of months. 

That weekend, we decided to spend some time down in San Antonio. We went to Sea World, but spent most of our time at the water park. It is so hot down here, the only thing worth doing outside has to involve water. We had a lot of fun, but no pictures were taken.

The next day, we decided to tour the San Antonio Missions. It was educational and a good way to spend our Sunday afternoon.  

 Mission San Jose.

The most beautiful and most preserved.

Inside the bastion of Mission San Jose. This was Bryan favorite part of the mission. 

 Mission Espada. 

Mission San Juan.

Mother Neff State Park

Early June we decided to spend the day at Mother Neff State Park. After about 3 hours, we had hiked the entire park. We didn't realize how small the park actually was.

 We hiked to the viewing tower and saw some of the Central Texas valley.

We saw so many of these crazy spider webs. If you look close enough, there is actually a spider in there. Gross!

 Bryan.

 It seems we always run into turtles when we go hiking. Lucky us! 

The last stop was a cave. It wasn't really so much of a cave. Many years ago, the Indians used it as a burial ground.

And that consisted of our state park tour. Check!