Week three and feelin' at home.

My drive to work is completely different from the 91 freeway in Los Angeles. Farm houses, mountains (big one's!), occasional frost, seagulls, and...absolutely no traffic! I took these photos on the way to work and after giving them a second look, saw the beauty in them.

The sun rises early here. It also sets late.

Raspberries. It's early but I can't wait to do the drive by and grab me a handful of these!
I was invited to a men's retreat by Jay, my father-in-law. It was up in the mountains of Mt. Baker on Silverlake. We enjoyed frisbee, shooting competitions, and great discussion lead by Tim, the pastor at Birch Bay Community Church.
Morning fog that managed to hold the sun off most of the day.

Moss covers everything thanks to the high rain levels and heavily forested areas.



We only got to shoot .22 caliber rifles but it was still a blast. That's a lie, the shotguns came out and the clay pigeons were left shattered and Jay one the shotgun tournament.

I haven't quite adapted to the weather yet. Yes, I hit the target but I was absolutely freezing the whole time.
The next couple weeks will consist of a 12k race in Spokane, jet planes to possible employers, and soakin' up the bay.

Settling in.

Much apologies for not writing earlier. We have been here two weeks now and are finally settling in. It's plenty of "Where is this?" and "Where is that?" Lets get caught up on some things for now.

We are staying in the walk out basement of Katie's grandparents home. It's a great spot!

Our view overlooks the ocean. I'm sure i'll post plenty of better pictures over the next several months but for now these will give you a visual.

A good friend of mine, Joel, and I are blessed to have an extended reunion. He live next door and it's nice to spend a couple minutes here and there with him. We visited Boundary Bay, a local Bellingham brewery who's known for there IPA.

Leila still leaves her toys on windowsills.

We got her some protective footwear. The beach is full of sharp barnacles. Yes, it seems ridiculous to have a dog where boots but it's worth it...the video is worth it!

I thought i'd throw some "final days" pics in here. We went to Disneyland during our last two days in California.


Mr. Incredible standing with some guy in red.
Roller coaster video.

The transition.

The last week was a blur. I feel as if it was busier than the whole three years combined. Packing boxes, hugs and goodbyes, stress were the central activities that were surrounded by trips to Disney and homemade dinners with friends.

Jason came and visited. Jason was there at the beginning, at the midpoint and at the end of our time in California.
On Saturday we made our way to Temecula for wine tasting. We visited Southcoast wineries and Jen was our sommelier. (Half of you will go look that word up now.) Katie knows Jen from a previous party where she was the server. Jen remembered Kate and our five wine tastes turned into 15-20 tastes.
Katie and Jason guarding our precious counter space.
Afterward, the four of us made our way to another winery for lunch...with water.
Two beautiful women, Katie and Raelene. Rae has been the closest of friends for Katie. Marathons, meals i've been lucky to share, and countless memories that make us smile have been centered around these two. If only Jody was present, the picture would be complete.





Good food: spinach and cheese filled ravioli over roasted tomatoes, mozzarella, basil on sourdough bread.
A good friend of mine, Daniel, brought me a going away gift. Pictured below, Jason holding a "growler" of Hangar 24 Orange Wheat. What a great going away gift!
Our late nights didn't go over well with Leila. She found ways to shut the light out.
Leila having a moment and having her final goodbyes with her backyard.
The truck has arrived...
The serious packing has begun...
We purchased ten feet of space on the truck. The rest of the truck would soon get filled with product. We packed it tight because every foot we didn't use we got $101 back.

This was one of the few times Leila popped her head up on the trip. You wouldn't have known she was there if it wasn't for the rattle of the cage.
She really just wanted to sleep. Katie woke her up to take this one.
Shasta pass brought snow. It was all bark and no bite. We searched high and low to find chains with minimal luck until finally!

We have arrived! Our view from the backyard.
Below, the wallet buster.
Leila settled right in. Emma taught her the Washington ways with a little nip to put her in her place (a well deserved one!) and Mia to the right, a 4 month old rotty.

We have been accepted with open arms here. (as if we wouldn't) Leila has also been accepted. Though ornery and quite confused at times she manages to get her play time and run time. Life only gets better at the bay.

Disney at Night

Date night at Disney. As much as I complain about living down here I know Kate and I will have great memories. This has been a season of growth for us. It has been difficult in more ways than just academically. We've had to resolve issues and challenges without family, friends and old comforts.

I love my wife. Someone said to me: "Graduate school can destroy your marriage." Yes, it can, but it can also make your marriage so much stronger. For the last three years Katie has made my lunches, ironed my clothes, accepted my late nights in the anatomy lab, listened to my complaints, put up with my selfishness and supported me even though she knew I was wrong.
The last couple weeks have been relaxing. Amongst the boxes marked with their selected destination and bare walls, Katie and I have found time to enjoy each other and make the most of our final days here in California.

Trader Jose's as we call it down here, provided us with a wonderful meal. A paper bag holding our sandwhiches, our season passes, and a table by the ducks is all we needed for a great evening. One ride was all we managed to do but it was Katie and I enjoying time together with only one thing on our mind.....

BEATING THE CRAP OUT OF THE OTHER ONE ON THE WORLD'S BEST RIDE!


Buzz Light year is the neatest ride. 4D with competition. She grabs my shirt as if to kiss me and says in all seriousness, "You know, I'm going to destroy you."
Tonight, tonight my friends, I have the last laugh. Yes, the last round consisted of a string of accuracy like none other and Alpha Male Master Scott pulling off the upset.
As I sit here and watch my dog destroy her recently purchased toy, I ponder what it means to give and not receive. She seems so ungrateful. I just bought that and all you want to do is chew it and destroy it. She looks up at me and just knows. She says, "thanks for the training, thanks for the walks and the trips to the dog park, thanks for giving me a bath when I had flees, thanks for giving me a bed and warm house and food to eat at night." Even if I don't feel loved by her, she is a lesson of love. Sounds crazy and if you don't have a dog you really think i'm nuts. That's ok. Leila is teaching me to love unconditionally. She says, " I was a stray and you gave me a good life... I love you." To my family and friends: Is there anything better than that?!
People watching...
A poor man's made rich when his favorite breakfast beverage is orange juice. We have the sweetest fruit this year. Katie, once again blessing me, makes fresh squeezed orange juice for the week.
Below is a video of Leila at play. She is a great joy and a wonderful prelude to our first child.

I'm finding pleasure in the simple things. With no cable to waste my time and no money to spend on anything but bills, moving, and a distant trip to the other side of the country I find myself learning more than I learned in the last three years.