Let the games begin.

A week's worth of orientation meetings, 374 pages of highly important information, introductions to 65 new people, three fancy meals, two white coats, a list of passwords and door codes, a pager, and a partridge in a pear tree.

Unpacked!

It was Christmas on June 13th this year. At least for us. Opening all our wedding gifts and thrift store finds which accumulated throughout the last year and a half was exciting. And also about daunting. We have enough drinking vessels to host about 75 people. But only if we had popcorn -- we only have 6 forks.

Dad's arrival

Thankful for the driving expertise of Joel's dad, who graciously volunteered four days of his life to transport our earthly possessions. We sure appreciate it!

Move in day...

...Without most of our stuff! It arrives tomorrow with Joel's dad, our expert driver.

Road trip collage

Lovely routine stop overnight in Churchill, Montana -- the homestead of Leah and Todd Brouwer, plus the mini cows, horses and an awesome corn maze.

Three 12's

On the road again. This time no return trip after we hit Chicago.

Snap pea the trusty rusty VW dreambus is safely parked and tucked in her new (temporary?) home at a very friendly storage facility.

Penske truck packed not to the brim with all sorts of garage sale, thrift store, ikea, and travel stuff, plus wedding gifts. Oh and a 17' kayak.

Packed the car up with one box of fragile mystery kitchen items, our new pottery dishes, snacks, and my wilting plant.

Three days of driving the Oregon trail ahead. Farewell, pure Michigan.