Dynamic Reflections

We're finally getting to some old pictures from earlier this summer.  One of the big struggles with getting them developed was teaching me how to do HDR photography.  I've been pretty good about taking lots of these bracketed pictures on my camera, but I haven't been able to properly put them together in one image since I haven't known how.  However, thanks to a patient husband and this HDR tutorial, I've been able to learn how to finish my photos.  These are my first attempts.  What do you think?

These pictures were from Payson Lakes, just a short drive up the canyon from where I've been working for the past year.  I wanted to make sure we went there before we left Utah, so on one of our last Sundays we took a drive to see the beautiful lakes in the Nebo Loop.  If you're ever in the area or looking for a good place to go camping, give it a try.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is an adventure.  Like I said earlier, some of it's good, some of it's different, and some of it's going to take some getting used to.  In fact, one of the girls in our ward said it took about a year to completely adjust to Philadelphia and like living here.  Oh, I hope it doesn't take that long.  So far Philadelphia has been mostly good.

Our first day here was a bit of a shock.  Let me paint you a picture of where we live.  Our apartment is pretty nice.  We live in the second story of a new building.  2 Bedrooms, hardwood floors, dishwasher, and best of all, central air (which is super hard to find out here.) However, the neighborhood we live in isn't the nicest.  Not that it's scary, but you can just tell when you reach this different part of town.  Since the first day arriving here and we've been getting out of the house more, I've realized that most of Philadelphia is like this.  Unless we live in the suburbs (longer transit time) or in the middle of Center City in a high rise ($$$), this is about as good as it gets.  We are very glad that we have a nice place to live.  Unpacking is making it feel more and more like home and is helping me to come to terms with this new situation.

There are great things about Philadelphia as well.  The neighborhood that is just south of us in University City and in Center City is very much a downtown area and I've really enjoyed exploring it.  It's a different experience to walk out your front door and get exactly what you want so close to you.

Love Park in Center City (I want to go back and explore)

Another great thing about Philadelphia is the history.  There is so much here!  Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Valley Forge, Betsy Ross House, Franklin Print Shop, just to name a few.  We've been able to see only a little bit of what the city offers in our first few weeks and it's amazing how much history is here.  You may notice that I've added a new page to our blog called, "Phillie Bucket List."  This is something I started compiling when we knew we were going to be moving to Philadelphia.  We're hoping we can get through a lot of the list before we leave in 4 years.

And the food!  Part of moving is the "eating out until you want to puke or you have the kitchen put back together" stage.  Which means we've successfully found the nearest and least scary food establishments in our neighborhood (our poor waistlines are showing it.)  We're had cheesesteaks at Gooey Louie's (so, so messy, but so, so good) and at the Reading Terminal Market.  Every chinese restaurant (at least that we've seen) has exactly the same menu and is not very good.  This is very bad for chinese lovers like me and Brad.  We eat chinese food like it's good Southern soul food.  Chinese is our comfort food and we are going to search high and low for a good chinese restaurant here in Phillie.  Also, we've been sad to learn that there isn't really good Mexican out here.  They have Chipotle and Qdoba (which are both good), but if we want family style Mexican, we're making it at home.

Gooey Looie's Cheese Steak

Our favorite food discovery has been water ice.  No, not ice water.  Water ice.  It's hard to explain.  It's like ice cream, but with snow cone ingredients.  In fact, it's scooped like ice cream.  But oh so good when it's been 103 outside.

Pineapple and Strawberry Banana Water Ice with Gelati

Other funny things about Philadelphia.  No right turns at red lights signs at pretty much every intersection.  This can be a bit annoying.  If it's red, you can't go.  If it's green, there are pedestrians in the way.  And they are serious about it.  The cops will ticket you for turning on a red light.

You have to cash on you.  Our first indicator was the toll roads only taking cash.  Then the little water ice place only takes cash.  When we asked about going to the Reading Market we were told the only payment accepted in the whole place is cash.  A lot of places out here deal only in currency.  Which is a little weird.  I used to never carry cash.  Now I ask Brad before we leave the apartment if we have enough cash.  It feels like we went back in time to when we got paid for doing chores with cash and that's all we had.

We are still figuring out Philadelphia, and I'm sure there will be more interesting things to tell you about here on our blog.  But for now, we are enjoying the adventure.

Across the Country

Moving.  I don't think I'm ready to do it again anytime soon.  I'm very grateful we went with the we-pack-the-trailer-they-move-it-across-the-country moving company.  It was so nice just to drive in our car and be comfy.  This allowed us to do more of a vacation as we go move which was so much fun.  We went to Mt. Rushmore on our way out.  It was pretty cool to see in person and I'm glad we did it while we had the chance.  I don't think we'll make that trip again.

(We also tried to go to Crazy Horse, but they wanted more money than what it cost to go to Mt. Rushmore.  So this is the best picture we have.)

We also stopped at the Mitchell Corn Palace.  Everything is made of corn.  All the pictures, the signs, the colors, all made with corn.  

We broke up our 4 days in the car with a stay in Minnesota with Brad's family.  In true Packer fashion, plans were made and changed at the last moment so that all 4 Packer boys were together in Minnesota.  This has not happened in many, many years.  Also in Packer fashion, a family picture was put together (with matching outfits non-the-less) within 24 hrs.  More pictures to follow of our adorable nieces and nephews in their own post (including 2 newborns, yeah, we're that lucky.)

We were a bit sad to leave Minnesota and head onto our final leg of the trip.  It was a little crazy with the brake problems we were having in Chicago which led to a 45 minute detour driving through the city.  We were glad to see the sign for Indiana saying we had officially left Chicago.

(I tried to get pictures of the state signs, but 90% of them were either half a sign or blurry.  These are the ones that actually made it.)

So after 2,358 miles and 33 hours in the car we made it to Philadelphia.  There is so much to be said about our experience in Philadelphia so far.  First, Todo, we aren't in Kansas anymore.  It's so different living "downtown" in a major city.  Some of it's good, some of it's different, and some of it's going to take some getting used to.  But that's for another day.

Lately

I've been pretty bad about updating the blog.  I can't say the forcast looks any better since we are moving to Philadelphia in 3 days!  But before I forget, this is what we've been up to lately.

• My last week of working at Head Start.  During my last week we went to a ropes course for a team building activity.  That's my kind of fun.  After my years in gymnastics I've lost my fear of doing these sort of things.  Zipline, rock climbing, giant swing?  No problem.  Having to say goodbye?  Not so easy.  I've made so many wonderful friends and have absolutely LOVED my job.

• Right after my job ended, we went to see Uncle David and Aunt Colleen in Idaho with Zack and Karen.  So much fun!  Pics to follow.

• Immediately following our trip to Idaho, we left for Moab.  Just the two of us.  Pics also in the line up for editing.

• Lots and lots of packing.  Luckily we've had our back bedroom to put all of our boxes in.
• Good times with family and friends before we leave.  It's been so much fun to see everyone one last time before we go.
• This includes my amazing friend Shelley.  I've needed a haircut and color badly, but my mom has been so busy.  Shelley gave me a great haircut.  I love it.  Thanks Shelley!
• We got a GPS.  Finally!  I've wanted one with my job for my home visits, but we just got one.  It's super cool.  Voice commands and hands free calling through the GPS.  I know you are jealous.
• Family pictures.  In between my parents trip to Alaska, our trips to Idaho and Moab, my mom being Girl's Camp director AND doing the Weeblos Scout Camp, we've put it off to the last minute.  However, we did pull it off.  Don't we look great?

Bonfire

Over the weekend we went for a little bonfire with our friends Holly and Wayne up Hobble Creek Canyon.  We made tinfoil dinners and banana boats.  The food was delicious and the company was great!  Thanks for going with us!

Adrianne's Graduation

Adrianne graduated high school this week!  She is amazing!  Not only did Adrianne graduate with her high school diploma, but she got her dental assisting license as well.  Way to go Gia!

Adrianne receiving her diploma and Shanda giving her the the most delicious smelling plumeria lei.

We actually had 3 cousins graduating that night from the same high school.  Congratulations to Jasmine, Hannah, and Ajsha!

Sad Day

Since we are moving to Philadelphia, we needed to get rid of one car.

Do you think Brad was going to drive anywhere in a Bug named "Peppy"?

I've loved having my little car.  Brad, not so much.  It's a girly car.  So, we made the decision to get rid of my car.

My little car sold yesterday to a mom and dad buying it for the 16 year olds birthday.  I'm glad this girl will be really excited for this car, but still, I will miss my little car.

 (My mom wanted a picture of me hugging my car when I was 18.  I don't remember why.)