Virginia is for lovers...and the Closes

Well for a lot of you I have been saying I will create a blog for a long time. It took us moving to Virginia to finally get it going, especially because we are living so far away from everyone we know! But we are here in Roanoke, have an apartment, Brad started work, and I think we are almost settled in. I'll quickly catch everyone up...hopefully with more pictures than words. The past four months we have been living with my parents and done some fun things around Boise.

My parents got a dog...which is crazy because we have never had a pet, ever. My brothers love to play with her and in the 4 months we were there Ella (the dog) and Brad became pretty close. Here is her first bath.

Brad and I did a short hike one weekend, Jump Creek Canyon, and while it was hot outside the water was cold! Brad wanted to swim out there and touch the waterfall, needless to say it was a cold endeavor!

For the Fourth of July we went to Idaho Falls, good thing we did as we moved not long after. We spent time with Brad's mom and his sisters family. We attended a Chukars game...went to one last year too. We ate lots of good food (thanks to the Jensens), watched pretty sweet fireworks, and attended a parade! All in all a great weekend with the fam!

How many adults does it take to get one good picture of a grandchild? :)

Right before we left we went up to the mountains for one last time. We took an afternoon off and since we were leaving soon; took the dog Ella. I am so glad we got to be in the mountains and just relax before the big move. Ella was a pain in the butt to take up and at one point Brad thought it would be smart to try and put her in the raft we brought. In the end we threw her out! We sure are going to miss Idaho but Virginia will bring good stuff too!

We took a week to get out here and I am glad we didn't do it in 3 days. We stopped by Utah to stay with a couple who Brad served with in the mission. They were right by a creek and in the gorgeous mountains. 

From Brad: So being the HOH, I felt a need to add a picture in this here blog thingy.  Ashley had a wonderful trip across the United States and besides trying to play games with her boring husband, took a minor nap here and there.  It had to be captured.  That's the rule:  You fall asleep, you enter the realm of the internet.  She loves me.

We also stopped in Independence to see my grandparents who are serving a mission there. It was great to see what they do, go to Liberty Jail, and the visitors center. Man it was hot the day we were there but we are glad we could see them!

We also stopped and visited my aunt, uncle and their kids in Joplin. Like most of you know a tornado hit there in May. My aunt took us around the town to see the destruction. They have started to rebuild a lot but still some obvious damage. One of the hospitals was destroyed and they are in tents right now like the ones off of Mash. We are glad we could see them and glad they showed us their city. The people of Joplin are truly  faithful and hopeful people!

We stayed in a hotel the first couple days we were in Salem (town outside Roanoke). We got a little stir crazy one night and went to a Salem Red Soxs game. Brad went when he came out to interview and loves baseball. It is a great stadium and we will for sure go again! 

So yep that is us in a nutshell from the last four months. Pictures of the apartment will come soon, as it is still developing. Most of you know that I am pregnant (sorry for those who didn't know) but we had an ultrasound and I will put up some of those pictures! Thanks y'all (get into the southern attitude)