We're Chicagoans

After visiting Oregon, Grant flew back to Rexburg to drive the Truck with Tanner to Chicago, while Jackson and I flew out there 2 days later. They had a long trip driving and were exhausted when they finally made it. Tanner was able to stay a few days after, and went to the beach, visited downtown, went up Sears Tower, and ate at Lou Malnati's (best Chicago Deep Dish!) for his birthday.
 We were so so so excited to be in our new place! It's especially exciting because we are brand new homeowners. We feel so grown up! And we are happy to be able to live in Chicago for the next 5 years. We feel very very blessed.
Since arriving, we've successfully unpacked and have most of our pictures hung. Grant has started working for a professor, and we've explored about 6 of the 10 parks in our neighborhood, played at the beach and in Lake Michigan, visited Navy Pier, spent time with friends who just moved from Chicago, visited the fire trucks at the fire station, and met many wonderful people. We have already fallen in love with Chicago, and are so happy to be here!

Our packed up moving truck

On the move

Our arrival at our new home!

First trip to the beach

Tanner braved a swim 

The top of Sears Tower-- "the ledge"

Lou Malnati's Chicago deep dish pizza 

Happy Birthday Tanner 

Jackson & Uncle Tanner hanging out

First night in our new home

Jackson loves his special chalk wall

Trip to explore the fire station

Exploring all the wonderful parks

The Chicago Air and Water show

A deep love for the beach

Visiting The Gannaways and The Risleys

At the end of June, we brought all of our stuff up to The Gannaways in Rexburg to store it in their garage until we moved. We stayed a week and a half, and Jackson played on their new swing set, had fun in the blow-up pool, played in the river, went to the 4th of July parade, and was perplexed by the fireworks. It was a hot, sunny blast!

We then headed to Oregon on a plane, and Jackson did wonderfully! He absolutely loved flying this time because he was a lot more aware of what a plane was. He was even kind of giddy. In Oregon, my family rafted the Rogue river with some family friends for 3 days. My mom watched the 2 grandkids while we all went rafting (My dad, Nate, Kaila, and Grant and I!). It was a blast, and we played on the natural water slide and enjoyed the breathtaking scenery. When we returned home, we also played at the splash pad and spent some fun time with cousin Cohen. Soon they'll be best buddies! 

Then off to Chicago.

The Gannaway Hot Dog Eating Contest (1st annual)

4th of July Parade!

Plane swing

4th of July

Watching the fireworks

Trip to the River

Splashing with Grandpa Gannaway and dog watching

Plane to Oregon

Splash pad with Uncle Nate & Cohen

Camping & Rafting on the Rogue River

Jackson & Cousin Cohen

mischievous little guy

The Final Days of Provo

Well I have a lot of catching up to do because we've done so many wonderful things so far this summer! Most exciting of them all, I must say, is moving to Chicago. But I'll get there in a couple posts.

Our last 2 months in Provo were splendid! We did some things that we've been wanting to do in Utah for a long time. We took a trip down to Arches National Park and went camping with our good friends The Rowes. It was Jackson's first time camping, and we stuck his pack-n-play in the tent and slept next to him. When he woke in the morning he was giggling so hard because he couldn't believe that we were sleeping right next to him in sleeping bags! It was adorable.
We also spent time with friends in Provo Canyon roasting marshmallows, went to the Hogle Zoo (Jackson adored the monkeys), and had a picnic at 'This is The Place' onument, overlooking Salt Lake City.
On my birthday, we hiked up to our special tree we planted behind the Draper Temple. Jackson hiked all by himself (it took us forever), but he loved the hike, and our little tree has grown so much! It will probably be several years before we see it again.
We enjoyed several trips to the splash pad as Jackson became more brave with cold water. We also visited our good friends, The Wixoms, who Jackson was named after. Then shortly after, we sold most of our furniture, and packed up our things, off to visit The Gannaways and The Risleys before we headed to Chicago.

Arches National Park. Can't get a better view for a campsite than this!

Jackson & Nathan playing with sticks!

Watching the fire

Waving to the monkeys at the Zoo

This is The Place. Prayer of Gratitude. I love this.

Birthday walk to our tree.

Splash Pad at The Riverwoods