Sunday, September 13, 2009

We have arrived and Happy 4 month bday Ellie!

After a total of seven days in the car (four then a 2 week break then three more) we have arrived in Monterey, CA. Hurray! We are SO glad the tediousness of driving is over. Though, seriously, our country is beautiful--we have driven completely across it and it's so amazing. The rolling, treed hills of Appalachia, the corn and soybean fields of the midwest, the great Mississippi and Missouri rivers, past the arch of St. Louis, into the grassy plains of Kansas that turn into the barren plains of Kansas, up to the feet of the Rocky Mountains jutting out of the stark earth, across the incredible Glenwood Canyon into the earthy mountains of Grand Junction, through the astoundingly diverse canyons of Utah and Arizona, speeding through the vast desert of Nevada and into the desert of California which gives way to the verdant (yet smoggy) orchards of central California and finally to the salty-smelling, gull-filled central coast. What a privilege it was to drive across our land from sea to shining sea. :) And though the canyons of Utah tried to stop us (our temperature gauge in the Focus gave us some trouble there) and the desert of California tried to derail us (flat tire just into the Mojave Desert) we have survived and are now enjoying the beautiful fog and dazzling sunshine near the sea.

We hope to get our housing settled this week (more on that in a later post) and that's really the end of our travels because we've been in transition since 19 July, when we moved out of our home in Virginia. It's about time to settle again. Right now we're at the hotel on the Naval Postgrad School, which is in this old historic building that looks like an old mission. We've been to the beach several times and Kate has a love/hate relationship with the water. She always wants Daddy to take her to the ocean, but when we get there, she's afraid of the water and wary of the birds. It'll just take some getting used to, I'm sure. She's always up for adventure, though, and we're so grateful she's not allergic to her carseat after such a trip.


Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs, CO. One of my most favorite sights.


Black Dragon Canyon in eastern Utah. Yes, this is Utah!




Another gorgeous canyon in Utah.




Traveling back in Jon's childhood. Alas, Edwards Air Force Base is in the middle of no-where, CA. This is for you, Gram and Pops!





Happy 4 month bday to our sweet Elliana! Here she on her first trip to the zoo.
Here are a few of Ellie's accomplishments in her short life so far:
--been in 14 states
--lived in numerous hotels
--slept in three different closets
--switched from six feedings a day to five, and now back to six
--slept uncountable hours in her carseat

She is already rolling over both ways. One day she rolled from belly to back and the next day she went from back to belly. We were amazed! She's done great in the car and now that we're finally not traveling each day, she is having a harder time adjusting to "normal" life. So we're working on that. But she adores her sister, loves to smile at her daddy, and sweetly lays in her momma's arms. Happy fourth month bday, Ellie! We love you so much.






And last but not least...Monterey Bay! The cypress trees are on the point, and the beauty is apparent even though it's a foggy day.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a great post! How grateful we are for your safe and wonderful journey(w/ a visit to us in the middle!) Ah, to live by the sea. Thank you for all these wonderful pictures...we love each and every one. Happy birthday, Ellie! How you have grown. Kate, I can't wait to gather shells and stones w/ you by the sea! Love to all...Gram + Pops

Anonymous said...

PS...Jonathan, you were 2 1/2 when we moved to Edwards, and here you are in CA (driving by Edwards) w/ your own 2 yr old and a 4 month old. Gosh, time flew by. So many Edwards memories. Have a wonderful adventure in California. Love, Mom + Dad

beth and melinda said...

I wanna come!!
Miss you guys

Brent, Lori and Elli said...

I love your commentary. Short and full of images! I would love to come and see the beauty you are experiencing there in CA. I would also love to come and see the beautiful babies you have. Pictures are just not enough. We'll see what the future holds for travel, but until then, keep the pictures and posts coming. It is great to follow your walk through this life.

b.niel said...

wow, what a trip! welcome to your new home!

Shari Baker said...

I am so happy for you all that you had a chance to stay in Colorado Springs and reconnect with your family before moving on to this next step in your life. How long will it be before you go to Disneyland? ;)

Nana said...

Hi Jon and Jen,
I love your descriptions of our beautiful country. It's only when you truly take time to look at it that you appreciate it. Day after day God gives us the beauty of the earth and we take it for granted some days without even noticing. Good for you, God is glorified when we admire His creation. And little Elliana turning 4 months, what a joy she is. She has had to adjust quickly to many different places in her short life. But, she has done great. What a joy it was to have you here. And I'll get to be with you next week. Hurray! Great pictures!

Erin said...

Great post! Welcome home to beautiful Monterey. Patrick went to DLI there years ago - we visited when we first got married and I loved it.
So glad you made it safely and are settling in. It seems you have a couple of good little travelers. What a blessing! The girls are both just beautiful - love the pics! Miss you all! And sad we missed seeing you in Colorado by days. It snowed when we went up Pikes Peak ...