What Do These Two Pictures Have in Common?

Kate pointed out that there was the color red in both pictures.  True.  Very True.  The other thing is that I pronounce them both the same way... I'm going to need to learn how to say the country "Chile" correctly because WE ARE MOVING THERE.  Ahhhhh!  It's true! 

Remember when Joe and I took the wrong turn in Idaho and it added 5 hours to our trip?  Well, he had just found out that he got a job that he had interviewed for in Santiago, Chile.  To say the least, we were deep in conversation as well as tears, excitement and phone calls. 

You probably won't be hearing much from me until we get down there.  It's going to be a CRAZY few weeks trying to get Kate's tonils out, arranging for Joe and me to head down there to house hunt, flying back in time to throw a quick birthday party for our almost 7 year old, and then packing up our stuff, sending it off by boat and plane and renting out our house. 

I have stress headaches daily around 7pm when I think of all we need to do.  I'm soooo sad to leave Pleasanton.  We really felt like we found our paradise!  I 'm thankful we'll be back :)  Our families are close, oh, our family...we will miss you terribly... we've made so many wonderful friends and we've developed a nice, little routine.  But the adventures that await!  I'm such a mixture of emotions!! 

So, we'll be in Santiago, for about 2 years.  Start saving your money and come and visit!  We'll make sure we get a place with a guest bedroom :) 

The Road Trip Continues...

After 5 days in Montana, we hopped in the car and took off for what was supposed to be another 10 hour drive to Bear Lake, where we would be having our Berryhill Family Reunion.  About this time, Luke was getting pretty sick of being in the car.  He wanted out.  When we'd even get near the car he'd start to cry.  Kate and Jake were still rock stars.  I was so impressed with them.  Well, Joe and I were in deep conversation and when one of the few forks in the road came up in Idaho, we went right and went through some of the most beautiful countryside we've ever seen.  As we gawked and oohed and awwed, I finally opened up the map and realized that we had made a wrong turn--a setback that would add 5 hours onto our already 10 hour trip.  Not too many roads that cut through the middle of Idaho.  In fact, none at all, just all of those darn National and State Parks that we were oohing at.  So instead of getting to Bear Lake by dinner time, we rolled in around 1:30 in the morning.  Luke screamed for the last few hours.  I really thought he would have a hernia.  The joy we felt when we pulled into the driveway of the house we'd be staying at, and there was Mike, awaiting our arrival!!! 

 We had so much fun with all of the Berryhills.  Everyone was accounted for this time around and we couldn't be more thrilled!

The kids had a chance to do a few things that they have never done before! Like jet skiing, being pulled behind a boat on a banana float, exploring the depths of a deep, dark, cave, putting on a puppet show with plenty of characters, and making some really cool jewelry.

 The chef

 The Boys

 The best part was being together.  Oh how we love our family!  Plenty of memories were made and we can't wait for another 2 years.  I'm awaiting the family photos we took of everyone in our matching

 t-shirts--when I get them, I will add to the pictures.  It's been a LONG time since we've had a complete family photo :)

Road Trip

A few months ago, our friend Ryan came to dinner and made a proposal.  "We want to check out Glacier National Park.  Wanna come with us?"  After a few seconds and making sure our calendars worked, it was set.  He found an amazing home to rent up in Montana and we started planning. So, we caravanned with the Methenys and after 2 ten hour days of driving, we made it.  Surprisingly the kids did an incredible job in the car.  I was really worried!!

 Here's the home.  It had a separate building in the back with an indoor pool, and indoor hot tub, a fire pit, and a huge expanse of lawn!  I was so excited when I saw the lawn, that I kicked off my shoes and went running...about half way into it, I realized there were these spiky weeds interspersed throughout-- we learned quickly that the kids needed shoes :)

 Almost every night we had a fire and did smores.  By the end, our technique was perfected :)

 I loved them

We headed into the park for a few days and went on a few, beautiful hikes and saw some of the most amazing scenery.

 Jake, Annie, Kate, Zach, Gwen

 The hikers. 

 The moocher (he road along happily in the backpack and even got a nap or two in)

The Glacier

We took this amazing road called "Going to the Sun" that took us through Glacier waterfalls, steep cliffs and breathtaking views.  Our car got wet plenty of times, going through some of the waterfalls!  We got to the summit where we were on the border of the USA and Canada.  It was so cool!  All of these people were hiking up the glaciers and skiing down them!

Luke touching his first snow

 We found out that Kate is a total hiker and we need to work with Jake to toughen him up just a bit :) 

T

his great field close to our house up there and so we had to take a few pictures :)

 Then we got up early one morning and wanted the kids to experience some true fishing in Montana

 Mosquitos and all

 Not a huge trout, but we were excited to be catching something!

Well... maybe some of us...Jake wasn't too sure about it at first :) 

Both kids were able to claim a fish--way to go, Joe!

 On the way homw we stopped for huckleberry shakes and Luke would NOT share.  It was hysterical!

We wore the poor kid out.

We had the best time with the Methenys.  The kids just ran and played all day long and after they'd go to sleep at night, Ryan, Jeri, Joe and I would soak in the hot tub, get our snacks and play cards until the wee hours of the night.  Thank you for a wonderful, time!!  Can't wait until our next trip!