we're moved in

We moved into our new house last weekend and we've had a week full of unpacking boxes and taking many trips to Home Depot. We both feel like there's so much more room than we're used to--we have a choice of which room to hang out in. We love our new house and the neighborhood. It's very quiet and the neighbors we've met are very nice. There's a large park just down the road that we've run to a few times to play soccer and watch the neighborhood kids play soccer. Andy Williams (player on Real Salt Lake) coaches a neighborhood team and we got to spy on the drills he was running with his kids. We've really enjoyed our first week in our new house.

great weekend

Another great weekend has come to an end. We had a great two days enjoying the warmer weather and the sunshine. We took a drive out to Saratoga Springs to check out a washer and dryer we are thinking of buying from a guy off KSL. It was quite a drive out there, but the area is beautiful with fantastic views of the Utah lake. We went out to dinner and then saw Leatherheads. We didn't think it was too great--I think you have to be from an older generation to enjoy it because my dad really liked it. It turns out that KSL classifieds has many great deals. We found three lift tickets to Park City for $100.00 so my dad, Chelsea, and I spent Saturday on the slopes. It was the greatest day of Spring skiing ever!! The snow was perfect and it wasn't too hot or too cold. Despite my two layers of sunblock though, my face got lots of sun. It was a great day. After skiing we took a short bikeride up to the neighbors with Riki, Erin, and Lily to see the horses and to feed them apples. I rode Maryanne's old school bike that has no gears and foot brakes. My legs were burning after riding up our short hill, but I made it. We finished out the night at the Real game where they slaughtered DC United 4-0. The team played great and were very enjoyable to watch. Hopefully this is the start of some good things for the team. It's been a long road of losses, but it's always fun just to be out enjoying the sunshine, or in our case Saturday night, the cold and wind. We went to our new ward again today and were entertained during Sacrament Meeting as we watched kid after kid try to escape from their parents into the hallway. Many were successful--we were routing for the kids. We met a few new people including some of our neighbors. There's a big mix of old and young families, which will make the ward really great. We found out the ward was organized a little over a month ago so almost everyone's new to each other. They are having the first ward activity this Saturday--we're moving in at just the right time. And finally... we are closing on our house tomorrow morning and only one week later than expected--ugh! Oh well. Underwriting lines are long everywhere, which is the reason for our delay. We're not ready to pull our hair out yet, but we can hardly walk around our house because of all the boxes. Soon enough we'll be moved in enjoying tons of space and a two-car garage. What could be better?

Are you ready for some Futebol?

Omai here...my first blog entry. I just stepped outside my office to get the mail and the spring weather hit me. I'm ready to start playing some soccer. Please feel free to join me. Good Day!

sin city

This past week we went to expensive Las Vegas. Luckily we had a crummy hotel room, which made Omai want to do something other than just sit in the hotel. We went and saw a bunch of the big hotels on the strip, had some good food from the Rio Carnival buffet, and saw some basketball at the Thomas & Mack Center. Too bad the Cougs lost in the title game. We had a great time on our short trip and found that you can still leave with lighter wallets even without having gambled. Omai says "Screw it. Next time we're gambling if we're losing that much money." I say we're never going there again. Here are some pics from the trip.

Overlooking the strip from the bridge connecting New York New York and MGM Grand Casinos.

The outside of the Planet Hollywood Casino.

The race car at the M&M Factory.

In front of the Bellagio.

The watershow at the Bellagio.

The Eiffel Tower.

The escalators at the Venetian on the way to the Madame Taussaud Wax Museum.

Pillars at the Venetian.

Outside the Venetian.

Omai and Master Chief.
The Thomas & Mack Center before the championship game where BYU lost to UNLV.

Before the game.




BYU warming up for the game.

our house (cont'd)

After a little bit of bartering with the sellers, they agreed to our offer and we signed the final papers. The house is ours! We close on April 7th and can start moving in then. I couldn't fall asleep last night because I was so excited thinking about our new house. I have plans for the master bedroom, family room, guest room, eventual baby room... okay, every room in the house. I can't wait and Omai's very excited too.

I talked to Omai today who's in Las Vegas for an AutoDesk software convention. He's pretty bored with the meetings, but he's enjoying his view from the top story at the Mandalay Bay Casino. I'm flying to Vegas tomorrow to join him for some site-seeing and for some MW basketball games.

I also just had a surprising visit from Brother Jacobson who's in the bishopbric--they are re-organizing the YW Presidency in the ward so I've been released from my calling as the 2nd Counselor. I'm pretty bummed and I feel like so many changes are all hitting at once--some good and some bad. On to a new chapter of life.