We're Here, and Yes, We're Alive!

We currently do not have internet at our house (hopefully this will be remedied by tomorrow morning), so I left the kids with Joel so I can steal away for a few minutes at the library. Obviously I can't post pictures since I'm not using our computer. . .but hopefully I can post some tomorrow.

Here's a summary of our week:

Thursday:
Loaded up the truck thanks to some friends from our South Bend ward.
Last-minute cleaning.
Last night in sleeping bags on the floor (wahoo!).


Friday:
Drove the five hours to Muscatine: ate too much candy.
Disabled the front passenger airbag in the truck so Everett could ride with Joel and so I wouldn't turn into a madwoman.
Everett was thrilled; every time we asked him to get back in the car, he reminded us that it was a truck, not a car.
My car was the quiet one; William slept and Ashley slept or sucked on her pacifier (I made an exception for the car trip because I couldn't reach her very well).
Arrived in beautiful, green, well-kept Muscatine.
Approved of our new house.
Went to Wal-mart with the kids.
Joel unloaded by himself, even though he told me he wouldn't/wasn't every time I called him.
Many, many Muscatine ward members showed up to help us move in, some from quite a ways out of town.
Too bad there were only a few things left! However, we all enjoyed popsicles together.

Saturday:
Went to a barbeque at a ward member's house.
Everett and Ashley liked: the chickens, the four wheelers and dirtbikes, the outdoor toys, the food, and the "grandpas" who gave them plenty of attention.
I liked: the friends we made and the people who wanted to hold William all night.
Joel liked: showing his mad skillz while playing volleyball.

Church on Sunday was wonderful. Everyone was friendly and we got to know a few more faces.

Monday:
We enjoyed Memorial Day with the annual ward barbeque at a local park.
The kids enjoyed burying themselves in dirt in between eating sno-cones.
Joel enjoyed playing football and earned the nickname "sticky fingers."
Memorial breakfast for dinner: whole wheat blueberry pancakes, homemade syrup, and plenty of bacon to keep Joel happy and to counteract the healthy pancakes.

Tuesday:
Walked to a huge playground and hit the grocery store on the way home for some fresh fruit.
Finished setting up house, minus a few things we still need to purchase.
Went to the ward softball game against the New Era church's team. We lost. Terribly. However, Joel grew his good athletic reputation.
The softball complex here has sixteen immaculate fields, all of which were in use. There is another game on Thursday. Hopefully we won't lose this time!

Wednesday:
Joined the library.
Kids enjoyed the train tables, giant stackable floor pillows for climbing, castle and barn house house, rocking horse, giant teddy bear, etc.
I enjoyed getting some books.
And the internet.


That's that. We'll get some pictures up here tomorrow. Just wanted to let you all know that we're moved in, alive, and loving it here. Thanks for all your support!