Thursday, January 1, 2009

The Falkes move to Folsom, and other festivities

What a December! Isn't moving a joy? It has been wild, but we are so grateful that things went well. This hit the day before we were scheduled to load the 26-foot-Camry-in-tow Penske:Those of you that live in snowy climates may think it's no big deal, but when Portland sees snow, everyone goes into freak-out mode! Church was canceled (the day this pic was taken), schools were canceled for Monday (the day we were to load the truck) and roads were closed down. We decided to go forward with our plans and it's a good thing we did. Thanks to some faithful home teachers and missionaries (ask me to tell you the story about the missionary spilling my unmentionables all over--hilarious) we got the truck loaded on Monday, Dec 15. On Tuesday we cleaned the apartment, tied up loose ends, and began the trek down I-5. Here are the kids all ready to leave our empty apartment:I got a little emotional as we said our final prayer there. That apartment was the longest Brad and I have stayed in one place since married and we brought 2 babies home to Troutdale Terrace. Portland has been so good to us. We made amazing friends and had some great times and I was sad to see that chapter of our lives come to an end.

Tuesday we made it to Medford to spend the night. The driving was slow and at one point it took us an hour to go 5 miles. By far one of the worst hours of my life. But I was reminded that things could be much worse when we were cruising at about 60mph in a dark, curvy, hilly area and a semi swerved half-way into my lane. I swerved onto the shoulder and narrowly avoided a side-swipe. Whew! Talk about the sympathetic "fight or flight" response kicking in! Once we got to the Holiday Inn Express we all got clean and cozy and had a good nights' sleep.

Wednesday morning we got on the road at a good time and made it over the Siskiyou pass before the second, more severe storm rolled in later that day. Seriously, we got out at the only time possible. Portland saw the worst storm they've had in heaven knows how long. Everything was completely closed down, including the freeway by our house. We heard that our exit was at the center of the news reports and buildings were covered to their roofs in snow drifts! Had we decided to wait a day, we would've been snowed in--surrounded by boxes in our cramped apartment until well after Christmas. That would've been sad and I'm quite certain I would've gone insane.

The rest of the drive went smoothly, minus a car-seat staining blow-out from Finn. The poor little guy had been sick with the "spew and poo" bug as I call it since a couple days before the move. Finn's a tender little guy who followed me around saying "I need hug" and requiring that I carry him around. This made packing and cleaning very difficult, but who can resist a sick and sad little boy that desparately wanted cuddles? He loved riding with Brad in the "big yellow truck" for the whole trip and was accident-free. Then on the very last leg of the journey we decided to switch it up. Galla and Paisley got their turn in the big yellow truck with daddy and Finn joined mama in the Suburban. At only one hour away from our new house, I smelled something suspicious. I pulled over on a random country road and cleaned up a huge disgusting mess that needs no explanation. Why couldn't he have done that while he was with Brad?

We pulled in to our wonderful new (rental) house just after 5:00 on Wednesday evening. Several guys from our new ward came to help us unload and we had the truck emptied pretty quickly. Let the unpacking/organizing begin! Check out Gal in our backyard:Total California girl already, right?! The kids love it! And I'm a way more relaxed mama when I don't have to tell the kids to stop running/jumping/yelling on account of the noise for the neighbors. The house is awesome and we got all unpacked just in time to enjoy Christmas.So fun decorating the spacious new living room and watching a little "Elf." We actually packed the Christmas tree down from Oregon. They are much cheaper there since that's where most of them down here come from anyway. Christmas Eve we spent as our little family. We got up Christmas morning and opened presents.Paisley was pretty happy in her new bumbo chair with a toothbrush and socks on her first Christmas.Finn is a big fan of his cowboy hat--like Woody from Toy Story.Galla is "princessed out" as usual.After presents we drove down to Modesto/Turlock to visit family. Brad and I haven't been home for Christmas since we were married and it was so nice. Paisley and her cousin Conner are good friends already.This is Brad and his bro with their sons sitting by the outside fire pit.
Here we are at Brad's grandma's house. I like how there is a Christmas tree and a cactus (in the picture) behind us.

We are so happy to be getting settled here in California and to be close to family. After all the moving we've done, it's crazy to think that we plan on living in the area forever! We are so grateful for all of our family and friends, no matter where we know you from, and want you to know that you're always welcome to visit. Happy new year!

P.S. Doc Marten update: Donated. I did it! (see 2 posts down)

11 comments:

Jessie said...

I am so happy you guys made it safe :) Looks like settling down suits you! Hope you have a Happy New Year!!

Dani said...

I got a little teary reading your post!! We miss you all so much already! And to be truthful, a part of me is green with envy. One look at that backyard did it to me! I am so glad you made it out when you did and that the trip was mostly uneventful. We can't wait to come see you next summer!

Trishelle said...

Maylin, congrats! I'm so happy for you and also relating to the bitter-sweetness of the transition. (sniff, sniff). Good luck with the transition. :)

Stephanie said...

moving is so annoying and i cant imagine doing it with 3 kids in tow but you continue to amzae me. i want to be like you when i grow up! :) (in many ways actually you trim fit woman) i am so happy for you guys - so nice to be settled and know you are going to live somewhere forever. we still have at least one more move in hawaii to endure and then the big bad move to the mainland someday... we just dont know when and where.

and i am glad you said you watched elf since i thought of you guys when we watched it this year- i think because you gave it away as a prize at a ward party in hawaii. :)

Trujillo family said...

I am glad you made it safe!! We miss you guys! Your place looks so fun and cute and what a nice backyard!! I need to remember to talk to the missionairies about their moving misshap when helping you!! :) Love it!! haha

Claire said...

Isn't it so nerve wracking driving everything you own in a moving van and towing your car behind?? Glad you made it safe and got settled in before Christmas.

Miche said...

what an adventure! I have been in Utah and missed your call and also deleted your #.:) I will email you and get it again. Thanks for thinking of me! I miss you guys!

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy for you all but I have to say it's just not the same here without you. I still look up to see if Gala or Fin are in the window smiling down at us.
I'm sure it's so nice not to have to say "stop running, the people downstairs can hear you!" every five minutes.
Our very best wishes to you all for a healthy and happy New Year!

Dani and the other Stern Clan

April HelleDickson said...

So I don't comment on blogs very often, but I am dying to hear the story of the missionaries and the underwear. On a common note, my father-in-law was looking through a pile of random pictures that I had shoved in a book and came across some from the bachelorette party you and Monica threw for me. Pictures of a Wonder Woman outfit and Brigham dancing. So uncomfortable. And hilarious. Tell me this story!

Evans Family said...

Brad this is Adam Evans. Give me a call when you can I would love to talk with you.

(530)313-8857

Trishelle said...

Hey there! I was thinking about you the other day. This is the point where you are probably missing Oregon (friends/little things you didn't know you'd miss/sights/smells/etc)? How ya doing?