Goodbye, Chicago! Hello, Colorado!

Well, I've officially closed up life in Chicago!
I cried as Aaron and I drove away from the place I've called home for over 3 years. I'll always love that city! You should plan a vacay there in the summer time. You'll fall in love with it too. I already know. {One of my co-workers said, "Why are you crying? You're marrying the man of your dreams?" :) It was a grateful cry. I had so many great experiences in that city!}

Anyway, here's a quick re-cap of what went down for the past couple of weeks:

Friday, March 23 was my last day of work. Aaron flew out to Chicago to help me pack up my belongings, deliver furniture to Salvation Army, run errands and clean my apartment. {I ended up selling everything on Craigslist and to church friends. I called my dad and said maybe I should go into sales!}

We stayed at Wendy's house and attended church one last time in Chicago. {Ahhh.. Wendy, I know you read my blog. Next weekend we HAVE to take a pic together, deal?}

Last lunch with my co-workers!

Here are some of the reasons I'll miss Chicago...

After church, Aaron and I headed to Ohio to stay with one of my college roommates who is married and has three adorable kids. {Shannon, thanks again for letting us stay at your place! It was a perfect half-way point.}
We had only been driving about an hour and half when Aaron and I heard a funny noise and felt the car jiggle a little. We pulled over and discovered this:

A flat tire. Perfect way to spice up a road trip. Poor Aaron had spent the previous day packing up the trunk perfectly so everything would fit. Luckily, Aaron {and stranger Bob who works for the Indiana highway department} were able to put on the spare. We found a new tire in no time and were on our merry little way. {I heart road trips and I personally believe every couple should take a few road trips together before getting married - you learn so much about each other during the trip and how someone handles the unexpected - like a flat tire in a perfectly packed trunk! My car battery also died once we got to our destination. Let's just say Aaron was a champ.}

We made our way to Maryland on Monday afternoon. {Oh, I forgot to mention that Aaron was on Spring Break!} Part of our Maryland vacay included FHE with the cutest family ever, visiting D.C. to see the cherry blossoms, birthday party with another adorable family, apartment hunting, hanging out with Aaron's parents and purchasing a couch. Here are some pics!

We flew back to Denver, together, on Thursday to enjoy General Conference with the fam. My parents even drove to CO!

And now I LIVE in Denver with Alex and Bryan and the boys! {Well, I live here Tuesday - Friday afternoon and then Friday evening - Monday evening I'm in CO Springs closer to Aaron! My goal is teach Lincoln how to say Amanda. So far he has the "da" down.}

Monday evenings I get to attend institute with Aaron and then I head back to Denver. Yesterday I went to the academy to watch Aaron and the other cadets practice their marching, a Monday routine that will be performed at graduation! During yesterday's practice, there happened to be a special appearance...

Goodbye, Chicago! Thank you for the memories.

Hello, Colorado! I'm thrilled to finally be here.