A Bittersweet Goodbye

... a little bitter, but WAY more sweet!

Well, the season has come to a close and that means we're saying goodbye to Washington and heading HOME.  Transitions are usually difficult for me because I am so stinkin' sentimental.  Believe me, it's very annoying to be this way but I can't help it! Anyone else the same way out there??  This summer has been as fun as a "rehab summer" could possibly be.  We met (and even lived with) some wonderful new friends, traveled to lots of beautiful places, and made so many memories.  Here are the highlights, in pictures, of our spring and summer.

We spent April and May in Tucson, Arizona.

We met Brad and had fun getting to know him. We made a trip to the Grand Canyon and hiked a reeeeally long way but it was totally worth it.

After extended spring training was over, Emily came to Arizona and we made our way up to Washington. On our way we made a stop off in Vegas.

When we made it to Tri Cities, we set up our little apartment all in one day thanks to Goodwill :) Oh, and me and the little lady sitting by the window got to be great friends.

After only being in Washington for a few days, Aaron and I made a quick trip home to see our family and closest friends.

... and I got to be with my Dad on Fathers Day AND his birthday. (Even though I had to go to work with him to really see him!)

We got to know Lyndsey and Josh and we girls enjoyed each other's company when our boys were on the road.

We celebrated my birthday with our baseball friends.

I spent many long but eventful days taking care of these three adorable knuckleheads.

We traveled to Salem, Oregon, Spokane, Wa, and Boise, Idaho and "out of the country" to Vancouver, British Columbia.

We went to Seattle and by surprise, had to say an unexpected goodbye to Brad and Emily.

We have spent the past week here in Tri Cities just winding down the season and getting everything packed and ready to move out. In the meantime, these two characters- "Trice" and "Tilly" a.k.a. Tyler Trice and Clint Tilford- have graced us with their presence for several meals nights after the games.

They also were great sports and helped us move ALL our stuff.

We were very very thankful for all their help. Now onto the road ahead...

God's Country

Photo courtesy of my mother :)

Literally. On our trek across the country, we will be stopping off in Yellowstone and Jackson Hole... my two favorite places on this planet.  My family lived there when I was younger and I have many emotional ties to this beautiful place.  Some of my most favorite memories of my life were made here and I cannot WAIT to make some with my love.  He has ALWAYS wanted to go with us when we've come back to vacation but somehow baseball has always gotten in the way... well not this time! It's made the way!  We will only be there for a few days so we've mapped out our trip and planned something for literally every second.  We are going to make the most of this special opportunity.

After Yellowstone and JH, we will be making our way down to Denver where we will get to catch a Rockies game at Coors Field! It will be my first major league Rockies game and I can't wait to actually see our goal. After Denver, we will head onto Tulsa and then on to Jackson, MS to visit with Aaron's family and then finally end up in Fairhope.

So while the sentimental heart in me finds saying goodbye a little bitter, what we are about to experience is WAY more sweet.  I will be taking lots and lots of pictures (Aaron calls all of our little trips "photo safaris") thanks to my patient husband... but it's not like he'll be bored... he'll be foamin' at the mouth at the sight of all the wildlife he's about to see.  Thank God he doesn't have his bow with him, otherwise his butt would be in federal prison!  :)

Until then blog readers!

And how could I not mention,

GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!