You know you're NOT in Utah when...

So we've successfully survived the first two weeks of living in California. I say survived not because California is that awful, but because moving in and of itself is NOT my favorite thing to do, and uprooting a two year old and yanking her hundreds of miles from everything she knows is a little traumatizing.

We're also surviving the beginnings of what I foresee to be a very long 4 years of pharmacy school. My diligent husband is already in his "groove" at school. This is where I often hear frustrated grunts and G-rated curse words mumbled from the corner where he's working. It's also a reality that we won't get to spend much time with him because Touro University has assumed ownership of his soul and every spare minute of time.

Kassidy and I are acclimating though. We took a very hot 20 minute walk to the nearest park today and met some kids (I tried to force Kassidy to play in the sandbox with them and received shrieks of "I'm dirty! Wipe me!" The kid doesn't like to get dirty...where'd that come from?) We have a few ward friends and are enjoying being forced to introduce ourselves and ask names repeatedly.

Now for the real reason I'm posting. I've been taking some pictures around the area and I've noticed things are a little different here. Thus the title, You know you're not in Utah when (I borrowed the idea from the Johnson's cute post, You know you're in the city when). Enjoy!

You know you're not in Utah when...

You need a map to find your way to the nearest Wal-mart (seriously)...

Instead of wave runners on Utah Lake, you see these in the bay. It's amazing to me that they can even float-they are enormous!

The trees have a little more attitude...

The ocean creatures walk right up out on the street...

Even at 1:00pm on a Thursday, this is what traffic looks like!

The cars run on cables...


You have to go over a bridge to get anywhere (And they charge you for it! You'd think the state would be rich off of tolls alone. We've already gotten a toll violation, don't ask Kevin about it!)

The local pets have a slightly different bark than we're used to...

We miss our UTAH and everyone in it!!

We're here!

Okay, so a week later I'm finally getting a chance to write about our moving experience. Looking back I just realized I didn't update any of our July activities, so those will have to come later.

Well we made it to California in one piece so to speak. The 15 hours in the car wasn't ideal, but Kassidy was much better than expected and the moving van wasn't too bad either. My sweet uncle and aunt were here to help us move our stuff in took us out to dinner afterward. Our apartment is nice and seems to be in a quiet area. We have done a little exploring in Fairfield and are quickly discovering the good and bad areas to shop. It's definitely NOT Utah though (I have a post coming that will explain what I mean) and we are missing our bubble and family.

Kassidy keeps asking to go home, which is making us feel bad for ripping her away from everything she knows and loves. I'm sure she'll adjust soon enough. In the meantime, I'm trying to distract her and help her like it here.

Kevin started school this week with orientation. He's liking it so far and is already buddies with the Dean. I think it helps that he's 1 of the 4 white males attending, 1 of the 5 out-of-state students, and 1 of the 6 married students. So he sticks out pretty well, plus he's pleasant and draws people to him.

We're adjusting and are excited for this new adventure.



Here are some pictures of our little over-priced apartment if you care to peek:

Kassidy definitely got the big room, but the other room had a balcony attached to it which we didn't really want her to have.

Kassidy's room #2

Kassidy's room #3

Guest bathroom

This is the view when you walk in the front door and see down the hall

The living room

Yeah, the kitchen table is in the living room...

Our miniature kitchen

Our bedroom

The master bathroom

Still here

So we haven't died, we're just super busy trying to get our house all packed up to move to California on Monday. It's been pretty chaotic and BUSY around here, with both of us finishing up our jobs, packing the house, planning a High School Reunion and visiting as much family as possible. We've loved living in Cedar City these past 4 years and will miss it very much, although we feel it's time to move on and we're excited about the upcoming changes. I have lots to update and we're disconnecting our internet tomorrow, so it might be a while before I get a chance. In that case, have a great Pioneer Day and if you went to Spanish Fork High School, be sure and come to the reunion Saturday!

Compounds

First of all, I hate moving because it is so much stinkin' work! We've lived in 3 different apartments in Cedar City, but none of those moves were as hard as this one. Probably because we could just load up the car and take everything to the new place in 5 or 6 carloads. Now I have to consolidate everything to fit into an overpriced moving van. As if moving to another state in a week in a half weren't enough, I have to throw my high school 5 year reunion. I remember when I ran for senior class president and made it that my mom informed me I would be doing reunions for the rest of my life. I remember saying, "It's okay mom, I love parties!" What was wrong with me? This is such a hassle and I don't feel ready. Now I'm having some personal health problems that are just getting in the way of my crazy life. I found out I have an 8 cm ovarian cyst and that I had an early miscarriage. I don't have time for this!!! This is a little bit of a complaining post, but I really am so extremely blessed to have the help I do. I'm grateful for the priesthood in my home and that I have a worthy husband who can give me blessings. I'm grateful for my family and my in-laws who are always looking out for me and doing little acts of service. I'm grateful for friends who let me escape and have a fun filled with them (thanks Meg!). I really have been blessed more than I deserve. So the pains and trials compound, but so do the blessings. I think they come in packages and are meant to open our eyes to all that is wonderful in this life. Thank you all for your prayers and friendship. You will be missed!

Singing in the rain

Kassidy and I enjoyed a random spring downpour by running and splashing in the puddles.

Playing in the gorgeous spring rainstorm

Me and Kassidy before going out in the rain

All wet!!

50th anniversary

Following the wedding we had a little Russon family reunion at the park. The main purpose was to celebrate Grandma and Grandpa Russon's 50th wedding anniversary. It was fun to see all my cousins and the new additions (my cousin's wife had a baby girl and my aunt and uncle had a little boy). We barbequed, played volleyball, had cake, and gave the grandparents their gift. My aunt Diana had us all draw a picture for them of a memory we had at their house or growing up with them or something, and she put them all in a book. It was hysterical to read all the different perspectives on memories and see the differences in the ages and their memories. We love you Grandpa and Grandma! Happy 50th!

My Grandma Russon and my cousin Dallin with his new baby girl, Maya

Our little cheerleader

Playing volleyball with the cousins

Happy 50th Grandma and Grandpa!

Giving Grandpa loves!

Kassidy after Grandma Russon gave her the Cinderella outfit for her birthday

New sister

I'm a bit of a slacker and it's taken me a whole week to get to adding pictures of our weekend. My little brother Kevin got married to the beautiful Britanna Kingston in the Bountiful temple on Friday. They are a cute couple and we are so thrilled to have Britanna in our family. She actually lives just through the fence from my dad's house, so we all knew her really well. We had a very busy day following the happy couple from the temple to the luncheon to the reception. The temple was very special because my grandpa Hicken got to do the sealing. I am so proud of my brother and his decision to be sealed for eternity. As for the rest of the day, everything was very beautiful and exhausting! We were all weddinged out by the night. Kevin surprised Britanna at the reception and sang to her "Everything" by Michael Buble as my dad's band "Block Party" played. It was very sweet and I can tell they are very much in love. Kevin's partying it up in the Bahamas as we speak, lucky twit. Anywho, here are a few pictures!