The foresight of Columbus . . .

In fourteen hundred ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue . . .

It was over 500 years ago that Christopher Columbus set sail looking for a shorter route to gold in the West Indies; instead he found this land in which we now live. That said, we think it was fortuitous as he probably also knew Kaitlyn's daddy would like a day off on October 8, 2007 to spend the day with his two favorite girls. We're glad the government recognizes his (Columbus') contributions to society.

It was a month ago yesterday that we were placed with Kaitlyn and what a month it has been!! After wondering whether the jaundice would keep her in the hospital for an extra day, we were so excited to bring our Kaitlyn home that Friday where she was greeted by so many dear family and friends.

Since then so much has happened . . . the least of which includes growing out of newborn diapers and clothes; the most notable Kaitlyn's first airplane ride only 10 days after she was born. We have kept busy settling into life in Texas as well as life with our new princess. Unfortunately, in the meantime, posts to our blog have suffered, but I will try to recap some of our last month now.

We spent the first week with Grandpa and Grandma Dillon. We were glad to stay with them so we wouldn't have to sleep on the floor of our house since our things were already in storage pending a move to San Antonio. A big thanks to them for their hospitality!! Danielle, who actually had stayed with them since the first of August, said it was notable that she hadn't eaten a single frozen burrito (a staple at our house) during her stay at Grandpa and Grandma's.

Grandma O came to Texas for 10 days a couple days after we arrived here. Danielle and Kaitlyn enjoyed her company during the day and we appreciated her help with dinner and laundry. We kept threatening that we weren't going to let her leave, but in the end Danielle sadly dropped her at the airport so she could return home. Kaitlyn sends a special thanks to Grandpa O for eating microwave dinners for a week instead of Grandma's cooking (surely one of the biggest sacrifices made on Kaitlyn's behalf).

We have been in San Antonio now for over three weeks. We like to talk to Grandma and Grandpa O and hear about the snow storms in Rexburg, and are sad to be missing the change in seasons that we love. Here in Texas it's still close to 90 degrees during the day but cooling off to the high 60's at night.

We are staying in a small apartment until our home is finished which is coming along nicely. Last time we were at the house the fence was in, and we should be getting electricity and sod this week. We were so thrilled to receive an offer on our home in Sandy and are looking forward to finalizing that sale next week. Just in time - we are slated to close on our home here October 25.

Work is going well for me. I have more time off than I anticipated; I'm sure that will change with time as I pick up additional responsibilities, but for now it allows me to spend more time with my two beautiful women.

Our ward has welcomed us with open arms. Danielle has started going to book club and is looking forward to enrichment night later this week. And a few women got together to host a welcome shower for Nell and Kaitlyn. We were so touched by this generous gesture, and Danielle enjoyed an opportunity to get to meet lots of ladies from the ward.

It seems impossible to keep up with all the blessings our Father in Heaven has seen fit to grant us these past few weeks. As we listened to conference over the weekend, we were recommitted to serving our Savior and those around us. Hope all is well with each of you and your families. Enjoy the pictures.