Camila is here!!

From Camila's first weeks in the US

Yes yes, she's been here for over 2 months, I know. But I think it's fitting to write an entry that states it categorically, to put a concluding chapter to our long and painful wait, don't you?

We've been having a blast since Camila got here. And frankly, I've been too busy to post. It's been newly-wed life and lots of adjustments. I've received a lot of concerned emails about my lack of posts, asking if we've fallen off the planet. Worried that things were either going really well. Or really bad.



I'm happy to put your concerns to rest... things are going REALLY WELL.

From Camila's first weeks in the US

It's been fun to see our world through Camila's eyes. So many things are new to her. I've taught her how to use the garbage disposal, the vacume, the ice dispenser, the washer and dryer, the car, the TV remote, the lawn trimmer, the electric can opener, the vacume again... A lot of stuff I didn't even think about because I take it for granted, she's never used before.

She's been pleasantly surprised by life here. She had heard that americans are closed and cold. On the contrary she's enjoyed meeting all the people in my life, and the folks from church, work, etc, and found most people to be warm and open. When we got to the house her first day here, our neighbors had left a gift on the portch with a big banner welcoming her to the US.

She heard our food left a lot to be desired. However there are many more things on her list of LIKES than her list of NOT LIKES. LIKES: french fries, Maccaroni Grill bread, seedless watermellon, pancakes, my special chicken sandwich, fajitas, sour cream, yogurt, avacados. NOT LIKES: Orange Julius, pineapple salsa, ketchup on eggs, thai food, and peanut butter.

Imagine what it's like to watch someone experience all this for the first time. It's cool. A special thanks to all my friends and family who have reached out to Camila and made her feel welcome. I totally get that has to be awkward and difficult when you don't speak the same language. But between her broken bits of english and my wonderful translation skillz, she has felt very welcome here and cared for.

From Our open house

We had an open house in July, where folks got to spend time talking with Camila, and seeing the progress on our home. THAT was a lot of fun for us both.

From Our open house

My parents came up for it and stayed with us for a few days. It was great having them with us. Dad was a life-saver with last minute prep work on the house the morning of our shindig. In exchange, I took him wakeboarding for his first time, which he may thank me for some day after his back soreness is a distant memory. I gotta hand it to him though, he got up in 3 tries, and rode that board like a pro! (pictures forth-coming...)

From Camila's first weeks in the US

We traveled home to Idaho Falls for the 4th of July weekend. We stopped here at Multnomah Falls on the way, which she loved!

From Camila's first weeks in the US

She got to meet the cousins...



And other notorious members of the family...

Then my sister Amy, who recently bought herself a Hogg, got Camila dolled up in leathers and we did a "Bad Girls of Biking" photo shoot.

From Camila's first weeks in the US

I have to say, I LOVE this rowdy side of my better half!


(* A note for the fellahs about my sister... she's just as hot as she looks in that pic, AND she's single! (she will no doubt kill me later))





We've since done some hiking (this is from Eagle Creek trail)...

From Camila's first weeks in the US

Spent time with friends (Corey, Lindsey, and Samantha)...

From Camila's first weeks in the US

And the Claridge family. I consider these guys my second family. This was at DJ's missionary farewell. DJ is the one in the middle.

From Camila's first weeks in the US

From Camila's first weeks in the US

And of course... We've done lots and lots of boating! Camila tried wakeboarding once and got up. But hasn't tried since due to back issues. But she loves being out on the river with me....

... doing THIS.