The First Few Days

It's been 4 days since Kaleigh, Jacob and I arrived in Utah and reunited with Chris, who came 1 month early to start his job. Already we are enjoying the fresh air and loving Deseret Industries (DI).

The flight was OK. It was about 5 hours. Jacob slept a total of about 45 minutes and was really fussy the rest of the time. He was restless as usual and wanted to get down to play. He finally clamed down when Naruto came on the TV screen about 45 minutes before we landed. Go figure. Kaleigh napped really well and behaved really well too. She ate some of the blue potato chips that JetBlue serves and after some turbulence she threw up all over herself. Poor kid. It was a good thing I had extra baby wipes and a change of clothes with me. I am sooo grateful that my dad insisted on coming along to help me.

We are currently staying with the Claytons - Paul, Jestina, Esther (3) and Yan (2). We are so grateful for their hospitality and friendship. They are sharing more than just their home with us. Kaleigh is overjoyed to have playmates everyday. Jacob loves to watch them play and sometimes wants to get in on the action. The Claytons have a huge home, by Brooklyn standards, and therefore lots of space for the kids to run around. Kaleigh and my dad get to have their own room!! There is a swing set, trampoline and farm in their yard, where they grew strawberries, squash, tomatoes, pumpkins, corn, watermelon... and I can't remember the rest. Today we picked the pumpkins.

On Monday Chris had a day off from work so we went apartment hunting. We saw 5 apartment complexes and we found one that we really like. It's got 2 bedrooms, a nice size living room, dining room, washer and dryer, dishwasher, food pantry, nice size closets and terrace. All for $760 a month. We hope we will get this apartment. Although, we wouldn't mind waiting if the process is slow because we are having a blast staying with the Claytons.

I have to say that my dad has been very helpful and has made it very easy for me to settle in and transition from Brooklyn to Utah. He has helped us with the kids, cooked dinner twice so far, gave us advice during our search for an apartment, explained the grid pattern in Utah and how to navigate the streets. He lived in Utah for a while when he went to BYU. As a teenager, I didn't like my dad always trying to give me advice. Now, I really appreciate it and have come to realize that he is more wise and knowledgeable than I give him credit for.

Here are some pictures to feast on:

View from the front of the house & Statues from a neighbor's yard


Jacob wants to come out to play


The Farm

And So Our Journey Begins

So, yep... We are moving to Utah. This is major step for our family. Brooklyn will always be our home and our roots. For Chris and Patricia anyway. We will miss our family and friends. We will miss all the different restaurants. Indian, Vietnamese, Malaysian... Mmmmm. Brooklyn will always make the best pizza. You must check out DiFara's Pizza on Ave J and E 14th Street (thanks to Cherry for introducing this place to Patricia.) The guy actually grows the herbs that he puts in his pizzas in the front window.




We will make handball the new state sport. Take that BYU Cougars and Utah Jazz! We will try not to sound too "white" and do our best to keep our Brooklyn accents. Aiight! We will graffiti every billboard we see. Kaleigh will dump out her potty on the street curb, so we won't forget the Brooklyn smell.



We hope to come back to visit at least once a year, if not more. Take care everyone. We won't forget you!