The Packing Begins

So I have now started packing in earnest.

If you look back at the November 27th post you will see the exhaustive version of the packing list. It is so exhaustive that there are items duplicated on it. Just to be safe. :-)

I am of course not taking all of that stuff, but it at least made me consider each item. I also had to decide which things to take and which things to purchase along the way. I have been told that we will not have a great deal of free time in the first 3 weeks or so, so planning appropriately has been a bit of a challenge.

It is similar to packing for the China trip I took last year. We had to pack with the understanding that we were not going to be able to "pop" down to the local Wal-Mart and pick stuff up. As it turns out, they do have some Wal-Marts over there, but we really did not have the free time to go shopping for that kind of stuff. It was much more fun to go into "normal" Chinese grocery stores and try to figure out what you were buying.

Thus far I am putting three bags together and then will be picking up quite a bit of additional goods in MN while visiting family. It should work out to where I will be able to spend New Years with my folks, sister, brother-in-law, and nephews and neice. It is only my neice's second New Year's (but she'll probably sleep through it again).

In any case, I will try to keep this site somewhat updated, and I am going to start shooting for a near daily update rate.

So have a great Christmas,
Corey

First snow of the Season

OK. It is not really the first snow of the year. We actually had some in October, but it did not last long.

This is the first snow of any amount here in Boise that has lasted for any length. At least it was enough that they sent out the snowplows.

Tonight we went to an event with the Marines. They were hosting a toy drive for "toys for tots." If you brought a new toy down to the local baseball stadium you got in free for a fireworks display that was synchronized to some Christmas music. It was pretty cool, and very cold. The hot chocolate and multiple layers of clothes helped a little bit.

In any case, it was a nice event. Something we have not really done before. We hope everyone's planning is coming together well for Christmas. Be safe.

Merry Christmas

Step by Step

Happy December!

Plans are still moving forward. I have figured out that the best travel plan for me seems to be that I fly a portion and then drive the rest of the way.

So I have purchased airfare, and have reserved my hotel rooms.

The family and I were able to go and get our ID cards made up yesterday. That was kind of exciting. My youngest son made the comment as we were leaving the National Guard base, "I feel official now." I think we all feel like we are getting much closer and that it is becoming more of a reality.

I hope everyone had a great thanksgiving.

Merry Christmas!