Two days to go

We've been checking the pass reports almost constantly over the past few days. Fortunately, Snoqualmie is getting a break in the snow and the roads are starting to clear off. We're going ahead with our plans to come home Wednesday morning. We're going to leave early (around 6). I'd like to think that we'd get to Walla Walla around 1:00 but it very well may take longer. I do know that we'll get to town as soon as possible and we are so excited for everything!!
Can't wait to see you all

Snow Snow Snow!

As you all know, it's been snowing all over the Northwest for a solid week or two now. Up until Friday, mountain passes had remained open and I'm sure crews have been working overtime to keep them safe. But last night, the snow and 50+ mph winds started to overwhelm the crews and roads began to close. I-84 is currently closed from Troutdale to Hood River with no available detours. Earlier this morning I-84 was also closed around La Grande. I'm not sure if it is still closed but ODOT is reporting that there are secondary roads around La Grande that they are labeling "passable, but not maintained to a high level." Needless to say, Nana and Pappy will have a difficult time again this year. As of last night, Snoqualmie Pass was closed in both directions from North Bend all the way to Ellensburg. It reopened just a couple hours ago but they are expecting several feet of additional snow over the next few days. Stevens Pass remains open but it isn't nearly as maintained as Snoqualmie usually is. However, it may literally be our only way to make the trip for Christmas.

I'm sure we'll all be keeping a close eye on weather and road conditions over the next few days and lets pray for a miracle and some warm weather! If nothing else, safe travels for everyone. We'll keep you posted on our plans if anything changes. Right now, we're planning on making the trip on Wednesday morning. Snoqualmie is our first choice if it is open, otherwise we'll try Stevens. Hope to see you all soon!!

Still learning

Hey everyone! We keep looking at other people's blogs anxiously awaiting an update and some new pictures and we think we should update ours. But I realized something we're missing...new pictures! We don't often think to take pictures of the happenings around the apartment and we never take the camera out to dinner or anything. So, there isn't a lot to show for what has been happening here lately but I guess I can just type about it.

Let me just say that we're starting out slow with the Christmas decorations this year... yes, our tree is fiber optic! But we did hang lights over the patio. There are hints of Christmas time in the apartment, but we are overflowing with it!!! We can't wait to come home and get to see everybody this time!

Heather is starting to get extra busy at work again as the new quarter approaches. It seems like there is always a new quarter approaching! Even though it is often hectic at work, she is enjoying her job very much. We are both so thankful that she has a steady job that supports so many of our needs.

I just finished my finals and they all went well. It has been so nice this quarter not having many classes because I've been able to spend time on grad school applications. I am on schedule to have the final two applications fully submitted before Christmas. We can't wait to hear back and make a decision about where we will spend the next four years of our lives...wow. This move may be the biggest change either of us have ever experienced. We are just so happy to have each other in this part of our lives.



We love you all very much and can't wait to see you in a couple weeks! And don't worry...we can't get much worse at blogging. ;) Early next year we will have a lot more to post as we find out about grad schools and such.