CONGRATULATIONS!

POP'S TOP TEN

It's an "empty nest" for Joe and Jenny now that the kids have left. Pop's gives us the TOP TEN goodbye/hello thoughts running through their heads. Some good, some not so good!

• Goodbye Caleb's back and neck rubs - Hello Jenny's "whimpy" twenty-two second rubs.
• Goodbye "Netflix" one CD plan - Hello "Netflix" five CD plan
• Goodbye "Hush Puppies" - Hello "Bruno Magli"
• Goodbye Caleb's room - Hello "Man Cave"
• Goodbye "Costco" - Hello "Whole Foods"
• Goodbye Early breakfast - Hello brunch
• Goodbye ESPN - Hello "Lifetime Channel"
• Goodbye Mac & Cheese - Hello "Deluxe" Mac & Cheese
• Goodbye Basketball one-on-one with Caleb - Hello "Horse" with Jenny
• Goodbye "Please Knock" sign on the office door - Hello "If the office is rock'n, don't bother knock'n" sign on the office door

SoCal to MN to Yellowstone to PDX

Well arriving and Minneapolis and getting to check the downtown before going to a Twins vs. Redsocks game at Target field was blast. It was exciting to see my friends after a summer away and then to explore a new place and hear a little bit of the history. The game was a blast and after a Minnesota win we drove 3 1/2 hours north to Brainerd. The time spent there was wonderful as we hung out at some lakes, met new friends, and then enjoyed the marriage of my now ex-roommate. After the wedding we got some sleep, went to church, and then set off for Portland in a Ford Taurus, five people and a fat load of luggage. We drove through the night and arrived at the gate of Yellowstone at 4am after a wild thunderstorm, a couple caffeinated teas and some heavy rock. We caught some Z's in the car till round 7am and then set off to explore the park (after brushing our teeth at a ranger station). Yellowstone was gorgeous and we definitely could have spent a whole week there, but luckily my friend Thomas knew a lot about the park and gave us a mini-guided tour. After the rad break we set off for P-town. We drove through the night again, but made a stop in Bozeman, Montana  at a fabulous pizza place called "Makenzie's". With pizza as our fuel we kept on trucking through Idaho, Washington, and finally our beloved Portland. Stretching and walking felt good and we were happy to get checked in and crash in our rooms, but overall the entire trip was a blast. Anyways I am busy with RA stuff now and school starts on Monday, but I just wanted to let all of you know about the trek. Love you all - Josh