Different Blog, Same Stuff!

Hey everyone!

We've decided to change our blog to this one under blogspot.com because the previous blog wasn't what we really wanted out of a blog.  We couldn't put in comment box, we couldn't see who or how many viewers we got, we pretty much couldn't do anything except put pictures and words and post.  That's no fun!  We used the iWeb program.  It's an awesome program for creating websites, but it's blog tool isn't very good, so we are here on a different blog.  Hope you like it!  You might see some changes from here and on, but we'll still keep on bloggin' because we want to share our "new world" with you!  :)

We officially left Council Bluffs, Iowa (Alex's parents' home) Saturday morning.  It was a bittersweet moment, because while we were excited to go on the road trip and meet all the churches/families, we were sad to leave the comfort zone of home, our family, and our dog.  We couldn't bring our dog, so we will leave Axel with my parents and hopefully we will be able to import the dog into Europe someday down the road!  

It was around a 9 hour drive to get to Colorado Springs, our first stop.  A nice, simple drive through farmlands - the great state of Nebraska.  It isn't like Iowa, because Iowa is full of hills and corn, while Nebraska seems to be more of corn and ranches.  After a few energy drinks and road trip snacks, we finally got into "Colorful Colorado" and saw that we were leaving the good life on the opposite side. 

The road into Colorado was even longer because we were excited to see mountains, but couldn't see any until well after a hour and a half's worth of driving.  Mountains with snowy peaks finally popped in the distance, and Alexa was quick to snap the camera.  The drive took us through the bustling city of Denver and then down to the more laid-back Colorado Springs. 

The first leg of our trip came to an end in CS.  

We stayed with a very sweet woman named Phyllis, who opened her home to us and introduced us to her two cats.  We had pizza and then the next morning, we went to visit a church where we would give our second mission trip presentation.  It went very well, and we had a good potluck with sloppy joes afterwards.  It was fun getting to know the members, and the deaf church really responded well to our vision.  

It was then off to do some sightseeing - we visited the beautiful "Garden of the Gods" area in Colorado Springs.  Then a nice lasagna dinner, then we went to bed as we had to get up early the next morning.

We woke up around 6 in the morning and after eating breakfast, we set out to go through the entire state of Colorado and into Utah.  This route would take us through mountains and mountains.  When we first started, it was still a little dark outside and there was thick snow!  But thankfully, the snow receded as we went further and further, and we were rewarded with marvelous views.  We couldn't believe how beautiful this state is.  If you haven't been in Colorado, what are you waiting for?!  :)  

After a lot of spins and turns and ups and downs and stops for photos, we finally got into Utah!  The first three hours after the Utah border was desolate, just miles and miles of brown-tan grass, dry hay, whatever it is.  But we finally saw some beautiful snowy peaks in the distance, and before we knew it, we found ourselves in Provo, Utah, and up the driveway of Ben and Kat's home.  

We haven't taken pictures of Ben/Kat, but when we do tomorrow, we'll post it when we have the time to!  The fundraiser dinner for Utah is actually tonight, as I'm typing this blog in the early morning because I want to post it before we go to bed!  

More to come!  Keep on praying for us.  We appreciate your support!!!  

Much love,  Alex and Alexa

ENJOY THE PICTURES BELOW!

Huge sign, isn't it?  

We looked back, but didn't turn into salt

sunflower seeds :)

keepin' the driver awake!

this is where we finally could see the mountains in the distance

presentin'

the awesome church group

love church potlucks, don't you? 

Garden of the Gods

Us

The sun shines!

Alexa the Photographer

There's bears, lions, and rattlesnakes somewhere down there!  

Phyllis sure knows how to make us feel comfortable! 

Snowin in the early morning!  

But the trusty car could handle it

and there was light, finally!

alexa laughing after i scared her by saying, "there's a lion!!!"

Fresh air

You don't see this in cities!

The road

another attempt to scare Alexa by saying there's a bear! 

I think the Lincoln enjoyd bein driven thru Colorado

Dashboard Reading

don't you just want to swim in that?! 

tunnel thru the mountains

as we neared Utah, the mountains changed from thick green forests to more a drier, rockier look