Bears on the move...

The day before we moved, we got the budget truck with a trailer to tow aaron's non-air conditioned car- decided not to put him through 4 hours (it actually ended up taking 6 hours!) of the 100degree FL heat... plus, then we got to drive together ;) Anyway... we got all our stuff from the 3 different locations around Orlando and by the end of the day we had the truck and both cars completely loaded down and were ready to go first thing in the morning (eagle 1 (brooke's dad) was making it very clear we were NOT leaving any later 8am... "early bird catches the worm" right dad?? hehe). Well, it's a good thing we did leave early because it definitely took longer than the 4 hours it had taken us when we drove up a couple times before... 16ft. truck pulling a stationwagon, plus a couple bathroom/gas breaks will definitely put a cramp in your time schedule... but really, we weren't in a huge rush. So, we made it up to Tally safe and sound and began the unloading process. On the journey with us: us in the Sentra, Eagle 1 and Lexee (my little sis) in the giant truck with the slickback (aarons car), Michael (my little, but big brother) and Haley (michael's gf), and Nannie (my Gma) and Cindy (Aaron's momma).... what a crew, huh?! And they all stayed over night in the new townhouse, people everywhere and tons of fun! After we got everything unloaded we ordered some pizza and we all huddled downstairs and watched a movie- What a day!

The next day we ALL packed into Cindy's mini-van and drove around Tally... the highlights were showing everyone the FSU campus including my building where I'll be doing research and 2 different FSU bookstores, the Capitol building, Governor's mansion, downtown area... and well, that pretty much sums up Tallahassee, haha. It was a great time with so many of us together... in fact, it included us seeing an older guy riding a bike down a main parkway in a thong speedo, and Aaron driving down a one way street right in front a Sheriff- Sheriff: "You're going down a one-way street buddy!" Aaron: "Yeah I see that, sorry, we're from Orlando" ... and here we go, it begins!) We were SO sad when everyone had to go (yes, because we would miss them, not because we knew how much unpacking and organizing was in store when they left haha). We were really so blessed to have so many people come with us to help and support us!

Now, for some pictures....

Part of the caravan the morning we left...

Us, in the car ready to go...

The Slickback in tow... view from the Sentra

The Sentra made it!!

Yayy! Welcome to Tallahassee, our new home!

All loaded in the mini-van to sight-see around Tally! We love this picture and everyone in it!

FL's State Capitol building

The reason for the move... entrance to FSU

Ring Photoshoot

Ok... couldn't resist giving the ring it's own exclusive photoshoot! We had some fun taking pictures of it in unique places, adding a little artisitic flair. Next post: the move.

Posing on a coffee mug we got as part of an engagement present. (this is 1 in a set of 2 mugs, the other says "Her better half" LOVE them!)



Posing on bear statue book ends, we got from Mom and Newt as part of our engagement present. (We saw these and were OBSESSED! We mentioned it to them, and they went out and got them!)

It's Just the Beginning...

As probably everyone who will be reading this blog knows, we've recently moved to Tallahassee AND are ENGAGED!!! Yay! We got engaged on June 28th, 2009 and moved 3 days later on July 1st! This is the beginning of a whole new chapter in our lives, and we couldn't be more thrilled!















We are starting this blog to keep all our families and friends up to date with what's new and going on in our lives!! This blog is beneficial, obviously for those who don't have Facebook, and even those who do- some things we put on here we won't necessarily post on Facebook, and we can also explain in more detail on here! So, bookmark this web address and dont forget to comment!! =)

We've been asked this a lot by many different people... when is the wedding date?? We aren't setting an exact date as of right now. Here's the deal: we are engaged, we love each other and will be getting married. Just not in the "typical" get engaged and start planning wedding for 10months-1year down the road kind of way. #1 as much as I (Brooke) wanted to be engaged it was a definite surprise (I had sort of resigned to the fact that he wasn't going to pop the question until some time after we moved...). WELL, Aaron certainly had other plans, yay for that! SO, we weren't exactly prepared to answer the "when is the wedding question". We do not know what the next year(s) will have in store for Brooke with starting grad school, Aaron is still on the job hunt and we don't know what's in store for him over the next [at least] year. Now, we've both talked about it (together and with the parents of course). And the conclusion is: we will go through this year (happily engaged) and see what it has in store for us... and around this time next year we will actively look into setting an exact date. With that being said, the tentative time frame is to have our wedding in December 2011. Brooke will be more than halfway through school, and we will have a better grasp on what Aaron will be doing. Oh, and December because we both love the weather in Orlando in December, and how pretty would a FL-winter wedding be!? We got a couple wedding planning books as engagement presents (thank Mom and Aunt Kim!!) so, there will be some collecting ideas and semi-planning over the next year... of course. Again, this is all a new and exciting time-- and most importantly, we look forward to what God has planned for our relationship and lives! Fr. Steve (our priest at CtK in Orlando) told us a funny, but very true saying about planning: "Want to make God laugh?? Make plans."

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. -Jeremiah 29:11-13

^ Now, that's a good plan!

The next few posts will have pictures of the new place, some ring pictures, and eventually some pictures from around Tallahassee and FSU (specifically, the building and lab in which I'll be working!) And... whatever else we come across that's worth sharing with everyone!
We hope you have as much fun viewing the blog about our lives and adventures as we will have posting it all!! WE LOVE AND MISS ALL OF YOU!!

PS. Regarding the title of this blog "Bear Business"... for those of you who don't know... we have a slight obsession with calling each other 'bear', even in public, I think randoms might actually think Aaron's name is bear when Brooke shouts that at him across a store or wherever haha! Anyway, blog title= all about the business of these two bears!! =)

Brooke, Aaron, and the newest addition to our family... the ring! =)