AUGUST: Arrival and New Beginnings

Our second weekend here we went up to the temple in our district: Washington D.C. Our Bishop invited us to drive up with him and his wife (nearly 5 hours one way!) for our first trip. The drive is worth it in every way. It was beautiful to again feel the peace and joy of the temple. We felt right at home and so grateful to be as near as we are.


Virginia Tech campus: Founded in 1872 (Blacksburg was founded in 1798).



Weston's first day of graduate school. Hurray!

First thing to come together (almost): The kitchen of course...er extended closet...Everything at arms reach! Yea for cooking!

It took a few days for the truck to arrive, but when it did, along came 13 people from our Ward who heard of our need to help us move! They made us feel so welcome and supported! Together, it only took an hour to move in our boxes. Without them, it would likely have taken us 2 back braces and 2-3 days!

Road Trip!

Moving from Utah to Virginia was a 35 hour road trip, but it went surprisingly fast! Everyday there was something beautiful to see (in addition to a LOT of corn).
The St. Louis Arch!

Due to unfortunate events, I had to wear Weston's shorts and apparently, they were too short (though sadly, they fit :P )! So don't judge me. Eek, that was a long day...! No, this pod did not take us to the mother ship. We couldn't resist a picture. This tiny white pea-pod thing took us up to the top of the arch!

We visited Kanesville, Iowa which holds historical reference to my life (where England immigrant, great-great-great Grandpa George Whitaker married his wife as they were crossing the plains), but to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (where Brigham Young officially became second Prophet and President). Pictured is the side of the tabernacle (a genius structure for its time and circumstance!).


Winter Quarters Visitor Center (where Weston's sister is serving her mission), the temple grounds (right off the Winter Quarters cemetery which is beautiful), and Liberty Jail are other places we had the privilege of visiting. Each place had a very reverent, solemn, and peaceful spirit. We were very touched by the many known and unknown lives that lived with faith, love, and believing hearts. One can't help but want to live a more devoted, Christ-like life.

A Time to Play and a Time to Pack

VIRGINIA OR BUST, August 2009: After our wonderful first 3 months of marriage, it was time to say goodbye to our first home and our loving family and friends to move back East for Weston's graduate program (Architecture) at Virginia Tech.

Our first happy home. Thank you for your help Grandma Richards! We miss living close by!

Moving took more time and work than expected. We could NOT have finished in time without the help of our amazing family (special thanks to my Mom and Diana who came and did what I could not when I was sick), and beautiful friends! Casey Gleave, Laura and Scott Bowles, Jessie, and my Alta wonderwomen were literal ANGELS in our messiest hours--THANK YOU!
Don't work too hard boys!
Before the move...Home Sweet Home.
Gotta love the furnishings--and borrowed at that! :)Spoiled with a great big kitchen AND a husband who is always surprising me by impromptu dish washing! So sweet!

SUMMER VIGNETTES: This was the summer of family, friends, and reunions! In short: Absolutely amazing! It flew by insanely fast. It was also a summer of funky health for me--ah adventures! Weston has been an incredible support at new and often hard things. These pictures come from Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah.

Goo~ There are more pictures I has added, but my computer is being funny. So, imagine more amazing family and smiling faces...

West and his Nacho Libre smile Our brave 3 yr. old niece LOVES this thing! "Again?"

For Time and Eternity: Introducing the Lamplugh Family

May 22, 2009

Welcome Family and Friends! At risk of being completely dull, Weston and I have decided to start our official blog--our first born as it were. We are enjoying life in Virginia and have already seen the hand of the Lord greatly bless our lives in many ways. We hope you know how much we love and appreciate you! We love you all very much.