Bittersweet

It's bittersweet. We'll soon be leaving this beautiful place we've grown to love and we'll be heading north towards Santa Barbara. We didn't expect to be leaving so soon, but plans have changed quickly and we must move on. With our unexpected news of moving today, we felt like we should make the most of our last full day in beautiful Anza Borrego. Josh spent the day hiking/climbing to the summit of Indian Head (the peak he attempted on his birthday last month), and I took the kids to bid farewell to our beloved Visitor's Center (a place we frequented during our days while Josh was working). So many things we had yet to discover here in the 600,000 acres of state park, but we will come back some day.

We're staying for a month at a beautiful horse ranch just 30 mins. north of Santa Barbara. This may be our last stop before we make our way back to the Midwest, so it'd better be good! Although we are sad to leave what's become familiar, we are ready for something new, again. We're looking forward to connecting with some friends who live in Santa Barbara, esp. since they love food like we do. My mouth is watering as I think about all of the delicious food we are about to be exposed to. I'm personally looking forward to visiting a few chain retailers again too. Here in Borrego Springs there are no stop lights, only a couple dozen street lights, one small grocery, a True Value and some local shops...that's about it. Watch out stores, here I come!

Next Thursday we will pick up my Mom from LA for a nice visit. I know she's going to love staying at the horse ranch with us, and most of all seeing her little grand babes - it's been 2 months too long for her. Koen and Eiley are really looking forward to seeing Grandma Chris, esp. after the wonderful time they had with Grandma Dawn a couple weeks ago. Grandmas are the best! Pictures to come tomorrow, as I'm writing from Josh's computer...mine has an Internet aversion right now.

--Tricia--

JILBERTOS

Finally, authentic and DELICIOUS fish tacos! Josh has been eating fish tacos where ever he can, and not until this great local eatery was he so impressed. At first sight, we thought, we'll probably never go there. Josh gave it 2 tries, and told me he had to take me there.

So Saturday we took a bike ride, deviously jumped the fence at the only playground we've found in town, played until we were hungry and then rode over to Jilbertos for some delicious mexican food. Baja fish tacos, breakfast burrito, bean burrito, chile rellenos, salsa bar, guacamole - YUM! Jilberto and his wife can throw it down! So glad we finally gave Jilberto's a try.

Is that one line or two?

The word is out...another little Ullrich will be on the way in the third quarter of this year. We are thrilled. We will probably be cutting our first year on the road short because of this development, but we won't allow that to lessen our sense of adventure. We hope to escape Illinois winters for many years to come.

So what does all this mean? We're still trying to figure that out...so pray for us if you think of it. We will most likely be back in Illinois somewhere between April and July. We'd like to plant some roots again and get settled before our family grows once more. I suppose we'll have more details to share as time passes, but for now...let the adventure continue!

The Ullrichs