Well, the rumors are true, whether you've heard them or not. 

The Brandstaetter Family will be relocating to Tucson, AZ in 2018!

CAT has decided to relocate their Surface Mining & Technology team to Tucson, AZ and yes, that affects Erik and his job. CAT is a company that has been very good to our family and that Erik really enjoys working for. So, while it's a hard decision for us to move our family from a place we love so much, we also know it is the best decision for our family. 

I'll be the first to admit that this is pretty shocking. Mostly because I'm a Wisconsin girl, through and through. And I really do love it here. Except for the winters. Because while I don't mind the idea of snow and think it's beautiful when viewed from my sunroom windows into my orchard, I absolutely despise getting myself and the kids all bundled up just to go outside or run a quick errand during the winter months.

There's a lot I'll miss about this place.

Our home that we've worked so hard to turn into what we thought would truly be our forever home.

Our big yard that the kids can play in and explore.

Being near all of our family and friends and spending birthdays, anniversaries and holidays with those we love.

But, luckily, this is a digital world and thanks to social media, Skype, Facetime and this new-fangled transportation referred to as "air travel" we will be just a short hop away from WI and all those people and places that we love so dearly.

Our move date is set for Summer of 2018. This means we get "one more" of everything in our home. One more summer here. One more fall. One more time decorating our home with Christmas lights. It'll be very bittersweet to leave a place we love so much, but it's also really exciting to think what is in our future.

Warm days. Sunshine. A pool with a mountain view in our backyard. 

Scorpions. Coyotes. Unbearable summer time heat.

The ability to be outside pretty much all year riding bikes, hiking, swimming and playing.

Visits from family and friends to our new home and way of life. Visits back home again for major events, summer festivals, etc.

So stay tuned. We'll be sharing more life updates and moving updates as they come. 

And we're going to take the opportunity to truly enjoy Wisconsin and all of the awesome things it has to offer while we still live here. We are also very excited about the adventures that await!