Time to Kick My Addiction! It's a Sad Day!

For the last few weeks I have been drinking A LOT of soda. Usually I would treat myself to one now and then and not feel guilty about it. Lately I have taken it to a whole new level. Drinking atleast one every day if not 2. I told myself after I got to Arizona... NO MORE! It is so bad for me and driving across the country I found myself drinking it all day to stay awake! So I arrived Monday afternoon and have not had one since. I have been very tempted ... who wouldn't want a nice Coca Cola with lots of ice in this hot weather? I mean when you become so picky you only want Coke from McDonalds b/c it tastes the best. I think it might be time to detox and not be an addict anymore. Good bye delicious Coke and Hello Water! What a Sad Day!

Sweet Home Arizona

One of the Reasons I am glad I moved to Arizona is I no longer miss funny moments like this......



I gave my 5 year old niece Elle a necklace and while we were on our way home from a busy day of errands she turns around in the car with tears rolling down her face saying it's stuck in her teeth. She had been sucking on it. Long story short my sister had to get pliers to squeeze the clasp together to get it to come out. It left an indent in her gums. My sister and I were both laughing b/c the chain was dangling down .

Finally... I Was Off To Arizona

The sky was gorgeous my whole drive

Tried to get a picture of every state i drove through but I failed miserably! : )

Thought this sign was funny!

Another Amazing Sky Picture

Pretty much how I looked the whole drive... drinking my Coca Cola and listening to " Wicked"

Finally...Arizona State Line

Driving through Northern Arizona was beautiful. So green..!


So... I left for Arizona Saturday afternoon around 1pm. Went to lunch with a good friend and then hit the road. I won't lie. I probably cried for atleast half the drive that day. It was just so weird to be leaving DC. All I could do was think about how I wouldn't be coming back. Sometimes it's hard to except when you need to make changes in your life and you don't want to. I've been so comfortable in DC and to have to start all over in Arizona is scary. So the first day I stopped about 100 miles outside of Memphis for the night. Got up early the next morning and drove through Memphis, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and 1/4 of New Mexico. It was a long day but I made good time. Stayed at the most disgusting hotel in Santa Rosa, NM. It was a motel 6 and cheap and it had been a long day. My mom told me to quit being a snob and suck it up. I did it. However I swear I will never ever do it again! Woke up very early and headed through the rest of New Mexico and on to Arizona where I made it safely to my sister's house where my 3 adorable niece and nephews were waiting for me. Nice to finally make it after all that driving. Thanks to Chareese for the book on tape of " Wicked" and to Nicole for my $25.00 gift card to McDonalds for my addiction to Coca Cola. Both of which kept me happy, awake, and on the road.

What A Fun Weekend : Tubing in West Virginia and A Good Bye Party!

Tabbi, Tom, and I decided to head up to West Virginia my last Saturday in town and tube the river. It was so much fun. Nice hot weather and the water was just right.






I have the most amazing friends! They put together the best little get together before I hit the road. Chareese made her famous fruit pizza and they invited my close friends from out here. It was nice being able to say good bye to everyone. Still not very real I am leaving! Here are a few pictures from the night.







Thanks again ladies!

Niagara Falls, Toronto, and Palmyra

Niagara Falls
Fireworks at the Falls
Morning Run by the Falls
Top of the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada
Hill Cumorah
Sacred Grove
Smith Frame Home
Smith Log Home
Book of Mormon Publication Site
Erie Canal
Smith Farm
Palmyra Temple

Tom and I decided to take another trip a few weeks ago. This time we were thinking Boston or Niagara Falls. So... we ended up going to Niagara Falls, Toronto, and Palmyra. This is the one trip I was most regretting not taking while living here. So when he suggested it I was all about it. Niagara Falls was pretty amazing. We didn't take any tours or anything just saw the falls at night with the firework show and then took a run along the falls on the Canadian side the next morning. They are pretty amazing. We decided from there we would head to Toronto b/c we were so close. So we drove about an 1 1/2 to Toronto, Canada and went to the top of the tallest building. The view was pretty amazing but not really worth the money. We walked around a little but decided to just head towards Palmyra. We got into Palmyra around 5/6 and went straight to the Hill Cumorah vistor center. Then headed to the Sacred Grove. The visitor center was already closed once we got to the Sacred Grove so we decided to just walk around. It was pretty amazing to walk through it. A very surreal feeling to be where Joseph Smith had been. The next day we woke up and headed to the Book of Mormon Publication sight. It's amazing to hear about all the work that was put into publishing the B of M. After that we hit all the sites.... Alvin Smith's grave, Martin Harris farm, Palmyra Temple, Peter Whitmer farm, and went back to the Sacred Grove to have the tour of the log cabin and the frame house. It was a great trip. Lots of driving but definitely worth it. I am so glad to have been able to make the trip. Probably one of my favorite trips since living out here! : )

Memorial Day Weekend - Duck Beach

So this past Memorial Day I headed down to Duck Beach in North Carolina for the weekend. Lots of LDS singles from this area and I guess all over the US rent houses for the weekend. There are parties, volleyball tournaments, 4x4, etc. It was fun. The weather was nice part of the time. It was fun to be able to go and to hang out with some of my good friends here. Last year we headed to the 4x4 beaches and had a bonfire. So... this year we decided to do it again. Probably one of my favorite nights. There is nothing like sitting on a quiet beach with the most gorgeous sky full of stars in front of a bonfire. : ) Late night hot tubbing with some good friends also would have to top my list! Chareese and Nicole - I'll never forget the magical question!!! LOL!

I suck at posting lately

So... I haven't been very good at posting lately. Sorry! Life's been a little crazy for me!