New Background

EVERYONE has a cute background, except for me. Well, until now that is. After like 2 years of plain black, we did an upgrade! And once I had carefully read the instructions, it wasn't as hard as I had anticipated. However, is anyone else seeing the white? What is that about? I need to know whether or not its normal, since this is my first foray into backgroundom. Let me know, any help would be appreciated. Thankssssssss. I think I like the bright pink title, it adds a little something extra, don't you think?

So it begins. The Summer of DC

After a slow start the summer of DC has arrived!!! Andrew is busily working away, and I am busily sitting around. There are many things that I am liking about living in DC, which I will go into in a moment. But the one thing that I hate, is the humidity. Most people do hate the humidity, but perhaps not for the same reason. No I don't hate it because of what it does to my hair, the damage there is minimal. And no I don't hate it because every time you walk outside, you are automatically wet and clammy.  I hate it for one reason, condensation. I don't like the fact that whenever I get a 32 oz. diet coke it becomes dripping wet. I don't like my glasses of water leaving puddles on the tables. It is more condensation than I have ever experienced. And I don't like it. I like to pick up a glass of juice and know that all of the wetness is contained within.  It is utterly obnoxious. 

Things I do like about DC:

I like the 4 locks I have on my apartment door, I feel very safe.

Smartrip cards, which make public transportation much easier. 

The ceiling fan at our apartment.

Dogs getting the respect they deserve with dog parks.

Al fresco dining.

Embassies, especially Russia.

Whole Food

H and M

The Metro, which I occasionally refer to as the Tube, its basically the same thing people. 

Living alone with just Andrew, no Australians, no cats. 

And that's all I can think of right now. I have no doubt that my hate list will grow longer as well... 

We're not in Kansas anymore.

So we have been nomads for the past couple of weeks. Nomads or gypsies, whichever you prefer. We drove both the Alero and the Explorer to Idaho. Where I informed my father that I never was to see the Alero again, so it better not be there when I get back. I didn't care if he had to push it off a cliff, I didn't want to lay eyes on that beast ever again. Luckily however, within days he was able to sell it, I pity the person who purchased it. We left the Explorer there and took my mom's car and started out across the country. Two things: First off my moms car is really fast, and compared to our cars it's like riding in the lap of luxury. Second, it stinks. Ever after having it detailed and finding a dead mouse in the fan, it still smells. This fact annoyed Andrew to no end. We tried everything, and eventually it went away, or we got so used to it, we didn't notice it anymore. But it smelled pretty much across the entire country. Regardless of the stench we are very grateful that my Mom let us take her car. Thanks Mom! 

So we left on Saturday from Jerome planning on driving 11 hours to Kara's house in Colorado.  We planned on stopping in Pocatello to go to breakfast with Dillon and Hollie, however that didn't happen. Why? Because halfway to Pocatello, in American Falls, Andrew remembered that he left his suits in the closet in Jerome. The one thing we couldn't buy when we got to DC. Ha ha ha. I would have laughed harder if Andrew hadn't been so mad. So we called home and got Tanner, with his new driver's license to drive to Burley with the suits where we would meet him. So instead of having a delicious breakfast in the company of Dillon and Hollie, we got to eat at Carl's Junior. Yum. 

After being on the road for 3.5 hours and only making it to Pocatello, we did meet up with Dillon and Hollie to pick up some presents for the Coloradians. They also gave us a bag of treats, chips, apples and water. Which saved Andrew's life. He kept saying we would stop and get some snacks, but we never did. And soon we found ourselves in the middle of Wyoming with nothing to eat. So he was very very glad about the bag of snacks. Me? I slept the whole way there. And in spite of what my family was anticipating, I was NOT cranky when we got to Kara's. Not even a little bit. 

After a great stay with Kara and Drew and the kids. During which time we celebrated Sierra's birthday, went to an outdoor mall, picnicked, etc. We also went on a hike to Red Rocks, which was great. I'm very disappointed that I won't be around to see Celtic Women at Red Rocks. That would be great, but don't worry we are going to see them at Wolf Trap, although I have to sit on the grass. Gross. Just kidding.  

The O.C and I both have crazy hair. I kept telling Kara to give him a haircut, but I admit he does look really cute with his long unruly hair. 

Here is a great picture of Si Si and Drew and the amphitheater.  And I am telling you it was hard to walk up all of those stairs. I blamed it on the altitude. 

So we began our drive to DC. Some thoughts on states:

Wyoming: I have nothing to say about Wyoming, other than why? Why does it exist? 

Kansas: I loved Kansas. Most people claimed it boring, but I thought it was great, I like the calm rolling grass lands. The historic Cathedral of the Plains, birthplace of Eisenhower and resting place of his presidential library, childhood home of Bob Dole, bleeding Kansas. What's not to love? I think Kansas is waaaaaay under rated. 

Missouri: I am glad that after much weather watching, we avoided some tornados. I did try and convince Andrew to let us become storm chasers like on Twister. He didn't like that idea...lame. 

Illinois: One word: Lincoln. How could you not like Illinois. 

Indiana: Only slightly better than Wyoming. Why? Because its green. Which makes it only marginally better than the western giant. That and it's not never ending like Wyoming. 

Ohio: I liked Ohio, very pretty and its officially the state in which Andrew broke his life long goal of never going to Cracker Barrel. Thanks Ohio! Ohio is also the state were after two days in the car, one of us almost had a breakdown, and surprisingly enough, it wasn't me. 

Pennsylvania: Due to our sometimes malfunctioning GPS I saw more of the Penn state than I wanted to. Well actually it was just one town, which was a lovely place, but I definitely saw more of it that I had anticipated. I also enjoyed the fact that Pennsylvania has townships. 

West Virginia: Two reasons I like this state, Beth Ann, and John Denver. We listened to  "Country Road" the whole time we were in WV, it was both wild and wonderful.

Virginia: At last.

And so we made it. Finally. 

And unfortunately I will not be driving back home to Utah. I will be flying. I think driving across the country is something sane people only do once. I don't know who will be driving home with Andrew, but it won't be me. 

A Long time ago...

We lived in Utah. And after finals were finalized and Andrew had gone golfing at least 8 times, I made him take me somewhere I am sure he didn't want to go.... The Tulip Festival.  At Thanksgiving Point and it was great. I love flowers and I love festivals. So this was perfect! 

Ahh...Purple tulips. I believe we've already been over the fact that I love purple.

How can you not be happy looking at tulips? It makes me wish I was Dutch. 

A long long time ago...

I went to Idaho for Easter. And here are the pictures. Finally.

I don't think Tanner has ever dyed an Easter Egg. So since I was home this Easter I forced him to dye eggs with him. And lets just say that his attitude, in the beginning left something to be desired. First off he got really mad, when I supposedly mixed up the dye wrong. I didn't see him trying to help. And then I accidently put two dye tablets in the same cup, which turned out a disgusting poop color. After much yelling and thrashing about, I think he ended up having fun. 

Here are the finished products. I think we turned out some really good ones. Thanks to Mom for also participating. No thanks to Dad however who sat on the couch the whole time. Not surprising. 

A week later I was home again! Why? Two reasons....

My kiddies. Kara and the children were out for a visit. How could I resist such cute faces? I couldn't. 

Along with Kara et al. Hollie and Dillon came home. Congrats to Hollie for making it on the blog...I think she beat Dillon. Sorry Dil. Anyways, it was Hollie's birthday so we celebrate with much feasting. Salmon, steak among other delicious things. To top it off we made individual trifles. Obviously this was my idea, since I am something of a trifle enthusiast. We also had italian sodas. And I can honestly say that I have never ever eaten so much food in my life. Ever. I couldn't even drink my nightly glass of citrucel I was so full. It was disgusting yet so great. What's the point of going home if you can't indulge? 

 

Oh...one more thing. Kara, Dillon if you want more than candy in your eggs, you have to make an appearance on Easter. Lets just say Tanner and I got a little something more...why? Because we are dedicated. 

 

Oh and I can update from my phone now! Awesome!

Yet another reason...

Yet another reason why I can't wait to see this moive:

  And this would be it. Ewan Mcgregor: 

Can I just say I love the scarf? 

Who will be playing the role of carmerlengo. Yum. 

Ah..... I can't wait. 

And for those of you who haven't yet googled the H.P - Half Blood Prince trailer. Do it. Do it now. And now I am back to American history from 1877, and the PLO. Which I believe stands for Pastry Liking Organization. Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi; you're my only hope.