We're still kickin'!

The last post that got published was from Kansas City.. sorry guys! Thats what you get for depending on a smart phone app.

After KS, we drove through to Denver, CO and stayed with a couple who we met on our honeymoon. We've been fortunate to keep in touch and it didn't take too much twisting of their arms for them to allow us to stay a couple nights and take us around sight seeing for a day. While we were there we visited Pike's Peak (which I'll blog about later.. it was AMAZING!) and went to the garden of the gods (lots of big red rocks). Both really cool.

After Denver, we drove and drove and drove and drove until we arrived at our home after 1 in the morning in Surprise... which is where we still are.

I know we've not posted any pics of the house (unless you saw the nighttime one I posted on FB - below) but we will! Our house is almost free of brown cardboard boxes that once contained all our earthly possessions! I'll do a photo tour soon... we're really liking how our home is coming together!!

One more note before I end this for now.. we also got a new car! Well, not new new.. but new to us. It's a 2011 Ford Fusion, charcoal grey with newly tinted windows and NO leather seats (which would be awful here in the heat)!! Isn't it beautiful!?

I'll try to post again in a more timely fashion :)

We miss you guys back in NC!

Kansas City

Today we spent time in Kansas with Brad's Uncle's family. I enjoyed the no driving part :) Amy made us pancakes for breakfast and we watched the State/Carolina game. (We won't discuss it any further than that.) The boys had fun on the trampoline and wrestled while Amy, Rob and Robert played with marshmallow guns. I also snuck in a nap and got some reading done on the nook. Pretty good day if I do say so myself... On to more driving in the morning!

Gateway to the West

So we are driving through St. Louis, just crossed the Mississippi (Mississippi-lessly?!) and just saw the Arch. No pics since my phone can't do the long distance at night kind of thing.

We have had a great drive so far and are a few hours out from our destination spot for the night! I know Brad and Josh have had a good time riding together and I'm thankful that Josh has taken over a couple times in Brad's car! Oscar is doing great too.. mostly sleeping and licking. The usual.

On a side note I listened to The Notebook on audio book on my iPod already today. It still makes me cry! But I guess if Allie never got sick it wouldn't have been a tragic love story. Not that they're real people anyway! Haha

Here's to long drives and my husband who feels like a 'real trucker' driving the Penske.

Goodnight!

What I'll Miss

We leave this week for Arizona, and I've been reflecting a lot lately on what I love about this town of Boone and what I will miss most about the place that holds a very special place in my heart.

Let's just start by saying I'm a mountains kind of girl. Ever since high school I always wanted to go to Appalachian State and live in this town of Boone that I'd visited on occasion during my childhood. The beauty of the mountains has never ceased to take my breath away. During my college years at App, I felt so entirely blessed to be a Mountaineer and enjoy the beauty (rain or shine!) on a daily basis.

Needless to say, it was difficult for me to move back home after college and then even further away when I lived out east in "the flatlands" (as I affectionately call it) in order to take on my first year of teaching. Since June, however, my hubby brought us back to the mountains to live out our last 8 months on NC soil (HALLELUJAH!) before moving out west to Arizona.

Ok, so here are my favorite pieces:


 First and foremost.. Appalachian State University. My Alma Mater lies at the heart of this town. I'm just a little partial to this little place nestled in the Appalachian Mountains.



To tag on to that... I'll also miss Kidd Brewer Stadium dearly. At 3,333 feet,
it's something a Mountaineer will always hold close to their heart!

Driving on the Parkway. It's beautiful any time of year, but especially in the Fall.
If you haven't had the pleasure of taking this route,then I'll answer your question:
Yes, it really is this beautiful!
(and no, I didn't take this picture)

Woodlands' BBQ

Live music at Woodlands, including Wagon Wheel. Ohh yeah.

Mellow Mushroom's Funky Q Chicken Pizza.. even though there's a
Mellow in Phoenix, it won't be the same. Plus, it'll be a 30+ minute drive.

Coyote Kitchen. This is my all time favorite place to eat in Boone.
(Is it bad that what I'll miss is mostly food?!)

This one is mainly for hubs. Bojangles is a staple in the south that we will defintiely
miss. Especially their sweet tea. Do they serve sweet tea in AZ restaurants?

This one isn't specific to Boone.. just to the southeast. We'll miss this sweet goodness!
Brad and I are bringing a stash of it with us though (and Ben, if you're reading
this: we're bringing some for you and Sheana anyway.. deal with it!) :)

Our Monday wing night tradition at Macado's. And def. the cinnamon rolls.

OH, one more....


I will not miss the infamous Wendy's intersection traffic.



It's Been a Nice Ride

In the Fall of 2007 when I came to live in Boone to attend App State, mom and dad graciously allowed me to bring up the old CR-V which had AWD. Perfect for the snow and getting around in the mountains. We're only taking Brad's car out to AZ, so that meant Franklin had to go. This afternoon we sold him to some friends of the family who'll keep him safe in Boone when we leave. It's been a great 5 years, buddy.

Our Almost Anniversary

If you don't know already, Brad and I are moving in less than a week to Arizona. All across the country! Whew! Anyway, there's a little piece of our wedding we have been hiding in the freezer since May...

Remember this fella?!

Yep, so the top tier has been in our freezer in Boone and we figured it wouldn't survive the 5 day trek out to our new home. I stuck it in the refrigerator a couple days ago to thaw out a little bit and we had it for dessert tonight after our dinner.

On a side note, my cousin Cassie from Cake Monkey came up to Boone this afternoon to do a cake testing for Sarah & Jeff for their wedding in September. Yay!

So Lindsey was here for some cake too (which we had forgotten... but it was a cherry flavored tier!) and she was able to capture the moments. We did a little smashing-in-the-face this time.

With our top tier!!

hmm do we trust each other?!

nope! haha

mmmm!

Happy 9 months, 1 week and 5 days babe! I can't wait to start our adventure this week!!