culture shock

This was the first meal Robin ever cooked for us....

Hot pot... with seaweed and other interesting items.....

Can't wait to make him eat all American food....

We are 10 hours away people. 10 hours!

pray the weather holds out until we get home nice and safe!

kisses.

t-minus

1 day...

This crazy is comin' to America.

I still can't believe it.

kisses.

make it work

You all know this fellow blogger and dear friend Valerie.

Did you know she does interviews now? Go visit her friend Sam's blog and read her interview!

She could be famous one day, or on Project Runway... she would get to meet Tim Gunn. That would be cool.

kisses.

I wish I could go back...

This time of year in China is their holiday. They take off months and spend time with their families celebrating the new year. A year ago at this time my dear friend Kylie and I left our freezing home in China and traveled south.

We wanted warmth. We wanted to eat something besides Chinese food. We wanted a change. We wanted pineapple.

And so that is what we did. We took a few weeks and traveled around Thailand, with nothing but our Lonely Planet.

And because it is so cold in Oklahoma, and because all I want is to be able to wear flip flops I'm reliving the glory days. Won't you join me...

A time where...

We zip lined through the jungles.

and talked to little monks.

and traveled by boat to shop.

We...

Relaxed.

And climbed mountains to see the view of an islands survival after a disaster.

and met locals who lived through that tsunami, and loves sharing their stories.

We slept in disturbing hostels.

And laughed uncontrollably after drinking ONE Chang beer.

worked out with the locals.

In Thailand...

we stood in awe of all the color.

Ate turkey sandwiches they only know how to make in America.

we rode water taxis for a quarter.

ate fruit off the street.

and then drank the fruit.

And drank coke from a plastic bag.

We learned to cook. (it didn't stick with me)

We watched the sunset.

and took pictures with THE World Cup.

and found baby elephants in the street.

and posed with giant buddhas

and rode on VIP overnight party buses.

And last, but certainly not least...

We dreamed of a time when we could one day, finally, shop at The Gap.

Can you tell I'm missing this place? Or is it the warmth I'm missing? Or the 2 months off for the New Year?

Either way, we should all take a trip. We all need a vacation.

kisses.

kids have it made

Today we went with Jett to his gym. Yes, my 1 year old nephew goes to the gym and I don't.

Every Friday morning they open up the gym for the little ones.

And the little one's entourage.

It brought back all my gymnastic memories. Those were the days.

Apparently adults aren't the only ones who pick up dates at the gym.

Ladies Man.

And I will leave you with a picture I still have yet to figure out...

I don't know where my arms are.

kisses.

make some extra cash

I'm home from Philly, missing Maus, but ready to get back to wedding planning. But the actual wedding planning makes me want to punch someone.

I'll pay someone a grand total of $20 to make the rest of the decisions....

kisses.

p.s. I got the disk of all of our images from our e-shoot from our lovely photographer Amanda Watson and there are lots more great ones that she didn't post on her blog.

I'm just a bit obsessed with them ALL still.

can't you tell?

we have too much stuff.

This might be the least amount of photos I have ever taken on a trip. But I guess when you are driving for 2 days straight, and then unpacking for days straight there aren't a lot of photo opts. And plus, that extra energy to pull out the camera and snap just hasn't been there.

Here are a few pics from our Uhaul drive across (what felt like) the world.

I got to drive. Which scares most people. And it should.

My foot got a huge cramp because the pedal was too big. Marshall made me stop driving after that.

Marshall made us stop in Lexington, KY at the Gun Warehouse. Apparently it's world famous. Who knew?

We drove through lots of states.

West Virginia was the only one I captured.

We Are Marshall.

And once we finally got to Philly, and got the big Uhual down our tiny street we unloaded.

And couldn't walk anywhere.

Notice the box spring mattress in the doorway. It is still there. It won't fit upstairs. Hmm.. plan B.

Did I mention our outside door is only 29 inches. 29 inches! Go measure your INSIDE door. It is a whole lot bigger that I guarantee. This limits everything (and everyone) that goes through our door. Bummer.

And then the next day it snowed.

I already miss garages. And driveways.

And closets. There aren't closets in Philly.

kisses.

I love Birthdays!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Another 29 year old!
You are hard working, dedicated, and have a love for your family and friends that is out of the world. I hope I can be half the woman you are someday.

I love you and so thankful for you!