Don't Drive to Idaho from Texas in December

So...Christmas was only a month ago. Technically, we left Texas and drove to Idaho a month ago. Yes, that's right. I said DROVE. Again. I'll get into that later.

You all know about my beautiful Mitsubishi Eclipse...the one that got new rims and tires recently, the one that I was in love with. Well, I slowly started to hate it with passion and would catch myself thinking about taking a sledge hammer to it daily. Whenever David would drive, it would act like the best car in the world but once I got into the drivers seat, it would automatically do something to piss me off. And with the decision to drive home for Christmas, we had decided that it wouldn't make it and we would be FORCED to trade it in. Darn!!

So we went from this:



To this:


Introducing our brand new 2011 Hyundai Tucson! Right off of the showroom floor! We had been car shopping for about a week when we ran into this beauty. It was fate and we love it!!


After the paperwork was finalized and the car was officially purchased, we left for Idaho two days later! We had a Christmas party to attend the night we were leaving and were on the road around nine o'clock that night. And please quote me on this: I WILL NEVER DRIVE TO IDAHO IN THE WINTER EVER, EVER AGAIN!! Of course Texas was a very easy drive but as soon as we hit New Mexico, it was all downhill from there. We had everything from snow to sleet to rain to fog to sunshine to more rain and sleet. It was horrible. I'm so glad we traded the car in before we left...I don't think we would've made it! Not to mention, we almost hit a cop car. Not because we are crazy drivers, but because the highway was so icy! It was unbelievably scary...thank God for my sudoku game. (Thanks again mom!)


When we finally got to Idaho, it was such a relief. David was so excited to be home and see everyone. It had been a full year since he had been home and I think it was a much, much needed vacation and escape for him. We got to go to Brynn's birthday the first day we were there and that was the perfect opportunity to be able to see the whole family! We're so blessed to have so many amazing, beautiful people so close to our hearts and we were so excited to be able to spend some great time with family and friends.

Last year, I mentioned how David got the coal. Well, it was his duty to pass it on and he decided to give it to Grandma Rose. She had a tough year battling with breast cancer but she's a trooper and fought through it! Of course it was a very emotional moment for the whole family but I think it was a good way to end 2010 and start the new year with a fresh start.


On Christmas night, we all were kind of wiped out from all of the festivities but David and I wanted to take some time to do something just the two of us. I always like to take him around Boise and share stories. Last year we went to Old Chicago downtown and had a few drinks. This year, I took him to my all-time favorite Pie Hole. Needless to say, he loved it! And I finally had gotten my Potato Bacon Pizza. Don't knock it til ya try it, because it is AMAZING!! After Pie Hole, we drove around...I showed him BSU and my old dorm and took him to the Boise Depot. It is absolutely one of my favorite spots in Boise.



After Christmas, we had a few more days to spend with family and just relax before the long trip home. When the time came to pack up and leave, I wasn't excited. I'm never excited to leave Boise once I'm there. But I know that we have responsibilities that we need to take care of in Texas and we'll be back in Idaho soon enough.

Oh. We also spent New Years in the middle of nowhere in Utah, in the car in a hotel parking lot. I got to watch five fireworks. I hope that is a good sign of what's to come this year...???

Since we've been back in Killeen, David went to the field and played with rockets, I'm doing my best to find a job, and we're waiting for orders for Korea. David's birthday is also this Saturday! So there are more exciting days on their way!

My Mama and the Big 5-0!!

I must say, I am one sneaky daughter!

A little after David and I ended our Colorado trip, my dad had called to make plans for my mom's birthday. She was going to turn fifty in November and wanted both of us there as a surprise. I was stoked at the possibility of traveling with David and also being able to surprise his mom as her birthday is almost a week after my mom's. So naturally, David went to work and asked if he could take the week off. Well, needless to say, he couldn't. :( Once again, I was traveling home alone!!

We purchased the tickets in August and only a handful of people knew. Keeping that secret from my mom was one of the hardest things I have done in a long time! I practically had to lie to her almost every day. I couldn't even post anything about going home on Facebook! ugh! It was so difficult, but so worth it!! The days before I left were the hardest. I purposely would ask her if she was excited for her birthday and her party and how we would skype on the day of. My bess frann Ashley and I had divulged a plan that David and I were at some Army thing all day on her birthday so she wouldn't call me and I wouldn't be forced to answer it in an airport.

As I was traveling to Idaho on the 18th, I had a connection flight in Salt Lake City. While there, I got to meet with my grandma before she headed to Boise as well. Her plane was delayed thirty minutes so she was supposed to land ten minutes earlier than I was. Well...I beat her there. When we finally got my grandma with my mom and off to Rudy's (a DELICIOUS little restaurant right by Majestic theaters, check it out) my brother and Ashley swooped me up and we headed to Rudy's as well! When we got to the restaurant, I snuck up behind my mom and put my arms around her. She looked and looked...and then bawled her pretty little eyes out. It was sweet...she was so surprised. And I was very apologetic for all of the lies I had told to her.

The next day was her actual birthday party. I spent the day with my dad and brother running around and picking up some little party supplies. I knew the party was starting when a ton of people showed up. I had seen people that night that I hadn't seen in years!! Even though it was my mom's birthday party, I also used it as an opportunity to invite some of my friends as well. Not only did it add numbers, but it added a lot more fun! We had such a blast...and I think my mom had some birthday luck because she kicked major booty in beer pong! I had a great time that night and I think my mom did too.


The next night was my cousin Cassie's birthday too! I was really excited that I was able to celebrate her birthday with her and the family. Ashley and I and my in-laws headed out to Emmett late that night and us three girls partied our bums off. We danced, laughed and took a crap load of pictures! I also got to see a lot of the family that I hadn't seen since Christmas so that was really fun. We had a ton of fun in Emmett like we usually do and I'm pretty sure Cassie did too. :)

The last couple of days were just spent hanging out with the family. We went out to dinner and went and saw the new Harry Potter movie. It was awesome that we got to do things as just the family (minus David).

There was one downside though. THE SNOW!! Don't get me started, because I won't stop. Just know...I HATE IT!!