Cross-Country Car Ride

It's been two weeks (and one day) since we started our journey across the country. We took four days to drive from Syracuse, NY to San Diego, CA. It was an incredibly fun...long...amazing...never-ending...memorable experience.

Our journey started on May 26th at 6am in Syracuse, NY. After packing our teeny tiny little Civic SI floor to ceiling we were ready to go. Our first stop was in Erie, PA where we met Dan's family to say goodbye as they were traveling home from Myrtle Beach.

Day one: we drove through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and after 12.5 hours of driving, Indie 500 traffic, and the roughest roads Indiana had to offer we ended up in Illinois. Dan has a college friend who lives in Illinois and was more then generous in allowing us to stay with him and his wife for the night. Photos from day one as follows:

Day two: May 27th we started another 12.5 hour journey. From Illinois to Missouri to Oklahoma and ending in Dallas TX. Lets see how to describe Missouri...MISSSSSERABLEEEE. If felt like it took days to drive through it...but then again so did OK. This second day of driving was brutal and by the time we got to Dallas we never wanted to get back in a car ever again! We stayed at my sister Stacy's condo in Dallas and LOVED it. Cutest neighborhood ever. Tons of little shops and restaurants all walking distance.

Day three: May 28th we contemplated staying an extra day in Texas but decided we should just keeping driving...neither of us were looking forward to the 13.5 hour drive from Texas to New Mexico to Arizona. Driving through Texas was pretty neat...for the first few hours...then we got to New Mexico and then back into Texas and then into New Mexico again and FINALLY Tucson, AZ!

New Mexico

Stopped for a little desert SUN

You can see for MILES!

Day four: May 29th we finally made it to CALIFORNIA! I have been dreaming of California since I was a kid. I don't know what it was but I just felt like California was where I needed to be. I don't know how long we will be here, maybe a year, maybe forever. This is such an incredible adventure and I am so happy that I get to have it with my best friend <3 

Bye Bye New York

We have made it safely to San Diego, CA! But, before you hear anything about that you have to hear all about our last days in NY...

Our last few days in Syracuse were filled with packing and goodbyes (which BOTH suck). I got to spend lots of time hugging and kissing my two little nieces who I miss more than anything already. Elise was very confused as to why everyone was crying before Dan and I left and kept telling us that, "everything is okay" and that, "we will see Bee next week." When I asked her if she would miss me she replied, "no, I am a big girl." I LOVE HER! All of our family and friends have been so supportive and encouraging and we are going to miss everyone...just not NY ;)

Do these kids have killer eyes or what?!

Nothing makes me happier than the smile on this kids face!!! She was having so much fun towing "Uncle Dan" around!

My big happy family <3

Love at First Sight

My parents are proof that love at first sight exists. They were engaged after knowing each other less than a month! My parents have always been amazing examples of what a Godly marriage should look like and I am so grateful for that. Their marriage is full of love, forgiveness, mutual respect and overall JOY! I told my parents that I needed these photos for a school project, (which I did) but I mostly just wanted to attempt to capture the love that they have for each other so I could keep it for myself! The photos here are the few that I used for my project and are HDR (High Dynamic Range). 

The Start of Something

When I lived at home, I remember quite a few times I would wake up early for work and my parents (early to bed early to rise) would be downstairs, coffee and bagel in hand, praying for us kids. How cool is that?! My dad has had this Bible since he first became a Christian and a few years ago he asked me to duct tape the cover in an attempt to revive it. Even now that he has a new Bible, he still uses this one as a reference because it is FULL of notes and highlighted verses and even all of his kids birthdays...awe! I would say it has almost as much character as he does! The photos I took were for a project where I had to represent something "aged"...I think this represents that pretty well...A+

My Little Baby Sea Star

     One of the best things about having a little sister is that they are easily convinced into doing just about anything as long as you follow up your ideas with, "come on it will be fun!" It was the first sunny day that we had seen in what felt like weeks and I thought that the best way to take advantage of it was to take some photos of my b-e-a-uuuutiful baby (she will always be a baby to me) sister! It helps that she always looks photo shoot ready to begin with. 

What a great sport she was! She even made some snow angels in her leggings and barely complained at all. Thanks Kara <3

the loves of my life

     I have the cutest nieces in the world and I just wanted to show them off! I can't wait to watch them grow up and become best friends just like I am with my sisters!