The Road to California

We left Phoenix Thursday morning with 2 babies, 2 toddlers, 2 strollers, and much more in a seven passenger van. With the dry heat behind us, we headed out on a 6 hour journey that would culminate with a weekend in the beautiful Beaumont, California. Our first stop was a bug infested McDonalds under construction in what seemed to be the middle of nowhere. The babies slept, the little ones napped, and the moms and I enjoyed fellowship and the dessert view from the van window. We arrived in Beaumont just in time to get settled into the hotel, have a goldfish snack, and change clothes for the wedding rehearsal and dinner. My roommate in Turkey, Allyson, married Shawn Wilhite on Friday. Enjoy part two below, of a great vacation.

Phoenix Highlights

I just returned from a vacation (and reunion of sorts) in Phoenix and Southern California. The Smiths welcomed me to Turkey when I arrived in September 2005. They became like family to me. I had a great time reminiscing and trying to remember Turkish, playing with little Adeline and holding baby Lylah, and just "being" with them-seeing their everyday life in their new home and environment. Thanks Jeff and Andrea for such a sweet time! Below is part one of a great vacation : ).