Boston

As I mentioned, my summer encompassed a lot of traveling. In August I went to Boston. I had been to Boston two other times, but it has been 10 years since I was last in Boston. I really hope to go to Boston one last time before I leave the east coast. The reason for Boston this time was for work. I went to work at our National Meeting on recruiters row. 

National Meeting is huge - I think there were about 14,000 attendees.

I thought my hotel room was pretty cool when the TV welcomed me. I also realized my hotel room bigger than my entire studio... 

I sadly wasn't able to explore Boston, but I did have some amazing Italian food! 

Why did I have a 6:30am flight back to DC? Cause I thought I should go into work that day...I'm dumb...I also don't trust myself when it comes to alarms this early... 

It was a quick 2 day trip to Boston, but it was still fun to see some of the first east coast city I fell in love with. I have go to get back! 

Texas!

I seriously can't believe that it has been months since I blogged. I am going to try and remember what I did at the end of July in Texas, as I currently prepare to go back to Texas for New Years. 

Texas is now like my second home because that is where my cousin lives and also where my best friends live. I have been to Tyler, Texas many times in my life, I even spent two summers here while in high school. I traveled a lot the summer of 2018. I have already blogged about Idaho and New Mexico and now a month later I was headed south to Texas for a few days. 

Karen and I flew into DFW and rented a car to drive to Tyler. And it just so happened that on our way to Tyler we were able to stop at the best restaurant, In-N-Out! Yum! 

The main reason for going to Tyler, was to attend Sophia's baby shower and to meet Sophia before they went overseas. I just love babies so much! And it was so wonderful to see my dear friend as a mom. The McKeown's are part of my family and I love all of them so much and they always make me feel so welcome. 

The awesome part of being in Tyler is that I can also see my cousin. I didn't realize how much I would miss Tuf, but I do miss her so much. Though I am extremely proud of all that she has accomplished in Tyler! So proud of you Tuf. Love you! 

I spent a night with Tuf and then it was back to McKeown's to see Kimberley, Marcos and Sophia again because I had no idea when I was going to see them again as they were heading to Brazil and then Fiji. But I found out earlier this week that they will be back in Tyler at Christmas, so now I get to see them again! Yay!!!! 

Oh man, I stink at games now - I lost at Phase 10, so very bad... I need to find new games, because all my old favs are not my friends anymore. Ah, who am I kidding I still love Phase 10, even if I am terrible at it. 

New Mexico Day 4

My last day in New Mexico. It always goes by so fast. I was determined to make the most out of my last day. 

Rae and I looking adorable in purple! 

Cliff is a super small town in southern New Mexico and while there may not be a ton of things like there is in DC, there is still amazing things to do and see. I remember as a child I went to the Cat Walks  - it's a beautiful area with amazing landscape and water. Water is essential when it is over 100 degrees outside. 

Cool..yeah, we will continue on, I have done enough hiking with Karen to fill confident that I may not die with young children in tow :) 

It was a little too hot outside, so we headed back and Eli and Hailey really wanted me to walk in the stream with them. Sure, at least in the water it would be cool. At the end I found out a few things, one there are water snakes and water spiders...yeah, if I would have known that before hand, I would not have done that. But I did and I survived and had fun with Hay and Eli. 

After the Cat Walks we went and had lunch at the only restaurant in Cliff and then went back home to relax. 

Pretty kitty, Ellis. 

Seriously, I can't get enough of this little girl. 

My last night being able to put her to sleep  - I did not want to ever let her go. I love babies and love them sleeping in my arms.

Hailey and Eli's birthdays are in July and since I was there just a couple weeks before their birthday I was able to give them their gifts early. Hailey loves to swim and she wanted a mermaid tale. Auntie for a win! 

Eli really love dinosaurs! Roar!!! 

The next day, Zach drove me the 3 hours to El Paso, Texas where I made my way back east. Man it was hard. I had an amazing time in Boise and an incredible time with family in New Mexico. I am honestly, truly blessed with amazing people in my life and this week has helped me me so much as I continue to live on the east. Being so far away from my people has been extremely hard in 2018. I know I am thankful for this opportunity, but I also know that my heart is out west and I will be back. 

New Mexico - Day 3

I had the honor of sharing a room with this angel. 

One of the reasons I went to Cliff was because my aunt and uncle from Australia were going to be there. My uncle is my mom's brother. This was only the third time I have met the. The other two times were in Colorado and Nebraska when I was 2 and again when I was 21. It was really amazing to be able to see my aunt and uncle and spend a few days with the fam. 

Uncle Gilbert with Raelynn. 

Zach took us to where he works in Morenci, AZ at an open pit cooper mine. I am beyond proud of my brother and all that he has accomplished in his career. Growing up in Nevada, I am very familiar with open pit mining, but having my brother give us a tour was special and you can tell how much he really enjoyed it. 

After a little day trip to Arizona, we came back to New Mexico where I cuddled with the kiddos and watched a movie.

Zach is a wonderful dad and Niki is a fantastic mom. It was super amazing to just watch them be parents to their three children. I love watching my brother simply being a dad. 

Adorable - Aunt Marilyn and Eli counting - be still my heart. 

Nothing is better than holding a sleeping baby. 

Family is really so precious. 

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