Our Backward Triathlete Weekend

Entering the City you have to go in the Lincoln Tunnel which is underwater, it is pretty crazy and pretty Scary when you really think about, we were glad there was no traffic and we weren't under there for long!!

We didn't make it to the Statue of Liberty so we got to take a picture by a fake one!! Hey,I think it's just as good!

The New York City Skyline from the Car!

Me,Hannah, and Mary Lynne right before leaving!

Me and Brandon right in the middle of all the Craziness in Time Square

Outside of the Toy Store taking our turn at watch...

The New York City Library something I had never seen before but it was actually really neat and beautiful inside!

My aunt is training for a triathlon that she is doing in September. Now training takes a lot of discipline and keeps you always on your toes.  She has inspired me to also train for one, it just wont be in September.  So, we have done our swimming, biking, and running. I am still working on getting in shape after my 1.5 year break from real exercise.  Since we have talked about this our last weekend could be compared to running a triathlon. Three quick events and all in the name of fun.

First Part of the Backwards Triathlete: Running through New York City

We on Thursday on a whim decided to head to New York City so I could experience the city again. I have been there before but it's always fun and exciting to see the city that is in every movie.  We left about 6:30 a.m. to make the 3.5 hour drive to the city.  We arrived and like always the city was crazy busy. This was my first time going with kids and it was a little nerve wracking. I was always wondering and accounting for each child.  As we crossed the streets sometimes they would be oblivious to the yellow taxi speedily coming their way.  Luckily we made it through the day all safe and sound(what a relief!!) We mostly just "Ran" through the city looking at all the different buildings and famous churches, time square, and of course the apple store and the Toy stores.  We tried to make it to the top of the Empire State Building but the line was an hour long.  I mostly love going to the city to see all the people. Granted, I would never want to live here because of that same reason.  I find it so interesting the different lives people lead. Just like in DC I often look at people and I wonder what their lives consist of what they value, what do they do for fun, what kind of house do they live in, what kind of car do they drive, do they have kids.  Call me crazy but people just fascinate me.  I think going to the city and taking the metro into DC everyday has gotten me adjusted to City life more because New York didn't seem quite as overwhelming as it has in the past.  My Heart goes out to the countless numbers of children and teenagers who are raised in the city. I can't imagine my childhood without trees, grass, and open space.  I am grateful for the carefree childhood I had and that my parents could rest easy knowing we were safely playing in the back yard.  It was a great and fast day and the kids did awesome with all the walking we did.  After the day the kids were tired, I was tired, and our legs were tired!

Me in my office where I spent many hours on the Computer

Me and Deanna one of the Secretaries 

Rosa and me, The best Boss Ever

Deanna another one, and me 

Me and Anita, the security Guard for our building, she was the biggest sweetheart and a fun person to be around!

Part Two of The Backwards Triathlete is the Biking:

Ok, I compare Friday to The biking because it is in my middle of the craziness.  The Bike is also the more relaxed because it doesn't seem to require much effort, but it still is working you out.  That is how my Friday was, it was my last day of work and it was really low key.  I have had a great summer working at a law firm in downtown DC.  I have loved being in the city and looking out my window and seeing people walking around.  The firm I have been working for are so nice and have treated me soooo well.  I have been so blessed to have such a good job in such an awesome place.  They took me to lunch and then told me to go home to get things in order to leave.  I knew I wouldn't be there that long so instead of bringing my flip flops in my big bag like usual I decided I wouldn't need them.  So, I was wearing my high heels all day....not a good idea. I have many blisters now from not thinking like a smart person. I give props to all those professional people who can make wearing high heels all day look easy and unpainful.  Then, I got home and we went swimming and I tried to swim the mile as fast as I could.  I think the Olympics have inspired me to be a better swimmer.  Then, we ended the day with a big sweet 16 birthday party for Molly with lots of teenagers running around and screaming.  It was a race to the end for survival to the end of the day.  Overall it was a great day but it was definitley busy!!

Me, Jessica Rowe, and Hannah on The Beach

Brandon with the Boogie Board

The Boys riding the Waves-they did this All Day without hardly stopping!

Carson didn't want me to Post this on Facebook!! But, he won't ever let me take a good picture with him and this isn't Facebook, so I'm still keeping my promise!

The Whole Crew

Me and my little Cousin Brandon

Riding the Wave on the Boogie Board

Me and My Beautiful Aunt

Part Three of The Backward Triathlete: The Swim

So, on Saturday we went to Rehoboth Beach in Delaware, it was amazing!! I have only been to the ocean two times before in my life. I know it's pretty pathetic. Once was in the state of Washington and we didn't swim in it we just climbed the rocks. The other time was in Florida when I was really young. So, needless to say I was really excited to be there and I had tons of fun.  Of Course Carson and Brandon made me boogie board and they wanted me to ride the waves with them the whole time.  I got pretty beat up a few times though.  The waves were huge and way fun.  However, there were a few times I should of dived in and didn't and I got taken underneath the current and it was pretty scary.  One time I was using the boogie board and that happened and it was really scary because I was attached to the board.  Overall though it was a beautiful day and I had so much fun and I got sunburned to prove I was there.  I was really glad that my aunt is of course so amazing and just wanted to make sure I had lots of fun experiences. So, that concludes our backwards triathlete weekend and I'm so glad that we were able to go do all these fun things and that we were able to see so much in such a short amount of time!

Jonas Brother's Concert :)

So, these three make up the Band the Jonas Brothers! They are all real brothers. Well, on Monday I was at work and I kept hearing screaming girls. On my way in i had noticed a line of people I figured they were just waiting for the new X Box or something of that nature. However, I later found out that it was the Jonas Brothers, they were visiting the Wax Museum right by where I work. I actually can see the Wax Museum right outside my window. So, I was trying to figure out what was going on, because they would open the door to the loading dock and girls would scream. You know the Crazy I love you scream that boy bands get. I saw about an hour later two Black Cadillac Escalades drive out. I knew it must have been someone famous. Well, I went home an hour early because we had planned on attending the Jonas Brother's Concert for Molly's 16 Birthday. Let's just say me and Mary Lynne were less than enthusiastic to go, but Molly really wanted to. So, we went on an adventure! It was hilarious to see Thousands and I mean Thousands of Teenage Girls lined up to see these young boys play. I didn't understand because I don't think there that cute. I felt really ridiculous because everyone there probably thought I was there because I liked them. In fact Jase Johnson said I won't make fun of you for being a Closet Jonas Fan even Macey Likes them, which is his 4 year old daughter. I must admit I can't make fun of these young girls because It wasn't to long ago that I myself had a major crush on a boy band....The Backstreet Boys. So, I added some of their music for old times sake. I remember the obsessiveness of watching their videos, hanging up pictures in my room, my brother Casey even brought me grass from Nick's yard in Florida. I was one of those crazy screaming teenage girls. I thought I was going to marry Brian. His voice made me melt every time. I now looking back see just how funny I looked. I even cried at the first concert I went to of theirs, I bought a new outfit because I thought for sure they would see and notice me. I don't know what it is about boys who can sing that makes every girl go crazy for them. All in all It was good to see Molly so excited and happy. I then realized just how much my mom must have loved me to endure that pain not only once but twice. My utmost respect goes out to all those moms who do whatever it takes to make their children happy even if that means standing amongst thousands of screaming teenagers!!
My Teenage Heart Throbs

My Amazing Summer In Virginia

Well, It has been a crazy, fun filled summer for me out East in The Nation's Capitol. I have spent the last three months living with my Amazing Aunt Mary Lynne in Virginia. I have had many cool experiences, but the great thing about my time here is spending time with my aunt and her family and learning from her. I think I have learned most from her about being Charitable and Kind even when it can be extremely difficult. It has been entertaining as well as we both are entering the dating world after some time. Her 20 + years, me just 1.5 years but nonetheless it can be quite challenging. We have many dating talks and we also laugh together at the "Awkward" moments of liking a guy or not liking a guy who likes you. Through it all I've gained a great friend and for that I'm grateful. She has done so much for me and helped me to have amazing experiences. I'm so blessed to have such amazing family. Well, besides the everyday work and play and running kids around, we have had some good times! When I first got here it was off to the Lake and A theme Park. Lake Anna is where we go boating here. My Aunt's boat is stored down there and we have a friend who has a lake house there. He has a big deck off of his boat house that is excellent for jumping into the water. I recently learned how to do a front flip and a back flip off the top of it. It was so fun!! I also love wakeboarding and tubing. I still can't jump the wake or really hardly jump at all, but I am working on it.

Carson on The Wakeboard At Lake Anna
Directly behind is the Boat house we Jump off of.

Me and Hannah At Kings Dominion about to Ride her Favorite Ride, Scooby Doo

We are Drama Queens while waiting for Everyone at the Water Park

Me and My Adopted Little Brother Justin At Kings

Mississippi
We Also Took a Trip down to Mississippi to visit my Uncle's Parents and Visit David's Grave for Father's Day. It has been interesting being here this summer after I spent the Summer here before my mission helping my uncle while he was sick. It has been hard, because he is greatly missed. He was an amazing man and Father. He was one of the most adventurous, brave, courageous, and faithful men I have ever met. I am so blessed to have had him in my life as an uncle but even more so as a father figure. Each day brings it's different challenges for my aunt missing him or the kids missing him. On the way to Mississippi Sweet Hannah asked when is daddy coming back? Me and Mary Lynne both were silent for awhile thinking about him and we both broke down crying. Props and prayers for my great aunt who answers so well to the questions of a sweet little child about their daddy who has passed away. It was a tender moment visiting his grave. Thank Goodness for the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation!

At Dave's Grave in Mississippi

Riding on the Pontoon Boat with the Alligators in the Water All around us!

On the Boat
We Also took the Boat out on the Potomac River to see the Monuments lit up at night on the Water. We took a lot of time loading the boat at the busy dock just to be in the water for a short time before having to get out again because of a big thunderstorm. However, while it lasted it was beautiful!!!

The sunset over the Potomac River

My friend Trent who came with us

The Fourth of July
It was an awesome fourth of July. The Guy from church that I work with hooked us up. His wife's dad is Senator Harry Reid who is the Majority Leader for the Democratic party. He has a big office in the Capitol building. So, we were invited to watch the fireworks from the Balcony of the Capitol building. I had done this before with their family, but it was still amazing this time as well. It is so fun to be in a city filled with so much history. The fireworks were also beautiful.

Hannah and Her friend and me on The Balcony

Waiting for the Show to Begin

The Firework Show above the Washington Monument

Palmyra, NY
We Decided on a Whim to go up to see the Pageant in Palmyra. It was such a great experience to be up there and stand in the place where the prophet had seen God the Father and Jesus Christ. It was very peaceful. Since I'm so recently returned from my mission it was exciting to see the sister missionaries and I envied them just a little bit, that they got to be teaching people about the gospel all the time. But, overall it was a great experience and fun to go again now that I'm older and can really appreciate these places more. The Pageant was amazing and beautiful. It was a fun two day trip that we took which consisted mostly of driving but I'm glad we did It. I was also a good time for my aunt and I to talk more and For me to learn from her.

The Kids and Me outside the Temple in Palmyra, NY

By the Fields just outside the Smith's Log home


The Sacred Grove..It was Beautiful!



I was Very appreciative For the Book of Mormon that came about from this Moment in Church History, because of one boy's humble prayer the Gospel of Jesus Christ was Restored! I feel so blessed to know this!

Funny Story; I ran into an Elder from my mission at the Sacred Grove! I was like I think I know him but thought for sure it couldn't be but finally my cousin Carson convinced me to ask him and sure it enough it was him. It was pretty crazy. He had only been home for like a week.

All of Us out at The Whitmer Farm

Nationals Game's
So, I have gone to two Nationals Games and they were both pretty disappointing as far as winning goes. The first one was for Family Home Evening for the Singles Ward and of course we didn't have very good seats, but it was still fun just being with my friends. I think the score was like 7-0. I think the most entertaining part about this night was riding the metro home. The second time we had amazing seats! We were only like 5 rows back from the Nat's Dug out. I could actually see their faces it was awesome. Unfortunately it was a complete blowout. The score was 12-0 in the 7th inning so we decided to leave!

Me and Julie from the Ward, the first Nationals Game


Some of the Crew at the Game

2nd Game..Up Close and Personal Baby

Probably A Strike


Visits and Random Moments
I was Really lucky that I got to have my mom and Sister visit while I was here. While they were here we mostly shopped and went to DC to see my office and see some of the sites. It was a lot of fun to have just a girls weekend out.

Emily, my Mom, And Me on the Roof of the Building I work at in DC

Adding Molly My little Cousin

In Front of a Fountain through the Sculpture Gardens of D.C.


Molly and Mary Lynne


A typical Me and Hannah Pose-We spend a lot of time together...I love it!


At the DC temple for a Piano Performance at the Visitors Center on one of Shari's Visits
Me and Shari, from the mission, who came to Visit Here we are at Great Falls Park in Virginia, it's Awesome! I love having Shari come visit me so we could talk and get updates on each other's lives.

Me and My new sweet friend Natalie At the waterfalls

Trent and Jordan
Jordan, my other adopted Brother, but also dear friend!

I guess that pretty much concludes my summer, except for the week and a half I have left here in which we plan on going to New York and maybe a few other exciting places so I guess I shall see. I am getting excited to get back to school, but I will really miss the good relaxed times of the summer with a job and money.