Olympic Peninsula

This is just for Jana and other "Twilightaholics." We had to visit this place just to rub it in to all you Vampire fans!!! The actual town was cute and quaint and we met some great locals. The Timber Museum was fun too! The most amazing place was Crescent Lake -- it had crystal clear water. Unfortunately, we didn't stop to get pix there at the lake. Also, the rain forest was A-MAZE ---ING!!!!!!! I can't believe how totally great it was. It was like we stepped into Jurassic Park. This is definitely one place I want to visit again. Sorry to all the fans, we didn't make it to La Push. Man I really wanted to see some hot, six-packed natives too! Did I mention, that this was the first day that it rained on us the whole time we've been in Washington. Wow, totally fitting being in Forks, WA where it rains about 120 inches each year. I wouldn't want it any other way!!!!

Why Do I Live In Arizona?

Here is a pix from the road trip with the parents. It is Mt. Baker in Washington near the Canada border. It was hard to choose I all ready have over 500 pictures and I still have a week and a half of the trip left. So far we've stopped off at St. George, Utah where we had the best pizza ever--that's saying a lot cause I've been to New York and have had the best. The next stop was Idaho Falls, Idaho. From there we traveled to Yellowstone by way of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We saw all kinds of wildlife -- Grizzlies, black bears, moose, elk, bison, some kind of beaver thing that lives on land, and deer. Next, we headed in to Montana -- not as pretty as Yellowstone, but cool. Then, Washington where we found the cutest little fruit stand in Leavenworth, a Bavarian town. It was so awesome. We took off from there to head into Canada by way of ferry over to Victoria. We spent time in Butchart Gardens--or should I say EDEN!!! It was gorgeous!!!!! I could definitely spend more time there, but it's really expensive. After sight seeing in Victoria we split for the mainland over to Vancouver, BC. It was Okay! Then on our way down to the Seattle area we decided to take a side trip to Mt. Baker. I can't tell you how amazing it was. Really -- why do I live in AZ? Oh Yeah -- in winter I don't have to worry about avalanches!!! Needless to say this area is amazing. So far from what I've seen of our country, I love the Northwest the best! We even got to set off fire works at Colton's brother-in-law's house. It was fun -- until I got a piece of ash in my eye. We all survived and had a "Brilliant" firework show thanks to Derrick and Ty -- Sharon's nephews. I hope everyone else is having a great Summer!

O Canada!

I'm leaving on Wednesday to travel to Canada with the parentals! (I hope I don't go mental!!) We are first stopping in St. George to visit Uncle Gary and Aunt Leisel, then going to Idaho Falls and then to Yellowstone. I'm gearing up for the lovely sulfur smell that goes along with this. After those adventures we will be heading west to see some Washington sights. Then it's Canada --- My dad is totally pumped! He served his mission many moons ago in the Alaska/British Columbia Mission and he's so excited to see some of those areas. He's even teared up a few time as he thinks of this opportunity to go back. We will be attending church one of the Sundays in a ward he served in and he is eager to see it again! After Canada we will hook up with Colton's family to see some sights in Oregon and Californa. Aunt Marie and the girls might even pop on over to see us in San Francisco one of the days. It should be a blast! I have been loading up the iPod and gathering up some movies so I'm not too bored on the long drives --what am I saying, I love to look out the windows and see the beauty of the earth! It should be a wonderful time. What an opportunity for me!!!!

Loss of Hope!

I finally shed some well earned tears for my lost luggage yesterday. I really haven't been too sad about it till now. Southwest finally sent me the claim form and I had a meltdown cause now it's really pretty much official that I'll never see some of that stuff again. I was really frustrated while filling all the paperwork out and I finally had to walk away from it. Luckily the Spirit must have prompted Kimala & Sundee cause they both called me right in the middle of the meltdown. Talking with Kimala reminded me that life is not that bad for me and really all I ended up loosing is STUFF --not my life. (If you didn't know, Kimala is going through some way hard marital stuff right now -- so sad.) In Sundee's case, her little guy Cole ended up with Roseola or however you spell it. He's coverd with a rash and he is very cranky and uncomfortable. So I had to think to myself, "Really Tonja -- there are so many more important things in life than your souvenirs from D.C. and Philadelphia. Just think of the great things you'll get next time you go!"

Today I finally completed all the claim info and it turns out I lost over $1220.00 of STUFF. I hope I get that much back, that cash will really help out on all my new adventure for the summer. Lesson learned -- don't check bags, and when you think your life sucks rocks there really is someone out there that has sucked rocks harder than you! Keep smilin'!!!!

House Hunter

Well I think I might just be turning into a grown up. I am considering purchasing a home. (Not for me to live in, unless Arlene kicks me out.-- You better not!) Kimala will actually be living in the house with her kids. I would just get the benefit of being called Landlord -- holy smokes that's scary. I still am really thinking and praying about it so it may be a while. If you have any suggestions for a first time home buyer let them be known. I could use any advice. Does anyone own "Buying a Home for Dummies?" I might need to borrow it!

Tribute to All the Dead Armadillos!

I'm back from a fun filled trip across the country! Arlene, Bekah, and I had a fabulous trip. We missed Tracie, but I'm so glad Bakah could fill in, cause my days in Phillie would have been very lonely without her. Here are some great pix! Some favorites I can't forget: Scaring the animals away from the "Welcome to Texas" sign; listening to "Beyond Perfection"- a totally cute "LDS" whacked-up version of Pride and Prejudice; driving over the Mississippi and spelling it backwards as quickly as I spelled it forwards; spotting all the Armadillos who sadly met their fate upon the roadside; Eating "Corky's" BBQ at Laurice's house -- thanks Jeremy!; Seeing the golden lame(lay-may) suit of Elvis'; going to the Bathroom in the scariest Tennessee station ever; eating "Tasty Kakes," introducing Bekah to The Big Bang Theory; seeing Independence Square in Philadelphia -- Wow! I'm so proud to be an American!; meandering around Pennsylvania to see the Hershey Factory, Gettysburg, and the Amish in Dutch Country; jaunting around Valley Forge and seeing a turtle there; going about 1 mile per hour for an hour on the way to D.C.; sleeping in the swanky Westin in Arlington -- I totally don't fit with that crowd; emerging from the Metro to be right in the middle of "The Mall" in D.C.; hanging out in the Jefferson & Lincoln Memorials; taking part in the changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; finally, standing on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art where "Rocky" ran up the steps! Arlene and Bekah -- did I miss anything? If so put it in your blogs! I'm out of words!









Now I just have to wait for my luggage -- Yep! the airline has lost it! Just my luck all my wonderful souvenir treasures were in there! I'm totally sad!

THREE MORE DAYS!!!!

Yahoo!!!!!! Only three more days of school with kids. Then one without them and I'm off to Philadelphia and free for the summer -- except I have some classes to take during the first two weeks of June, and did I mention I have jury duty. Fun!!! I'm totally stoked--yep I just said stoked--for this summer. Phillie here I come!!!