tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42032672765398455432024-03-05T00:47:05.633-07:00Erika & NickErika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-84737807319973199912015-11-25T15:22:00.000-07:002015-11-25T15:23:49.920-07:00September in the South of France<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After an <a href="http://erikaann.blogspot.com/2015/11/a-quick-stop-in-manhattan.html">eventful day in the city</a>, we made our way back to JFK airport and were pleasantly surprised to find that we got seat assignments in first class. Talk about the perfect way to <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">start off an international trip!</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We arrived in Nice the following afternoon, picked up the rental car, and drove a couple hours over to Port Grimaud where my dad found an awesome AirBnB. It's an adorable little village about a 10 minute drive from Saint-Tropez. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Saint-Tropez</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My first impression of Saint-Tropez was watching a caravan of about 20 Ferraris drive past me on their way to the harbor. Um, wow! Everything about this city is pure class, even down to the way people dress! The city streets were incredibly picturesque and we had heard that the harbor was unique because it's one of the few superyacht harbors in the world that is right on a public street. It definitely didn't disappoint!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The harbor was full of eye candy, not just with the amazing yachts but also with the 20 or so Ferraris that the owners just "casually" drove into town for a dinner party. We had fun (along with everyone else) spending ample time gawking at the cars and the boats, plus all of the post harbor-side restaurants.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We opted out of the caviar an champagne though (ha) and of course took advantage of the crepes and baguettes everywhere we could find them. And they were just as delicious as we had hoped!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We took a quick window shopping tour of the Chanel mansion. Yes, mansion. Complete with incredible gardens, a pool, and a pool house that's been converted into a store. Sadly they don't allow pictures inside but let's just say I felt a little under dressed ;). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We soaked up every minute we could along the harbor before sunset...and before the jet lag took full effect. Now that I've had a glimpse of Saint-Tropez I can't wait to go back to explore it even more! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The French Riviera</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For our first full day we decided to do a driving tour of the coast starting in Nice and making our way over toward the Italian border. And oh boy was it ever a feast for the eyes! We lucked out with absolutely perfect weather, too. Everything was so beautiful it almost didn't feel like real life!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Nice</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We didn't really stop in Nice but enjoyed the view of the promenade as we drove by. We had fun listening to my dad reminisce about his time in Nice when he spent a summer in Europe during his college years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Villefranche</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What's great about the French Riviera is that all the neat little towns are within just a few minutes driving distance of each other. There's practically a new view at every turn in the road!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Eze</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had heard so much about Eze before we came on the trip and I knew it was a village that we just could not miss. It definitely didn't disappoint! It's probably one of the most charming little villages I've ever visited! It's a tiny walled town up on one of the highest hilltops on the coast.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Before we made our way up the hill, we first stopped at the Fragonard perfume factory just at the base of the town. I remember my sister and my mom telling me about this place when they visited France several years ago, and we had to make the stop for some souvenirs. They make some incredible fragrances!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Once we made it into the town, we spent a few hours winding our way through the cobblestone streets and gawking at the 5-star hotels/private villas we saw along the way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The best view from Eze (which we found out at the very end of our walk through the town) is at the very top of the hill in the botanical gardens. Wow. We really were in the clouds! The views were phenomenal and it really felt like we were in a dream! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Two fun facts about Eze: It was Walt Disney's favorite destination prior to building Disneyland. Also, it's where Bono from U2 wrote "Beautiful Day." I definitely see why now! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Monaco</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After spending quite a bit of time in Eze we made our way over to Monaco. I had been there once briefly as a teenager but didn't remember much of it. My dad has spent quite a bit of time there over the years so he gave us a quick driving tour and then we stopped at the harbor and the famous Monte Carlo Casino. They were setting up for the Monaco Yacht Show so there were some insane boats in the harbor. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And yes, the casino is just as glamorous on the inside as they portray it in the movies!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Menton</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our last stop for the day was the little town of Menton just a few minutes away from the Italian border. I loved that it reminded me so much of Cinque Terre just down the coast and it was just a fun combination of both cultures with both the food and the architecture. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had heard a lot about socca, which is a regional dish there so of course we had to try it. It's basically like a flat bread made from chickpeas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And in addition to that we got pizza, gnocci, and escargot! Mostly because Marissa had to take a video to show her girls that she actually ate snails ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm still convinced that it's the butter and herbs that makes these little things taste somewhat palatable! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Port Grimaud</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I totally fell in love with the little town we stayed in as our home base for the trip. Port Grimaud is right on the coast and is a little village made up of mostly vacation homes right on the canals so people can just dock their boats right in the backyard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's an adorable little village square with a bakery and market where we'd go to get a fresh baguette every morning. And we loved having bikes to ride around the harbors, too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The little flat we rented was perfect for the trip - it has a cute little balcony that looked out over the water that of course was perfect for our breakfast feasts. I still can't figure out what makes french bread and pastries so different, but they are worlds above anything I can find here! If you know my dad, you know he loves variety when it comes to food and that's definitely what we had every morning!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The town of Grimaud is just a few minutes inland up on a hill, with an amazing old castle and a cute little town. It was such little place to discover!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Verdon Country</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On our second full day of the trip, we drove up north a couple hours into more of the mountain country and stopped off at Verdon Gorge because we had heard it was amazing. And it definitely was! I'm still amazed at the color of the water. The pictures do a pretty good job at capturing it but it's still nothing like it is in person!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We took a fun little paddle boat up the gorge and got our workout for the day. Whew! The views were stunning and we just tried to soak it in as much as we could. I mean, look at this waterfall! There was nothing lackluster about this place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Moustiers-Sainte-Marie</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just a short drive over from the lake is the little village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. I honestly had never heard about it until the night before when we were planning our driving route for the day and came across a TripAdvisor review. But this place ended up being one of my absolute favorites of the trip - a true fairy tale town in every sense of the word!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The village is perched up on limestone cliffs and hundreds of feet above in a rock canyon there's an old church and and old church. And as if it couldn't be any more picturesque, there's a stream and a waterfall that flows right through the center of the town. Like I said--a total fairy tale.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gordes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the third day of the trip, we drove east over to Provence with the goal of seeing Gordes since that was another town at the top of my list. We found some amazing views along the way through the farms.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first glimpse of Gordes was breathtaking - it's another hilltop town that seems to kind of jut out from the surrounding farmland. All of the buildings have terra cotta roofs and are building using the same color of stone. From the bottom it almost looks like the buildings are stacked on top of each other!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had a great time wandering around the streets, finding some of the best views, of course eating bread and pastries, and doing some window shopping. It was another gorgeous, sunny fall day that couldn't have been more perfect!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Provence </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From Gordes, we made our way through the countryside and did a quick stop in Goult where we found this awesome old windmill. Along the way we saw some stunning views of the vineyards and other farmland. Provence has much more of a rustic feel from the Riviera - I decided that it's kind of like the Tuscany of France. So unique and beautiful in it's own way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lourmarin</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our next stop on the drive was Loumarin, which was another town I had never heard of but apparently it's on the list of the most beautiful villages in France. It's a really cute town with an old medieval castle that's been restored and is open for tours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> We toured the castle and grounds and spent some time wandering the
streets (clearly one of our favorite things to do ;) But really, it
is!). We stuffed ourselves on bread and gawked at all of the fresh
produce at the markets. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And how dreamy are these doors??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since we were there in the early evening before
any of the restaurants were open for diner, we decided to get started on
the drive back to Port Grimaud and find a place to stop on the way for
dinner. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks to Yelp we found out that there was a top-rated crepe restaurant in Aix-en-Provence that was on our route back and it was a total gem! The city of Aix-en-Provence is the city center of the region and has much more of a Parisian feel with the streets and buildings. We pulled in right at the start of dinner so the entire city center was bustling. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">La Crepe Sautiere turned out to be totally amazing - I took pictures of the entire menu because there were crepe combinations I had never even dreamed of! We tried both savory and sweet crepes and everything was incredibly delicious. It's on my list of places to go back to for sure! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Despite only having three full days to spend touring, we certainly got to see a lot! Since our flight didn't leave till the early afternoon we had a couple hours to spend in downtown Nice for some last-minute stops before going heading to the airport. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First stop as at the famous Confisserie Florian that known for their candied fruits. My sister had stopped there lots of years ago during her 8th grade trip and wanted to go back mostly for memory's sake. It was really cool to see how they candy the fruit in the big vats and we got to sample some of it too. They even make chocolates and candies with rose and lavender! Definitely unique. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Next stop was to get my beloved macarons to bring home with me as a souvenir. Lac Patisserie is said to be one of the best in Nice and from the two minutes I spent inside the shop it was impressive for sure! And the macarons were delicious. :D</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To top it off, we were pleasantly surprised to get first class seats on the way home, too! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The view from the window leaving Nice was absolutely beautiful and obviously video-worthy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We got to see the entire coast from above and on our way up north even got some good views of Mont Blanc, the Alps, and the Matterhorn! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had a great flight back to JFK and caught the late flight back to SLC. All in all, this trip was absolutely picture perfect from start to finish! It's rare that trips like this go off without a hitch, but this one was about as seamless as it gets! It was a total dream come true for the three of us and we made so many great memories together. </span></div>
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Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-61989133490358334752015-11-25T15:21:00.000-07:002015-11-25T15:21:23.279-07:00A Quick Stop in Manhattan<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When we decided that we wanted to go to Nice for our daddy-daughter trip, we also realized there was a chance we could spend a few hours in Manhattan during our connection. By a stroke of luck (which always seems to happen when you're flying standby), Marissa and I got the last two seats on the plane to JFK and my dad was a good sport and sat in the jump seat so we could all make it there together. Red eye flights are far from my favorite, but it was worth it to make the extra stop on our trip! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our flight got in right before sunrise and my dad was (once again) a good sport to haul all of our luggage to the pilot's lounge to store for the day while we were gone. Yes, that's three suitcases, one backpack, and two handbags! Haha. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We took the train into the city and luckily because it was a Saturday we didn't have to deal with too many crowds! Our first stop was the High Line on the West Side - my dad had been there once briefly before and loved it so he wanted to show it to us. It was such a perfect fall morning and the weather was great for a walk!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was so impressed with how well-done the entire space was. The views were fantastic and the vegetation was so pretty. I was drooling over all of the modern lofts they're renovating right beside it, too. I think this would be one of my favorite walks of the city if I lived there! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> From there we took the subway down to One World Trade Center.The last time Marissa was in Manhattan was about two weeks before 9/11. The last time I had seen this place was back in 2009 when it was still mostly a giant hole in the ground. it was pretty incredible to see what it's become in the past few years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Even though I didn't know anyone personally who was involved in that day, I still remember the emotions so vividly of that day and everything that happened. Seeing all of the names engraved at the memorial pool really hit home as you realize that each one was someone's son, daughter, mother, or father and that everyone had their own unique story. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was a very touching, emotional place to say the least. I think it's a beautiful tribute to everyone who died that day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After spending some time at the grounds and the nearby church, we did a super fast walking tour of a lot of other major "hot spots" on our way back up toward central park. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">First stop: Wall Street</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next, Times Square</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Rockefeller Center</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We made our way up 5th Avenue with obligatory stops at the American Girl store, Tiffany & Co., and the Apple store. Then we had just a few extra minutes to walk around Central Park.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNNoOflsklJJ_NN2CkjnGTsWUv330XlTJ1Zjb3Pjtg3nMiHqzi-xF-Fa0RjZBhyIAxRUucMQpGlM_9pLk_mmduvrkWUOx8KytzquVdovONcvdnhjW3EJ2jVPH3cY2H2M1BmNX5U18d94/s1600/IMG_8842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNNoOflsklJJ_NN2CkjnGTsWUv330XlTJ1Zjb3Pjtg3nMiHqzi-xF-Fa0RjZBhyIAxRUucMQpGlM_9pLk_mmduvrkWUOx8KytzquVdovONcvdnhjW3EJ2jVPH3cY2H2M1BmNX5U18d94/s640/IMG_8842.JPG" width="512" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All in all, we walked about 8 miles and by the end of the afternoon our feet were definitely feeling it! It was so fun to get a quick glimpse of the city again and it was a great way to kick off the trip! </span></div>
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Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-62112246732517670332015-04-15T21:29:00.000-06:002015-09-06T21:32:20.090-06:00Atlanta, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back in high school I used to travel with my dad on his work trips quite a bit. I did mostly online classes my senior year and it wasn't too uncommon for me to pick up and leave for a few days to join him on his 24-hour layovers in Europe. Shortly after I graduated, my dad moved up to captain on the Boeing 777 and I had been dreaming of joining him on another trip (with Nick this time!) ever since! So you can imagine how happy I was when the stars started aligning for Nick's spring break to line up with my dad's rare two-day layover in Dubai. I went to Dubai with my family before we were engaged and had been wanting to go there with Nick for years. It's the type of place you have to see to believe! This was a pretty last-minute trip, but such a dream come true and oh so worth it!</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>First stop: Atlanta</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Even though my dad lives in Utah, he technically has to commute to Atlanta to get to work. His plane covers all of the long haul flights to places like Tokyo, Johannesburg, Sydney, and obviously Dubai. Because of the crazy commute, my dad has a "crash pad" near the airport in Atlanta as is common with a lot of commuter pilots and we were excited to get to spend a day with him around his stomping grounds of the city.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomlY-nAHqzqEmMc-aPc1xeCgg37mmMisUpf5c4OcPC480i-An5DRs2b1e4ovBzZXtUoGwOAN05sJW4fH19uXsRM1yx4y4A7o6vBkuxHudG1QUzNcP9QWcii2DvTbMchmnxQkSJ_PdC-o/s1600/IMG_6526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomlY-nAHqzqEmMc-aPc1xeCgg37mmMisUpf5c4OcPC480i-An5DRs2b1e4ovBzZXtUoGwOAN05sJW4fH19uXsRM1yx4y4A7o6vBkuxHudG1QUzNcP9QWcii2DvTbMchmnxQkSJ_PdC-o/s640/IMG_6526.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">We flew in bright and early on the red eye from Phoenix, took a quick nap, and made our first stop at Waffle House. Because you can't visit Atlanta without going to Waffle House!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">From there we took MARTA into downtown Atlanta to go to the Coke factory. Nick had been before back when he was a teenager, but despite being born in Atlanta, I've never really spent much time in the city! We had a fun afternoon touring the museum and of course tasting all of the sodas from across the world.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">My dad's flight left that evening so we got to the airport with plenty of time to get to see him do his pre-flight.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CN03YCIOY8EsTsPR3bbiiq0VIO4qbr4ECISI0Heq-hgca65bfC47f8qGceQ3gdoJslVkEnpYFqnK4qjtbHdTeh3Ur4NfjAvGCfU5dNzLzgPoMd5u5EXvsxNqe9cEPrvfAFGNPqjH9Nw/s1600/IMG_6545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CN03YCIOY8EsTsPR3bbiiq0VIO4qbr4ECISI0Heq-hgca65bfC47f8qGceQ3gdoJslVkEnpYFqnK4qjtbHdTeh3Ur4NfjAvGCfU5dNzLzgPoMd5u5EXvsxNqe9cEPrvfAFGNPqjH9Nw/s640/IMG_6545.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfDO4pvwomuIKLsfJM00cj1mpZZdoAJqYDL1r72XnMV0R5rl7B3pdnKbfqzXk7fq79w4o9BfwYHfqiqHi3ZegnRAJMQpCJIW21Wxl-oJPi025cNHs4QJzHnlcDbyE0pkWfFzNT5tNGVg/s640/IMG_6560.JPG" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">And we also got the VIP tour of the pilot rest quarters that are up a little staircase toward the front of the plane.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdU-OkWkH7rZYTsfeEG1pHWs4yIAAFEXqj-11jqYvYu9FZAexaDw4udegxSv2t4n_ZT3J8zPiGa83FcaIXHAlPjA-LozpO-nohpYO41QLoim6jGi_AknFs8CIOhJXWba8UWnA_X1_bMLM/s1600/IMG_6632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdU-OkWkH7rZYTsfeEG1pHWs4yIAAFEXqj-11jqYvYu9FZAexaDw4udegxSv2t4n_ZT3J8zPiGa83FcaIXHAlPjA-LozpO-nohpYO41QLoim6jGi_AknFs8CIOhJXWba8UWnA_X1_bMLM/s640/IMG_6632.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">We settled in for the loooong flight which actually didn't turn out to be that bad. We got to see my dad during his rest breaks and as the cherry on top, got to be there for one of his landing, too!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">We arrived in Dubai an entire day later with the time change and got to the hotel around 9pm. We got to ride the crew bus to the hotel and had a fun time getting to know the other pilots and flight attendants. The crew hotel is the JW Marriott near Dubai Creek and they certainly do luxury in true Dubai fashion.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkY-NkaPswEAIMV7E08JtZGKlrfPqlgNHNOdJ5Up-hwVxv8tcaD_TOhmjPqM613ZqLxWKqlMwFI-uHBJHSzjB7T3O7UM5xevOWRfpjC2nnC_4LqsWa_JkU3cu4NfGiUUAe5yIM42lg5Gc/s1600/IMG_6566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkY-NkaPswEAIMV7E08JtZGKlrfPqlgNHNOdJ5Up-hwVxv8tcaD_TOhmjPqM613ZqLxWKqlMwFI-uHBJHSzjB7T3O7UM5xevOWRfpjC2nnC_4LqsWa_JkU3cu4NfGiUUAe5yIM42lg5Gc/s640/IMG_6566.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovB46sgH1VZoQKVEg2Xnulcr11B9xL6Nv3T45Ni-3z7YVCrHE-4KmOuG1PHOhXmGQUuDYF6rXtsmHxvhs1px-gcj3QZEqZpxEs4NU6fSXYbv4dp668QPShl67UKSpdFXK2Qfn2gufH9w/s1600/IMG_6569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovB46sgH1VZoQKVEg2Xnulcr11B9xL6Nv3T45Ni-3z7YVCrHE-4KmOuG1PHOhXmGQUuDYF6rXtsmHxvhs1px-gcj3QZEqZpxEs4NU6fSXYbv4dp668QPShl67UKSpdFXK2Qfn2gufH9w/s640/IMG_6569.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">As is tradition with the Dubai flight crew, everyone usually gets together in the evening to mingle and relax over a few beers. We're of course not drinkers, but we did have a good time hearing the story about the flight crew's "football"... aka the beer cooler that gets passed around through the rotating crews that come in every day. Purchasing alcohol in Dubai on the street technically isn't legal, so the incoming pilots buy their drinks from duty-free in the airport and give the hotel staff a little extra tip to keep it until the next crew cycles through a couple hours later. Hilarious.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pkp86J6Tj2ZZD03LSzWG2VhQqSqeES0R86yoKF7NxhrFxzU-Kpe1rPpo76BY9OKVdw7XLJW8u15HvOBQX9n-CKunFKrNPKT0v90dYFV-sIIAUU4IWMTVHvNEpi1zodM65059qNkuMF0/s1600/IMG_5095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pkp86J6Tj2ZZD03LSzWG2VhQqSqeES0R86yoKF7NxhrFxzU-Kpe1rPpo76BY9OKVdw7XLJW8u15HvOBQX9n-CKunFKrNPKT0v90dYFV-sIIAUU4IWMTVHvNEpi1zodM65059qNkuMF0/s640/IMG_5095.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">This particular night was unique because with the time change and scheduling changes, there were two crews of four pilots in the hotel on the same night for their two-d<span style="text-align: center;">ay layovers. Nick and I had a great time listing to all the "pilot talk" up in the room for a while, and then two other pilots from my dad's crew took us to one of their favorite restaurants for dinner...at about 11 pm.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41zF0yS29Jhw3Z51BtaBgE6ySCXgPQtHDcY68-c69QwcN2CjEzNHG8-tfv-RnCeqSwv8-JCfLIctwb7Gz90vaXRY5NWTTHe1I4P1E3YVKLSFAwIZ8tkpfEnD8oMF1s5N56K7hgVebo_s/s1600/IMG_6571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41zF0yS29Jhw3Z51BtaBgE6ySCXgPQtHDcY68-c69QwcN2CjEzNHG8-tfv-RnCeqSwv8-JCfLIctwb7Gz90vaXRY5NWTTHe1I4P1E3YVKLSFAwIZ8tkpfEnD8oMF1s5N56K7hgVebo_s/s640/IMG_6571.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">It was about a 15 minute walk to the restaurant into a very residential part of town. A good portion of Dubai's population are male migrant workers who leave their families in countries like India and Pakistan to work in Dubai for 11 months out of the year as taxi drivers, construction workers, etc. I'm not kidding when I say I was the only female in sight the entire night! I never felt unsafe in the least, but it was really interesting to see the demographics of the "real" Dubai outside of the glitz and glamour.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6p-D7ji4omb5lTrzvhyphenhyphen6ZmqpGbLebXoEiQqMTy-4HtxlGQz9BaxZL7gI_EGE06nePmG5_Sso-Hm59OW3zquiVPlC-2hFA-s82rMaChRdKy783S7_ixjtjCR99tFeDh6EXq_2a_qKvsBo/s1600/IMG_5096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6p-D7ji4omb5lTrzvhyphenhyphen6ZmqpGbLebXoEiQqMTy-4HtxlGQz9BaxZL7gI_EGE06nePmG5_Sso-Hm59OW3zquiVPlC-2hFA-s82rMaChRdKy783S7_ixjtjCR99tFeDh6EXq_2a_qKvsBo/s640/IMG_5096.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">The Eagle restaurant is well known with the pilot crews as a place where you can get great food for super cheap. They certainly gave us a feast! Everything was soooo delicious and the servers were so incredibly nice. It was packed with locals and served a mix of Indian/Pakistani food. We were also the only people there using utensils! All the locals use their hand and flat bread to scoop up the food.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYtJt1Rc_gbyGhxc5YXC7HoQBSUFVGWm4SZ4tNKIxTMA1pnI4udGOW90s-zvoFWJfPTVE6e1-brXE54RG2nGu1n9NzTrr77u-ttT61Z3phgpjt8WP1H0suqWGjdKcJyjEbJ_T8ZtWuBA/s1600/IMG_6573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYtJt1Rc_gbyGhxc5YXC7HoQBSUFVGWm4SZ4tNKIxTMA1pnI4udGOW90s-zvoFWJfPTVE6e1-brXE54RG2nGu1n9NzTrr77u-ttT61Z3phgpjt8WP1H0suqWGjdKcJyjEbJ_T8ZtWuBA/s640/IMG_6573.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bGvotHroypk" width="420"></iframe></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">By the time we were done eating it was about 1am and our heads were spinning from lack of sleep. We hit the pillow with heavy eyes and full stomachs!</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">The next day we took the train and a taxi to Dubai Mall, which when I was there 5 years ago was just barely opening and hardly had any stores. Today, it's the world's largest mall (because, of course, Dubai always has to have the biggest and the best of everything) and is practically the new city center. It's right beneath the Burj Khalifa, which is, you guessed it, the world's largest skyscraper. It was still under construction when I was visiting last so it was awesome to see it in its full glory!</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">I'm not kidding when I say it was a serious feat to get a picture of the entire thing in just one frame! It really is an incredible sight.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">We had a few hours to spend around town before we headed back to the hotel for our desert tour we were taking that evening. I had been on one of these with my family before but for Nick's sake, it was an absolute must this trip. And it was worth it! We drove through the famous sand dunes and spent the evening at a mock-up Bedouin camp with dinner and a show. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Our second day in Dubai we had time to explore all the sights we didn't get to see the first day. We took the sky train to the other side of the city and got to see some great 360 views of the new and old city. There are still just as many cranes as I remember! That place is CONSTANTLY under construction. We hit up Mall of the Emirates, checked out Ski Dubai (although we didn't ski this time around), gawked at the amazing cars and incredibly expensive designer merchandise, and basked in the amazing scents and perfumes that infiltrate practically every department store (in a good way of course). We like to joke that you can "smell" Dubai from the minute you arrive in the airport because everyone who lives there always wears the most amazing scents. They take their perfumes seriously! Oh, and of course there are amazing cars everywhere you look. Especially at the malls. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">We took a taxi over to the Dubai Miracle Garden because I had seen pictures of it that looked really cool. We underestimated how hot it would be walking around in the noon-day sun, but it was a pretty impressive sight to see. Soooooo many flowers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Then we headed over to the Burj Al Arab which of course is another must-see in Dubai. They don't let tourists on the grounds unless you have a reservation, but maybe one day we'll go inside if we're willing to fork out the $3,500 per night for one of their standard rooms ;) Yeah, right!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcui8iFh_TE_e7ZiKvtg7sgtwqcFabWW9IDuTzIywlBHhPvlSj4LKD87ThCo-pldniZYXhCXqA3uIQt9hNrOFxJczl1iSKzXwaOhgg75J8YFT8FaTqxFNCJM0lu2rVKRQ9ZyVUKojgR9s/s1600/IMG_5199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcui8iFh_TE_e7ZiKvtg7sgtwqcFabWW9IDuTzIywlBHhPvlSj4LKD87ThCo-pldniZYXhCXqA3uIQt9hNrOFxJczl1iSKzXwaOhgg75J8YFT8FaTqxFNCJM0lu2rVKRQ9ZyVUKojgR9s/s640/IMG_5199.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Even while being in the midst of the city, it was hard to fathom that even just 50 years ago it was hardly even on the map. The locals were Bedouins and date farmers who practically lived off the land. And today it's one of the wealthiest places in the world and is practically dripping in money. Other than the beach, the natural landscape and climate doesn't really tourists much to do, so they've instead created their own attractions like 7-star hotels, insane shopping malls, indoor ski hills, massive water parks, etc. It's quite the place!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTF4zd2trToQUuy8Y4q6Vlx_AyVDP7jLEUaeSyxPXw4_EIGvdshyFg0yR9KUlfmRrcY6jr2oyGrJ0NbQf6cQa49FouHpznWOhWYR-qXynbtQUdPlFQgzcl21nykmWZOeYiBK24uM6btbs/s1600/IMG_6815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTF4zd2trToQUuy8Y4q6Vlx_AyVDP7jLEUaeSyxPXw4_EIGvdshyFg0yR9KUlfmRrcY6jr2oyGrJ0NbQf6cQa49FouHpznWOhWYR-qXynbtQUdPlFQgzcl21nykmWZOeYiBK24uM6btbs/s640/IMG_6815.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">My dad's flight left that night so we headed back to the hotel in the late afternoon so he could get some rest and get ready to go. We sent him off with his crew and although it was sad to have to say goodbye, it really was a dream come true for the both of us to really see him in his element at work and in a foreign city. It's an experience we'll never forget!</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">It was our last night in Dubai so we wanted to make it back to Dubai Mall for the fountain show. It's like the Bellagio in Vegas but on steroids. Of course, it's the largest fountain show in the world... because it's Dubai. Haha. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Since Friday is the holy day in Dubai, Thursday night is essentially their weekend when everyone comes out in hoards to the mall with their friends and family. It made for some fantastic people watching! There are lots of groups of Emiratis out in their traditional dress of black and white gowns, but also tons of expats and tourists from practically every continent and dozens of cultures. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQqgM3rjQ9PDg-9TJkRlHfkfuNQDlcSd7h1rg1UE0Q_PqwKJkLGEJYmq12rcAMD2w0lqlRTOCGv0r3p4olu35QTo77deDjd92EEqExvXyOs8BUA0uZ5rUERdxVFn9nh3fa9wej3GNewk/s1600/IMG_6799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQqgM3rjQ9PDg-9TJkRlHfkfuNQDlcSd7h1rg1UE0Q_PqwKJkLGEJYmq12rcAMD2w0lqlRTOCGv0r3p4olu35QTo77deDjd92EEqExvXyOs8BUA0uZ5rUERdxVFn9nh3fa9wej3GNewk/s640/IMG_6799.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">We found a fun little French restaurant with a patio that overlooked the fountain show and the Burj. The view was totally worth the cost of our overpriced dessert ;)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeXr0oGGMcgFwluif0eXrt0ZhKtBWjodN_xk75DsCeeC1iyHQCADizYYQK38DaHsjnsl5RXZ_loz9xtYDMjY0o5tlR6NQxJFRuQ4E-1USh3p86yI1rnZL69VB7EtIrtPNrpSzMNIo3bQ/s1600/IMG_6804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeXr0oGGMcgFwluif0eXrt0ZhKtBWjodN_xk75DsCeeC1iyHQCADizYYQK38DaHsjnsl5RXZ_loz9xtYDMjY0o5tlR6NQxJFRuQ4E-1USh3p86yI1rnZL69VB7EtIrtPNrpSzMNIo3bQ/s640/IMG_6804.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">On Friday we ventured over to Abu Dhabi which is about a two hour drive away from Dubai. The bus system is awesome between the two cities and we had no problem finding our way to and from the stations. This was my first time in Abu Dhabi and our main reason for going was to see Nick's friend and former mission companion Isael Goncalves. Isael grew up in Brazil and moved to Dubai a few years ago. He now works in Abu Dhabi at the Rosewood hotel, which is one of the newest, super modern hotels in Abu Dhabi. It. Is. Amazing! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqDbFDYdU6sCmp5NttUOrqRaz0V6LmldVU7YBwsn8k0S-phB8qF_AZDD1C9pHuuZZ1KnKpT6cL2BPb3L_CngAogQ58ZjdQOHDBk-flnQcnzY5cNl5j9Ij8wst3zUm5x1ff9_bGUpYMK4/s1600/IMG_5246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqDbFDYdU6sCmp5NttUOrqRaz0V6LmldVU7YBwsn8k0S-phB8qF_AZDD1C9pHuuZZ1KnKpT6cL2BPb3L_CngAogQ58ZjdQOHDBk-flnQcnzY5cNl5j9Ij8wst3zUm5x1ff9_bGUpYMK4/s640/IMG_5246.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">These two hadn't seen each other for 10 years and I had heard so much about him from Nick's mission stories. Isael seriously is one of the nicest people I've ever met, and he pampered us from the minute we got into town... starting with a deluxe brunch on the patio! </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">We knew Isael was in the event planning industry but what we didn't know is that he's one of the best sommeliers in the Middle East! He's the head sommelier for the hotel, which means he's in charge of all of the wine lists and purchasing for all of their gourmet restaurants, and he entertains all the VIPs who dine there. We heard stories about everyone from Emirati Sheikhs to the princess of Jordan! We quickly learned that he's a kind of a big deal around the hotel, but he'd never tell you that himself. Every employee around the hotel knows him and raves about how great he is!</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Isael hooked us up with some incredible employee discounts including an amazing room. We are normally very budget travelers so this place was incredible to us! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Everything in the room was controlled by the iPad... curtains, lights, TV, speakers, you name it. Nick had way too much fun opening and closing the curtains at the touch of a button. Haha. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJsIH2c6elLGoUjRtPLwtC8Q4yeQTpfH1JR6Vbg_lPnUsYMRbTRHpF7-ggX37VNnBK4cNRCmXCZR8o92Y_8hJNaDjP0ZgcI0NRfEUma9wyfUYhbxcyo1AcjZxuUhmhoXAjClUQlIhz4s/s1600/IMG_6854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJsIH2c6elLGoUjRtPLwtC8Q4yeQTpfH1JR6Vbg_lPnUsYMRbTRHpF7-ggX37VNnBK4cNRCmXCZR8o92Y_8hJNaDjP0ZgcI0NRfEUma9wyfUYhbxcyo1AcjZxuUhmhoXAjClUQlIhz4s/s640/IMG_6854.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">And as if the day couldn't get any better, Isael and his friends in the hotel spa hooked us up with an amazing afternoon of treatments because he knew it was our anniversary weekend. We had a Cleopatra milk bath in an incredible Carrara marble bath and steam shower room. THEN a couples massage. We were in heaven! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> Later that night, Isael took us over to the Yas Marina where we had dinner overlooking the yacht club and F-1 circuit. We didn't fork out to drive Ferarris on the track this time although I'm sure Nick was dreaming of it the entire night :)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">We walked through the famous Yas Viceroy hotel and watched the cars on the track for a while. It was fun to actually be at the place you see on TV all the time! </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">The next day on Saturday we visited this incredible place:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Sheikh Zayed Mosque is definitely the crown jewel of the UAE and it was just as incredible as everyone says it is! It is incredibly massive, gleaming white, and is opulent in every way. the amount of detail put into this place is truly remarkable!</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">They request that all women are covered when visiting the mosque so before you enter the grounds, you're given a traditional abaya and hijab. It was kind of fun to try out for a few hours but oh boy, it was hot! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">We took a guided tour and learned so many neat things about this place...everything from religious symbols to the details of construction. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">This place opened in 2007 and took 11 years to build. Its entire facade is marble, with 1096 columns on the outside and 96 inside in the prayer hall. All of them are inlaid with different colored marble and mother of pearl. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">The chandeliers are massive and made by Swarovski (of course). The largest one on the right is 33 feet wide and 49 feet tall!</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlaX1_afMUN6Rvf62Mhn-aHh1ZhyBWrFP2XKUb6jALZ5BvCsJWC2F_jOyX6YE6fMBckOZhDG7lWJ0OoG0j8DJzZbL8buQuus82XmeMNR8UChhYDDFm6eb_isBdA8jY_Knx-7i7h-0baQ/s1600/IMG_5318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlaX1_afMUN6Rvf62Mhn-aHh1ZhyBWrFP2XKUb6jALZ5BvCsJWC2F_jOyX6YE6fMBckOZhDG7lWJ0OoG0j8DJzZbL8buQuus82XmeMNR8UChhYDDFm6eb_isBdA8jY_Knx-7i7h-0baQ/s400/IMG_5318.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5c28UJEcoLkIt-GC8WPTfAXan8dG-rMA21_IHlzpJ95eYcBKpPTVcZirBAQTwuqWfqg4HptkL1OOK9lijNs07QQHa4mhYYPwMlAa2705BB4l995BZ39sPpUP_2PJzaqyM9xQ-RpMiVOs/s1600/IMG_5299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5c28UJEcoLkIt-GC8WPTfAXan8dG-rMA21_IHlzpJ95eYcBKpPTVcZirBAQTwuqWfqg4HptkL1OOK9lijNs07QQHa4mhYYPwMlAa2705BB4l995BZ39sPpUP_2PJzaqyM9xQ-RpMiVOs/s400/IMG_5299.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">The carpet inside the prayer hall is said to be the world's largest carpet. It took about 1,200 people two years to make it by hand! All in all, they say the entire building cost close to 1 billion dollars to complete. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMyLPo1CA-6M7YKl1j5CfvDZznmEkXcOpnsS0ihI6LiC2hzSDvrE3KKuRw8Lfpqa2i4bGdBTLfdaDV0GEB41nfvB3YWTlYHnugQ-ao6Y-FqtQlHyOvreSbNFZ5Rbkz4J0fySlD5IqakM/s1600/IMG_5311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMyLPo1CA-6M7YKl1j5CfvDZznmEkXcOpnsS0ihI6LiC2hzSDvrE3KKuRw8Lfpqa2i4bGdBTLfdaDV0GEB41nfvB3YWTlYHnugQ-ao6Y-FqtQlHyOvreSbNFZ5Rbkz4J0fySlD5IqakM/s640/IMG_5311.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">The inner courtyard is kept meticulously clean (which is a big task with all the dust and sand in the air) and is almost blinding to look at because it's so white! </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">I loved learning more about Islam and seeing firsthand one of their most holy places. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAL-xH4lbp7biriPXny_wjNgQmgFwJxjL2M2zAuHSrbVn-VUF4Hu5KCo1R6I6cOAg_SDDzyTyOsZBVJuNUzAl5vrFL6sSZXBTXib_UkZpARumbbm2Mp7ifM2VJpecFOJIXGqEg0qnJ5eE/s1600/IMG_6894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAL-xH4lbp7biriPXny_wjNgQmgFwJxjL2M2zAuHSrbVn-VUF4Hu5KCo1R6I6cOAg_SDDzyTyOsZBVJuNUzAl5vrFL6sSZXBTXib_UkZpARumbbm2Mp7ifM2VJpecFOJIXGqEg0qnJ5eE/s640/IMG_6894.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">After that we stopped by the Souk mall in Abu Dhabi for a delicious Lebanese lunch at Tarbouche Al Basha. The skewers and mint shakes were to die for! Isael has great taste in food! </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">And because flying standby comes with a predictable level of unpredictability, we decided to stay an extra night at the Rosewood because flights filled up back Atlanta at the last minute. But it worked out because we actually got to celebrate our anniversary at a fabulous hotel instead of on the plane!</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Isael took us on a tour of the brand new Cleveland Clinic that literally opened its doors the week before we got there. Since the hotel is just across the street from the hospital, Isael was involved in a lot of the opening events as well as entertaining all of the U.S. doctors that they hired on at the hotel. This place was absolutely stunning. I mean, have you ever seen a hospital with marble inlay floors??</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGns3FW_V0cDwv_rjMb-hGQkjHVJzLb7IQK7XYOwuSoMEv_jjRF1bHWbWlyltWtuUU63WJGz9LP9HYnrBOca1VHGieVvHSBZU-g9d9A0EsFTRAyvKiZvJOVu90atq6O_sOzUaoOfymnM/s1600/IMG_5310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGns3FW_V0cDwv_rjMb-hGQkjHVJzLb7IQK7XYOwuSoMEv_jjRF1bHWbWlyltWtuUU63WJGz9LP9HYnrBOca1VHGieVvHSBZU-g9d9A0EsFTRAyvKiZvJOVu90atq6O_sOzUaoOfymnM/s640/IMG_5310.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing by the pool. And that night the Rosewood staff sent up a delicious chocolate cake for us and we spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing by the pool. An anniversary well spent! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhForEgjQRURvzHdQh-2CWn1eCkhpnIDmOFMTPURmEmC3va6w3s7aOOc02R2l30iHrHYNkLdkAJ3wOke4QfxHq1PN9CeYXyNr3E5kHHjU-UFhB5M4kYHqhEgaJioI-_dG2bcHv8TS_tDio/s1600/IMG_6895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhForEgjQRURvzHdQh-2CWn1eCkhpnIDmOFMTPURmEmC3va6w3s7aOOc02R2l30iHrHYNkLdkAJ3wOke4QfxHq1PN9CeYXyNr3E5kHHjU-UFhB5M4kYHqhEgaJioI-_dG2bcHv8TS_tDio/s640/IMG_6895.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">The next morning we enjoyed one last delicious breakfast in the buffet room:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-neoZUca_n04JRN39ztKMejlFUMoXiBTqGPI0JzpD5xbjf_pWOwI377-8aLNltCNNUbN5Z8wb-frtNOYhtbfQRShRwf9LOkkMOwkpaHClVrZFY7Njp4Tvx9p9I4FRbG1uKj0FY2eLe64/s1600/IMG_5324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-neoZUca_n04JRN39ztKMejlFUMoXiBTqGPI0JzpD5xbjf_pWOwI377-8aLNltCNNUbN5Z8wb-frtNOYhtbfQRShRwf9LOkkMOwkpaHClVrZFY7Njp4Tvx9p9I4FRbG1uKj0FY2eLe64/s640/IMG_5324.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">I can say that was probably the first time I've ever had breakfast underneath a crystal chandelier with actual honeycomb on my plate! Amazing in every way! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_tLRstVPWY3pye92WuDCzAeULukwMcf8m-l0R-L0LmrcABnzhcu-sy1XuHh4sqQYo8e0NTNABPFQtS1OZpacaFeklCqAClgUiO3uXnqNFi20QAgwVbyMTPMOvoBaQB4xFM8EGvmCVao/s1600/IMG_6900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_tLRstVPWY3pye92WuDCzAeULukwMcf8m-l0R-L0LmrcABnzhcu-sy1XuHh4sqQYo8e0NTNABPFQtS1OZpacaFeklCqAClgUiO3uXnqNFi20QAgwVbyMTPMOvoBaQB4xFM8EGvmCVao/s400/IMG_6900.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_IDxWSWdNyHLh45QTQKfpMWBReLlUlxfxAY8c79nWGgR_XqvgeGvht40nwb3_8kEnouf1hpTqpzW8ICPewXY7QJgU71UvUPLfF_jGJaGb8rb9mwd_8ABDhsD2n5x9w_mm72vIgB6bfg/s1600/IMG_6899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_IDxWSWdNyHLh45QTQKfpMWBReLlUlxfxAY8c79nWGgR_XqvgeGvht40nwb3_8kEnouf1hpTqpzW8ICPewXY7QJgU71UvUPLfF_jGJaGb8rb9mwd_8ABDhsD2n5x9w_mm72vIgB6bfg/s400/IMG_6899.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSYDV7idoEUMbj_jbqml4I7BVKlyLFU8dz9OFdRxHDnFxS3SBl_RoNydVpL36Cl_rb_AAHaf9kA7L8tJlsMHfEFvvPwdAO84ySWq1lL3KaBRx23YzKDGvuKWrYNtq38vNlX9xne6SKa8/s1600/IMG_5328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSYDV7idoEUMbj_jbqml4I7BVKlyLFU8dz9OFdRxHDnFxS3SBl_RoNydVpL36Cl_rb_AAHaf9kA7L8tJlsMHfEFvvPwdAO84ySWq1lL3KaBRx23YzKDGvuKWrYNtq38vNlX9xne6SKa8/s640/IMG_5328.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">And then we said goodbye to our dear friend Isael who was the best host we could have asked for! We're already looking forward to the next excuse we have to visit him in Abu Dhabi! </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">We started our long (and what turned out to be very complex) journey home, beginning with the bus ride back to Dubai. To make a long story short, after missing the first flight back to Atlanta, we spent an extra night in Dubai and ended up buying Nick a one-way ticket on Emirates the next morning so he could get back for school. I spent the following day in Dubai by myself at the hotel, and went back to the airport that night to try for the next Delta flight.... which I didn't get on. Hmpf. Thanks to my brother Aaron and the ITA Matrix, he found me a one-way ticket back to Phoenix via Gulf Air for an incredible price (given the fact that I purchased it at the ticket desk). It took me through Bahrain (yes, Bahrain!), Frankfurt, and Dallas, but it got me home the next day! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">It was quite the trek, but now I can say I've been to a country that few other people have in the Middle East... even if it was only for a couple hours ;)</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">All in all, this was an incredible trip from start to finish and it was a true adventure in every sense of the word! We got to check a lot of things off of our bucket list and made so many amazing memories. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-33535714078533825612014-08-10T22:00:00.000-06:002015-09-06T21:30:14.856-06:00Our Thailand Adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our summer trip to Thailand was an adventure in every sense of the word! It was a unique blend of touring and vacationing in a part of the world that both of us were so unfamiliar with. It was the first time for both of us to Asia and certainly won't be our last! We made so many memories on this trip and learned so much about ourselves as well as this new corner of the world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Getting There</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My dad has spent a lot of time in Asia for work and had been to Thailand before, so we convinced him to come with us for the first part of our trip (okay, it didn't take too much convincing) so he could help us navigate the chaos of Bangkok. And we are SO glad he did. My dad is the ultimate traveler and I don't think we would have survived in that city without him! My little brother Scott had some time off work and came with us for a few days, too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We left Salt Lake and had a layover in Minneapolis, where we had fun hearing all of my dad's stories of his days working as a ramp rat there in the 1970's. Nick and I were also particularly excited to ride on our first 747! The wait was well worth it and we were lucky enough to get some awesome seats thanks to my dad's employee perks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCncFWANyfUSfXvaloBTMLTk2uS2_oyQP1ffij1ELRjsSMLf27dnx9ymGWThedt3RLPsyNlWsCzDERDgSmZbhCAjENGQH0Mzp3FjOZaOa0b00t8yRR6BNnr7C51FIIChbd1gldx057YeE/s1600/Thailand+%252860%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCncFWANyfUSfXvaloBTMLTk2uS2_oyQP1ffij1ELRjsSMLf27dnx9ymGWThedt3RLPsyNlWsCzDERDgSmZbhCAjENGQH0Mzp3FjOZaOa0b00t8yRR6BNnr7C51FIIChbd1gldx057YeE/s400/Thailand+%252860%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvfR9J467_NX4wfAVRBvBtho9CVfHVfDZRzke4xqe3W8bQa-DfJ7hiJOmRTxlrkHNjBEI7PcdtyCkVzwoTVTId9S3aaIuDSxTdqqOxSyadAPRgYQGpiUQe0G9DGrJwEt0nPY_lhMgdZk/s1600/Thailand+%252861%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvfR9J467_NX4wfAVRBvBtho9CVfHVfDZRzke4xqe3W8bQa-DfJ7hiJOmRTxlrkHNjBEI7PcdtyCkVzwoTVTId9S3aaIuDSxTdqqOxSyadAPRgYQGpiUQe0G9DGrJwEt0nPY_lhMgdZk/s400/Thailand+%252861%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not hard to see that it was a pretty awesome 10+ hour flight ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had a few hours to layover at the Tokyo Narita airport. We saw some awesome views of the Japanese landscape flying in and had fun exploring the airport. My dad likes to refer to Japan as "the Switzerland of Asia" because everything is so neat, clean, and organized. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We got into Bangkok late at night and took a taxi into the city. It was HOT and HUMID. I'm pretty accustomed to heat with living in Arizona, but humidity is a whole other story! My dad found us rooms at the Adelphi Hotel where he had stayed a few years before. The rooms were great and it was in a really convenient part of town just a few blocks away from a sky metro stop. We got a good night's sleep before our first long day in the city. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 1 </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We spent our first day in Bangkok seeing all the major tourist sites and started out with a river tour instead of taking a taxi downtown. It was definitely a unique way to see parts of the city that were off the beaten path as well as living conditions that are hard to fathom without seeing them. It was my first glimpse into the extreme dichotomy that exists in this city between uber rich and uber poor. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31UrdcvrsLmcSKDy0iltC_RA8Ct830xfqKNnvjkA5CG1qmh7X8QI-YFZQGKrmpuozM3cse_Dg6kReE7BAY0dUdSOBzO4DSPdSnlx7sGInvuJfh4tOzeYBxw1rdmod4J59J4rhm_4vDhg/s1600/Thai5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31UrdcvrsLmcSKDy0iltC_RA8Ct830xfqKNnvjkA5CG1qmh7X8QI-YFZQGKrmpuozM3cse_Dg6kReE7BAY0dUdSOBzO4DSPdSnlx7sGInvuJfh4tOzeYBxw1rdmod4J59J4rhm_4vDhg/s640/Thai5.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our first stop was Wat Arun in the older part of the city. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_z76pN3Msh7OilEHJR0VM83gaS47r1DnhB3G3gDp7QWgov0CN-TONq4nMg4m_mo5uwulrdPcnWpFcshtmEC6txylqEuLhXGV0mcom8OcMVbCNTAqtV1Yh0J1RCPFr13OAOFPyRXG7Zk/s1600/Thai9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_z76pN3Msh7OilEHJR0VM83gaS47r1DnhB3G3gDp7QWgov0CN-TONq4nMg4m_mo5uwulrdPcnWpFcshtmEC6txylqEuLhXGV0mcom8OcMVbCNTAqtV1Yh0J1RCPFr13OAOFPyRXG7Zk/s640/Thai9.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't realize until we got up close to the temple how intricate the exterior design is. It's covered in small, colorful pieces of porcelain and seashells in different floral and geometrical designs. It's really incredible! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We climbed to the tip via an insanely steep staircase that definitely wouldn't pass code in the U.S. ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But from the top we were able to see some pretty awesome views of the city. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKstlAUbllhipdjE3h-u2pFwztc2HmUZ8ZtxzXsMNVQUJlk6bjpH9U9Fzc1Cof8yTM699VacrGgB9P-0iQBUVOI98cp-x2KPnXBJq-c3X__hKGrTo2LQhjkQAqDEUHYBdE0rUX8-XiAak/s1600/Thailand+%252820%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKstlAUbllhipdjE3h-u2pFwztc2HmUZ8ZtxzXsMNVQUJlk6bjpH9U9Fzc1Cof8yTM699VacrGgB9P-0iQBUVOI98cp-x2KPnXBJq-c3X__hKGrTo2LQhjkQAqDEUHYBdE0rUX8-XiAak/s400/Thailand+%252820%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6ukBczAUVrc5Dc3NXz-rx3n1hkJ4N1n6oLC6atPyYoB3_Q9VubAD0wci2vfY-jdPLo7UtZuvltihGzFfexolqmxafhdc0eAyiUrWIFOExmcTDsKqc674-L8K5c3J_y4f6I_dsWKby1I/s1600/IMG_3632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6ukBczAUVrc5Dc3NXz-rx3n1hkJ4N1n6oLC6atPyYoB3_Q9VubAD0wci2vfY-jdPLo7UtZuvltihGzFfexolqmxafhdc0eAyiUrWIFOExmcTDsKqc674-L8K5c3J_y4f6I_dsWKby1I/s400/IMG_3632.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, and did I mention it was HOT? I don't think the sweat stopped pouring down my face until we got back to the hotel that night. Haha. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From Wat Arun, we crossed the river on the ferry again and headed over to the Grand Palace, which is the more modern religious and royal center of the city. The king doesn't live here anymore, but it's still used for important events. We took a guided tour of the grounds and learned so many neat things about its history and about Buddhism in general. Out of respect, they ask visitors to cover their legs so the men wear rented pants and the women wear skirts. I thought mine looked really cool but again... the heat was killer! Luckily they had umbrellas on hand for us to use for some shade. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every part of this place was just gleaming with gold and jewels. It's amazing! And also hard to fathom the number of man hours that went into constructing and designing this place. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfodNKpUhE9ZF6FZBAjWelcXI4h19xZM0JtmStVVI6zEyzbZGnLCteRY4BbJLdjSrRaPm05ZecfFQJbStegYqiu5dpcPS-rIFkmd0dJzqGCfarUhrvwq9KdX3H_wXvC6QPBNaWjksktc/s1600/Thailand+%252839%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfodNKpUhE9ZF6FZBAjWelcXI4h19xZM0JtmStVVI6zEyzbZGnLCteRY4BbJLdjSrRaPm05ZecfFQJbStegYqiu5dpcPS-rIFkmd0dJzqGCfarUhrvwq9KdX3H_wXvC6QPBNaWjksktc/s320/Thailand+%252839%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZX6b-H72AF7QJu7IXFHMJpriWyK7MNINOD2WhVsM8EzKYSvEFYh2wqz_9PMIb2bGlQha9hyinS1kVOkVjiUOIW0p6v6RQYiEXj01ooWi-eJevhlqrQyL_p96av8_qpwBWAO3kx2UgbY/s1600/Thailand+%252840%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZX6b-H72AF7QJu7IXFHMJpriWyK7MNINOD2WhVsM8EzKYSvEFYh2wqz_9PMIb2bGlQha9hyinS1kVOkVjiUOIW0p6v6RQYiEXj01ooWi-eJevhlqrQyL_p96av8_qpwBWAO3kx2UgbY/s320/Thailand+%252840%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From the Grand Palace we took a tuk tuk over to the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, or Wat Pho. We learned quickly that there are temples everywhere for different "kinds" of Buddhas... emerald Buddhas, reclining Buddhas, giant Buddhas, etc. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTv6HgUahCARZ3ZNLquREHiweOA1P6Em8bPfLz4plt0XtjK2TVLEn3rw4PJzgQ8XNW8UkVdtwOaS4rXfaP8w8XTgNWKQgPfhcA6RCbTfXcu9ITKTvwXUPopq6ULfacxvRZNQe0fkD1JTU/s1600/Thailand+%252846%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTv6HgUahCARZ3ZNLquREHiweOA1P6Em8bPfLz4plt0XtjK2TVLEn3rw4PJzgQ8XNW8UkVdtwOaS4rXfaP8w8XTgNWKQgPfhcA6RCbTfXcu9ITKTvwXUPopq6ULfacxvRZNQe0fkD1JTU/s640/Thailand+%252846%2529.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This Buddha was certainly an impressive sight, but getting a picture with it proved to be a difficult task with all of the other tourists fighting for space. This was Nick's reaction. Haha. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMm7R_DD3I8tPubx8E5BA4yBlskzDLqXXtUzx4-SKsecF6VQjU1FKJqICOL490VT1Vm2d5z01zqWhaDYasdJ4xHoPLL-zxZ1tglJjIw9oNMGPrd0Oy2aGKr5OrPlBs4zYp6thUrUaZu3w/s1600/Thailand+%252847%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMm7R_DD3I8tPubx8E5BA4yBlskzDLqXXtUzx4-SKsecF6VQjU1FKJqICOL490VT1Vm2d5z01zqWhaDYasdJ4xHoPLL-zxZ1tglJjIw9oNMGPrd0Oy2aGKr5OrPlBs4zYp6thUrUaZu3w/s640/Thailand+%252847%2529.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At a different part of the grounds we walked into another temple where some Buddhist monks were doing their evening chants. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a long day of sightseeing we sat down to a dinner of delicious Thai food - mango sticky rice and massaman curry quickly became two of my favorite dishes. We avoided street food at all costs for fear of the havoc it could wreak on our stomachs. Haha. And in all honesty, the smell of street food wasn't all that enticing either. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And before turning into the hotel for the night, all four of us got traditional Thai massages in the signature jumpsuits, which I didn't get a picture of (darn it!). At times we thought our limbs might become dislocated, but soon learned that Thai massages are surprisingly relaxing. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 2</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My dad set up a city bike tour of for all of us for our second day in the city with Follow Me tours. He's never been a sit-and-relax type of traveler, and that's one thing that I love so much about him! This bike tour was intense in the beating sun throughout the entire afternoon into the early evening, but we wouldn't have seen the parts of the city that we did without doing it. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5VZmxDdEqQ_aptzlZa-1ptGGDypi2XXG7xgmRcePsDaVmQKhzCGEiEGxK21ECsw5pHFA7CcNlwgw00jog_SIXqck56q-iMuC6rN6g8vPYseIiHj_G1S-I5qCYUhA3gge9sM0pWQlT_U/s1600/IMG_1224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5VZmxDdEqQ_aptzlZa-1ptGGDypi2XXG7xgmRcePsDaVmQKhzCGEiEGxK21ECsw5pHFA7CcNlwgw00jog_SIXqck56q-iMuC6rN6g8vPYseIiHj_G1S-I5qCYUhA3gge9sM0pWQlT_U/s640/IMG_1224.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We biked through a good portion of the city and saw A LOT of sites. Believe it or not, there's even a Chinatown in Bangkok. We toured that along with one of the largest flower markets in the city, and stopped at a few other temples on the way. We saw some really beautiful sights like this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrTrpwqHbjbeEm3thnBy1Z6kiYDlMoKaBr524EF-H4aFSC8J7Tlrl4RejiqLanRHOfiSGRxlIBQVj4uA3_NIY2Mwq7D0I7agtZKZV3j6oan99xCDembz-L93CxOR-XHjtRb-HQlSsqVs/s1600/Thailand+%252869%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrTrpwqHbjbeEm3thnBy1Z6kiYDlMoKaBr524EF-H4aFSC8J7Tlrl4RejiqLanRHOfiSGRxlIBQVj4uA3_NIY2Mwq7D0I7agtZKZV3j6oan99xCDembz-L93CxOR-XHjtRb-HQlSsqVs/s400/Thailand+%252869%2529.JPG" width="297" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjQ92PpMEq2hLlD1lNMYoyl7m9Y9Wh0suZrZ4zz8UM1N0v3g46mfLfnPTBiJj6IlB6f6qnQ7NULm0AjjSGVgouX2_c68rkPZK6ZfL1x7oXnyE5wPxra4vwd8U9AKatfbcJTROTmT0204/s1600/Thailand+%252868%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjQ92PpMEq2hLlD1lNMYoyl7m9Y9Wh0suZrZ4zz8UM1N0v3g46mfLfnPTBiJj6IlB6f6qnQ7NULm0AjjSGVgouX2_c68rkPZK6ZfL1x7oXnyE5wPxra4vwd8U9AKatfbcJTROTmT0204/s400/Thailand+%252868%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKPynJg_mfJQiPwRNYtIOkuNk_0vDucvq_-SWtb-GV6OWt8dgHXG96GpF_f5RESDb23l6mGBIPp0UO_z1UwMFb8ttqpHLXc3cozl_9Lfg35QlQguLglsltJ93diILt8Qemrwc0Gxo0zY/s1600/Thailand+%252870%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKPynJg_mfJQiPwRNYtIOkuNk_0vDucvq_-SWtb-GV6OWt8dgHXG96GpF_f5RESDb23l6mGBIPp0UO_z1UwMFb8ttqpHLXc3cozl_9Lfg35QlQguLglsltJ93diILt8Qemrwc0Gxo0zY/s400/Thailand+%252870%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-ww5ChTmVXGis4_Rckz06mjJsAMGWQPyf0E-hCt5AtjXxT8WCGadFMqH2hziPZxGckigX1xgQ_D4XhspilIJ1VRPC76_3PMp8t9u0pIHmtxy5QxSH-ntf6DSx1IN454U3I5Vwozy7MA/s1600/IMG_1309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-ww5ChTmVXGis4_Rckz06mjJsAMGWQPyf0E-hCt5AtjXxT8WCGadFMqH2hziPZxGckigX1xgQ_D4XhspilIJ1VRPC76_3PMp8t9u0pIHmtxy5QxSH-ntf6DSx1IN454U3I5Vwozy7MA/s640/IMG_1309.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But also some really meager circumstances like this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At times the smells of the city were almost intolerable. In parts of the city like this there are just open sewage rivers and trash EVERYWHERE. Mix that with 90% humidity and 90 degree temps and it's a recipe for disaster. I'm not kidding when I say that my gag reflexes almost took over a few times! Luckily, no throw up incidents for any of us, but we did come away from it with an even stronger appreciation for the life we live back home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back at the headquarters of our tour group they had a free fish foot spa for everyone to try out. It was my first time doing something like this and it definitely took some getting used to! It wasn't painful by any means, but it's definitely not for those who have ticklish feet! Surprisingly my dad and Nick were the worst and sitting through it. I laughed for a solid 10 minutes watching them try to sit still. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoUmchX9x8fqU2SS7UGIDR8SWyntvBRdQJM6nPoZVdwHv4NzLzGg_AGHXzLCKVdqmemiu8zHx_E97pZwImLo5BzyBjNTJjwS4UaAVSAWT5yUmrLn62uhnK94UVORVPQxzd3TFDPd2KKQ/s1600/IMG_4243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoUmchX9x8fqU2SS7UGIDR8SWyntvBRdQJM6nPoZVdwHv4NzLzGg_AGHXzLCKVdqmemiu8zHx_E97pZwImLo5BzyBjNTJjwS4UaAVSAWT5yUmrLn62uhnK94UVORVPQxzd3TFDPd2KKQ/s640/IMG_4243.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On our way home we checked out the ritzy shopping malls of Bangkok (where we also ate dinner) and strolled around some of the main streets by our hotel. Let's just say I now understand that sex tourism is a legitimate industry in Thailand and it's everywhere you look on the street! Something you almost have to see to believe, but I'm glad that we had a good sense of humor about it. Because... wow! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the end of the day we were all beat. And I think we lost about five pounds in sweat. So of course we rewarded ourselves with another massage before calling it a night. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3Zs02Exz8doizQ7p9nD7O-jm7wW3_5h9whW544ETgLP5sYwRlhFb6i-oIOeQK14H98Kh7GdZIzclvDIGnObBgOSbmNSV2lx_EMf3fKeiQc2Sqr26QPKsIfwfclSgzr6JMfZogZUKh2M/s1600/IMG_4244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3Zs02Exz8doizQ7p9nD7O-jm7wW3_5h9whW544ETgLP5sYwRlhFb6i-oIOeQK14H98Kh7GdZIzclvDIGnObBgOSbmNSV2lx_EMf3fKeiQc2Sqr26QPKsIfwfclSgzr6JMfZogZUKh2M/s640/IMG_4244.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 3</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sadly, my dad and Scott had to head home after our two days in Bangkok, but the trip wouldn't have been the same without them! As they left for the airport, Nick and I headed to the other regional airport in town for our flight to Phuket. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dsabWL_gIUa_rlzLj69YLjchLKk8o-pDFDygcwZr6G5NBn1ijB-UnnG2CbukuXDJuFPgV4BwI8JzXy_ayYA6zX4rp4Dp1aXIFYY_nShAbksikcRLCtG6yKLc9y17H12yRTZBL0m-Y4U/s1600/Thailand+%252855%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dsabWL_gIUa_rlzLj69YLjchLKk8o-pDFDygcwZr6G5NBn1ijB-UnnG2CbukuXDJuFPgV4BwI8JzXy_ayYA6zX4rp4Dp1aXIFYY_nShAbksikcRLCtG6yKLc9y17H12yRTZBL0m-Y4U/s640/Thailand+%252855%2529.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had some awesome views of Bangkok flying out of the city, of the river delta to the south of Bangkok, and then finally towards the end of the flight we started seeing the famous Thai island that jut out of the sea. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once we landed in Phuket, we took a private car up to our resort in Khao Lak. In doing my research for places to stay on our "vacation" part of the trip, I discovered that American-brand hotels are WAY cheaper in Thailand than they are anywhere else in the world. Plus it helped that we were traveling in the low season. I found a reservation at the J.W. Marriott in Khao Lak for about the same price of what you'd pay for some decent airport hotels in the bigger U.S. cities. It was a steal that we couldn't pass up, and it was definitely one of our favorite parts of the trip.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Everything about this place was amazing from the minute we stepped into the front lobby. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="text-align: center;">The hotel staff was incredibly friendly and accommodating--they even sent some special treats to our room that night for our "honeymoon." Because you can still have a honeymoon when you've been married for five years, right? ;)</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Days 4 - 8</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Khao Lak was were we finally got to relax an unwind and really not have an agenda all day. After months of board prep and actually taking boards, Nick had been looking forward to this for a loooong time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We got to eat breakfast every morning at the beachside restaurant with an amazing buffet</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="text-align: center;">The servers were so nice and got to know us by name. By the end of our stay it was sad to have to say goodbye to them! The Thai people are so kind and loving. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We spent a lot of time at the beach and the pool. Which, by the way, this hotel has THE largest pool in Southeast Asia. It winds through the entirety of the hotel grounds and all 1st floor rooms have walkout access to it. Pretty incredible! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We got massages almost everyday from the locals who set up their shacks just a short walk off of the private hotel beach. $12 for a one-hour massage AND waves crashing in the background? Can't beat it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There were also several local restaurants that set up shop just a short walk down the beach. The hotel restaurants were pretty pricey, so for lunch and dinner we dined on local fare like fresh coconut shakes, mango sticky rice, and of course, massaman curry. Delicious!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We also learned that this area in Khao Lak was one of the hardest hit in Thailand in the '04 tsunami. In fact, the very resort we were staying at used to be a Sofitel and it was completely demolished. Dozens of tourists died here and it was left abandoned for several years before Marriott purchased and renovated the property. There are still resorts down the beach that are deserted. It was pretty sobering to think about, but also amazing that they've turned it into such a beautiful place today. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On our last day at the resort my sweet husband set up a cooking class for me since he knows how much I love to cook! We had the nicest instructor and made some delicious dishes for lunch. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We really felt like we could have stayed at this place forever! We can't wait to come back again, and next time for more than four days. We loved every minute at this resort!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 9</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From Khao Lak, we hired a private car to drive us over to Krabi, which is basically across the bay from Phuket, down to a little island called Koh Lanta. I think in total the drive was about 3-4 hours. My brother Aaron had been here before and recommended it as a must-see and true Thailand experience. The drive was beautiful and we got to see lots of jungle! We didn't really realize just how remote this place was and were pretty shocked to see that the only access by car is via ferry! No bridges to this island. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We didn't know much about Koh Lanta and booked a little bungalow-type room based on some TripAdvisor recommendations. It was great for what it was, but coming from a 5-star resort it was a bit of a shock. Haha. In hindsight, we realized we should have saved the best for last ;) We soon learned that Koh Lanta takes the "laid back" lifestyle to the extreme. If you thought the Hawaiian islands were pretty chill, this place is about 10x that! On the very last day we couldn't even get the hotel owner to come figure out why we didn't have running water. Haha. Luckily we did have an air conditioning unit in the room along with a TV that had about 10 Thai channels. Since we were traveling in the low season, this resort was pretty empty, but we could see how in the high season it would be a great place to stay!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rental cars don't exist on Koh Lanta and it's a bit too big to get around just on normal bikes, so we opted to rent a scooter for the few days we were going to be there. Since the part of the island we were staying on was kind of void of tourists because of the low season, we decided to drive around to see what else we could find to do. We had gone about 10-15 minutes when we passed a Seven Eleven store with a young couple walking in and I said to Nick, "Hey, they look American!" Haha. So we stopped and walked in to go talk to them. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Fw1p4bfadm40GRXTiMd2C3A4wfTzqkwF3XK9WnBgb-wIfVoFZYZtELh72e_xXlabC5cj3TrB38kCcxZHYi7blTIsYiS6e2XKfLjLZIXGUtKCgmcfoEvta_dY6swtLh0ovnS4zr1riag/s1600/L+%252831%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Fw1p4bfadm40GRXTiMd2C3A4wfTzqkwF3XK9WnBgb-wIfVoFZYZtELh72e_xXlabC5cj3TrB38kCcxZHYi7blTIsYiS6e2XKfLjLZIXGUtKCgmcfoEvta_dY6swtLh0ovnS4zr1riag/s640/L+%252831%2529.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As it turns out, they were German! But they spoke decent English and we became quick friends because they, too had just gotten there and were looking for things to do. Benny and Hannah became our island buddies and we spent the rest of our time there with them. One of my favorite parts of traveling is meeting new friends from all corners of the world! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We spent the rest of the afternoon cruising around the island with them, and became even more shocked at just how remote this place was. I mean, check out these gas pumps! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What was also really interesting and something we didn't realize is the heavy Muslim influence in this part of the country. Because it's so close to the Malaysian border it has really big Islamic populations and most of the men and women here wear full Islamic clothing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was really eye opening to drive past communities of roadside shacks with families out and about who really don't have much more than a few belongings but still look so happy and content with life. Makes you realize how easy it is to get caught up into the materialistic life we live in every day in the Western world. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 10</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had been wanting to book an island tour of some sort so the next day we found one with Benny and Hannah that took us through some mangrove forests and out to the bay on a kayak tour. And a legitimate mangrove forest it was. Wow! We had to walk a ways in on these planks to get to the place where the boat left. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We lucked out with a sunny, storm-free day that made the water look so blue it almost didn't seem real! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The islands there are so beautiful with their steep cliffs and bright green vegetation. We kayaked around a few smaller islands and went into a few caves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then we stopped at a small beach that's really only accessible by boat. Pictures don't really do it justice, but I found that I almost had to pinch myself to remember that it was real life! It's such a beautiful part of the world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And of course we couldn't leave without our traditional kissing selfie. And it's not a beach break without a Coke! Or as Nick likes to call it, "universal happiness." Haha. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On our way back through the mangroves we had monkeys visit our boat! They're practically trained to jump on because the tour guides always give them fruit. They look cute and little, but they're actually kind of mean and they SMELL! I mean, they are wild animals so I guess that makes sense. But they're funny little creatures and I had no idea that they were such good swimmers! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After our tour they made us a delicious plate of fried rice. Yum. I'm actually still quite amazed that we made it through two weeks in Thailand with no stomach issues, considering most of the food we ate was cooked through the back door of a shack. Haha. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This pretty much sums up the rest of our day. We had nothing on our agenda except for exploring the island on our scooters! You know it's a good vacation when doing nothing starts to feel normal ;)</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Day 11</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Thailand, breakfast doesn't exists as we know it. Traditional Thai breakfast is salty, dinner-like dishes, and not like bacon and eggs. We're talking curry, fish, soup, rice, chicken, etc. Needless to say, we were dying for some "real" breakfast food so you can imagine how happy we were to find the Nang Sabai German Bakery on our morning scooter drive. Pretzel rolls and Nutella? Heaven! The woman who owned the restaurant talked to Benny and Hannah in German for a while and gave us all some good insider tips of things to do and see that day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After breakfast is when our interesting chain of events happened. Looking back, I have no doubt that whatever happened that morning was definitely divine intervention because we're still here to tell the story today!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nick and I headed back to our room for what we thought would be a quick clothing change for a hike we wanted to go on later that day. It took us a little longer than expected, and our families Skyped us right as we were leaving the room, which pushed us back even further. THEN as we were driving away from the resort we realized that our scooter had a flat tire. So we had to figure out a place to get it fixed and then wait to have it fixed. I just remember thinking, "Oh my goodness, why does this morning seem to be such a struggle to just get the day started?!" By the time we made it back to Benny and Hannah's resort we were at least 1.5 hours late and were finally ready to start our day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We headed out on the same road we had been on the night before and we weren't going particularly fast. As a side note, we weren't wearing helmets either because I don't think helmets exists on this island, either! I mean, this is the place where you see entire families of four on one scooter, so road safety is not first priority. That being said, the ONE road on the island was paved, but didn't have posted speed limits and we noticed that cars and construction vehicles would go pretty fast in some areas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we rounded the inside of this particular blind curve headed toward the other side of the island, Benny and Hannah were in front of us and made it around just fine, but as we leaned into the curve I could feel our scooter going down just like it was in slow motion. We both hit the ground and skidded across to the opposite side of the road like we were on ice (lanes in Thailand are opposite of the U.S.). We were a little shaken up but could stand up right after. But looking back, it was an absolute miracle that there wasn't another car or truck rounding that curve at the same time we went down because it would have been MUCH worse for us as we skidded into the other lane of traffic. Considering we didn't even have helmets on, I'm amazed that we didn't have anything more serious than bruises and road rash. And grateful, too, because the closest hospital was about two hours away so we would have been out of luck if we needed any type of emergency care!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We realized after the fact that although we could have been going a little slower, the main culprits behind the accident were our bald tires and the hot pavement in the middle of the day that made the traction even worse. Because the night before, that turn had been no problem for us. I know that the weird events of that morning definitely weren't coincidence because the timing of the accident worked out to leave us with what I think was pretty minimal consequences. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Somehow during the fall Nick managed to practically turn around before we hit the road to try and break my fall for me, so his entire right side was scraped up, especially his knees and legs. And I caught myself with my left wrist and then skidded across the road on my forearms and knees. Ouch. At first I didn't know if my wrist was broken or not, but after a few Skype calls we figured it was probably just a bad sprain. Nick found supplies at the local pharmacy to doctor me up for the time being, but I of course had to document my battle wounds sans bandages the next morning. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nick's favorite wound was the heard-shaped blister on his left hand. Haha. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Benny and Hannah were our lifesavers that day - they brought us back to their room and used supplies from their first aid kit on me while Nick found the pharmacy. We used their internet and their air conditioning for a few hours while we got our composure. But we didn't want this accident to ruin the last day we had on the island so even though we couldn't really do everything as planned, we still got out to see some other parts of the island together that night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We made our way over to the eastern side of the island that's more remote and less touristy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the recommendation of the German Bakery owner, we headed to her friend Patou's restaurant on the very edge of town called Caoutchouc. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOywD74H4r7MvJCVKAY0JSVS6HOi5qMT1vpue12Hbev-fU7pE8IpjOszRg8iXx94tVkyYRnm8W-MgsZUrjUrrtJEcdmK0uzmki30J26OzzRt7HGlMFTvyBN8BdMLVdT-5Aflpz0wzIkzg/s1600/L+%252855%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOywD74H4r7MvJCVKAY0JSVS6HOi5qMT1vpue12Hbev-fU7pE8IpjOszRg8iXx94tVkyYRnm8W-MgsZUrjUrrtJEcdmK0uzmki30J26OzzRt7HGlMFTvyBN8BdMLVdT-5Aflpz0wzIkzg/s640/L+%252855%2529.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Patou is an eccentric French expat who moved here for a slower lifestyle. He's an amazing chef and his menu changes every day based on what fresh ingredients he has on hand. We were the only four people who showed up that night and as he was cooking dinner the power on the entire side of the island went out! It turned out to be one of the most memorable dinners we've had though because it was all by candle light. And the chicken pasta dish he made was outstanding. The four of us ate while we had great conversation with Patou and sadly, I didn't get a picture of all of us because it was so dark! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We made made the drive back through the back forest roads by moonlight since all the power was still out. It was another one of those "pinch me" moments when you realize that your'e actually halfway across the world, on an island in the middle of nowhere with your best friend, and you just had one of the most memorable dinners of your life with great new friends from all over the world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 12 & 13:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Though at first we were a bit unimpressed with it, we left Koh Lanta the next day with some great memories and a resolve to go back one day... just in the high season instead. Haha. We took a shared van up to the main city of Krabi and then over to the town of AoNang. We spent the entire drive with 3 other couples from the U.K., Germany, and France who were all world travelers and had incredible stories.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our stay in Krabi was supposed to involve another island tour over to Maya Bay and the famous "James Bond Island," however, our road rash wasn't conducive to doing much of anything, since it was painful to even walk up the stairs. Knees and elbows are probably the worst places to have scabs! Plus, I knew that hours in the sun would only lead to worse scars, so we decided to spend our last two days laying low. We figured that leaving something undone just gives us a reason to come back to Thailand in a few years! ;)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtPz4EwAChEOsi5ctWYmGFeupnelS_YvAmqxzncU7bsyhmw3tBQYFnlI0jEnYaCo6mXGc9jAFIZtMilld0I0sUD2XLEWF_Cn1-hD8wSSML6vIVrMC-ENmXecjKslTz1YaVuQ1imxH-K4/s1600/IMG_4506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtPz4EwAChEOsi5ctWYmGFeupnelS_YvAmqxzncU7bsyhmw3tBQYFnlI0jEnYaCo6mXGc9jAFIZtMilld0I0sUD2XLEWF_Cn1-hD8wSSML6vIVrMC-ENmXecjKslTz1YaVuQ1imxH-K4/s640/IMG_4506.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AoNang is a smaller beachside town that is still pretty touristy but has some amazing coastal views. We enjoyed our fair share of Coke and passionfruit popsicles on the beach. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0y9QuZfZAaPvavRheC3EZyPchT34V6a8Ks6rbcxm5gFbAcbloS9ucSFTmZiu8JIhSb9-0cNXV7YW32yzQRLlGzgIuF9N3ZvMChpzFVj8CwwiXPzUYoOzlalIMXsTuvituI6crOJauV8/s1600/IMG_4251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0y9QuZfZAaPvavRheC3EZyPchT34V6a8Ks6rbcxm5gFbAcbloS9ucSFTmZiu8JIhSb9-0cNXV7YW32yzQRLlGzgIuF9N3ZvMChpzFVj8CwwiXPzUYoOzlalIMXsTuvituI6crOJauV8/s400/IMG_4251.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFOQAFO-xPpFx9A5d29ka-hT73RHn-7uJ6wRUYyO_FMyU81RO4LHf6_zwrJY6XJHgyJ8T9ILld-hIGnoRnxOmbzQgN3vc8n3uMAWd1Nb0lu1RwF1U8V_lJ4aZMcKFc517wTT01lgxn-M/s1600/IMG_4252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFOQAFO-xPpFx9A5d29ka-hT73RHn-7uJ6wRUYyO_FMyU81RO4LHf6_zwrJY6XJHgyJ8T9ILld-hIGnoRnxOmbzQgN3vc8n3uMAWd1Nb0lu1RwF1U8V_lJ4aZMcKFc517wTT01lgxn-M/s400/IMG_4252.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And even REAL Bon Bons! haha. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzerwVVT6WIfeqT6Te0qZOQHwmosaVjc3_uuo-Q7zNTu5M-0SOI-Di0MObq-uaz5pH7puO_As8ZZF33lvKcWjEPuRDEcIkULsZDrnEaIBudIBJo3qn5ueIYyx7EXA9M4IZ7C0VmkLo4Y/s1600/IMG_4258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzerwVVT6WIfeqT6Te0qZOQHwmosaVjc3_uuo-Q7zNTu5M-0SOI-Di0MObq-uaz5pH7puO_As8ZZF33lvKcWjEPuRDEcIkULsZDrnEaIBudIBJo3qn5ueIYyx7EXA9M4IZ7C0VmkLo4Y/s640/IMG_4258.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There were massage huts everywhere you looked, and we took full advantage of foot and leg massages that helped take our minds off the road rash. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipP1Dn03I1OaJ-8YTonDpVzC84eHrBX8kelAJ4SLPc7zhrJuxr8bWWFVn2JFHwiSJL99xjpReD1sDjQ6PDr2Uvm9NpB5YUNT9FELASzJNb94m1nbrpmpaEp4i_wNtaci_zxom_stUmBDE/s1600/IMG_4254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipP1Dn03I1OaJ-8YTonDpVzC84eHrBX8kelAJ4SLPc7zhrJuxr8bWWFVn2JFHwiSJL99xjpReD1sDjQ6PDr2Uvm9NpB5YUNT9FELASzJNb94m1nbrpmpaEp4i_wNtaci_zxom_stUmBDE/s400/IMG_4254.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RRqWiknHjGmUYxh3BQe1W44iWla4vceiySviKuQnv2AiQ2ZRsDts7QmW9a23Pc1-Oq-3uoEqxceri8zMVealJNzRZPlf2tLdXzIDBklbfSaaKW77OC8ZkN1mFo_bIEA-2wxBjvdCnEU/s1600/IMG_4275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RRqWiknHjGmUYxh3BQe1W44iWla4vceiySviKuQnv2AiQ2ZRsDts7QmW9a23Pc1-Oq-3uoEqxceri8zMVealJNzRZPlf2tLdXzIDBklbfSaaKW77OC8ZkN1mFo_bIEA-2wxBjvdCnEU/s400/IMG_4275.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The beach was amazing because the sand was all seashells! I really had never seen a beach like this in my life and I became a little obsessive about finding the perfect shells to take home with me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGS9RPYdOmrKV8zsrztpV-flJcT9-iCc-vW8vMZDqmht4uNSNUg2_9ThF2u3j1REpDijYQmZQCrsuwNN2Hw5i4WJu2UuEx-ya5gHcFkLBJU5zRjtHizlY_cA40ITU0QoBI9LNaYs1rlo/s1600/IMG_4273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGS9RPYdOmrKV8zsrztpV-flJcT9-iCc-vW8vMZDqmht4uNSNUg2_9ThF2u3j1REpDijYQmZQCrsuwNN2Hw5i4WJu2UuEx-ya5gHcFkLBJU5zRjtHizlY_cA40ITU0QoBI9LNaYs1rlo/s400/IMG_4273.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQIvE1p6d14E-xy6ImjCpKZXY4YD-mqhsKywZWrKz1wXrFwzIxRieyWvfoui0ze_9BoLZfFtQ7hVHwBdYGIaI8GiozTBxeD_6NoUmEaJp9TkAAqYWTL4cBTTTrqZT2Ckp69S5WhvSIQ8/s1600/IMG_4494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQIvE1p6d14E-xy6ImjCpKZXY4YD-mqhsKywZWrKz1wXrFwzIxRieyWvfoui0ze_9BoLZfFtQ7hVHwBdYGIaI8GiozTBxeD_6NoUmEaJp9TkAAqYWTL4cBTTTrqZT2Ckp69S5WhvSIQ8/s400/IMG_4494.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was the corner Seven Eleven by our hotel... which was apparently the hangout for the local family of dogs, too. You know you're dog lovers when you even take pictures of the gross stray dogs in third world countries. Haha. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7j-5y00vFC7HNY_ed2QkZjFDFgNE3NMKIoEi6vhzQaqKHXdKDlLm2HREBoF7RQscnoBDuJ7y7FStw6r_y9OJ_24IEghCtHViZD4XIeaQ3IePa7U9QBBfPjA2rvdYtux7BiW276apDOd0/s1600/IMG_4503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7j-5y00vFC7HNY_ed2QkZjFDFgNE3NMKIoEi6vhzQaqKHXdKDlLm2HREBoF7RQscnoBDuJ7y7FStw6r_y9OJ_24IEghCtHViZD4XIeaQ3IePa7U9QBBfPjA2rvdYtux7BiW276apDOd0/s640/IMG_4503.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we weren't out walking around town, we took full advantage of the hotel pool. We stayed at the Mercure Krabi Deevana and it was a great place to top off our stay in Thailand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWfALLlBVQl_O7NtKOQ9iJE_fY46OBQCGeNMDKWLvrCwQaS7GEcSoAZZ12Ruzb9TSC2rKcxz2K36MpyPp3NgUXOTHDTYbDsJZeo-BRz-N_l5Yh4Gy1lkLMesSJvtntCZKLCKktu46Srk/s1600/IMG_4496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWfALLlBVQl_O7NtKOQ9iJE_fY46OBQCGeNMDKWLvrCwQaS7GEcSoAZZ12Ruzb9TSC2rKcxz2K36MpyPp3NgUXOTHDTYbDsJZeo-BRz-N_l5Yh4Gy1lkLMesSJvtntCZKLCKktu46Srk/s400/IMG_4496.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdxb4RIj34ahjFdELq8hq4KxuRtl-wT56JVIwSXMBli4J3Rg9GTY8adJuEwLw9A7FsIqHui_ux-WIi_NfQT-C8xGmgaWKn_VfxMjeN_JwGY0XEIVmyDF86c8RM8AnItndx3TNvAylsZk/s1600/IMG_4247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdxb4RIj34ahjFdELq8hq4KxuRtl-wT56JVIwSXMBli4J3Rg9GTY8adJuEwLw9A7FsIqHui_ux-WIi_NfQT-C8xGmgaWKn_VfxMjeN_JwGY0XEIVmyDF86c8RM8AnItndx3TNvAylsZk/s400/IMG_4247.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 14:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After two weeks of traveling plus a solid dose of road rash, we were SO ready to get on the plane to go home! Except it was more like three planes and two layovers. Ha. We took Thai Airways from Krabi to Bangkok, where we had an overnight layover. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjm00Ny02lHwU_ByZOiwh3NPSL2ysrq0yaVraCGS1o7hKOQbFLU0VNMCY-1T6ttbtqvz2g7n4rtt0E_BFZNzmDQ3vCUpJuTjcJQeUEHsNAR528yIc9x5CnuiUQDXLg5nsBoRgsDUMIsTc/s1600/IMG_4289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjm00Ny02lHwU_ByZOiwh3NPSL2ysrq0yaVraCGS1o7hKOQbFLU0VNMCY-1T6ttbtqvz2g7n4rtt0E_BFZNzmDQ3vCUpJuTjcJQeUEHsNAR528yIc9x5CnuiUQDXLg5nsBoRgsDUMIsTc/s640/IMG_4289.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And because we only had a few hours to sleep, we found an uber budget airport hotel for a grand total of about $30. Given the price, we weren't going to complain to the front desk about two twin beds so Nick got crafty and took matters into his own hands. Haha. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyByW-coLX8GchTvhZnR6o7WbgC5XXaVpDACgZFnuvwx-HkHUlydh622AmzIGPVXaABqOdNouwufTgM-_SWcc12UOs22h4dDsP7hGe9HIqpJd3oTfdDiro8A4AVqpOwycNZTP8S9JBq68/s1600/IMG_4513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyByW-coLX8GchTvhZnR6o7WbgC5XXaVpDACgZFnuvwx-HkHUlydh622AmzIGPVXaABqOdNouwufTgM-_SWcc12UOs22h4dDsP7hGe9HIqpJd3oTfdDiro8A4AVqpOwycNZTP8S9JBq68/s400/IMG_4513.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbM7ijmV4VdNlYaoh1FShwDRNICoLZfS8tVIUD5-9tvsDuordn58MlraCtRf2HMp6_78pNLzh4xfsJfT9CBG7iccas9_T2ZXFhVlZJ_n0A16qXJzhPkDN58tcAsrbJZ_U8BYyAFvxyR4/s1600/IMG_4514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbM7ijmV4VdNlYaoh1FShwDRNICoLZfS8tVIUD5-9tvsDuordn58MlraCtRf2HMp6_78pNLzh4xfsJfT9CBG7iccas9_T2ZXFhVlZJ_n0A16qXJzhPkDN58tcAsrbJZ_U8BYyAFvxyR4/s400/IMG_4514.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 15: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We left our hotel in Bangkok at about 4 am to board the flight to Tokyo. No matter where I am in the world, getting on board a Delta plane just always feels like home. And thankfully, we got the nice seats again so we could lay down with our pitiful bandaged limbs. Haha. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNnI54KVXzbwdD7qZuwFwjO49cOXmjNCLi2QiX6AqFkwwdIcOmM72BUjli4SLs_qQMACEw1SFahrPsua_bqEwlc7y08ZrVKLlSzgpM3VSZWLtUYgumxRQyfxQ2uXSKBZ9W3RWlmolEEk/s1600/IMG_4303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNnI54KVXzbwdD7qZuwFwjO49cOXmjNCLi2QiX6AqFkwwdIcOmM72BUjli4SLs_qQMACEw1SFahrPsua_bqEwlc7y08ZrVKLlSzgpM3VSZWLtUYgumxRQyfxQ2uXSKBZ9W3RWlmolEEk/s640/IMG_4303.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We love traveling. And I don't think we'll ever get enough of it. We made so many great memories on this trip and grew so much together. But one of the best parts of going somewhere is knowing you can go home again to familiarity with a new appreciation for all the things you didn't realize you would miss so much till you didn't have them at your fingertips. That's exactly how we felt, and coming back to American soil was a great feeling! </span></div>
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Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-29943000383428446422014-01-02T01:29:00.000-07:002014-01-02T01:29:31.463-07:00Our Puppy, Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you know me or Nick, you know that we absolutely love dogs. We had been dying to get a dog ever since we got married, but with our crazy work and school schedules, along with apartment living, it was never quite the right time to get one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we found out we were moving into a house, we immediately started looking at different breeds that we liked. Because I grew up with golden retrievers and Nick grew up with dachshunds, we could never quite agree on the size or breed of dog that was a good compromise between the two. But after stumbling on a picture of an English cream dachshund on Instagram, I instantly knew we had to have one. It was the perfect mix between a golden and a dachshund. After searching far and wide, we found a breeder in Tucson and put sent in a deposit before the litter was even born. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The litter was born on July 10th but we waited several weeks to meet them and choose on of the three girls. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we went to make our pick from the litter, we instantly knew which one was ours. I mean, how can you resist this face? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkRKaHLT8aj5xn1EijRBwPDTlDD-2wMdMVF2Q_dNPMf-q-rDz-D0jYYXdnpibOkDkaoF4D8TjF0RQnCoJnhVInVlhAI27Mw4y-E_r-D7G1FshFUAcBT8i9qyUU_79-JPSHfaIg4OIKu8/s1600/ESept+(32).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkRKaHLT8aj5xn1EijRBwPDTlDD-2wMdMVF2Q_dNPMf-q-rDz-D0jYYXdnpibOkDkaoF4D8TjF0RQnCoJnhVInVlhAI27Mw4y-E_r-D7G1FshFUAcBT8i9qyUU_79-JPSHfaIg4OIKu8/s640/ESept+(32).JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are the first pictures we took of her at the breeder's house. She was the only girl in the litter that came up to us first thing and started licking our face. Melt my heart! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvD7g8PP63_SfchIEW2eRJsezxYt9TWpE8DVXLPjD3CGEBHXV3kT3oEcYtuJmM5FloUg7OxEXRAwsek3EgqmfSjr26BhwyXIELpMmCv7c6b1v6TPQu5O_sXOG32FpDs4BgISkSOiDs3o/s1600/September.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvD7g8PP63_SfchIEW2eRJsezxYt9TWpE8DVXLPjD3CGEBHXV3kT3oEcYtuJmM5FloUg7OxEXRAwsek3EgqmfSjr26BhwyXIELpMmCv7c6b1v6TPQu5O_sXOG32FpDs4BgISkSOiDs3o/s640/September.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We picked her up when she was about 8 weeks old and only 3 pounds. We almost died of cuteness. We already had the name Summer picked out as one that we liked, and it fit her perfectly. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNFoDI4PGXd2lCOBNU8Q__Qj-LINjn_E2jnzPukGtbX_DEruJGAMUzibkXoIpNquHEkPkQfkE5GQtFieeZ-aftvE1dXeIbDo26tcFW3FaZUP6QzD43GOmJbN70RMkuI_YAlNBBzxav7Q/s1600/IMG_1834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNFoDI4PGXd2lCOBNU8Q__Qj-LINjn_E2jnzPukGtbX_DEruJGAMUzibkXoIpNquHEkPkQfkE5GQtFieeZ-aftvE1dXeIbDo26tcFW3FaZUP6QzD43GOmJbN70RMkuI_YAlNBBzxav7Q/s640/IMG_1834.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the ride back to Mesa. All she wanted to do was sleep on my shoulder. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ever since she came home, we've taken far too many pictures and videos of her. Yes, we've turned into those lame dog parents that everyone makes fun of. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We love this little puppy so much and are so happy she's ours! She has the sweetest demeanor and is so mellow. She's the ultimate cuddle bug, too. It's been so much fun to have her as an addition to our household. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtOcC1bR5AxW4lSpnZYTFfDj03AFxuq6jhWxbwW2OEmg_UBICgQPhTwgxHAmmfvzz9MSztzZ6-AVMdGh_NET2feDcowfLeb2CXSXWavhbwQ2jmlNHwuRTNlAADQGSk9hkBKpHnnEMKTo/s1600/ESept+(67).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtOcC1bR5AxW4lSpnZYTFfDj03AFxuq6jhWxbwW2OEmg_UBICgQPhTwgxHAmmfvzz9MSztzZ6-AVMdGh_NET2feDcowfLeb2CXSXWavhbwQ2jmlNHwuRTNlAADQGSk9hkBKpHnnEMKTo/s640/ESept+(67).JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<br />Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-64208061870436034392014-01-02T01:06:00.000-07:002014-01-02T01:08:25.689-07:00Summer 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Summer 2013 was consumed by this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back in January when Nick got accepted to A.T. Still for dental school, we started looking at houses in the area since it was still a great time to buy in the Phoenix real estate market. We discovered a fantastic neighborhood close to the school and a cute little house that we know with a little work could be even better. Even though the house is only about 10 years old, everything inside was just very builder grade. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had the bright idea that taking on a house remodel could be a "fun" way to spend the summer before Nick started school in July. And thinking back on that mentality, I totally have to laugh at myself now. Little did I know it would turn in to one of the hardest things we've ever done--literally! Even though it's still not totally done, the positives are that we've learned SO MUCH about this entire process and also about working as a team even when we disagree. Once everything is finished up inside I'll do a before and after post. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5T26LS7GbN0yNmDM6tvjiaK4HuVKG94xtps1rHiGcJzslKjOC4wwPiJ9k-Fjf6DSwBpNSA4peh_srh8dQC8Bt1Jj5OggE1U102L_MWHkZ1VvUhibL-aqX_MRuy_lMmNR1OVb9Wty77U/s1600/EJune+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5T26LS7GbN0yNmDM6tvjiaK4HuVKG94xtps1rHiGcJzslKjOC4wwPiJ9k-Fjf6DSwBpNSA4peh_srh8dQC8Bt1Jj5OggE1U102L_MWHkZ1VvUhibL-aqX_MRuy_lMmNR1OVb9Wty77U/s640/EJune+(3).JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yep. We looked ridiculous. What you can't see is the sweat dripping down my forehead from the 100+ degree heat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But Nick felt pretty hardcore with his tool belt. Haha. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a (very) small preview of what's to come:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And in the middle of all of this, Nick started dental school! Of course in our naivety we thought we could wrap up all of the remodeling projects before mid-July, but that was far from reality. I mean really, it's December and we're still finishing a guest bathroom as we speak ;). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During his first week of class, he was trying to help us move from Glendale to Mesa <i>and</i> get the remodeled house into a functional state as well. Nick has been amazing through this whole process--especially since it was mostly my idea to begin with. In the midst of tackling his first year of dental school, he still fits in countless "projects" around the house without complaining. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgr_DtRSRTCjZ9ckCdvFhjv4RdVqf7bpZX5SWLBTj-f9eg5kXAmnacEr8gvx6BOHIxST6luZ6agqAH0GUSLJbtTpU6YvICn9QM12GzDWoYoW7nApgxTQIlmR1Gn8t1UY1MdmOzvaCVWg/s1600/IMG_1731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgr_DtRSRTCjZ9ckCdvFhjv4RdVqf7bpZX5SWLBTj-f9eg5kXAmnacEr8gvx6BOHIxST6luZ6agqAH0GUSLJbtTpU6YvICn9QM12GzDWoYoW7nApgxTQIlmR1Gn8t1UY1MdmOzvaCVWg/s640/IMG_1731.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We got to attend his white coat ceremony during his first week of class. And admittedly, I got a little teary eyed during the whole thing. The road to dental school definitely hasn't been an easy--or short--one for Nick. But despite all the road blocks and frustration at times, he always stayed so dedicated in what he wanted to do with his career, and it was so great to see him so happy in starting to do what he really loves. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiledSDxoHMam_Vm4it3fgBHXcdce7PUX6mJhZUZq0Clq9YsAeJhlmj4Ag6govp475klg7MsAjuF2opbpiKNtcKFIbYJk8Bie8xlf2svKbgtTvZvu0bETYGeVNluZoityJErrjL3qPptg/s1600/IMG_1549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiledSDxoHMam_Vm4it3fgBHXcdce7PUX6mJhZUZq0Clq9YsAeJhlmj4Ag6govp475klg7MsAjuF2opbpiKNtcKFIbYJk8Bie8xlf2svKbgtTvZvu0bETYGeVNluZoityJErrjL3qPptg/s640/IMG_1549.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbr_GAu75HHRE7KmDBUTLUwEE8fb0bHFZQ8zHZjxVsKkZjhsGd6q9SHKuSIyZfpGZcc0ANebl6umBCYeBDMbEU_0c46aMBt6dAHyqcOPfN3wn2tI1hicG4T-Sqa_-r6UvfTATK8Qm43I/s1600/IMG_1663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbr_GAu75HHRE7KmDBUTLUwEE8fb0bHFZQ8zHZjxVsKkZjhsGd6q9SHKuSIyZfpGZcc0ANebl6umBCYeBDMbEU_0c46aMBt6dAHyqcOPfN3wn2tI1hicG4T-Sqa_-r6UvfTATK8Qm43I/s640/IMG_1663.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg231V-Z8gdZJK-_68L0FvrJenrgWwP3lXWrqQ_EvwddbR3VimXKu22uHC4epET_R4j8wfwCGtMBrwmVnGTKTfhx2gRUK7dN1TXeJNIn41pJztI3WvDHSl9_erWgfdCyEuDve2wfPmG-h4/s1600/IMG_1697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg231V-Z8gdZJK-_68L0FvrJenrgWwP3lXWrqQ_EvwddbR3VimXKu22uHC4epET_R4j8wfwCGtMBrwmVnGTKTfhx2gRUK7dN1TXeJNIn41pJztI3WvDHSl9_erWgfdCyEuDve2wfPmG-h4/s640/IMG_1697.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were so lucky to have Nick's mom there for the ceremony, too. She was an absolute lifesaver during that week and practically packed up our entire apartment for us. We are so grateful for her! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGI3UB2hR95cHJ-Dh_LQNFw6ELu79n3snp028yw_C2FqVgH8eUuWYKnx7D1sKJ_O475q6Gmdj9TbWaHCzQ0BrVxug0Ni5-LycQo651TP7M3jUYvYuUnet7JeQStMICchy2rVZbr4NSCA/s1600/July+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGI3UB2hR95cHJ-Dh_LQNFw6ELu79n3snp028yw_C2FqVgH8eUuWYKnx7D1sKJ_O475q6Gmdj9TbWaHCzQ0BrVxug0Ni5-LycQo651TP7M3jUYvYuUnet7JeQStMICchy2rVZbr4NSCA/s640/July+(6).JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love this future dentist of mine. So excited for what the next four years will bring! </span></div>
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Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-5918528165757755782014-01-02T00:45:00.003-07:002014-01-02T01:07:23.173-07:00Milwaukee to Salt Lake City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few days after Nick's graduation, we flew out to Milwaukee to help Marissa and Dan move back to Utah for his anesthesiology residency. I hadn't been to Milwaukee to visit them in a couple years, and this was Nick's first time going, so we were really excited to get to go. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The move and the drive was quite the feat, but we made the best of it! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CoPRtMA91fUg_0K_XXYvTrys_JH-xh48x0kBr8xp9uwAuFufMomeyYG4J-xuStpjonjT-agtK4j7Yeyyb1fWj3JcFRgruFVXDnPdVX2Owg0tYhMMFgQpS3UIJu8UrVwSf_VMTL30WDA/s1600/EJune+(4).PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CoPRtMA91fUg_0K_XXYvTrys_JH-xh48x0kBr8xp9uwAuFufMomeyYG4J-xuStpjonjT-agtK4j7Yeyyb1fWj3JcFRgruFVXDnPdVX2Owg0tYhMMFgQpS3UIJu8UrVwSf_VMTL30WDA/s640/EJune+(4).PNG" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had a great time checking out the new Delta terminal in MSP during our layover. The iPads at each table are a definite step up. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXN4q0HBuj6e9dC_MYE0EwUMtBg_QS0nbKrkoum6O7feJFZ2sYQaXzSnt7fAEVZqBdxTMQhIh8sr-TO0QPHf4E7ezdE1kzGB5rfqtUGD1O8byk77sWsS96E7YXX2nLtVL9PSjtOoF_DE/s1600/EJune+(66).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXN4q0HBuj6e9dC_MYE0EwUMtBg_QS0nbKrkoum6O7feJFZ2sYQaXzSnt7fAEVZqBdxTMQhIh8sr-TO0QPHf4E7ezdE1kzGB5rfqtUGD1O8byk77sWsS96E7YXX2nLtVL9PSjtOoF_DE/s640/EJune+(66).JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the cute little house Marissa and Dan's family lived in for the past 5 years. Lots of great memories here but we were so excited for the changes ahead of them, too. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQY27yTvjJJTPIn-Tj1Y-mPRphOngQzMvjUy3gp0ykKqbgKZ61PmVES9pEUUR-I-uEYAKu33dhyphenhyphenRvtLKauT6jhiJC5u2VRpMFI3GBkxV9TWSDLehyphenhyphen8rTDHYkqb3kTQVrcBt-i1eFF0pk4/s1600/EJune+(86).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQY27yTvjJJTPIn-Tj1Y-mPRphOngQzMvjUy3gp0ykKqbgKZ61PmVES9pEUUR-I-uEYAKu33dhyphenhyphenRvtLKauT6jhiJC5u2VRpMFI3GBkxV9TWSDLehyphenhyphen8rTDHYkqb3kTQVrcBt-i1eFF0pk4/s640/EJune+(86).JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nick wins the best uncle award... as I'm sleeping on the couch next to them. Haha. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMeNineMNoIaAYoUhKNKvYMW7sQs3_vCP2aNXVTmIVBMwK1coNNymx9elKmTUN5-jdtY4Xsll5xI6IYoKJlga2-S3AEvOed3qnVmlvscmBwOT_PG8of1D1udJs3hNoByHnRFBt-CJIXA/s1600/dsc_0589R.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMeNineMNoIaAYoUhKNKvYMW7sQs3_vCP2aNXVTmIVBMwK1coNNymx9elKmTUN5-jdtY4Xsll5xI6IYoKJlga2-S3AEvOed3qnVmlvscmBwOT_PG8of1D1udJs3hNoByHnRFBt-CJIXA/s640/dsc_0589R.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We took Charlotte out on a little day trip to the Milwaukee Art Museum while Eliza was at school. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJKm0Hfw4CgAJiLsa_8FY4yx042CyLG-xS7QGT3lqCTcMz2CtgBlI6nuoz8IyusgA13V1inWMExasNrbz2vkCI-Zi9tmKMlpwyUetpdcwZ32BjVmY268BRAt-UR6ejfhrlsDn23cAjOk/s1600/EJune+%252872%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJKm0Hfw4CgAJiLsa_8FY4yx042CyLG-xS7QGT3lqCTcMz2CtgBlI6nuoz8IyusgA13V1inWMExasNrbz2vkCI-Zi9tmKMlpwyUetpdcwZ32BjVmY268BRAt-UR6ejfhrlsDn23cAjOk/s640/EJune+%252872%2529.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZI1tRTlGqiVr31qxk0-c_R71jE7dpgMFqi-9fQvQwvCfuYp54TmBlXw6W0RYuDrxw7NeZa9Z_FTFOg7Mszl727skfdfeMgOaLPpRsWFn5sl4nJBESPd8G0Lo47IWA3d1chekVt2rWRo/s1600/EJune+(75).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZI1tRTlGqiVr31qxk0-c_R71jE7dpgMFqi-9fQvQwvCfuYp54TmBlXw6W0RYuDrxw7NeZa9Z_FTFOg7Mszl727skfdfeMgOaLPpRsWFn5sl4nJBESPd8G0Lo47IWA3d1chekVt2rWRo/s640/EJune+(75).JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And we died over her cuteness. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-RCUEsjfOHPHodWtuuqawkYRDy5Te1s5K7htIP3ZYdMiZyNZy37igj77-VLULQWxxhIt969v3ymqYSQLVI-DHQ8vVmVgP66vrTHsSRhOPNL049i5M2sX6OsToGuz2xJGxkESdYAvHDE/s1600/EJune+(79).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-RCUEsjfOHPHodWtuuqawkYRDy5Te1s5K7htIP3ZYdMiZyNZy37igj77-VLULQWxxhIt969v3ymqYSQLVI-DHQ8vVmVgP66vrTHsSRhOPNL049i5M2sX6OsToGuz2xJGxkESdYAvHDE/s640/EJune+(79).JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BD_qKRrk1YQf0uCP_ffygP3iDT7MUxh349FIOU26vSreJxD7RxT5Bwllrz06SAbuI27YRmqUxsjfCoXY5z9lBaVsXFIajFV_I6K-g0GmSvI2OAPsD7QDG56IkgczuSEKRO0VZmn0-kM/s1600/EJune+(81).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BD_qKRrk1YQf0uCP_ffygP3iDT7MUxh349FIOU26vSreJxD7RxT5Bwllrz06SAbuI27YRmqUxsjfCoXY5z9lBaVsXFIajFV_I6K-g0GmSvI2OAPsD7QDG56IkgczuSEKRO0VZmn0-kM/s640/EJune+(81).JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We also got some time to explore downtown Wauwatosa together. Such a quaint little town! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VDygvdv8IEtO_jAf8sYFdxje67NLAhpiDyvjGEb3AUpFYISWYl7zEuc4pmdXjE9i7366tOShy4Wj0w-bggMcsq-UQsibs_ui3rJ91CH8K4A210Aw6_30wzwCqq3ZNeizKRFAT9yyO8E/s1600/EJune+(117).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VDygvdv8IEtO_jAf8sYFdxje67NLAhpiDyvjGEb3AUpFYISWYl7zEuc4pmdXjE9i7366tOShy4Wj0w-bggMcsq-UQsibs_ui3rJ91CH8K4A210Aw6_30wzwCqq3ZNeizKRFAT9yyO8E/s640/EJune+(117).JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dan and Nick became expert packers with bubble wrap and plastic wrap. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEies_cEujpZHYiSbm3324ikRzs5Saj9MX43z6N12IvhM3nWKcYoTkr7o22eCyor8qbXEDh25Ic6DWywsQSz80G8oUD4H_yl1V5AumRSBv54mcgGxFX_uXJqfehmw2GKBi5r_owiukUOQro/s1600/EJune+(118).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEies_cEujpZHYiSbm3324ikRzs5Saj9MX43z6N12IvhM3nWKcYoTkr7o22eCyor8qbXEDh25Ic6DWywsQSz80G8oUD4H_yl1V5AumRSBv54mcgGxFX_uXJqfehmw2GKBi5r_owiukUOQro/s640/EJune+(118).JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then we proceeded to pack up the biggest truck possible that they could rent. Thanks to Nick and Dan's expertise, everything fit lit a charm! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuPcyAKZ54aolxHnXC1PX-SX_AChrTYaD7kQxKqzYKGetem6IEZOUc2h2QM8lA6M2O3hN9q5PUuNZWEtFbYfhan1WvsL5enZ6YSd8FDwdF5bsNjOhd6XksiNBT2BmendUIC3Top5RdHo/s1600/dsc_0658BF.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuPcyAKZ54aolxHnXC1PX-SX_AChrTYaD7kQxKqzYKGetem6IEZOUc2h2QM8lA6M2O3hN9q5PUuNZWEtFbYfhan1WvsL5enZ6YSd8FDwdF5bsNjOhd6XksiNBT2BmendUIC3Top5RdHo/s640/dsc_0658BF.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We got a late start out from Wauwatosa, and stopped in Rochester that night before the long drive the next day. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIc7yJ_C7fVc1dpQIqphGLXAn6ZoxjqHoM4gF2wOakQHaIbqcwdEFBG4q9JcNNLX70NqyEGFwSlTl79BKb4kGr3Xq_U0JXCEhtpimb1Bdi-WrEK5-hBPX4oTswkNNyrqxr0G8NI6e3vY/s1600/EJune+(121).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIc7yJ_C7fVc1dpQIqphGLXAn6ZoxjqHoM4gF2wOakQHaIbqcwdEFBG4q9JcNNLX70NqyEGFwSlTl79BKb4kGr3Xq_U0JXCEhtpimb1Bdi-WrEK5-hBPX4oTswkNNyrqxr0G8NI6e3vY/s640/EJune+(121).JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The girls stayed occupied by playing "ticket time". Every hour of the trip they got to hand in one of their tickets for a treat or a fun activity to pass the time. They were champs! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second day, we drove from Rochester to Rapid City and got to enjoy some beautiful Midwest scenery. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizmrVrRecEw-dt6zuCFWT1oF_0nguvesXmTHZ7d6GGiKyfTNh7YbjEB4j_pCLAI8EXkBepylE8lh6xq6h1VnNsmSDMVcAkxoc3qMAjE6gFCc-L6Sx8ozjsllczvFcHdHS9mbCKbnCGQ4/s1600/dsc_0695N.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizmrVrRecEw-dt6zuCFWT1oF_0nguvesXmTHZ7d6GGiKyfTNh7YbjEB4j_pCLAI8EXkBepylE8lh6xq6h1VnNsmSDMVcAkxoc3qMAjE6gFCc-L6Sx8ozjsllczvFcHdHS9mbCKbnCGQ4/s640/dsc_0695N.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After our stay in Rapid City, we made a stop at Mt. Rushmore the following morning before we started on the home stretch. Mt. Rushmore was definitely different than I expected it to be--for some reason the movies always make it seem much more close up to the viewing area! But nonetheless, it was fun to check it off our historical bucket list. We had a few minutes to tour the visitors center and learn some more history about is construction. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdXT3zHyAE_wwQAsXSwc0AjkmzJ4MOrgbxbYh2YPRKzFTVVftSBTIWJcPlMFKJbIBf9qdl0oy2sxQEszXwScNeaTWE4-5z3i5XWVB32ZNmNiJorVZTh63Bqr-DSlrTbQqab2Kst0SsbQ/s1600/dsc_0733N.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdXT3zHyAE_wwQAsXSwc0AjkmzJ4MOrgbxbYh2YPRKzFTVVftSBTIWJcPlMFKJbIBf9qdl0oy2sxQEszXwScNeaTWE4-5z3i5XWVB32ZNmNiJorVZTh63Bqr-DSlrTbQqab2Kst0SsbQ/s640/dsc_0733N.JPG" width="428" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nick was a good sport and drove the moving van the majority of the way. For some reason I don't think he minded driving a giant truck too much. :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyk-U6MhnxZ9hPXn6zmzhD50HlFsfGfZSHr8a0D73voGMepQWwqcf1854dw-pDI9BZi0lDHgZWTbhk-0FcjBV1y15VPdWUJWawA8XfDTqhMA5vpPnM2Pc7VzS8mbE12gsccx0lkLkqpw/s1600/EJune+(91).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyk-U6MhnxZ9hPXn6zmzhD50HlFsfGfZSHr8a0D73voGMepQWwqcf1854dw-pDI9BZi0lDHgZWTbhk-0FcjBV1y15VPdWUJWawA8XfDTqhMA5vpPnM2Pc7VzS8mbE12gsccx0lkLkqpw/s640/EJune+(91).JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's nothing quite like these big, fluffy Midwest clouds. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsVYUFTbMWEPIaNFcWu9dKJmny8YJWRZ5zOVY9qp5n0e2QyLdug2VXIBfb2DYECAuVllwOKFv711KdzY8q4kWUVGw1lzeO2372ddBSvzW50M9dfuqeaFHq7er1XAPfs2ZrfcZTx1lE1g/s1600/EJune+(93).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsVYUFTbMWEPIaNFcWu9dKJmny8YJWRZ5zOVY9qp5n0e2QyLdug2VXIBfb2DYECAuVllwOKFv711KdzY8q4kWUVGw1lzeO2372ddBSvzW50M9dfuqeaFHq7er1XAPfs2ZrfcZTx1lE1g/s640/EJune+(93).JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After seeing the billboards for hundreds of miles, we of course had to stop at Wall Drug. My mom has some fun stories about stopping here on their cross-country drives in the 1950's and 60's. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFxNELigaVO-rUu8el73fea2U9V6NEPFxZaqGkmvnUxMy1thjW63owCDdwKspops2z5B0hipBHmzFs7Os2N6wyY-C4SJY5ekdxyUjzG9ZbkOt5jYooWcpggON_HL36XU4gMAC_qCksn4/s1600/EJune+(97).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFxNELigaVO-rUu8el73fea2U9V6NEPFxZaqGkmvnUxMy1thjW63owCDdwKspops2z5B0hipBHmzFs7Os2N6wyY-C4SJY5ekdxyUjzG9ZbkOt5jYooWcpggON_HL36XU4gMAC_qCksn4/s640/EJune+(97).JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGH3gg0cUvYPP22lIdMfVi_lfdSalp1tbuy5wwGwtYxp0eFQV42W0ZVspeEYwodgsW4qcdtyjzyk1UKwsAgsU2ezhI_HDGABjPsjSREfutTiNWhT6dVo-_oSn6qmufbUNY4LQLkuMaw4/s1600/EJune+(116).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGH3gg0cUvYPP22lIdMfVi_lfdSalp1tbuy5wwGwtYxp0eFQV42W0ZVspeEYwodgsW4qcdtyjzyk1UKwsAgsU2ezhI_HDGABjPsjSREfutTiNWhT6dVo-_oSn6qmufbUNY4LQLkuMaw4/s640/EJune+(116).JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everything was packed so well in the truck that it literally stayed in place like a Jenga game when we opened the door. Haha. Luckily there were no major fatalities and everything made it in-tact! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLA3PTm7DgKKFObnaR1Xt0w0CNPhb3w7duAfVrmJG1ajiBHlPqKwUAkNUsefnqqwlqAPXOWV3ou53PHmWTGVo-TAMS5NRTR6xnB231IZ16oeWefV3H7b8N2EnV-msQ3slLOB6biRGVZTQ/s1600/EJune+(115).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLA3PTm7DgKKFObnaR1Xt0w0CNPhb3w7duAfVrmJG1ajiBHlPqKwUAkNUsefnqqwlqAPXOWV3ou53PHmWTGVo-TAMS5NRTR6xnB231IZ16oeWefV3H7b8N2EnV-msQ3slLOB6biRGVZTQ/s640/EJune+(115).JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The girls were sooooo excited to unpack their towns in the new rooms. It's so fun to have them a bit closer now and they are so happy in their new house and neighborhood. </span></div>
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<br />Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-34884222889886749522014-01-02T00:27:00.000-07:002014-01-02T00:46:03.322-07:00May and MWU Graduation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBtg2sKaLpwfKrPcXV3iO5V_LPMAh2ZLaPwMMqhhKd9gJ3aueyXZHaG9DN6S3qfg5Bii7NInaxrj-ZIymsv3Zk8Pmsq6YUKj1XSp7jajz4DguY7dwUzg3doTlqNNefG7Yb8C5lrHajD8/s1600/IMG_1710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBtg2sKaLpwfKrPcXV3iO5V_LPMAh2ZLaPwMMqhhKd9gJ3aueyXZHaG9DN6S3qfg5Bii7NInaxrj-ZIymsv3Zk8Pmsq6YUKj1XSp7jajz4DguY7dwUzg3doTlqNNefG7Yb8C5lrHajD8/s640/IMG_1710.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These pictures pretty much sum up how we spent the month of May. We found an awesome deal for a monthly membership at a golf course just by our apartment and we definitely got our money's worth!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB71yiGHwkmx5lQfVmRrtrXCVbWkVetlUw0NF24Z0G93FOaodGTpg88i0fVY_JUp9IA8m3AbTxkEHPls17u76hCQhcmL8I0hGRbfSkPQmse0euG9LkrO9Nqs6YnsQhF5kkfpsp4F0RT-M/s1600/IMG_1680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB71yiGHwkmx5lQfVmRrtrXCVbWkVetlUw0NF24Z0G93FOaodGTpg88i0fVY_JUp9IA8m3AbTxkEHPls17u76hCQhcmL8I0hGRbfSkPQmse0euG9LkrO9Nqs6YnsQhF5kkfpsp4F0RT-M/s640/IMG_1680.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Things were winding down with Nick's schooling so he golfed at least 5-6 times per week, and I went with him a good portion of the time. Having never really golfed before myself, it was a whole new experience for me! Frustrating a lot of the time, but fun once you get the hang of it! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jvevumjrAGR6dCNLB5PXdDGwwtqj0uS3LAj5U7ATX2vf4_o70Okh191qOzZFpSEXxA3sLsHhmuLZyBQH82i0pbCqwJPlZ6BGxg0UQe6SuYhtn-cRIrjppT6m-_zsV52t55iX7nTGcAY/s1600/IMG_1721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jvevumjrAGR6dCNLB5PXdDGwwtqj0uS3LAj5U7ATX2vf4_o70Okh191qOzZFpSEXxA3sLsHhmuLZyBQH82i0pbCqwJPlZ6BGxg0UQe6SuYhtn-cRIrjppT6m-_zsV52t55iX7nTGcAY/s640/IMG_1721.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The best part, though, was just getting to spend time together. And the beautiful scenery doesn't hurt, either.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, and the fun golf accessories are an added bonus. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May also brought a lot of graduation festivities for Nick's master's program. We helped organize a big pool party at our apartment complex that was a great way to celebrate before final exams. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-m4spvsxqD5UB43xDI8cRx__P7_usZt0A6sOv_GaxFQ3FuNmRCQTZ1P4Pz2SpyabUofqFcmtC_AES-uAjkAfojg7Qs3Y0_QVnM5Dgp8jTnXkLK-VoYMLKfi7_B-AlZavFTfx0OE3QNU/s1600/2013-12-08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-m4spvsxqD5UB43xDI8cRx__P7_usZt0A6sOv_GaxFQ3FuNmRCQTZ1P4Pz2SpyabUofqFcmtC_AES-uAjkAfojg7Qs3Y0_QVnM5Dgp8jTnXkLK-VoYMLKfi7_B-AlZavFTfx0OE3QNU/s640/2013-12-08.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone got together for a graduation banquet</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAewfA0u8G119aDaiz_lqQp0yF2c58Tni51IxFDTpPMLF3R8Kb8-6rWAmAxegNoU589Zh4-A7Yh5xZN8Q2hYWh2dh5y7c_cu0pRXrrE9tafYNmpdkGyyXOB3Zn0cc_UFmuEAU-5W1XzPw/s1600/IMG_1695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAewfA0u8G119aDaiz_lqQp0yF2c58Tni51IxFDTpPMLF3R8Kb8-6rWAmAxegNoU589Zh4-A7Yh5xZN8Q2hYWh2dh5y7c_cu0pRXrrE9tafYNmpdkGyyXOB3Zn0cc_UFmuEAU-5W1XzPw/s640/IMG_1695.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then took a party bus to the clubs in old town Scottsdale. Clubs aren't really our scene, but they're an excellent place for people watching! It was fun to celebrate with all of his classmates before everyone heads off to professional school across the country. We made so many great new friends throughout the year! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQQoNnHoHP22sU6sF_NyRdUqt5L04KeGDnxSIPW3fmpRUaptj7ROJeTj0Mwha727BWluPQuhmO8mhBoDGfufjnEuhO0ZzaiPsJac_2dwdbTTgu75fTB9v3HKHPygHbFqjN4wmyK8q5RA/s1600/IMG_1439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQQoNnHoHP22sU6sF_NyRdUqt5L04KeGDnxSIPW3fmpRUaptj7ROJeTj0Mwha727BWluPQuhmO8mhBoDGfufjnEuhO0ZzaiPsJac_2dwdbTTgu75fTB9v3HKHPygHbFqjN4wmyK8q5RA/s640/IMG_1439.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My mom and Scott flew in for the graduation ceremony and it was so fun to see everyone in their caps and gowns. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So proud of his hard work this year! Moving to Arizona for this program was such a great choice for us, and experience Nick got in his classes definitely put him a step ahead for dental school. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIwyIw3dEjOte02EQghDfzUI89cRittkVRcXziEdQ9msb0FSS6P8X2-zk6UycuP5PbUVPERe-A_famWFYK7lYPvSAdmmmRC4CRfLpSrDT4CkN2H-bLYm2aRN0rM7mvmK6L71sX_hcvL8/s1600/IMG_1741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIwyIw3dEjOte02EQghDfzUI89cRittkVRcXziEdQ9msb0FSS6P8X2-zk6UycuP5PbUVPERe-A_famWFYK7lYPvSAdmmmRC4CRfLpSrDT4CkN2H-bLYm2aRN0rM7mvmK6L71sX_hcvL8/s640/IMG_1741.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Glendale will always hold a special place in our hearts! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To celebrate, of course we headed to the golf course. This time we took my to ride along in the cart so we could all enjoy the amazing weather together. </span></div>
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<span id="goog_240209225"></span><span id="goog_240209226"></span><br />Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-45191768455394987482013-05-13T22:10:00.000-06:002013-05-13T22:10:28.691-06:00I'm Still Here...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
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Whew! To say that the past 9 months have been a whirlwind would be an understatement. This post has been in the making for about the past two of them, but somehow I just never got around to finishing it! I guess time flies when you're having fun, right? </div>
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We have loved every minute of living here in Arizona and it has brought lots of fun changes. Here's what's been going on with us the past several months. Get ready for a picture dump!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_FWVJdOIGfXuR_9AOhqd5eCFDDL9udxsDHWn206KP6EjnX3KBO0T88l2olxWiMXyNfxo-2oVFZnXPdXE-5EBgXmh674_4eoJabMIJaq6iFqYgdGQY8HahwPc9m-W8ODJYw8WnELaMWXY/s1600/2012-09-10+15.06.44.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_FWVJdOIGfXuR_9AOhqd5eCFDDL9udxsDHWn206KP6EjnX3KBO0T88l2olxWiMXyNfxo-2oVFZnXPdXE-5EBgXmh674_4eoJabMIJaq6iFqYgdGQY8HahwPc9m-W8ODJYw8WnELaMWXY/s640/2012-09-10+15.06.44.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If I had to sum up what my life has consisted of since we moved, this view makes up a lot of it. Working from home has made my life MUCH more flexible and Nick has been a great sport to let me jet set all over while he has been so diligent with school. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>September</b></span></div>
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September started out with a trip back to Utah just a couple weeks after we moved in. I got to escape the heat for a couple days and catch the first glimpse of fall in Logan</div>
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Back in Phoenix we got all settled in to our new place with a lot of this:</div>
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And finally this:</div>
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And loving the (almost) constant sunshine even from our bottom-floor apartment</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Yn5xBhjizwQYJtG_NQRWgOGyMhgpx2-ePtntaJ5Fx0EBTFl1ud7ZPPmCYSrWJE2vpqh-tZZYxZzXaqpfNgZLckbvT-0D9dY12kQqlOwFEyXli88HjjBptQVRpGXssYWpBHz65Odn-kHD/s1600/IMG_0037.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Yn5xBhjizwQYJtG_NQRWgOGyMhgpx2-ePtntaJ5Fx0EBTFl1ud7ZPPmCYSrWJE2vpqh-tZZYxZzXaqpfNgZLckbvT-0D9dY12kQqlOwFEyXli88HjjBptQVRpGXssYWpBHz65Odn-kHD/s640/IMG_0037.JPG" width="480" /></a> </div>
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We made lots of new friends in the ward, despite being divided over the BYU vs. U of U football game ;) </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>October</b></span></div>
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October started out with a business trip to Vegas</div>
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Followed by an extended weekend in Honolulu with three of my very best friends. Blogged about that <a href="http://erikaann.blogspot.com/2012/12/friends-reunion-in-hawaii.html">here</a>.</div>
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Aaaand that trip was followed by another few days in Utah, where I got to see newest twin nieces who decided to make their debut at 29 weeks (and are both doing wonderfully now)! </div>
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As you can tell, I practically lived out of my suitcase this entire month. </div>
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And once I came home to the weather still beautiful, I got to take my office outside to work alongside this view. No complaints here! </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>November</b></span></div>
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Most of November was consumed by our Italy adventure (blogged about that <a href="http://erikaann.blogspot.com/2013/01/our-italy-trip_14.html">here</a>), which was amazing in every way. </div>
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After we got back, my dad and Aaron came into town for a quick visit. My dad came into town the day of our ward Christmas party, of which I was in charge of the majority of the food for the ham dinner. Let's just say had my dad not been there, that dinner probably wouldn't have happened. He was a lifesaver!</div>
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These two had just returned from a backpacking trip through Belize and Guatemala. I'm not kidding when I say this is the first time in my life I had seen my dad with facial hair! I barely recognized him when I picked him up from the airport. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>December</b></span></div>
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December started out with a quick trip to Florida for Nick's first dental school interview! I'm so fortunate to be able to take work wherever I go--with internet and a laptop of course--and it was great to tag along with Nick. </div>
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Leaving the hotel for his interview. Isn't he so handsome?</div>
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Nick's sister and her husband live in South Florida, and we were so glad that they drove up to Tampa to meet us for dinner!</div>
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As we were taking off from Phoenix, I realized that we would only be a couple hours away from Universal Orlando. We had been DYING to go to Harry Potter World ever since we saw it being built back in 2009 when we lived in Orlando, and we couldn't resist not going. We only got a half day at the park before our flight left, but it was so worth it!</div>
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I literally got chills when I saw this. Not kidding. We are Harry Potter nerds at heart! </div>
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Our friends, the Larsons, live in Orlando and I used to babysit for them when we lived nearby. They were at the park that day anyway, and it was awesome that they met us there for a few rides. I babysat this little guy Jacob when he was just a newborn and it was fun to see him so grown up! </div>
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Had to start the Christmas season off right by visiting the Grinch! </div>
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Once we were back home we fully engulfed ourselves in the Christmas season--it's Nick's ultimate favorite. </div>
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We had fun at the Christmas festival with our friends and neighbors, the Woolfords</div>
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Enjoyed our Christmas tree</div>
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And made Christmas cookies! </div>
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(Nick made a few tooth cookies, too)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Christmas Break</b></span></div>
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We drove to Utah for Christmas so we could transport all of our ski/snowboard gear easily. The drive wasn't too terrible, and we had some great views along the way! </div>
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Nick and I decided to do Christmas Eve/day on our own this year, and it couldn't have been any more perfect. </div>
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We started Christmas Eve at the Nutcracker matinee</div>
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We finished up some shopping at City Creek, and then checked into one of our all-time favorite places--The Grand America.</div>
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We brought a few of our own decorations to be festive and had an amazing view out of our balcony</div>
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All Nick wanted was a "white Christmas" and he definitely got it! We spent a couple hours on Christmas Eve at temple square and even though it was freezing, it was so picture perfect! We loved getting our snow fix, especially during the most fitting holiday. </div>
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We took a hot chocolate break at the Joseph Smith building to warm up. We found the exact room that Nick proposed to me in four years ago. Can't beat that view! We loved having a quiet Christmas Eve to ourselves in such an awesome setting. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNo2KM2w7Fbuxy6v-DaIvF5uCkRaXuG7ukvgvDAV9xBtOwWX-Dg9gQ1lcVXRN8vtct27sXA0CxXxKce_nQeOoFkb0wcDjniWsmZ77_5zkpFEAimAgni6_Uc0Jl7kSZ0puENG4Q-m478-M7/s1600/2013-04-144.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNo2KM2w7Fbuxy6v-DaIvF5uCkRaXuG7ukvgvDAV9xBtOwWX-Dg9gQ1lcVXRN8vtct27sXA0CxXxKce_nQeOoFkb0wcDjniWsmZ77_5zkpFEAimAgni6_Uc0Jl7kSZ0puENG4Q-m478-M7/s640/2013-04-144.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mYmMxaEwAQKVWXkzt6kW2QkfCOKiOv25aJOGRHix4-RrRPbXH9D_yx4l0HSiLH9WafxBBfpXGQDQ0sJyoSvgY4PdsHAUpuZhT1fX2NR9YwS4aILbnStDYAv0Y39mUt34dVCtf01EbaUC/s1600/IMG_1463.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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We woke up Christmas morning to find a stocking on our door from the Grand America. Seriously, that place never ceases to amaze me. Then we headed down for breakfast which was delicious as always. We can't wait to go back next year! </div>
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We spent the rest of our break in Logan. My little brother, Scott, had just gotten home from his mission in Korea on medical leave, so it was great to spend some time with everyone all together. </div>
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We tried out cross country skiing on New Years</div>
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Enjoyed A LOT more snowfall</div>
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Spent our one and only ski day of the season with my dad at The Beav</div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmWGdAiItYkJZtcvQhYd6i3tyzQdSLkc5vu5yS69jyUtIk7ShT_IHq4x49mBEOOlOG3fpvjDospBQ_RdvpmBVDXZk-_DR5dQUMAnwmIBsa9iyX9ugZA-4-ZhvmMNcmtrtkNCs7p37UzNs/s640/2013-04-146.jpg" width="494" /></div>
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Got to help welcome these precious little twins home from the NICU after their two-and-a-half month stay</div>
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Nick got some quality Kona time while studying hard </div>
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We all played lots of pool (my dad takes that game very seriously if you can't tell)</div>
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And we also opened up my Grandpa's old films from the 1950 and had a legitimate movie night with the family. My grandpa had film from literally every corner of the world--Rome, Japan, the Taj Mahal, Berlin--you name it. We are so lucky to have these!<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">January</span></b></div>
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While we loved getting our snow fix over the holiday break, I can't deny that I was ecstatic to come back to warm weather. And Nick was pretty happy about it too, considering he could do this:</div>
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I did a lot of this:</div>
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(Ok, I don't always use the Luv Sac as my office chair.. but sometimes chairs just get old!)</div>
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Nick had his second dental school interview in Chicago, and he got to meet up with my sister's family afterward. I was so sad I couldn't be there, but we're happy to have them move closer in just a few weeks! </div>
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In mid-January, I had a short stint in Honolulu again--this time with my parents and Scott. It wasn't easy fitting in work in the wee hours of the night so I could hang out with everyone during the day, but it was so worth it! </div>
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My mom and I rented one of these (basically a moped on three wheels) and drove it around Diamond Head. Hilarious! </div>
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One of the only "group" pictures I got while there. I feel like I only think about taking pictures AFTER I already forgot to do it. Ugh. </div>
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Had to make an obligatory stop at Matsumotos for shave ice. </div>
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And saw some awesome views on the North Shore. <br />
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Overall, it was awesome to spend some quality time with the fam. We all missed Nick, but his absence on the trip paid off. While I was gone, he had his third dental school interview over in Mesa. They called the day after with an acceptance invitation! </div>
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We are so excited to be staying in Arizona for the next for years, and I'm so proud of Nick for working so hard to get to this point! </div>
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We finished off the month with celebrating my 24th at Ruth's Chris--I would take one of their steaks over a birthday present any day! </div>
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And some Sprinkles cupcakes to go :)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>February</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I enjoyed lemon season</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Got acquainted with my new juicer </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Started to enjoy being in our nursery callings after a chaotic first couple months</span></span></div>
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Had our annual Valentine's Day fondue dinner at home</div>
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Enjoyed having my friend Jo in town for the long holiday weekend. She hit a gold mine at Last Chance and we took some fun pictures with our matching Jimmy Choos (90% off, anyone?), enjoyed some delicious cupcakes, and got to spend some time at the Mesa Temple grounds. </div>
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We spent the last few days of the month (and Nick's Birthday) on spring break in Belize--blogged about that fun adventure <a href="http://erikaann.blogspot.com/2013/05/unbelizeable.html">here</a>. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>March</b></span></div>
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Since I'm a person that thrives on sunshine, it's easy to see why I was just thrilled to live in this weather during early spring</div>
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We take advantage of our pool quite a bit and love that its so convenient.</div>
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We went to our first Spring Training game</div>
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Worked on our golf game... which is still a work in progress</div>
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Went to the Mesa Temple Easter Pageant for the first time with our friends the Woolfords</div>
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And last but not least, two of my best friends, Lindsey and Kyndra, came to visit! Their trip was originally scheduled for mid-January, but the huge snowstorm in Utah cancelled their flight for a couple days. Despite the delay, it was still so much fun to have them here. </div>
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We spent a fun day of shopping in Scottsdale, had lots of quality pool time, and just had fun catching up since we hadn't seen each other since last summer. Can't wait for them to visit again! </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>April</b></span></div>
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April was filled with a lot of family visits, which we loved! It started out with another trip to Utah, but this time together for Nick's mom's wedding! She was such a beautiful bride and we are so happy for her. </div>
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It was the first time Nick's entire family had been together since our wedding four years ago! It was so fun to be with everybody for the weekend. </div>
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Back in Phoenix, we visited Chase Field for the first time for the Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers game</div>
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Then my dad came into town for a couple days to check out some real estate. This is quite possibly my favorite picture of my dad. He couldn't resist taking the beach cruisers for a ride down those wide aisles at Costco! Haha. </div>
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A few days later, I flew back to Utah (solo this time) to see my sister and her family who were in town finalizing a home purchase in the Salt Lake area. We're so excited to have them on this side of the continent now! </div>
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We took the girls to the American West Heritage Center to see some baby animals. I think I loved it as much as they did. </div>
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The sibs</div>
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It had been an entire year since I saw these little ones and they had grown up so much! </div>
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Scott flew back just a day after I did to Phoenix to catch some sunshine, and we had some fun on the golf course together.<br />
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I am VERY new to golfing, but luckily Nick's skill of finding golf gear on eBay for great deals has me looking less like an amateur...that is until you see my swing ;). </div>
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Well, that's my best attempt at summarizing our life over the past nine months or so. More to come soon (hopefully) about our summer adventures! </div>
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Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-12489296659084456742013-05-12T22:53:00.002-06:002013-05-12T22:53:32.901-06:00unBELIZEable! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
This year since Nick actually had a spring break from school (that hasn't happened, well...ever), we knew we wanted to take advantage of his time off and do something fun. Back in November, my dad and older brother Aaron went to Belize and discovered Caye Caulker, a little gem of an island just off the coast of Belize City. He loved it so much that he thought it would be fun to take us back there with my little brother Scott. It was such a unique experience and we loved every minute of it! </div>
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It was quite a feat trying to fly standby out of Phoenix, so we ended up driving to Salt Lake City and catching the last two seats on the plane (literally) to Atlanta.</div>
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We had a few hours to hang out in Atlanta and we found Captain Don's plane. Had to document a picture of his "office"</div>
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Once we got to Belize City, we took a taxi to the waterfront and then spent about 45 minutes on this:</div>
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And once we got there, it didn't take me long to realize that I was way overdressed for the heat and humidity. On the plus side though, the views of the water were amazing! </div>
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This is main street on Caye Caulker. Yep. No pavement--just dirt. No cars allowed either--just golf carts. It was awesome! We loved how laid back the lifestyle was there. The island itself is only a few miles long and only about 2,000 people live there. It takes simplicity to a whole new level. Definitely not for people who can't stand dusty feet. </div>
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We stayed at a fun little local hotel that was right on the main street. As soon as we got there we couldn't wait to get to the beach. </div>
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This is the main beach on Caye Caulker, also referred to as "The Split." There's basically a bar and some waterfront where the island splits into some marshland. So simple and definitely not glamorous, but that's what was so unique about it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgBntRCR1GLUcZvn2nIDGGdzmQIph52m40mIh4y_h0-0Y9i2NmFaITDYkoQluAcLjofS4XAD0yDHdIFSDBu8A8SNGTlhoE5hSUOurB8I_PWldcVuuHSl38Tzvu7Vadag7ZSyzcYXJeH5z/s1600/IMG_1224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgBntRCR1GLUcZvn2nIDGGdzmQIph52m40mIh4y_h0-0Y9i2NmFaITDYkoQluAcLjofS4XAD0yDHdIFSDBu8A8SNGTlhoE5hSUOurB8I_PWldcVuuHSl38Tzvu7Vadag7ZSyzcYXJeH5z/s640/IMG_1224.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The water was a-mazing and calm enough for some paddle boarding</div>
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It was the perfect place to just do nothing. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwxmOvOkqJ3EraxDuIttDa4TH-9PYVpLgbMvmU-dVTKhBriO_Zz80CHX_WiYXeXJd0HqTfMTJ33qhOGuM0mj7HMzaVP131EroPcW3mffJb4HW7dhNBBYyqBNNA-QNGptcpb6gztE5BvpK/s1600/IMG_1504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwxmOvOkqJ3EraxDuIttDa4TH-9PYVpLgbMvmU-dVTKhBriO_Zz80CHX_WiYXeXJd0HqTfMTJ33qhOGuM0mj7HMzaVP131EroPcW3mffJb4HW7dhNBBYyqBNNA-QNGptcpb6gztE5BvpK/s640/IMG_1504.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And along with doing absolutely nothing, our timing worked out perfectly to celebrate Nick's birthday on the island! So after a great day on the beach we had a yummy birthday dinner and then went to the outdoor cinema for a movie. Overall, it was an awesome way for Nick to turn 28! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cREh0KBkXzaH3z7kEN5gv7WFYh_NIn-_13MrOJqYwsHI4S3cKtPjLuxdse0D_9tdHlwgW39JawrqsAYld8wDL_zYsNgxhAVJg1vwpgpHMSRwYN7knjaMBf0PIwtuIzLznvgNzCTPbBw5/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cREh0KBkXzaH3z7kEN5gv7WFYh_NIn-_13MrOJqYwsHI4S3cKtPjLuxdse0D_9tdHlwgW39JawrqsAYld8wDL_zYsNgxhAVJg1vwpgpHMSRwYN7knjaMBf0PIwtuIzLznvgNzCTPbBw5/s640/IMG_1506.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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The next day, my dad scheduled a diving tour for us out on the reef. Belize is known for the Great Blue Hole, however, we weren't really up to spending 6 hours on a boat round trip to get there. So instead we did an "exploratory" dive since this was Nick's first time going scuba diving. Unfortunately, I didn't have an underwater still camera with me, but Scott got lots of footage on his GoPro that I'm sure will turn into a video at some point. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMg4inOh4629450flxZQN5_Na6gWapdwNMoWWX7M1XLkJJptPHdtE_8R9Pemow2QZSs52owQTdTeR4_ANwUXx38nu4xFK4W9s0EbILEvbPRtIBfeYoPiPE2yhn9wz0PKTDp4e-0Ic3Edqg/s1600/IMG_1240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMg4inOh4629450flxZQN5_Na6gWapdwNMoWWX7M1XLkJJptPHdtE_8R9Pemow2QZSs52owQTdTeR4_ANwUXx38nu4xFK4W9s0EbILEvbPRtIBfeYoPiPE2yhn9wz0PKTDp4e-0Ic3Edqg/s640/IMG_1240.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The exploratory dive I had been on several years ago took us about 20ft. down. Our first dive in Belize was about 20-25 feet, but on our second dive the guide took us down about 60 feet! Definitely not what we were expecting, but we saw some amazing coral and sea life. I'm pretty sure we would have never gotten away with that type of 'exploratory dive' in the States ;). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnH5MaDfIiNGDM6a4CYO0yEpCeN-98KG0oDJU16eko6VRUb09sUK_X6CldV4uoklLunQf4aPhM_VTl5NQL8hFHC-gMF97N34YwI4GHc9V6bqszto31eHjvpaA3e4nkrHDsTlZIyavqWTL/s1600/IMG_1242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnH5MaDfIiNGDM6a4CYO0yEpCeN-98KG0oDJU16eko6VRUb09sUK_X6CldV4uoklLunQf4aPhM_VTl5NQL8hFHC-gMF97N34YwI4GHc9V6bqszto31eHjvpaA3e4nkrHDsTlZIyavqWTL/s640/IMG_1242.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Nick getting ready to take his first dive off the boat</div>
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The sun in Belize was MUCH stronger than what I am used to in Arizona. It took me like three weeks to get rid of my sunburn line from that Scuba suit... and that's even with sunscreen!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wKKnfNq-GeI5IxbHJxqCGK6zU1js24nbAPcqfYOPa6cO7zjJKuYXSeTiHBwB0OTAYmxccdyHfN6NFpwgwp84YsSl-oHBLae52seS4cBaW-l4T-MsnvOJxnnhj0HKVm4hHm7RidvwVv7e/s1600/2013-04-143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wKKnfNq-GeI5IxbHJxqCGK6zU1js24nbAPcqfYOPa6cO7zjJKuYXSeTiHBwB0OTAYmxccdyHfN6NFpwgwp84YsSl-oHBLae52seS4cBaW-l4T-MsnvOJxnnhj0HKVm4hHm7RidvwVv7e/s640/2013-04-143.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The next day was a little overcast so we decided to take our own bike tour of the island. There aren't too many places to go since it's such a small place, but we had a great time exploring. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxopPBktfsN2kESEV4uXnkpoEqd-meWJ-NomXIAyWi4FbH7Ml-LvGlmeO6ZYUjiDZlWNMne9lZLKizEF0Es3i6X2tXsfNmL7CCLii3YSxOVgKOsWvNS1TVCeNPObtWGMACVxqSJprl-5-6/s1600/2013-04-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxopPBktfsN2kESEV4uXnkpoEqd-meWJ-NomXIAyWi4FbH7Ml-LvGlmeO6ZYUjiDZlWNMne9lZLKizEF0Es3i6X2tXsfNmL7CCLii3YSxOVgKOsWvNS1TVCeNPObtWGMACVxqSJprl-5-6/s640/2013-04-14.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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We got lunch from the Budgetman who is a legend on Caye Caulker for his good food. Traditional island food has LOTS of flavor. Luckily none of us got sick from any of the street food we ate. Haha. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xo9a3t-E83lgfuW9Fg2J5SvFCpSgDRE9o1GXfWEcZvkJVeHCR3NGZbnECkY6rBUaBZnlE8GB54V6ApUth22AXJYh4vQEQD1rQjgCPH-h3NFW3uJ-4xKBFeODGNUHZZbztT2qDR2Gy-Gf/s1600/IMG_0727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xo9a3t-E83lgfuW9Fg2J5SvFCpSgDRE9o1GXfWEcZvkJVeHCR3NGZbnECkY6rBUaBZnlE8GB54V6ApUth22AXJYh4vQEQD1rQjgCPH-h3NFW3uJ-4xKBFeODGNUHZZbztT2qDR2Gy-Gf/s640/IMG_0727.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is Fran, who made our other favorite version of street food. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrxcnslUsESToq0aNKGvtVA_KAFTaNFXevr_0P0hpc1Y62aG9JNKp63UDgwunREcDjkNQOdXVNLrvdEBmwhpN1tBWkxvRumY17FMMZpoPeF_XzxK6Bs7fVnJhFEue8aqsFWseAkndz_x7/s1600/IMG_0737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrxcnslUsESToq0aNKGvtVA_KAFTaNFXevr_0P0hpc1Y62aG9JNKp63UDgwunREcDjkNQOdXVNLrvdEBmwhpN1tBWkxvRumY17FMMZpoPeF_XzxK6Bs7fVnJhFEue8aqsFWseAkndz_x7/s640/IMG_0737.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And Nick also loved that he could get "real" Coke at all of the convenience stores. The kind where you even return the glass bottles so they can re-use them!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig51VgFHoWGFwOW7uXHb4-bUqPm9JanQ5cMDC0SDOoIFnq-5jg9wfE9jFkyW_pIy1KBQJTMHn5F9WohOOGQmCzhuAkCWqiYaENABwgFOvHUhEguqza5rzFr_IAJRxea1Tv5_nXRaWw6cJk/s1600/IMG_1208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig51VgFHoWGFwOW7uXHb4-bUqPm9JanQ5cMDC0SDOoIFnq-5jg9wfE9jFkyW_pIy1KBQJTMHn5F9WohOOGQmCzhuAkCWqiYaENABwgFOvHUhEguqza5rzFr_IAJRxea1Tv5_nXRaWw6cJk/s640/IMG_1208.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Some of our other favorites:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3V20tN5DpWFox3l-eWy0bjdPqjl2UhoK-00f1neHZcmcXzP7v8dfh79FGJkejZF6iKbtnG2uiUfGRX2o84QzVGhU5n-zj6Y-rNBhyFADiARtiKmcaxXbzU25iPHtcmcQo5Aluf9y2uihk/s1600/IMG_1255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3V20tN5DpWFox3l-eWy0bjdPqjl2UhoK-00f1neHZcmcXzP7v8dfh79FGJkejZF6iKbtnG2uiUfGRX2o84QzVGhU5n-zj6Y-rNBhyFADiARtiKmcaxXbzU25iPHtcmcQo5Aluf9y2uihk/s640/IMG_1255.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This street was just outside our hotel. Need a sign for your store? Just paint it! Need to repair some potholes? Just throw some rocks over it! Haha. </div>
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It never ceased to amaze me how simple the island life was there, and yet how happy everyone was, too. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAtYORc1bOP31QZDTLxgpt8GAdXoEX21aIbpr2vAoWkI4C-FHYYG7GDQHU9SQ2OWTzfINnd9EhTndaH4yK0ixSOmbppRjp-EG1lUevOuFPDzY0J2CinLt1q-YDN2Gtyg5dd8clMfkLHpT/s1600/IMG_1256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAtYORc1bOP31QZDTLxgpt8GAdXoEX21aIbpr2vAoWkI4C-FHYYG7GDQHU9SQ2OWTzfINnd9EhTndaH4yK0ixSOmbppRjp-EG1lUevOuFPDzY0J2CinLt1q-YDN2Gtyg5dd8clMfkLHpT/s640/IMG_1256.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Who needs a $300 stroller anyway? I loved the ingenuity of this one. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmOMrO_ZT1QcKhP17DDQn0WICplZIblXPsp3oaN_DsYdkLpx44v6ZbhgZNkpKXPgwFUAWcYB7vitchpms2gMtEI57n2p7mtSXVpbxx9Feb4a4ee91rW3FqsZOoxHhSHCwd5FLJaOarscf/s1600/IMG_1271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmOMrO_ZT1QcKhP17DDQn0WICplZIblXPsp3oaN_DsYdkLpx44v6ZbhgZNkpKXPgwFUAWcYB7vitchpms2gMtEI57n2p7mtSXVpbxx9Feb4a4ee91rW3FqsZOoxHhSHCwd5FLJaOarscf/s640/IMG_1271.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Caye Caulker is also famous for its lobster. We were there just after the lobster season had ended, but these stacks of lobster traps were everywhere. They look so cool, but if you get to close you might want to die from the smell. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGAl9rp-t9aWe_PcYWnIDexPJ3YQKyn5LEzKFsbYhTZ2lTEKnBwEH5qGd2KN60uIJeMyR1UMAl9RDCQCheucD2thkaiFyiEvWVnoI1W1wlEF2sbQHCOaUF8HiPkuiwYINrr02uOe1saCT/s1600/2013-04-142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGAl9rp-t9aWe_PcYWnIDexPJ3YQKyn5LEzKFsbYhTZ2lTEKnBwEH5qGd2KN60uIJeMyR1UMAl9RDCQCheucD2thkaiFyiEvWVnoI1W1wlEF2sbQHCOaUF8HiPkuiwYINrr02uOe1saCT/s640/2013-04-142.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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Also, there are dogs EVERYWHERE on the island. I'm convinced that they gravitated towards us because we love dogs anyway. Some are stray dogs and some have owners, but it was hilarious to see them literally everywhere we went on the island (even in stores and bars!).</div>
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Nightlife on the island mostly consists of sports bars and karaoke clubs, and since none of us were too fond of those options, we spent our last night on the island at the outdoor cinema. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5fU-QtBMw-8SqoyunU6LxSxpSgaKsmOF2o1pkhl52ZJnNh5QET6LYcwQffX0B_rJadN8nq9isUD72rLtYPm9J-KBF3bbYW7JT0Zt4ahw_YEkygJCg887wYvQ6wLCt9aJOfWbtuT92ZnW/s1600/IMG_1277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5fU-QtBMw-8SqoyunU6LxSxpSgaKsmOF2o1pkhl52ZJnNh5QET6LYcwQffX0B_rJadN8nq9isUD72rLtYPm9J-KBF3bbYW7JT0Zt4ahw_YEkygJCg887wYvQ6wLCt9aJOfWbtuT92ZnW/s640/IMG_1277.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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It was such a fun setup and of course was perfect weather. However, I don't recommend watching The Impossible (about the 2004 tsunami) when you're on a little 5-mile-long island in the middle of nowhere. Haha. Despite the circumstances though, it was a great show and we had a fun night. </div>
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We had a few hours on our last morning before we had to catch the water taxi back to Belize City, so we got a yummy breakfast at a little cafe on main street. Can't beat the view! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbbPXfe8JvpHPMASQjI_U4AQfwqEGXJQefW1ONWWhW5R085IYpo-BN3sC8kEYQdpMPVP7nKkhgRVXI8kWIYzwI01PITVUALheYTDEWVhN3sdeC8SrEEjCG_cpIbeXT95D0a_MohD054FC/s1600/IMG_1285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbbPXfe8JvpHPMASQjI_U4AQfwqEGXJQefW1ONWWhW5R085IYpo-BN3sC8kEYQdpMPVP7nKkhgRVXI8kWIYzwI01PITVUALheYTDEWVhN3sdeC8SrEEjCG_cpIbeXT95D0a_MohD054FC/s640/IMG_1285.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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We can't wait to come back to Caye Caulker at some point in the future. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for an easy and care-free Caribbean getaway. It's about the same distance as Mexico, but everyone speaks English and the even accept the U.S. Dollar, too. The island itself is really safe and the people are incredibly nice. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SmSNQ-qugowjGTP4psRe6DXd-xLk9SmGrp-YpnlAqd3h0FflnS6LiUS1ZcJZKIm0D1n40LmK8M5g6uJec695CGEY6kyLhlIwT59zh8RSeqXxnTw9-1eX0bbUcEGZQ1zlDWjxEmZ0ibgG/s1600/IMG_1289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SmSNQ-qugowjGTP4psRe6DXd-xLk9SmGrp-YpnlAqd3h0FflnS6LiUS1ZcJZKIm0D1n40LmK8M5g6uJec695CGEY6kyLhlIwT59zh8RSeqXxnTw9-1eX0bbUcEGZQ1zlDWjxEmZ0ibgG/s640/IMG_1289.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We think it's quite fitting that the motto of the island is "Go Slow." If there's ever a place where you can just escape the rat race of life for a few days (or forever if you really want), Caye Caulker is the place! </div>
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Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-84833553125377909562013-01-14T19:38:00.001-07:002013-01-14T19:49:14.551-07:00Our Italy Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NlW52ARs6U-bWgG6d0tyuZ2ykYdINCZ0aQ0Z7I1fwyGoyXDwF1pKGlJ48voJ6bLmxoG8Hrfl6HzTildOZ4XsIWepwnK3VJW87ETy7Fd-XalcxVHKNZhbHALGwSodYDLQ0mX2qPrpW5UG/s1600/2013-01-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NlW52ARs6U-bWgG6d0tyuZ2ykYdINCZ0aQ0Z7I1fwyGoyXDwF1pKGlJ48voJ6bLmxoG8Hrfl6HzTildOZ4XsIWepwnK3VJW87ETy7Fd-XalcxVHKNZhbHALGwSodYDLQ0mX2qPrpW5UG/s320/2013-01-14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> When I did my <a href="http://erikaann.blogspot.com/2008/09/were-finally-here.html"><u>study abroad in Italy in 2008</u></a>, Nick and I were dating/almost engaged and there were so many places I went to that I couldn't wait to show him. We had been planning to travel back to Italy together since then and hoped to go as my graduation present. However, when that time came Nick was going to school non-stop and we never had a break long enough to do an Italy trip the way we wanted to! Luckily he had a two-week break from school this year over Thanksgiving, so four years and lots of planning later we finally made it to Italy! We have sooo many pictures between our camera and both of our iPhones so this trip will be divided into several posts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSyHFuO6hHyR3fFgudkmn_XlFvW_tgfpfecXAnDF_lmMiJWPTTP0Uac2PAZI6Ke4SIU4IEL7wlypX116hNyeWSlfT54gn8CZfhTDiI1FtSaLM-g9G4n031u0KIE5-6XAFqJTpGBtplDBI/s1600/IMG_0303.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSyHFuO6hHyR3fFgudkmn_XlFvW_tgfpfecXAnDF_lmMiJWPTTP0Uac2PAZI6Ke4SIU4IEL7wlypX116hNyeWSlfT54gn8CZfhTDiI1FtSaLM-g9G4n031u0KIE5-6XAFqJTpGBtplDBI/s400/IMG_0303.JPG" width="400" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It took us three
days to catch a flight out of Phoenix flying standby and we made a last
minute switch to fly into Milan instead of Rome. It was quite the
adventure to get there, but totally worth the wait! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We had some amazing views of the sun coming up over the Alps as we were making our descent into Milan</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Because we were so close to the Swiss border, we decided to check another county off of Nick's list and spend the morning in Switzerland. We drove up to Lake Lugano and the scenery was amazing! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHpsnI4VX6uDmiSXlKrdmDTafxnoZCaj_cjpDfQgFRHNX9oxONtscY9waKhf03l7UNMLv6k3alsnJepWteMbLPzfKy15loiQQjS_lEovd4XhwXjZ3pWPbgCVr96bxFCXoKHMrQOcB8jSJ/s1600/IMG_1127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHpsnI4VX6uDmiSXlKrdmDTafxnoZCaj_cjpDfQgFRHNX9oxONtscY9waKhf03l7UNMLv6k3alsnJepWteMbLPzfKy15loiQQjS_lEovd4XhwXjZ3pWPbgCVr96bxFCXoKHMrQOcB8jSJ/s640/IMG_1127.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lakeside walking trail in Lugano</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We loved getting to see some fall colors since we didn't get our "traditional" Utah fall this year in Arizona</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFJJ0jsmzE4EDRu7DXXa83v9BhLqVb3WpMl5TYTUSSeJdWqj9bmk22s6s9tYlF9WhlVl_1rItLKXbJSGbwuXPf30ZaWEGK9z965y9I98ZX_-_D1Uo2UNI-eHmG7SJzOe9VTaYaDpwHLZB/s1600/IMG_1138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFJJ0jsmzE4EDRu7DXXa83v9BhLqVb3WpMl5TYTUSSeJdWqj9bmk22s6s9tYlF9WhlVl_1rItLKXbJSGbwuXPf30ZaWEGK9z965y9I98ZX_-_D1Uo2UNI-eHmG7SJzOe9VTaYaDpwHLZB/s640/IMG_1138.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stunning views everywhere you look</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs062E4r2KYSjC7u7SSBeNXYB1msriE6ooTq0SLni8kSSwiTQklQfFlVW4U5bRfu3U7kJRQtv-TIPFER3YmyBqrlnDUxvzllDY-0tSZmSrjA14kjYnqJTKWLCYMNmUAzOaH8lSn7C98PNO/s1600/IMG_1158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs062E4r2KYSjC7u7SSBeNXYB1msriE6ooTq0SLni8kSSwiTQklQfFlVW4U5bRfu3U7kJRQtv-TIPFER3YmyBqrlnDUxvzllDY-0tSZmSrjA14kjYnqJTKWLCYMNmUAzOaH8lSn7C98PNO/s640/IMG_1158.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/57345647" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe> <a href="http://vimeo.com/57345647">MVI 1146</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user5937596">Erika Potter</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After we spent a couple hours in Lugano, we started the long drive to Siena where we were staying with my host family for the night. It was about a six hour drive from the Swiss border but we basically drove through all of Lombardia and Emilia-Romagna, so it was certainly a scenic drive! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://erikaann.blogspot.com/2013/01/italy-part-2-siena.html">Italy Part 2: Siena</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://erikaann.blogspot.com/2013/01/italy-part-3-tuscany-florence.html">Italy Part 3: Tuscany + Florence </a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://erikaann.blogspot.com/2013/01/italy-part-4-cinque-terre.html">Italy Part 4: Cinque Terre</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://erikaann.blogspot.com/2013/01/italy-part-5-pisa-and-back-to-siena.html">Italy Part 5: Pisa and back to Siena </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://erikaann.blogspot.com/2013/01/italy-part-5-pisa-and-back-to-siena.html">Italy Part 6: Rome </a> </span></div>
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Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-68342078936397468192013-01-14T19:37:00.001-07:002013-01-14T19:44:22.896-07:00Italy Part 2: Siena<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Even though we had about 10 days to see Italy I still felt like we didn't have near enough time to see everything we wanted to! After spending three months living in Siena, there were so many things I wanted to show Nick but had to just pick my favorites that we could squeeze into a day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Siena isn't one of the most popular destinations for tourists but it's such a gem. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's a step back into the middle ages and it's still crazy to me how old everything is there! And not just the historical landmarks--but the houses and shops, too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was so fun to show Nick all of the places he had just heard about via email and phone calls :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYIabXbNFFn7cr0hkuIqGj5hGjdAnfrg2EtyRDNGbvSQg29q5Qmp1xe6gOmQ-kPZ4lGRlPex5dqMzdKwkvAnEH93BSiVIQK8dRBsJEhzbQNBIfGTisMn_sl1ozZtjU6sRqBxmdLFicUUE/s1600/IMG_1189.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYIabXbNFFn7cr0hkuIqGj5hGjdAnfrg2EtyRDNGbvSQg29q5Qmp1xe6gOmQ-kPZ4lGRlPex5dqMzdKwkvAnEH93BSiVIQK8dRBsJEhzbQNBIfGTisMn_sl1ozZtjU6sRqBxmdLFicUUE/s640/IMG_1189.JPG" width="640" /></a></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1fGzUQ-Bhfvd3WBjqLFCfqBj3OM28l5rH009wMJ-McoO2rGtF853k38oGNukO30D72hVaAqBZCV2LQYXdnR0RE6GrxAido1sZ_OLpHaBSPHI2tfyvlog0xiyGDT503kYKPEZI039HNMd/s1600/IMG_0349.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1fGzUQ-Bhfvd3WBjqLFCfqBj3OM28l5rH009wMJ-McoO2rGtF853k38oGNukO30D72hVaAqBZCV2LQYXdnR0RE6GrxAido1sZ_OLpHaBSPHI2tfyvlog0xiyGDT503kYKPEZI039HNMd/s640/IMG_0349.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We started the morning off by climbing the famous Torre del Mangia, which I actually never climbed while I was living there so it was a first for both of us! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEmso656XyO1i-kOWkB3d1zcIU6Q_IJlfaskLYvelGQoZNzBhusLQlJjauyygqSTBp2o7aiEmZVzu1thwA1XBb1xJDNs69xwkBz94yRGCGOqpQcO_lt5ihnwBQ9bfW1eH4OcayHEOrbBh/s1600/IMG_0333.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEmso656XyO1i-kOWkB3d1zcIU6Q_IJlfaskLYvelGQoZNzBhusLQlJjauyygqSTBp2o7aiEmZVzu1thwA1XBb1xJDNs69xwkBz94yRGCGOqpQcO_lt5ihnwBQ9bfW1eH4OcayHEOrbBh/s640/IMG_0333.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">No such thing as elevators in this building! Our legs were sore for days after. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYdv2fwqkoJn4LUQQyVXU5rJsdQ2yE6qUqNPwO0Lqwm5D1-FoodRjLqjbC3XFQJqk_FykL1NSmYn-vu3JRB346vPUjgE3LjECIyyJ3op-G7YcYP9_tYDEibSxrkONSnZu700UCc8PdPDX/s1600/IMG_1182.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYdv2fwqkoJn4LUQQyVXU5rJsdQ2yE6qUqNPwO0Lqwm5D1-FoodRjLqjbC3XFQJqk_FykL1NSmYn-vu3JRB346vPUjgE3LjECIyyJ3op-G7YcYP9_tYDEibSxrkONSnZu700UCc8PdPDX/s640/IMG_1182.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusEvUrFi4dHAxZEoCc-rbpr7I_fn3Cvk0fQCjeSlxlG7KHc_mQB4MMFh701TM4k1lmEATL5HWmvCtTewFqEMleJzlhaG7_vFW8dqhjdi1YgbV9RHBQJmCLY5RVN06XdzavwLCsYa6i3Pm/s1600/IMG_1183.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusEvUrFi4dHAxZEoCc-rbpr7I_fn3Cvk0fQCjeSlxlG7KHc_mQB4MMFh701TM4k1lmEATL5HWmvCtTewFqEMleJzlhaG7_vFW8dqhjdi1YgbV9RHBQJmCLY5RVN06XdzavwLCsYa6i3Pm/s640/IMG_1183.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQZDFgdKCNL0tGo28cta1k9JyC1jkoVkSjXCj_inlz-qD013U1jDd87MZLSDs4WteYbPlL8gF-5Fy-WJVMjBGhHNr9XKq_WJYlwxJwBmap3dhsQOscCoCn4gKIaqPnI0A7mVGKS8yZtMo/s1600/IMG_1179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQZDFgdKCNL0tGo28cta1k9JyC1jkoVkSjXCj_inlz-qD013U1jDd87MZLSDs4WteYbPlL8gF-5Fy-WJVMjBGhHNr9XKq_WJYlwxJwBmap3dhsQOscCoCn4gKIaqPnI0A7mVGKS8yZtMo/s640/IMG_1179.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">View from the top was totally worth it. Siena sits right in the heart of Tuscany so the views of the countryside were amazing. Pictures don't do them justice! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYQek-YqsO91e2MIKqaEGpMwc4Lr7_O2l6Xid2ZYhqm3pb1_KAGgi-uNUTbB02s7xyWf1vgI5kUMicRv1emhxQlSRtnU_-oI5NWCPdA5p1oJZjJFUcYu6ofJQosMT2gCRXh7vVzdsRsW8/s1600/IMG_0344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYQek-YqsO91e2MIKqaEGpMwc4Lr7_O2l6Xid2ZYhqm3pb1_KAGgi-uNUTbB02s7xyWf1vgI5kUMicRv1emhxQlSRtnU_-oI5NWCPdA5p1oJZjJFUcYu6ofJQosMT2gCRXh7vVzdsRsW8/s640/IMG_0344.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">View of the Duomo and San Domenico</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/57345648" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe> <a href="http://vimeo.com/57345648">MVI 1181</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user5937596">Erika Potter</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZnEGcadmUjAWLVmbMdgq7osJ-DRtX9BlC01z9Mt3CrAiR9lPgNqT50DSqcbCHzm5D1aY8Y_T8KpaLCpE4boJf7XNNEf0T9Mo7JTEo2vjqZpLs6PGpIFOTV1ULpSgNddrLNFjqsPIDmr0/s1600/IMG_0164.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZnEGcadmUjAWLVmbMdgq7osJ-DRtX9BlC01z9Mt3CrAiR9lPgNqT50DSqcbCHzm5D1aY8Y_T8KpaLCpE4boJf7XNNEf0T9Mo7JTEo2vjqZpLs6PGpIFOTV1ULpSgNddrLNFjqsPIDmr0/s640/IMG_0164.JPG" width="480" /></a></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We lucked out and stopped by my favorite gelato shop on the last day it was open for the season. Free gelato for everyone! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHy7KXsWotchmLl4t4x4q5FLso6kFjj7BKBkx-FiZL4dtajju0T9CraRH1SK-udLWbB0PrBjniQ91lkwppxyTtpkL-yIDRXhLQYdSTWFOL5L__sYtzGrvp1yAuYlLLIThvs59cr7dmjmc7/s1600/IMG_1211.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHy7KXsWotchmLl4t4x4q5FLso6kFjj7BKBkx-FiZL4dtajju0T9CraRH1SK-udLWbB0PrBjniQ91lkwppxyTtpkL-yIDRXhLQYdSTWFOL5L__sYtzGrvp1yAuYlLLIThvs59cr7dmjmc7/s640/IMG_1211.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And I of course had to make a stop for my favorite ricciarelli cookies! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The next stop was to show Nick the school I went to--Dante Alighieri.
Unfortunately, we couldn't make it to any of their cooking classes but
it was fun to see a couple of the teachers that I had while studying there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Everything was pretty much the same except this little hallway (my Italy friends will appreciate this). They added desks! This was literally the only place we could get a decent internet signal while at school so we would all sit on the floor to send our emails and upload our pictures to Facebook. Haha. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">No matter how many times I see this church, it's still so amazing! The facade is incredible and the interior is just as intricate. Nick was blown away at how much detail the church has--there really is nothing else like it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSrBEsdfxCPFdWPuefPG3aWEoKJPq1r6KIz3ut5QtkNBE6KEQftG1zJrWYPbr-YWZrddd4SCGtmrUSY3aN3EC17TZxw3dD4S7HCBQlbLYyXzxA2EqE-yofIrb9doMW7MQBHtaPWBUEE91/s1600/IMG_1206.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSrBEsdfxCPFdWPuefPG3aWEoKJPq1r6KIz3ut5QtkNBE6KEQftG1zJrWYPbr-YWZrddd4SCGtmrUSY3aN3EC17TZxw3dD4S7HCBQlbLYyXzxA2EqE-yofIrb9doMW7MQBHtaPWBUEE91/s640/IMG_1206.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKkHjyI7flNAxPYrbnzSujgeu6CG5UN97UVqpFaxFioGA8rE4Y-GTa0meGGoyCDml7kQIpRBEYL42BUsF9Fnd9-5BskMn39TlSdfVqh3m8NRs1CLTEwA_FdiJg5TMKjFIN5bHIMIIGUoa/s1600/IMG_0134.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKkHjyI7flNAxPYrbnzSujgeu6CG5UN97UVqpFaxFioGA8rE4Y-GTa0meGGoyCDml7kQIpRBEYL42BUsF9Fnd9-5BskMn39TlSdfVqh3m8NRs1CLTEwA_FdiJg5TMKjFIN5bHIMIIGUoa/s640/IMG_0134.JPG" width="480" /></a></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdNdeot11Gm_7Y_gA8jq6f34lgox9iNrDORZtpzzaFwjErEKBvf8-gP6d4K7KYopqxvG3rjsxH72ajBIVfzhbov2YQG2ZRPxOE4pHaFqEwikk3gBdfYOcVw-kFGTvex5Vmc3ihuV-xK1a/s1600/IMG_0148.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdNdeot11Gm_7Y_gA8jq6f34lgox9iNrDORZtpzzaFwjErEKBvf8-gP6d4K7KYopqxvG3rjsxH72ajBIVfzhbov2YQG2ZRPxOE4pHaFqEwikk3gBdfYOcVw-kFGTvex5Vmc3ihuV-xK1a/s640/IMG_0148.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All of the bright fresco in the library is still original. Because of the bright light coming in through the windows, candles weren't really necessary so all of the artwork was preserved. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkM5Jnl4wZGjH7PNHC9Qu-pi6fz4LN3CQY63X9ANUxX0N3OEeKMObXelD6FHNWySAI8FGbuFIk1qY5LSsgFQ7YfHf3ceeQZQYbbT7rcY2IyKw7ac5HMq7TpTcMCHTbHLGSHb1BuoKIViQ/s1600/IMG_1208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkM5Jnl4wZGjH7PNHC9Qu-pi6fz4LN3CQY63X9ANUxX0N3OEeKMObXelD6FHNWySAI8FGbuFIk1qY5LSsgFQ7YfHf3ceeQZQYbbT7rcY2IyKw7ac5HMq7TpTcMCHTbHLGSHb1BuoKIViQ/s640/IMG_1208.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The doors of the baptistry</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I was so lucky to live with a wonderful host family in Siena. We've kept in touch after all these years and they were so nice to invite us to stay at their house while we were visiting Siena. Ben (my host dad) was on a trip the first couple nights we were there, but Anna still made us wonderful dinners and it was fun to see the boys who have grown up so much in the past four years! We also got to meet two other BYU exchange students--Stacie and Rita--who were living there during their program. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnw_hmkmVfYLvD_1l0LShRv8e7f0u2MRcl4lF_r7V93ZJA77h-EZo2qqGTZ7_y9g2vvwylePKizZhlO5M-JKvgqHiHtP6scQE1d7zmlZLhelLYhs6L05x8Ob_8wH7ULGDg-e83t6uFwSz/s1600/IMG_1213.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnw_hmkmVfYLvD_1l0LShRv8e7f0u2MRcl4lF_r7V93ZJA77h-EZo2qqGTZ7_y9g2vvwylePKizZhlO5M-JKvgqHiHtP6scQE1d7zmlZLhelLYhs6L05x8Ob_8wH7ULGDg-e83t6uFwSz/s640/IMG_1213.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is just one of the many dishes Anna made--traditional pasta e fagioli. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Panettone for dessert--traditional holiday dessert.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvHIVsXGp6-dsY_S4o1oA693qG4MhHtIhCCj1849hyphenhyphendy-HZtMWUCmDnPbWAZf3iY-n8Mfwy9my1HCSI7Squ0HJvBcvlgFmgL12nLDsnMj1ZUaAIhlsu8db-btUD18Jopqih7AbrgOegJ9/s1600/IMG_1214.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvHIVsXGp6-dsY_S4o1oA693qG4MhHtIhCCj1849hyphenhyphendy-HZtMWUCmDnPbWAZf3iY-n8Mfwy9my1HCSI7Squ0HJvBcvlgFmgL12nLDsnMj1ZUaAIhlsu8db-btUD18Jopqih7AbrgOegJ9/s640/IMG_1214.JPG" width="480" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://erikaann.blogspot.com/2013/01/italy-part-3-tuscany-florence.html">Italy Part 3: Tuscany + Florence </a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://erikaann.blogspot.com/2013/01/italy-part-4-cinque-terre.html">Italy Part 4: Cinque Terre</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://erikaann.blogspot.com/2013/01/italy-part-5-pisa-and-back-to-siena.html">Italy Part 5: Pisa and back to Siena </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://erikaann.blogspot.com/2013/01/italy-part-5-pisa-and-back-to-siena.html">Italy Part 6: Rome </a></span></div>
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Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-30493938950822672522013-01-14T19:36:00.001-07:002013-01-14T19:44:46.641-07:00Italy Part 3: Tuscany + Florence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After our stay in Siena we left to explore some of other favorite places in Tuscany. We left Siena in the morning, made a stop in San Gimignano and then finished up the day in Florence. The weather was beautiful and the drive through Tuscany was absolutely amazing. Probably one of our favorite days of the trip (if it's even possible to pick favorites)! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VR1kulLSNHExvZX2sTIT2Gh1mp42DOXn7UK8LveCAjOOvfrupfTJC6bI1tPRtplWuKTm3oxSuK4JbivQLrsalCkgDUfZ8Uy-VFEteFUg99v8GXCKsIxhqUxyt4MINuUfDfWC_YYQtIUs/s1600/IMG_1217.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VR1kulLSNHExvZX2sTIT2Gh1mp42DOXn7UK8LveCAjOOvfrupfTJC6bI1tPRtplWuKTm3oxSuK4JbivQLrsalCkgDUfZ8Uy-VFEteFUg99v8GXCKsIxhqUxyt4MINuUfDfWC_YYQtIUs/s640/IMG_1217.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We made a stop on one of my favorite back roads I used to jogging on right outside of the city. Awesome views of the countryside and vineyards with a little castello in the background.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_kpsIuTgxkUyXluCQypMxyQFS8d9STfMik6VPOr8vT6LKc8zfFjvX7Nv2BLbWHOm1eNuEJzKXxfkMnIoQx8yPeVniw28wD4I5v4LQ1sg3vJhYpvAMV4Sj84by37WTiZo9tzbR8t4-fgC/s1600/IMG_1226.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_kpsIuTgxkUyXluCQypMxyQFS8d9STfMik6VPOr8vT6LKc8zfFjvX7Nv2BLbWHOm1eNuEJzKXxfkMnIoQx8yPeVniw28wD4I5v4LQ1sg3vJhYpvAMV4Sj84by37WTiZo9tzbR8t4-fgC/s640/IMG_1226.JPG" width="480" /></a></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">San Gimignano is another iconic little Tuscan town--MUCH smaller than Siena but with over a dozen towers! From a distance, the skyline looks just like a big city. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-h1rhOaXWKSAZ-Ri6iqucJyW5nNyn7BJw5hRV1XgRXwOENdhORd4gpU-PrtlN9xaZcMAQwDJVHIgpI6PFdg0nTH_yq2R0pJ37U6shbQS42zE4ota6R_jD-VPvhK6opMTJmWjpR-HYyJCb/s1600/IMG_1233.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-h1rhOaXWKSAZ-Ri6iqucJyW5nNyn7BJw5hRV1XgRXwOENdhORd4gpU-PrtlN9xaZcMAQwDJVHIgpI6PFdg0nTH_yq2R0pJ37U6shbQS42zE4ota6R_jD-VPvhK6opMTJmWjpR-HYyJCb/s640/IMG_1233.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We were traveling in the low season so luckily there weren't really crowds of people. We've read that during the high season in the summertime it's almost like Disneyland here! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvueWGP5sejDRqGaosu6shQSEO7amAY7rQzyakZJOQyzJtGG6WL2wZY6ZalOVmHuxq3au7-5QwYzjWa8miSUjJq8jPoAfmzyYt2r1SYZVrt41IqMOa9tNoPqygBuk0ktebdyTJrOMfxGe2/s1600/IMG_0425.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvueWGP5sejDRqGaosu6shQSEO7amAY7rQzyakZJOQyzJtGG6WL2wZY6ZalOVmHuxq3au7-5QwYzjWa8miSUjJq8jPoAfmzyYt2r1SYZVrt41IqMOa9tNoPqygBuk0ktebdyTJrOMfxGe2/s640/IMG_0425.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Nick got his first taste of real European hot chocolate--looks just like a chocolate bar melted in your cup! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmROJGbvNA4ya7QUO4w98-2chuxPT7DTlAG4s9XT9w01AKFEPktHlw8uAgt_K7HJf4B-4XWPV_7KMqyZ5T935wJPtLzi7FezdepYzm6kq5XlOQllB7O80OOivmoY4STwJJEHlK6Vf-5yt/s1600/IMG_0364.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmROJGbvNA4ya7QUO4w98-2chuxPT7DTlAG4s9XT9w01AKFEPktHlw8uAgt_K7HJf4B-4XWPV_7KMqyZ5T935wJPtLzi7FezdepYzm6kq5XlOQllB7O80OOivmoY4STwJJEHlK6Vf-5yt/s640/IMG_0364.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I bought a spoon rest for my kitchen at this little shop four years ago and was so excited to see that they were still carrying the same set! I bought a cute little salt and pepper shaker to match as my one souvenir from the trip. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KlNJHB-UhmDWfO_FKvnZ0SztZFnYLfyQXnvsaYRFBitspBENEZQqPWoegwGZbs2vCYvYVagC7sgmi9R5oFqWlJvqvBXEp9pUKLK853h_vBZhVovZ_mSxJvaG96PO1CiGcuz3GQTnr5Rj/s1600/IMG_1238.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KlNJHB-UhmDWfO_FKvnZ0SztZFnYLfyQXnvsaYRFBitspBENEZQqPWoegwGZbs2vCYvYVagC7sgmi9R5oFqWlJvqvBXEp9pUKLK853h_vBZhVovZ_mSxJvaG96PO1CiGcuz3GQTnr5Rj/s640/IMG_1238.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We found the most stunning view on a little side street while we were walking through town. Again, pictures don't do it justice but we probably stood there for about 20 minutes just taking it all in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvq2lAwifHmh1_6A5mfY5rviDgiW26u961vESuURLlrN4QiGX6r_PFDWg5ZJd0pOTk1YzScOh-0tg1GDbhMfEFK7wfMEvntHfDDdpx0lTG2n9Kwts8C-E815F-kkGPlygdjOeH1Ig_Huh8/s1600/IMG_0374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvq2lAwifHmh1_6A5mfY5rviDgiW26u961vESuURLlrN4QiGX6r_PFDWg5ZJd0pOTk1YzScOh-0tg1GDbhMfEFK7wfMEvntHfDDdpx0lTG2n9Kwts8C-E815F-kkGPlygdjOeH1Ig_Huh8/s640/IMG_0374.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JMwFKOgozOw4gfNbE9cH2zSOdrojDEMGVQmoi0W8fRWAam1klML3mK9jthZ5xaGfPUcQQJgGbs3xq7Vwo3ojh-iU0G_yUSZg3GUEFfhgaIhAd5CPSGCKj4_FylNY-LsCYonD9lGv1nK3/s1600/IMG_1266.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JMwFKOgozOw4gfNbE9cH2zSOdrojDEMGVQmoi0W8fRWAam1klML3mK9jthZ5xaGfPUcQQJgGbs3xq7Vwo3ojh-iU0G_yUSZg3GUEFfhgaIhAd5CPSGCKj4_FylNY-LsCYonD9lGv1nK3/s640/IMG_1266.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">San Gimignano skyline in the background</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2JzotCiRWaBCp8BjDHkw3K7g7Dk6Un-VFYDAesML9aLNF2rVr9c79Yg6rKK1t0-_rvB4hV78rMwr6u90NQoMx8j1bXYqE2wVvBIWDGffxy9xLOUTOuafql3aCG4FDtdfXEFGK4qFR4Me/s1600/IMG_1264.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2JzotCiRWaBCp8BjDHkw3K7g7Dk6Un-VFYDAesML9aLNF2rVr9c79Yg6rKK1t0-_rvB4hV78rMwr6u90NQoMx8j1bXYqE2wVvBIWDGffxy9xLOUTOuafql3aCG4FDtdfXEFGK4qFR4Me/s640/IMG_1264.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The olives look cool but they definitely don't taste good! Nick didn't take my word for it and tasted one-big mistake! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTElznUNQySTca_FysX3Clgo-m4fg6eDWuECKnLUWemRCkg-yFmNYxBox6NOVAwGho95XEmq8wOngYNp_4oBGvBE_FpT-VLnkC-5Bs4SFG3H38q9EAiRyjGSvArUNywyaRhIn4N-Jk-u1f/s1600/IMG_1258.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTElznUNQySTca_FysX3Clgo-m4fg6eDWuECKnLUWemRCkg-yFmNYxBox6NOVAwGho95XEmq8wOngYNp_4oBGvBE_FpT-VLnkC-5Bs4SFG3H38q9EAiRyjGSvArUNywyaRhIn4N-Jk-u1f/s640/IMG_1258.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">From San Gimgnano we took the back roads up toward Florence. It definitely took longer but the scenery was incredible. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Had to take this for all of our friends who are Twilight fans ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm so glad Nick was the one driving on this trip because if it had been me behind the while, we probably would have gotten in at least a dozen fender benders. This pictures pretty much sums up Italian drivers - they do whatever and drive wherever they want (not quite sure which lane this guy wants to be in). Nick was a champ driving our little rental car all over Italy--including downtown Florence and Rome--and we returned it without a scratch. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was lucky to travel to Florence several times while living in Siena (about an hour away from each other) but never really got to see it at night. We got to our hotel towards the late afternoon so we had a few hours to explore the city before it got too late. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstaUTDVP1FJoPnJpuNJhJgoeLfQyr0WMPOMLP_cEBZzIbTeuAEujzaYf7gDPlqVL6kAizJHXEkupFuiKDzYmLMqGqat5UIilMH-VwYMcABnoR5qCsKZjUbmteuup5Aw9OBUy0xQHaGd77/s1600/IMG_1273.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstaUTDVP1FJoPnJpuNJhJgoeLfQyr0WMPOMLP_cEBZzIbTeuAEujzaYf7gDPlqVL6kAizJHXEkupFuiKDzYmLMqGqat5UIilMH-VwYMcABnoR5qCsKZjUbmteuup5Aw9OBUy0xQHaGd77/s640/IMG_1273.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Inside the duomo</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The famous baptistry doors </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiav30zZ40p68QPoLU_l5iOJCUL7KZvqVu6kRUXedncdmsnTKo-eWTcjuxZ3hSbm-rQJN4VcSDHjWv_ze6HIhTfl4LtdedOcuJO5VYRgNJyk6aDA1TTuZQVBfMdoAB_ksBeQJcPcxFxOX0X/s640/IMG_0387.JPG" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> First panino of the trip</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ponte Vecchio at night</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXm0nlyUb32VyqdRQUvUhixuB0eEKTdXFESuJ10zjAmNL5vpn5pex_IgkBtI3JD6GP5WYGhwT5Xn3t4JEiuu_GialNiv8gUgotw6UowKWcZALLSFvccV8rYzAQl5NnMHpq46YO4W0BVSO/s1600/IMG_1274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXm0nlyUb32VyqdRQUvUhixuB0eEKTdXFESuJ10zjAmNL5vpn5pex_IgkBtI3JD6GP5WYGhwT5Xn3t4JEiuu_GialNiv8gUgotw6UowKWcZALLSFvccV8rYzAQl5NnMHpq46YO4W0BVSO/s640/IMG_1274.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZYi8f9qF0jcxUr3LP-97OB9vVYbzkVMdBKgTxitfTvJubXcWr7Qa_lgvuTKqZq81IEjTrxo5hHn1u9ZZC511ul0Wy0ldsSU5f-QdQl_BBv-ibt4KAXNZki0huhHNqfcH2d0lPZZ5s7i5/s1600/IMG_1282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZYi8f9qF0jcxUr3LP-97OB9vVYbzkVMdBKgTxitfTvJubXcWr7Qa_lgvuTKqZq81IEjTrxo5hHn1u9ZZC511ul0Wy0ldsSU5f-QdQl_BBv-ibt4KAXNZki0huhHNqfcH2d0lPZZ5s7i5/s640/IMG_1282.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And we couldn't stop in Florence without visiting the official store of
Nick's favorite watch brand. This is the original storefront from the
1920s--lots of history behind this watch brand! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Because our trip was so condensed we didn't really have time to visit all of the famous artwork that Florence offers. I luckily got to see LOTS of that while living there, but I figured it will give us a reason to come back to Florence in the future. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://erikaann.blogspot.com/2013/01/italy-part-4-cinque-terre.html">Italy Part 4: Cinque Terre</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://erikaann.blogspot.com/2013/01/italy-part-5-pisa-and-back-to-siena.html">Italy Part 5: Pisa and back to Siena </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://erikaann.blogspot.com/2013/01/italy-part-5-pisa-and-back-to-siena.html">Italy Part 6: Rome </a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-52904301518419800462013-01-14T19:35:00.005-07:002013-01-14T19:45:01.143-07:00Italy Part 4: Cinque Terre<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We were lucky to have some friends join us for the second half of our trip and it was so fun to share the experience with them! Chris and Emily flew into Milan as well so from Florence, we picked them up at the airport and headed to Cinque Terre on the coast. </div>
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We found an awesome little villa to stay at in Levanto and made it to town just in time for the sunset. <br />
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We stopped for some focaccia while we waited for the restaurants to open for dinner. The Cinque Terre region is famous for their focaccia and it definitely didn't disappoint! </div>
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The villa we stayed at was a B&B and had probably one of the best European breakfasts I've ever tasted. Even the hot chocolate came out with a smiley face! </div>
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Levanto is about a 10 minute train ride from the last of the five towns, so it was really convenient to stay overnight there and take the train in (much cheaper, too). </div>
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We started the day off in Riomaggiore and then made our way up the coast throughout the day. These little colorful buildings never get old. Always a photo op wherever you look. </div>
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Unfortunately because of the heavy flooding last year, all of the walking trails between the towns were closed--including the famous "walk of love." It was a bummer that we couldn't do the trails, but luckily they've done a great job with cleanup after the flood so all of the towns are mostly back to normal now. </div>
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Instead of walking we just took the train. It made our tired feet a little less tired. </div>
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Next stop was Manarola where we did a fun little vineyard "walk" that turned into more of a hike. Some people say it's been estimated that the walls vineyards in these towns have a combined length that's greater than the Great Wall of China. Not sure how accurate that is, but there are certainly a lot of stone walls! </div>
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After Manarola we made a quick stop in Corniglia only to find that my favorite Gelato shop (with honey gelato) was closed for the season. Sad! At least there was a great view from the top. </div>
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We spent a while hanging out at the waterfront in Vernazza. We learned all about these history of these towns (and the church in the background) thanks to Rick Steves ;). </div>
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We made a short stop in Monterosso before sunset. The boys spent most of their time skipping rocks. Haha. </div>
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We headed back to Levanto for dinner and ordered a classic pesto dish (which Cinque Terre is also famous for). Nick also loved his seafood pasta--probably caught that day! </div>
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We absolutely loved our stay in Cinque Terre! It was nice to avoid the crowds during the low season, but next time we'll probably come in the summertime to enjoy the beach! </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://erikaann.blogspot.com/2013/01/italy-part-5-pisa-and-back-to-siena.html">Italy Part 5: Pisa and back to Siena </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://erikaann.blogspot.com/2013/01/italy-part-5-pisa-and-back-to-siena.html">Italy Part 6: Rome </a></span></div>
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<br />Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-47113772839634842462013-01-14T19:35:00.004-07:002013-01-14T19:45:18.470-07:00Italy Part 5: Pisa and back to Siena<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After leaving Cinque Terre, we decided to make the best of our drive to Rome by stopping a few places along the way. We stopped in Pisa for a couple hours and then drove through San Gimignano again so Chris and Emily could check it out, and then spent the night in Siena again so we could see Ben, my host dad, who was back from his trip. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Not much more to see in Pisa except for the church and the tower, but it's a must-see nonetheless! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The inside of the church is beautiful--especially the ceiling</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Obligatory tourist picture</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My host family made us another amazing dinner and it was great to see Ben and introduce him to Nick and to our friends. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They made us a traditional Tuscon dinner with bruschetta and fresh mushroom pasta, which, according to Nick was the best pasta he's ever had :). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And Anna's delicious apple cake for dessert</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ben is an amazing cook and I spent many hours in this little kitchen learning from him. It was so fun to be back! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After dinner, Ben drove us into the city to take us on a short walking tour. He shared some fun facts about the city that we hadn't heard before. This city has so much history! Our second visit in Siena was short and sweet--we're so grateful for Ben and Anna and hope to be able to see them again when we go to Italy in the future. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://erikaann.blogspot.com/2013/01/italy-part-5-pisa-and-back-to-siena.html">Italy Part 6: Rome </a></span></div>
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Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-30932975914682218202013-01-14T19:35:00.002-07:002013-01-14T21:25:34.232-07:00Italy Part 6: Rome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We saved a full three days for Rome considering how much we wanted to see and do there. I'm sure we could have spent a lot more time there, but we definitely packed a lot into those three days. We had a small mishap with the rental car drop off and ended up having to drive into the city center (Termini train station to be exact) to drop off the car. Let's just say I was so stressed out once we got there I forgot to take any pictures. Despite several close calls and almost getting hit by a streetcar, Nick's stellar driving skills got us safely to the train station :).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After we got to the hotel and dropped our stuff of, we traveled back into the city center to go to the Borghese Gallery. Normally you have to reserve tickets at least a week in advance, but thanks to the low travel season we were just able to show up and buy our tickets. The Borghese Gallery is famous for having one of the biggest collections of Bernini's work--who is arguably one of the best sculptors ever. His work is phenomenal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The exterior of the gallery</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This isn't my picture, but this is one of my favorite statues done by Bernini. It's still incredible to me how he can put so much life into a stone block! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Kb3DrIZrlkg1dxty1LS_X9J3wPaLe9p3-o4NAaMuYf0Jka8b5V74dMupesyBayWVn_bGBs3C8T0LjnKLS-c1TqO95yKAVT7T0RLPso9A5uNn7iczw6O4sdSF_5-HzAxKOBPKCjdxjL8J/s1600/IMG_0551.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Kb3DrIZrlkg1dxty1LS_X9J3wPaLe9p3-o4NAaMuYf0Jka8b5V74dMupesyBayWVn_bGBs3C8T0LjnKLS-c1TqO95yKAVT7T0RLPso9A5uNn7iczw6O4sdSF_5-HzAxKOBPKCjdxjL8J/s640/IMG_0551.JPG" width="480" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Had to add this in here. I can't resist Italian pizza! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> After our tour of the gallery we walked over to the Spanish Steps. The rain had just stopped and the steps looked awesome! This is one of my favorite parts of Rome--lots of wonderful memories here from over the years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next we headed over to the Trevi fountain--likewise one of my favorite parts of Rome. Unfortunately it has become really overrun with vendors who prey on all of the tourists and kind of detract from the ambiance, but it's still amazing nonetheless. We came back to enjoy it every day we were in Rome. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The next day we started off at the Colosseum. This was at the top of everyone's list to visit so we made sure to block out a lot of time for it. We opted for the guided tour and it didn't disappoint! It was so fun to learn more about the history of it and made it that much more amazing to walk through. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This was my first time taking a tour of the basement of the Colosseum and it was awesome to hear all the stories I've heard about while looking at it. So fascinating, but also gruesome at the same time! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next up was the walking tour of the forum. It's still hard to grasp how old all of the structures are that you see while you're there. I love to see all of the details in the stone work that has lasted thousands of years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53gPIEb8AFMRwut26QTmKcNTz0iQBGeMgmOnNnsr29_1m-zy6Nfj4CQUT6J3Hjj3E9-P_iMpzY5xfA-ppdrMjqf_55PdIgiDL6N9fsHe4T2fNQvxptOipuM4GHTAeMVs7Ks8qfbNZ-MXH/s1600/IMG_1418.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53gPIEb8AFMRwut26QTmKcNTz0iQBGeMgmOnNnsr29_1m-zy6Nfj4CQUT6J3Hjj3E9-P_iMpzY5xfA-ppdrMjqf_55PdIgiDL6N9fsHe4T2fNQvxptOipuM4GHTAeMVs7Ks8qfbNZ-MXH/s320/IMG_1418.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp__osD3pzXgQkPaHuTGfbzM9LE5jKClGZy608CZKG0WE_9NKrWpwYma0X4hB66yiXRYGchXz1ydWn-y3D73KxRsjJYmPjCk5ewPF_nisGxv6LaMiDZExdhaAD-YP7e_Fy1YxUPAC4XDYj/s1600/IMG_1422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp__osD3pzXgQkPaHuTGfbzM9LE5jKClGZy608CZKG0WE_9NKrWpwYma0X4hB66yiXRYGchXz1ydWn-y3D73KxRsjJYmPjCk5ewPF_nisGxv6LaMiDZExdhaAD-YP7e_Fy1YxUPAC4XDYj/s320/IMG_1422.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next up was the Pantheon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinGPIdV6G54q5p7tJgv9LZSqPah8jlI7zzmWbTMX3mBecuC8M83XhL7un1_F-fb_3JgaWRxJhXPTIb4t3XY41c_v6ZLrdmXHT-RCUgWZ0leknXFXq1Ll1eQbp00vZyODDQRSK8ZGWZZJO/s1600/IMG_0578.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinGPIdV6G54q5p7tJgv9LZSqPah8jlI7zzmWbTMX3mBecuC8M83XhL7un1_F-fb_3JgaWRxJhXPTIb4t3XY41c_v6ZLrdmXHT-RCUgWZ0leknXFXq1Ll1eQbp00vZyODDQRSK8ZGWZZJO/s640/IMG_0578.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> And then after dinner I topped the day off with some delicious tiramisu at Rome's famous McDonalds. Definitely not your average fast food restaurant, that's for sure!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The next day was reserved for touring Vatican City which was also a highlight of the trip. I've been to St. Peter's Basilica a few times before, but it never ceases to take my breath away. The sheer size and ornate details are insane (that gold canopy in the background is 9 stories high - the dome itself is 45 stories high)! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A closer look</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After we toured the church, we made the trek up to the top of the dome</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Again, no such thing as elevators here! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUvjSCbKhYDQ0JhysUvrObZUFzDDTuidL4G3JQe8oxkxfyjEKmqPc2nr82Dwlh86L5Eh-fjzjheSIy8uzNoxoc35kXqzWQtToBIADqmsThGOAxd-DiY1Mb9FVYz32oI5XnkaMzBInR22c/s1600/IMG_1438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUvjSCbKhYDQ0JhysUvrObZUFzDDTuidL4G3JQe8oxkxfyjEKmqPc2nr82Dwlh86L5Eh-fjzjheSIy8uzNoxoc35kXqzWQtToBIADqmsThGOAxd-DiY1Mb9FVYz32oI5XnkaMzBInR22c/s640/IMG_1438.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfkNp7bIxfo0aaCiWwQq-g9nQ14rl8GGaJtsJAMi9Y32YzLd64TMayWBPENPfwqjhPKm0X6NMBnleM2YCzALI6Y6OMBf57IAt53VMHuUin0AS-1fqSzga-_QUN-4aB_ID6zVHrxQ-ieAV/s1600/IMG_0733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfkNp7bIxfo0aaCiWwQq-g9nQ14rl8GGaJtsJAMi9Y32YzLd64TMayWBPENPfwqjhPKm0X6NMBnleM2YCzALI6Y6OMBf57IAt53VMHuUin0AS-1fqSzga-_QUN-4aB_ID6zVHrxQ-ieAV/s640/IMG_0733.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> View from the top</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjF2ZvnTGJBsibuq1eHyXQq4djS2I1Lcw7GeyW_OrxaIVxpQE17ovXa0sBUiHRYYSYKfmxg-QhOZeuL0Mu2HJ7jll9i8aYH-K6ix5tn7qTo6TnvVerbpy4ICLKTTq50gVP0YZWVW3GzP-/s1600/IMG_0732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjF2ZvnTGJBsibuq1eHyXQq4djS2I1Lcw7GeyW_OrxaIVxpQE17ovXa0sBUiHRYYSYKfmxg-QhOZeuL0Mu2HJ7jll9i8aYH-K6ix5tn7qTo6TnvVerbpy4ICLKTTq50gVP0YZWVW3GzP-/s640/IMG_0732.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After that we made our way over to the Vatican museum. We lucked out again and didn't have to wait in a single line to get in. I've been to Rome a few times in the past during the summer and have seen the line wrap all the way down the Vatican wall. We definitely saved a lot of time by traveling in November!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> School of Athens by Raphael. Nick loved seeing all the paintings he's learned about in all the humanities classes at BYU :). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And yes, he broke the rules and snapped a picture of the Sistine Chapel--no flash of course! This place never ceases to be amazing, either. Our necks were sore by the time we left--there is so much detail to look at! Definitely lives up to its name of one of the greatest works of art ever created. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLon6SMHGL7gUsIzQxfqF6gDmbOL5Wm4trE16RBCMjgI0t_oX85ON-wBcSJoZdecSVoj07igRb-2chZn7pdNQ6kMmswhSr8mjSAKl0yuBTbsDCfbNwnf4MQ1gJl4Eo_eMbG_4-TI4zGdk/s1600/IMG_1443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLon6SMHGL7gUsIzQxfqF6gDmbOL5Wm4trE16RBCMjgI0t_oX85ON-wBcSJoZdecSVoj07igRb-2chZn7pdNQ6kMmswhSr8mjSAKl0yuBTbsDCfbNwnf4MQ1gJl4Eo_eMbG_4-TI4zGdk/s640/IMG_1443.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our last day in Italy was actually Thanksgiving so we decided to treat ourselves to an awesome dinner. My host dad, Ben, recommended a restaurant near the Spanish steps. You know it's a great restaurant when you only see locals there! It was quite the find and perfect for our own little Thanksgiving dinner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4j1jx5DpnAPQdEepknyzC8iS-T7zmVxG89ACcXsPb-yBqF5WZY73b7XXtV_U8cFX07ORAb3mZKmGYENnI7b1KiwWF2dFEsMGWdMMFpxG3aDYTdG4Qx4zplBvMog2TTuf-pIcf4vKXZ03n/s1600/IMG_0622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4j1jx5DpnAPQdEepknyzC8iS-T7zmVxG89ACcXsPb-yBqF5WZY73b7XXtV_U8cFX07ORAb3mZKmGYENnI7b1KiwWF2dFEsMGWdMMFpxG3aDYTdG4Qx4zplBvMog2TTuf-pIcf4vKXZ03n/s320/IMG_0622.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhka8V0JNA0VaAuOP69fKzLCUcmVQyxTDsInTpG8_vEeBfuLM4BcO-ZBKT5CWQzlxyUP9h2o19guV4dqNyt3vqH8h4S2BnJ9IuqF8ZcopYb5j6hmFcWFeEjWyd52rBE9ouxTAFz2Gy7LrS_/s1600/IMG_0610.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhka8V0JNA0VaAuOP69fKzLCUcmVQyxTDsInTpG8_vEeBfuLM4BcO-ZBKT5CWQzlxyUP9h2o19guV4dqNyt3vqH8h4S2BnJ9IuqF8ZcopYb5j6hmFcWFeEjWyd52rBE9ouxTAFz2Gy7LrS_/s320/IMG_0610.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> We started off with fried zucchini flowers for our appetizer. Nick got traditional homemade spaghetti and I tried their risotto--and then we got their Mediterranean swordfish for our main course. Every part of it was delicious! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCy1liriPurpuU_Q08HCkp9ZbBjBAGy3x6Bd3CdKfr5TcZIch2IUZsBy3oxX3iUXU8yTxzsrcRQOeiaHhk97yPvE-ywYfoU5W5X-szo8f7Ha8c-WKRYlklz-wdiMwCmoe7cWfBewHkMlx/s1600/Erika's+Phone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCy1liriPurpuU_Q08HCkp9ZbBjBAGy3x6Bd3CdKfr5TcZIch2IUZsBy3oxX3iUXU8yTxzsrcRQOeiaHhk97yPvE-ywYfoU5W5X-szo8f7Ha8c-WKRYlklz-wdiMwCmoe7cWfBewHkMlx/s640/Erika's+Phone.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One last view of the city at night before we left the next morning</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWiBZhaV6siqp6ptJRXpn8qObLmvTN_AgrpJZeTADN2xdFKW9zaT15xKqHCHwOZvPWQSjNLbHar4tP9cvu6EJkG8dn5R5X-96MVb_1iRoXPLPpvzCJG0EBAfPgTiIQqUAkAzf_T4f14_sU/s1600/IMG_0643.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWiBZhaV6siqp6ptJRXpn8qObLmvTN_AgrpJZeTADN2xdFKW9zaT15xKqHCHwOZvPWQSjNLbHar4tP9cvu6EJkG8dn5R5X-96MVb_1iRoXPLPpvzCJG0EBAfPgTiIQqUAkAzf_T4f14_sU/s320/IMG_0643.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtEDH6BYykhvYD_ha6qo1JWRS8m4OH6DDybUfjSneWdk5glAjtWpTRpqS7YZGBGvZWnvxGqf5xQYW7gGF7bjD4lVSQ433Esr6h1XMbIrgPBsRiENCa4MOE12iXwEDbJa3F5kbdNZs8drV/s1600/IMG_0634.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtEDH6BYykhvYD_ha6qo1JWRS8m4OH6DDybUfjSneWdk5glAjtWpTRpqS7YZGBGvZWnvxGqf5xQYW7gGF7bjD4lVSQ433Esr6h1XMbIrgPBsRiENCa4MOE12iXwEDbJa3F5kbdNZs8drV/s320/IMG_0634.JPG" width="240" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> By a miracle (seriously), the four of us made on the flight back to Atlanta and all got to sit in first class. The flight from the day before had been cancelled so most of the people we re-routed on other flights. When it finally left the next day, there were several seats open for us. Seriously the perfect ending to an amazing trip! It was a long time in the making but we were so glad that we could go so many amazing places and share that with our friends, too! Italy will always hold a special place in my heart. <!--3--><!--3--></span></div>
Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-6861875470124909432012-12-09T23:28:00.005-07:002012-12-09T23:32:58.423-07:00Friends Reunion in Hawaii<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When I went on my study abroad to Italy four years ago, I was so lucky to make some awesome friends and we still try to get together as often as possible. Jo, Chelsea, Emily and I have been able to see each other in smaller groups since then, but because we're spread out all over with our Husbands the last time that we were all together as a group was my wedding! And... that doesn't really count anyway. So since Jo lives in Hawaii now and we're all relatively on the West Coast, we decided it would be perfect timing to all meet up for a girls' weekend in Honolulu! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1D3rbyj_U14eAfT-jnSZR_-R2i6jRh_4RVkWlJVX5XsSq0FCL9HJ_Kikf54YiQWrbkz3oq2YrwWO9z3n3sksPj_Ae_51C5cOo2QDbV2x83qV2TgbWYvIKMMAZeaAUE77ez6QXgXP8kwc/s1600/IMG_0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1D3rbyj_U14eAfT-jnSZR_-R2i6jRh_4RVkWlJVX5XsSq0FCL9HJ_Kikf54YiQWrbkz3oq2YrwWO9z3n3sksPj_Ae_51C5cOo2QDbV2x83qV2TgbWYvIKMMAZeaAUE77ez6QXgXP8kwc/s640/IMG_0129.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> This was the first day we all spent together back in 2008 on a day trip to the island of Capri</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And this is us in 2012! We live in four different cities, have new husbands (and a baby on the way for Chelsea!) but we had just as much fun together as we did four years ago. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZPFtuX_iV8T90wMNBCOG3p_vOMn5YOsGZJrVkxmol9SvLmnNuFmHdXHvymvRe2sRbH2J-Cx03UmWSgQFDukI7UskQlu1RZ4WXJv1I6MTHSV59Ef7T37ZQCmyKC607-YKZoigONfvR10R/s1600/IMG_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZPFtuX_iV8T90wMNBCOG3p_vOMn5YOsGZJrVkxmol9SvLmnNuFmHdXHvymvRe2sRbH2J-Cx03UmWSgQFDukI7UskQlu1RZ4WXJv1I6MTHSV59Ef7T37ZQCmyKC607-YKZoigONfvR10R/s640/IMG_0143.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We spent our first morning there snorkeling at Hanauma Bay - always a favorite! Jo put together some fun videos from their footage from the trip, too. Here is the video from the first day:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/54076207?badge=0" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe> <a href="http://vimeo.com/54076207">Snorkeling Hanauma Bay</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user14826472">johanna franco</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After that, we headed over to Diamond Head to hike to the top</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And then we rewarded ourselves with some awesome shave ice and malasadas. Yum!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We spent the next day on Pipeline beach and around the North Shore. Aaron (Jo's husband) grew up in Laie so we got to see all of his favorite places! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yYa5Fhap_iDcwwcTuHiPJ8Vmrul0dZb_u-62GhSv20cqn5rsz5ga0pbwN_jWz0jcRNYog9dOeowE2BvIbLG9w1J0FpHNeCE5nB9wj9VaWFeR-lFWHmIWF1S4wn8LzGxsouSB4AqpDlcv/s1600/IMG_1067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yYa5Fhap_iDcwwcTuHiPJ8Vmrul0dZb_u-62GhSv20cqn5rsz5ga0pbwN_jWz0jcRNYog9dOeowE2BvIbLG9w1J0FpHNeCE5nB9wj9VaWFeR-lFWHmIWF1S4wn8LzGxsouSB4AqpDlcv/s640/IMG_1067.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1jETdT03-9MUcnnfY-vsYPs7IQlnc9xRAKggq-8wtUROv-Wkl19MC52PPQ8jyhOUrxTKEjeyOhqua_NRLgWB6bXMQS3lXSCHduJLiCbFNrRZ8dXRgdzeyiVu7q5_-vujpmkOo6L_aDwe/s1600/IMG_1075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1jETdT03-9MUcnnfY-vsYPs7IQlnc9xRAKggq-8wtUROv-Wkl19MC52PPQ8jyhOUrxTKEjeyOhqua_NRLgWB6bXMQS3lXSCHduJLiCbFNrRZ8dXRgdzeyiVu7q5_-vujpmkOo6L_aDwe/s640/IMG_1075.JPG" width="480" /></a><br />They introduced us to Ted's Bakery (to die for) AND, of course, we had to stop for some coconut shrimp. Yes, we ate A LOT of good food on this trip :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-jyzu0L0xobRg_KsJq-N1-xcW6qmZUtOVtlP04oj98mFl_6xEn-t7xgNvKcbsMMBKFJ9i8Uho7tsqUhnRiVi3anXF24tJvlPMJRyLUBPzcuUTuv1BZa06cIIFk4DPAHKmc_VyDaYm6gJ/s1600/Hawaii+Reunion1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-jyzu0L0xobRg_KsJq-N1-xcW6qmZUtOVtlP04oj98mFl_6xEn-t7xgNvKcbsMMBKFJ9i8Uho7tsqUhnRiVi3anXF24tJvlPMJRyLUBPzcuUTuv1BZa06cIIFk4DPAHKmc_VyDaYm6gJ/s640/Hawaii+Reunion1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our afternoon at Pipeline beach was awesome and the weather was absolutely perfect. So was the water! We had way too much fun playing in the waves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-df1MMNOuM2VbpJZk4BMG6L6F9VrDNgJHIzNcsP9_HwrjVEG5JTAbfUYv_ABYdwfjOQZYRHbkLNUv2Jg5m-BQhHFdXNUVG95xcCdgAN8yBP7r2EizRQOvL0X4crr6fy-8nKhDvJVWFeC/s1600/IMG_0170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-df1MMNOuM2VbpJZk4BMG6L6F9VrDNgJHIzNcsP9_HwrjVEG5JTAbfUYv_ABYdwfjOQZYRHbkLNUv2Jg5m-BQhHFdXNUVG95xcCdgAN8yBP7r2EizRQOvL0X4crr6fy-8nKhDvJVWFeC/s640/IMG_0170.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's another fun video Jo put together of our adventures that day:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://3.gvt0.com/vi/-wiBx82_tD8/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-wiBx82_tD8&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-wiBx82_tD8&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> On the drive back, we of course had to stop at the Dole Plantation for some pineapple whip. The five us us polished off this entire sundae. Don't judge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5m35qDeaMRGf8UpM74EyYG8pJVF7d-zZgRhJyO4iKMUY2W-8rJHhLW2bW5_slglCU7yyn9lNnIdf6TlDs7ANB5z4TyBdCVraaEDCD3TDnQDq7ANDCNcWgrm4N1NzieoSMGfdiuKVpaq84/s1600/IMG_0173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5m35qDeaMRGf8UpM74EyYG8pJVF7d-zZgRhJyO4iKMUY2W-8rJHhLW2bW5_slglCU7yyn9lNnIdf6TlDs7ANB5z4TyBdCVraaEDCD3TDnQDq7ANDCNcWgrm4N1NzieoSMGfdiuKVpaq84/s640/IMG_0173.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> We spent our last full day on the island on the North Shore starting at Waimea Bay and then hitting some favorite spots on our way into Laie. Here's the last of the videos that Jo put together from our day on the North Shore. And yes, we had to stop for more chocolate haupia pie at Ted's. :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We also got to stop by the temple and the visitors center which I always love to do. Such a unique and beautiful place! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Even though it's ultra touristy, Waikiki holds a special place in my heart for all the memories I have from over the years. We had some time to burn before our flights left on our last day, so we headed over to Waikiki beach to get Yogurtland (my ultimate favorite) and walk along the beach for a while. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8T-nl8lvMlIrM8TiWbtHNY7_Ot27m9EPP0wE3AN-egJGbmEedqpecxtV-YMePhonSh3r8zctL9RM5TsVQZu5-z1XE1huJsmz-xIEmhnuYFsRG-_5MtqzTOzxiHwCPxt9OaiOjYRjsu2mr/s1600/IMG_0206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8T-nl8lvMlIrM8TiWbtHNY7_Ot27m9EPP0wE3AN-egJGbmEedqpecxtV-YMePhonSh3r8zctL9RM5TsVQZu5-z1XE1huJsmz-xIEmhnuYFsRG-_5MtqzTOzxiHwCPxt9OaiOjYRjsu2mr/s640/IMG_0206.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The four of us packed a lot into four days, but we're so glad that we had the chance to finally be together all at once! Jo and Aaron were awesome to let the three of us stay at their place for the weekend. We can't wait to go back for our next reunion. Maybe we'll bring our husbands next time. ;)</span></div>
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Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-13931738512417956102012-09-17T00:41:00.002-06:002012-09-17T00:55:07.792-06:00Summer in a Nutshell and the Big Move<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, it looks like I have an entire summer to catch up on, so here it goes! Picture overload ahead. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4th of July</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We met up with our friends, the Cooks and their family at the Helaman Halls field. I got to watch the Logan fireworks show with my mom the night before so I got double the fireworks this year! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDYsL5uCuDgp6Dc1uaGUnOyGGRo2A4a1HAdaHP0IcS52QK0ESKtUa9wVdTF1gbgfX48KAfEQ8NE7eAtsQ5R25e79_eJy7fuQTrJ5VSU6CbAKon1IE-dpwfynu-orVZ12nJ9-g5g_DD6Fg/s1600/2012-09-162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDYsL5uCuDgp6Dc1uaGUnOyGGRo2A4a1HAdaHP0IcS52QK0ESKtUa9wVdTF1gbgfX48KAfEQ8NE7eAtsQ5R25e79_eJy7fuQTrJ5VSU6CbAKon1IE-dpwfynu-orVZ12nJ9-g5g_DD6Fg/s640/2012-09-162.jpg" width="492" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scottie finished up his pilot training at Sheble Aviation in Arizona, so on his drive down he stopped in for a visit on my lunch break.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JUhGlDZyPY1xKUjvrTW1520Ed3jN6JfisaKLZrFgOIVzy1IAs4O3vYkz8l2hSC5vV79N6hzIz1xdLkK88eLCiGZ-cYj4z-2B2JV8GpWWs1UjE8Aedjm4zEgSb9ijQyoG8OcdlSJrIZmH/s1600/IMG_0872_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JUhGlDZyPY1xKUjvrTW1520Ed3jN6JfisaKLZrFgOIVzy1IAs4O3vYkz8l2hSC5vV79N6hzIz1xdLkK88eLCiGZ-cYj4z-2B2JV8GpWWs1UjE8Aedjm4zEgSb9ijQyoG8OcdlSJrIZmH/s640/IMG_0872_2.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> And once his license was official he came back to Provo to take us all for a ride! Getting his pilot's license is something he's worked hard for and wanted practically his entire life, so we are so proud of him for accomplishing it! He's already a great pilot. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGg-0MY9KemnNNtiYQA-AAA7JMhGDw_0_BQvkCaO-0Y_KrSWKZzkjTiQg5YvbVpk7RAqEi-L9-jBO-e7lK3i0d8gjtN7OiaSjJSVpfmDNPl6xikCgWKy1cGjnMdw91S_03o26agPudyHG1/s1600/IMG_0897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGg-0MY9KemnNNtiYQA-AAA7JMhGDw_0_BQvkCaO-0Y_KrSWKZzkjTiQg5YvbVpk7RAqEi-L9-jBO-e7lK3i0d8gjtN7OiaSjJSVpfmDNPl6xikCgWKy1cGjnMdw91S_03o26agPudyHG1/s640/IMG_0897.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQ_Z5H24Ag3ybzwjiHZbKNuQuyZom8jUCnLSHQ1p-Nfu3NF7i-PG99fUraa9YWKZ8ngwX7TTnRHyKhZPMKhAUaX4qp1BvlrxOTPZ6pEnFe4bKd34eM21cpU8YP3NY1kNMQ5YhRRa6MHq6/s1600/IMG_0906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQ_Z5H24Ag3ybzwjiHZbKNuQuyZom8jUCnLSHQ1p-Nfu3NF7i-PG99fUraa9YWKZ8ngwX7TTnRHyKhZPMKhAUaX4qp1BvlrxOTPZ6pEnFe4bKd34eM21cpU8YP3NY1kNMQ5YhRRa6MHq6/s640/IMG_0906.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of Nick's mission companions, Gabriel, was visiting Utah from Brazil for the first time ever so he stayed at our place for a couple nights. It was fun to show him around Provo! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqo_vAu1pk_ZbHUlfgPoMcTJxIW77Y0AW6BAug-MxcxHvyWkd3BpDF9m5q03v3wlC3hHeMpdPKVa1UlTc06zFCtn_7BfQemgV-apPjWRptCiXauUl6bKpkEHz8gRx2Gi9gEahQQ8AGMs75/s1600/IMG_0884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqo_vAu1pk_ZbHUlfgPoMcTJxIW77Y0AW6BAug-MxcxHvyWkd3BpDF9m5q03v3wlC3hHeMpdPKVa1UlTc06zFCtn_7BfQemgV-apPjWRptCiXauUl6bKpkEHz8gRx2Gi9gEahQQ8AGMs75/s640/IMG_0884.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We said goodbye to our beloved Infiniti. Lots of memories with this little car! Its AWD was great in the Utah snow, but unfortunately, not needed in Arizona. :( We had a great four years with this car and the selling process worked out perfectly with our moving time frame. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcK3-BtbZxRRCt38nMsj8YUl4ZwS3QTzqnMik4u9aUgdEDR2ALk70JBOY6d5zT-GgAc-UCSXiXMatqhi-hlDThxuhFhfI_OyHQl3J9SlhXV7_EWj4-qi-yD07cB9ZbdSS5RDWOwBc-nLdX/s1600/IMG_0933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcK3-BtbZxRRCt38nMsj8YUl4ZwS3QTzqnMik4u9aUgdEDR2ALk70JBOY6d5zT-GgAc-UCSXiXMatqhi-hlDThxuhFhfI_OyHQl3J9SlhXV7_EWj4-qi-yD07cB9ZbdSS5RDWOwBc-nLdX/s640/IMG_0933.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My last day of work was a couple weeks before our move and I got to spend some time in Logan with my family before Scottie left to the MTC and while Nick was finishing up School in Provo. I'm still working remotely from home, but my mom sent me this pretty bouquet on my last day in the office</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGeuBT3HJhyIGwvg0Cs9Kdx2sPFLZ81zYqaXVZKg6N73T4Nbbxqi4TFHHWAtBFzjMRDmriosKzH1SikuA1N3ZBeHnlrswxrx-uzbEMawWsuOnfK6LWQvON1jOtK_-faYbZEk8wugSEhLJ/s1600/IMG_0919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGeuBT3HJhyIGwvg0Cs9Kdx2sPFLZ81zYqaXVZKg6N73T4Nbbxqi4TFHHWAtBFzjMRDmriosKzH1SikuA1N3ZBeHnlrswxrx-uzbEMawWsuOnfK6LWQvON1jOtK_-faYbZEk8wugSEhLJ/s640/IMG_0919.JPG" width="473" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> While I was in Logan I got to meet up with friends that I hadn't seen in such a long time! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRbhySYM9hjPXy4i14zl_A_MKhuXDRqXrtYEq9IdEIvdCuAfLErKytMxs59b_nAGba1jMiEGHwi_ZckH5Shhqu2b_pqAOnMuZvswbJO9GMrze1D0dnbeRjKmGwqsQ-PWYmZ7V5636ea14/s1600/IMG_0949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRbhySYM9hjPXy4i14zl_A_MKhuXDRqXrtYEq9IdEIvdCuAfLErKytMxs59b_nAGba1jMiEGHwi_ZckH5Shhqu2b_pqAOnMuZvswbJO9GMrze1D0dnbeRjKmGwqsQ-PWYmZ7V5636ea14/s640/IMG_0949.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heidi and I have been friends since the first day of kindergarten! She just graduated from Standford and was back in Logan for a while before heading off to Germany for a year with her husband. She's amazing and it was go great to meet up with her! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMRad-iXDUJ2_bgjNavgTK7FRDzGyEKFFMTaS5dAQ80EZs5jlOOkVPZGMbHPWw8HRBJ3nS5E30OKOxKWUDHAa3sjXqim5STIYHaudw1juu30Kt18uZkkw_lHnTJEw7IzRiScws9od9jc-/s1600/IMG_1060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMRad-iXDUJ2_bgjNavgTK7FRDzGyEKFFMTaS5dAQ80EZs5jlOOkVPZGMbHPWw8HRBJ3nS5E30OKOxKWUDHAa3sjXqim5STIYHaudw1juu30Kt18uZkkw_lHnTJEw7IzRiScws9od9jc-/s640/IMG_1060.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's not too often that the five of us can all get together, so I was so glad that it worked out for us to all meet at lunch while I was still in Logan. We get to see each other about once a year and it's always fun to catch up and see how much little Quinn has grown! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gotta love Logan sunsets. Amazing! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidv6_X8Dn0Rcdo12xmHjKJXLN8GvenCdIZvdH_cX6Vf3E9633wCrt6RcSBrnUM3I4g0SQOcs8hJfMc-kL0Q5iuWGuJ9Xr11Hj1fXwwVPV73dO8c_cwJcgSwbUwqh-LyXRad7ZFdYmS-lIW/s1600/IMG_0969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidv6_X8Dn0Rcdo12xmHjKJXLN8GvenCdIZvdH_cX6Vf3E9633wCrt6RcSBrnUM3I4g0SQOcs8hJfMc-kL0Q5iuWGuJ9Xr11Hj1fXwwVPV73dO8c_cwJcgSwbUwqh-LyXRad7ZFdYmS-lIW/s640/IMG_0969.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was great to have Marissa here for the weekend of Scott's farewell. It didn't work out to have Dan and the girls come, too, but we had a fun weekend nonetheless. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fzyUO7taVN_Q-mQclj-PBNLWtwu6PZfoolOs1B-F-v8IAwbfgoIj0rAHewhsf6MiFiuLOSwGdFjUUaZiJC4E8MpeI5muO4CoIOFuU39xGiraxhFyJB8E5gdh1goFwS7CHHophMbM3CTZ/s1600/temple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fzyUO7taVN_Q-mQclj-PBNLWtwu6PZfoolOs1B-F-v8IAwbfgoIj0rAHewhsf6MiFiuLOSwGdFjUUaZiJC4E8MpeI5muO4CoIOFuU39xGiraxhFyJB8E5gdh1goFwS7CHHophMbM3CTZ/s640/temple.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0mleCykVnqccPkxHl5b6CWi3mQWa6teblIFCGavLy2n34C1QeZBHNqQBVCt-lk5y2JkUCXJu_eWXqR7iczxGlyMbOKPOW0-eeVzgVSkFS75_nzovOIx8EYvbKgYw2RsKMv7_BexdPgqk/s1600/sisters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0mleCykVnqccPkxHl5b6CWi3mQWa6teblIFCGavLy2n34C1QeZBHNqQBVCt-lk5y2JkUCXJu_eWXqR7iczxGlyMbOKPOW0-eeVzgVSkFS75_nzovOIx8EYvbKgYw2RsKMv7_BexdPgqk/s640/sisters.JPG" width="425" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We took the boat out one last time before Scott left. It was my first time out that season... and the last, sadly! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrfPtDVL9AnjyQPm18oAOnDDtOCAO5S2Y8BjB6mGizoWLjiu3aMoQPIg8qdpJrgnkY7gZXgwzSDvzd4kDydy4ABBe37Ddyxrdx6SR4S4Hpge43O5rVUmZSWPtgTgTnO9kKxdKL7g3efbL/s1600/IMG_0967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrfPtDVL9AnjyQPm18oAOnDDtOCAO5S2Y8BjB6mGizoWLjiu3aMoQPIg8qdpJrgnkY7gZXgwzSDvzd4kDydy4ABBe37Ddyxrdx6SR4S4Hpge43O5rVUmZSWPtgTgTnO9kKxdKL7g3efbL/s640/IMG_0967.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QvKM59a7RWh3j0GlQXnCkzSPxiYCRLRoZOqhUs6sF1fHyCx2suDFDLTAQNqZuk9ell9OKf68U3UA0ZGCT0k1eyUhUCnI8HovTUxnuv5ryfmU1QTmeIqyN87OG1BIZuaKGrDaJGuY2bNy/s1600/IMG_0973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QvKM59a7RWh3j0GlQXnCkzSPxiYCRLRoZOqhUs6sF1fHyCx2suDFDLTAQNqZuk9ell9OKf68U3UA0ZGCT0k1eyUhUCnI8HovTUxnuv5ryfmU1QTmeIqyN87OG1BIZuaKGrDaJGuY2bNy/s640/IMG_0973.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scott, Patrick, and Conor have been friends since elementary school and they're pretty much considered family by now. I think we like hanging out with them as much as Scott does ;). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, and of course Kona came on the boat with us. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqsVHmJe8piXKcDGSFZtfbsThAhBxsb1wT9AoNLztSriYzS6MbVurjDpzKAgf6ArZiivaFn-QXKyIFS4x5kjYumiL4EL9yRcfIIU2NzWYVZ9lzlnmQU973_XHjYrzHSmkmWmwIwIgl2Fr/s1600/IMG_1056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqsVHmJe8piXKcDGSFZtfbsThAhBxsb1wT9AoNLztSriYzS6MbVurjDpzKAgf6ArZiivaFn-QXKyIFS4x5kjYumiL4EL9yRcfIIU2NzWYVZ9lzlnmQU973_XHjYrzHSmkmWmwIwIgl2Fr/s640/IMG_1056.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speaking of Kona, this little dog is one of the best parts of coming home. Granted, I might be kind of obsessed because she's my dog, but she definitely keeps us laughing. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDaCcRUR2tCfNc_AkKWZcTRAWd5od1lmbd8ppH7HOLGv-9fJ3JF8VB2YhBZ9hgXc3ksfVwB4dfTR4qGfj1QHXapggzDTWNnrxRM9kvy1Ao3qTkcpnHFIOOLWfvdgPgz3DStCpkKKZMtWl/s1600/IMG_1038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDaCcRUR2tCfNc_AkKWZcTRAWd5od1lmbd8ppH7HOLGv-9fJ3JF8VB2YhBZ9hgXc3ksfVwB4dfTR4qGfj1QHXapggzDTWNnrxRM9kvy1Ao3qTkcpnHFIOOLWfvdgPgz3DStCpkKKZMtWl/s640/IMG_1038.JPG" width="473" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the suitcases come out in our house, Kona knows something is changing. She hung around the entire time we were packing Scott's mission suitcases. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few other Kona moments:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48DZ7X-xV9fvioYJhK3zpu01-dH80O3fBjzcZve6mPrftDA_ttR42r4ZY16aB56bH9TDcBUjaGZlafkImRZW9DBaK8jy_g0SGnAbVeBGwW6kEvYPamwD9sQrBYlzo6KKfiJdgvEfN1aGq/s1600/2012-09-1612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48DZ7X-xV9fvioYJhK3zpu01-dH80O3fBjzcZve6mPrftDA_ttR42r4ZY16aB56bH9TDcBUjaGZlafkImRZW9DBaK8jy_g0SGnAbVeBGwW6kEvYPamwD9sQrBYlzo6KKfiJdgvEfN1aGq/s640/2012-09-1612.jpg" width="492" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were glad that most of us got to be there when Scott got set apart - we had Marissa and Dan on FaceTime so they could be a apart of it, too. Nick was a good sport to stay in Provo to study for finals, but we certainly missed him! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scott requested that I make shrimp alfredo for his last dinner at home, and thanks to Pinterest the entire dinner turned out great. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpyfKnshYrq1AKu8INz_Cn5yJzhcDZDru3_Q6AyKMIzKHH32I1SbpMYYrVm9Y07KFUPKW1yC6lh1cHPg77R_WgbwKeDXb0W7M76S4swRfTZqh5lHGXE-ajkF4bTIfxmUN9sYJX3-EtW7K/s1600/2012-09-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpyfKnshYrq1AKu8INz_Cn5yJzhcDZDru3_Q6AyKMIzKHH32I1SbpMYYrVm9Y07KFUPKW1yC6lh1cHPg77R_WgbwKeDXb0W7M76S4swRfTZqh5lHGXE-ajkF4bTIfxmUN9sYJX3-EtW7K/s640/2012-09-16.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> After Scott got set apart, the rest of his friends came over to say goodbye</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What would we do without Skype? The nieces got to say goodbye to Scottie before he left for the MTC. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnqptZ8L6fxkQ1H9VMsYbUe0KRoZ9LSld0ppVVkveGR_8fSOHx4Ssg8WY3vF85Km7XJ9eL1v6xQisaGViruPAaEWDNajFOGB6jF4D9QAQSvFQ69BO2h3WrAlPppeI18SbHo9InCWv7w_B/s1600/skype.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnqptZ8L6fxkQ1H9VMsYbUe0KRoZ9LSld0ppVVkveGR_8fSOHx4Ssg8WY3vF85Km7XJ9eL1v6xQisaGViruPAaEWDNajFOGB6jF4D9QAQSvFQ69BO2h3WrAlPppeI18SbHo9InCWv7w_B/s640/skype.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> And yes, Kona came with us to the MTC per Scott's request. Ironically it was the first time anyone had been through the Provo MTC gates -- my dad went on his mission before this MTC existed, and all we had to do was drop Aaron off at the airport since he went to the Brazilian MTC. Nick was taking a final and couldn't be there, but I'm sure he'll be there to pick Scott up when he gets home ;). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Right as we drove through the gate, we saw two of Scott's best friends waiting for him on the curb. It totally cheered him up from our tearful goodbye and he couldn't wait to get out of the car! We were so glad they were both there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Scott has finished one month in the MTC by now but still has two to go! He says the Korean language is the most difficult thing he's ever studied but really loves what he's doing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The week after we said goodbye to Scott, said goodbye to Provo altogether! It's crazy to think that we lived in our little apartment for a full three years because time went by so quickly! We loved the time we spent there, but were definitely ready for a change. We had a lot of great experiences in this little home and will always remember it as our newlywed apartment...though we're not even close to being newlyweds anymore. Haha.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had so many friends and ward members help us move our stuff into the moving truck--down three flights of stairs, mind you! We were soooo grateful for their help and seriously couldn't have done it without them. My mom also came the day before to help us pack. She is definitely a master mover! Thanks to her, nothing got broken or even damaged on the way down. She's amazing! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJNRRcm_u_-HMLJDvh8WoDwaPX8yx6Sg6-TUVK9Qamm8PCaPf7vxyOWlNSZWW8v6djdsFB5PuZtZ9FVgPW6j1aJWeP0R4VPT1Y05M1JkeFVWDGFq_F04HRyUnu4Zdc6t6W4llPtFSlq9E/s1600/2012-09-167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJNRRcm_u_-HMLJDvh8WoDwaPX8yx6Sg6-TUVK9Qamm8PCaPf7vxyOWlNSZWW8v6djdsFB5PuZtZ9FVgPW6j1aJWeP0R4VPT1Y05M1JkeFVWDGFq_F04HRyUnu4Zdc6t6W4llPtFSlq9E/s640/2012-09-167.jpg" width="492" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nick's mom and Calvin were so nice to make the drive with us in our car so that we didn't have to tow it behind the truck. They were lifesavers the whole way! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOS34ovBEvUXUMpVpO3h_RKX02o6ziV5spqkZIdkl3If8vrQ18AGKBU48nwhTwO_-R4kQJtHSHllMUH4ta9aT-KrGffjooXPBiNbPQsvUaxVOBxUaQbX1eMKN9RaJuDvt8LozGCqKZHZu/s1600/IMG_1101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOS34ovBEvUXUMpVpO3h_RKX02o6ziV5spqkZIdkl3If8vrQ18AGKBU48nwhTwO_-R4kQJtHSHllMUH4ta9aT-KrGffjooXPBiNbPQsvUaxVOBxUaQbX1eMKN9RaJuDvt8LozGCqKZHZu/s640/IMG_1101.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Of course we had to stop at In-N-Out in Vegas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was Nick's first time at the Hoover Dam so we braved the intense heat at 7:30pm to go take a look. It was only after we were leaving that we realized the tail lights were out on our moving truck, so we decided to just get a hotel room and drive the remaining 5 hours the next day. 'The Hacienda' casino was right down the street, and admittedly, I was terrified about even thinking about staying there. Haha. But thanks to reading TripAdvisor reviews and realizing rooms were only $40, I was convinced. Thankfully, it really wasn't all that bad and we got some sleep for the drive the next day. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehdp6Zbkxi_go7yaOQB3CLmggjEdwnxZlGkvu7iCbcBtmShFb5v68oPdlUJBzgdQnUfdSLbpFED9PFTeUCfXMsOYxeo9Bz2wm8NMQCfh2OhG_AfH0zNJZJiF-7LTWSs1m9WUHN_5_RnEb/s1600/2012-09-1610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehdp6Zbkxi_go7yaOQB3CLmggjEdwnxZlGkvu7iCbcBtmShFb5v68oPdlUJBzgdQnUfdSLbpFED9PFTeUCfXMsOYxeo9Bz2wm8NMQCfh2OhG_AfH0zNJZJiF-7LTWSs1m9WUHN_5_RnEb/s640/2012-09-1610.jpg" width="494" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And we finally made it! We had signed the lease of our new place before even seeing it, but we were pleasantly surprised to find out that our complex was even better than we had imagined. We love our apartment--especially for the fact that it's nearly twice as big as our Provo apartment. Haha. And, as you can see, our complex has an awesome pool, too. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7NWL6iXDWAcfHljTbr005I8Ggcfygc2I0_BGOHF4BUnZ9w6Y6GNjRme-1lLeHNy2jKl6ntlPK5vYXHCy-D_OBXOSrxDGhsEu3xkHRicNECTvnG4YEEFpVCaDqqPUA00bwTbaiYyVaFsM/s1600/IMG_1117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7NWL6iXDWAcfHljTbr005I8Ggcfygc2I0_BGOHF4BUnZ9w6Y6GNjRme-1lLeHNy2jKl6ntlPK5vYXHCy-D_OBXOSrxDGhsEu3xkHRicNECTvnG4YEEFpVCaDqqPUA00bwTbaiYyVaFsM/s640/IMG_1117.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I realized that moving in is almost just as bad as moving out. This is one of many Costco attempts to re-stock our kitchen. It's been a month and I'm still working on it! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lFXMSI1ZSpGqmOk6LG9bKsBxhI2mVCouuwJF9UCqGbwXVEMUyq43INQIVgeDCVY6PktHRY1GaqjPhK0D9cRk0xGnFeM4Qg5xL7Ah1luh6qnG-QBZYYLSIqu1rDGoV8c0YRT_udRrL5GM/s1600/IMG_1142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lFXMSI1ZSpGqmOk6LG9bKsBxhI2mVCouuwJF9UCqGbwXVEMUyq43INQIVgeDCVY6PktHRY1GaqjPhK0D9cRk0xGnFeM4Qg5xL7Ah1luh6qnG-QBZYYLSIqu1rDGoV8c0YRT_udRrL5GM/s640/IMG_1142.JPG" width="473" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last but not least, I took Nick out for his long-awaited and much deserved graduation dinner! We were celebrating his graduation<i> and </i>the fact that he did great on the DAT, so he deserved an awesome night out. Ruth's Chris definitely didn't disappoint and I even got to have the most amazing leftovers the day after :). </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHnf0wmn5xDtm9YCDBg8yyn5IBrbsK0LnxFhC8F5fJecuaYBzCvxcjaf_WKk5oydNEkhninH2HYzJ13hDc3yuwc9Aol_IBiTKMtpPFgYGQ8VxCrAxEN3acOlx67ZiaGyYXyVRwDNeXXk0/s1600/2012-09-168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHnf0wmn5xDtm9YCDBg8yyn5IBrbsK0LnxFhC8F5fJecuaYBzCvxcjaf_WKk5oydNEkhninH2HYzJ13hDc3yuwc9Aol_IBiTKMtpPFgYGQ8VxCrAxEN3acOlx67ZiaGyYXyVRwDNeXXk0/s640/2012-09-168.jpg" width="492" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The new apartment is still a work in progress, but pictures will be posted soon! </span></div>
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<br />Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-36654197278823330022012-08-07T13:25:00.003-06:002012-08-07T13:25:49.177-06:00Someone's Leaving on a Mission...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOY0sILrinUUgChdTW9cxRWNUkvTc4NTJZa_vS1WaE8JuMqsSApRr-4uDM6NChCuXw2uifDGj6s72QqYRoRE8t3Pm6_cpSP9EE3nnwCT4OEeT8ALyhGbHtZ4UxKjFGmnIEy16eiVD8QG5/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOY0sILrinUUgChdTW9cxRWNUkvTc4NTJZa_vS1WaE8JuMqsSApRr-4uDM6NChCuXw2uifDGj6s72QqYRoRE8t3Pm6_cpSP9EE3nnwCT4OEeT8ALyhGbHtZ4UxKjFGmnIEy16eiVD8QG5/s640/photo.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, the time has come to send my baby brother off into the real world. We couldn't be more excited for him! He'll be serving a mission for our church in Busan, South Korea for the next two years. We'll sure miss having him around for a couple years, but we know that the people he meets in Korea will love him just as much as we do. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbe5o1YlHRcubLZ5zHKxysDrO-l8ksqkizxsCWhngvRo6ORp2b4SEUsyRWWsjeeTU9-k8RKidIqc5otD0GrkETi7wW-4EB16JmuerCmI-A8xEv1wu_YKxSdRoyVeDPJ0pstZR8EejCaV0/s1600/2012-08-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbe5o1YlHRcubLZ5zHKxysDrO-l8ksqkizxsCWhngvRo6ORp2b4SEUsyRWWsjeeTU9-k8RKidIqc5otD0GrkETi7wW-4EB16JmuerCmI-A8xEv1wu_YKxSdRoyVeDPJ0pstZR8EejCaV0/s640/2012-08-07.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All of my siblings are best friends, but Scott and I have always had a special bond as the "little kids" of the family. For several years during my time in high school, we were the only kids at home so we got to become awesome travel buddies. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've spent lots of good times together on the plane, in the car, and a handful of different places across the world. It's been so fun watching him grow up (literally--he's 6'3 now) through middle school, high school, college, and now leaving on a mission. We can't wait to see how these next two years will help him grow up even more. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2OEmeYAFN_LcxQmtAZ5lqTZ5-McH6cpfM5wX1xwPny6VP_xIvs97s-f48tS58pTaSinpAS8l5PMbHa2X9LTLt2zYHpvozrG5Xfh18niDsut78eiZuDJIQsYRfuDGVfERgYbCyjQREFFz/s1600/2012-08-072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2OEmeYAFN_LcxQmtAZ5lqTZ5-McH6cpfM5wX1xwPny6VP_xIvs97s-f48tS58pTaSinpAS8l5PMbHa2X9LTLt2zYHpvozrG5Xfh18niDsut78eiZuDJIQsYRfuDGVfERgYbCyjQREFFz/s640/2012-08-072.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were able to have a great get together with lots of family and friends last week at my parent's house. It was fun to see so many people who have been a part of Scott's and our family's life throughout the years, and we're so grateful for them! We had lots of help in the kitchen and the day turned out so wonderful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphoKeoTmzlPkk9J9gOo2Fe7aYgliiARcKo3QmKc-CtEBUpZJHexhlBH6-VB774btNwsPmGn-vHN8oIOJG5n3n3LnvRdsPF5bpa1CHqmx1DcbPaz5hnEvU8cWPlEQjzz_q6FMjnj-8SNET/s1600/Scott's+Farewell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphoKeoTmzlPkk9J9gOo2Fe7aYgliiARcKo3QmKc-CtEBUpZJHexhlBH6-VB774btNwsPmGn-vHN8oIOJG5n3n3LnvRdsPF5bpa1CHqmx1DcbPaz5hnEvU8cWPlEQjzz_q6FMjnj-8SNET/s640/Scott's+Farewell.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We love Scott for his big heart and his sense of humor that always keeps us laughing. Our family gatherings will be pretty dull without him over the next couple years! Scott is the life of the party in our family, and we'll certainly miss that. But I'm pretty sure Kona will miss him the most. ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvrr_aO4Vag-cbdRsrrIj7LlAmFIgvNYJ4uRXYOL-1uwwlxZP1mZvbm8-nsB5bpRJz9oyogy08lnrZIeyQd8pDRJpaSmV5Nbbr_sCQ4E47iUR3-DuOLC7PEE8g50oZ5Szdyrav-5BY5FX/s1600/IMG_0286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvrr_aO4Vag-cbdRsrrIj7LlAmFIgvNYJ4uRXYOL-1uwwlxZP1mZvbm8-nsB5bpRJz9oyogy08lnrZIeyQd8pDRJpaSmV5Nbbr_sCQ4E47iUR3-DuOLC7PEE8g50oZ5Szdyrav-5BY5FX/s640/IMG_0286.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We're so excited for everything that awaits this guy overseas. Here's to a great two years! </span></div>
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<br /></div>Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-1637997557673366122012-07-02T23:19:00.001-06:002012-07-02T23:23:36.778-06:00Happy 60th to my Dad!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
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This post is likewise long overdue, but I couldn't not do a tribute post for my dad's 60th birthday! This year was extra special because his birthday <i>and</i> Father's Day fell on the same Sunday, so we all got to be there to celebrate both special occasions.</div>
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Because this birthday was quite a milestone, we naturally had to dig up a selection of old pictures. We put together an album with hundreds of pictures in collages from his childhood till now. Here are some of my favorites:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzbt4g8lNibcaSASr3lD44q68K22lbygDaN9WxmK1pIMpsy6xVRPGTlbH_v2MFQkynD9PlucFslwD7nGZ1EmHayqTKqEYsBBtBWCdKw6ny9ueWFD7Cfdeet8el_JEtUiqYZ-0GLHVpaxW/s1600/Dad.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzbt4g8lNibcaSASr3lD44q68K22lbygDaN9WxmK1pIMpsy6xVRPGTlbH_v2MFQkynD9PlucFslwD7nGZ1EmHayqTKqEYsBBtBWCdKw6ny9ueWFD7Cfdeet8el_JEtUiqYZ-0GLHVpaxW/s640/Dad.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Aren't these precious? I love that my grandparents took lots of pictures of their kids. My Grandpa was stationed in Hawaii when my dad was born, and we like to joke that my dad has "true" Hawaiian blood because he had to have a blood transfusion right after birth. His little Hawaiian outfit on the left is my favorite!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5q2udIU8xFEhbFdLu8TB28M-piFH0vKG9Z3_GM-FO__NOcpOCXE7HmDbKEObHlEDXQFBeKqZXJHxI-UtvMhukyvOd81bI5IUf_lCJJcfK_hL0mU4KvnVHhxbQ36YkTVggKlXh8LV9YMT/s1600/Dad1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5q2udIU8xFEhbFdLu8TB28M-piFH0vKG9Z3_GM-FO__NOcpOCXE7HmDbKEObHlEDXQFBeKqZXJHxI-UtvMhukyvOd81bI5IUf_lCJJcfK_hL0mU4KvnVHhxbQ36YkTVggKlXh8LV9YMT/s640/Dad1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Growing up as a kid in Minnesota. He always had his chihuahua with him. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAijtcSHWgvj_2BcjDfw5_JtjQk2HwOvRkm_1FZM0-06AfKTZriDyHKj1ztrbFVwPyJ-9tXOr-AdYo2hEBs35NBNS9kbY1C6whHok6wbfi4jTNW-CTku0DLQhF3iZ8JfrUNlPvwsGRjf62/s1600/Dad2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAijtcSHWgvj_2BcjDfw5_JtjQk2HwOvRkm_1FZM0-06AfKTZriDyHKj1ztrbFVwPyJ-9tXOr-AdYo2hEBs35NBNS9kbY1C6whHok6wbfi4jTNW-CTku0DLQhF3iZ8JfrUNlPvwsGRjf62/s640/Dad2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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High school graduation pictures - his expression on the left is priceless! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95A0id-PWDpEoftHJmnqHT80G7Dv3VLIFDIVOiZf8qKDxF-CihyphenhyphenOxxqbNvyv0kFXBUXhbHHlLELWWZ0wO2Zf7rPxU2h3UyN9ElBt_adDElqXA2kRGCm71nQHx3SAbsI5KRGU_QeHBPGez/s1600/Dad3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95A0id-PWDpEoftHJmnqHT80G7Dv3VLIFDIVOiZf8qKDxF-CihyphenhyphenOxxqbNvyv0kFXBUXhbHHlLELWWZ0wO2Zf7rPxU2h3UyN9ElBt_adDElqXA2kRGCm71nQHx3SAbsI5KRGU_QeHBPGez/s640/Dad3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Aaaand enter the baby pictures. It would probably surprise you to know that I wasn't even the chunkiest out of all my siblings, either! :) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8kRLhIBXjo3QyNM8ALHgSdenB9BGHmP0bUt_Pbpxj2KkAhlnikvt-OTC-2LBhngGPcOfPgPAQY2uiN-mXP9hy7pVtf7Ep2WYq22y40rBMpadmoCMmLK2E_17YvarbiS5DbiRjm-XflPT/s1600/Mom+and+Dad+30th+Slide+Show+Order+%2528104%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8kRLhIBXjo3QyNM8ALHgSdenB9BGHmP0bUt_Pbpxj2KkAhlnikvt-OTC-2LBhngGPcOfPgPAQY2uiN-mXP9hy7pVtf7Ep2WYq22y40rBMpadmoCMmLK2E_17YvarbiS5DbiRjm-XflPT/s640/Mom+and+Dad+30th+Slide+Show+Order+%2528104%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This has to be one of my all-time favorites. We were at an amusement park in Upstate New York and my dad specifically did my hair like that so I would meet the height requirements for all the rides. Haha. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcfl8hPKMJKKdQm12ry8oqWg3JBvSxoN4gKt617BoPqf7aaAFnU4WYnxmY1UmlgYisaXlrkwiwgitTY6RVXB3k10gxTtOU7snaVSs6ilfQFeHcZT5muht4ImcQ98CqcGrnjzvmZ-fzxtW/s1600/Mom+and+Dad+30th+Slide+Show+Order+%2528114%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcfl8hPKMJKKdQm12ry8oqWg3JBvSxoN4gKt617BoPqf7aaAFnU4WYnxmY1UmlgYisaXlrkwiwgitTY6RVXB3k10gxTtOU7snaVSs6ilfQFeHcZT5muht4ImcQ98CqcGrnjzvmZ-fzxtW/s640/Mom+and+Dad+30th+Slide+Show+Order+%2528114%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Family picture on my baptism day</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJC8M99sGLOwcCccOoGdGp3ODqs3zSZ9yrhhn4nRe0TuzBRSItMoxrm38-4J-fi1ioFK-kotiTRffLljxLThB0VRYN0-bkgyVfXPVRpmFUN8G4k6T9kQ7jf1jgiDYxVfJu-oOt3u4zmUBC/s1600/2012-07-3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJC8M99sGLOwcCccOoGdGp3ODqs3zSZ9yrhhn4nRe0TuzBRSItMoxrm38-4J-fi1ioFK-kotiTRffLljxLThB0VRYN0-bkgyVfXPVRpmFUN8G4k6T9kQ7jf1jgiDYxVfJu-oOt3u4zmUBC/s640/2012-07-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thanks to my dad, I've been able to travel to so many places across the world and experience so many cities and cultures. During my senior year of high school, I got to tag along with him on his Europe routes for 24-hour layovers in Frankfurt, Zurich, and Edinburgh. Also, he deserves an extra special award for agreeing to take four teenage girls to Hawaii for my 16th birthday. Ha. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDReq2TCv-XOFS-v_1zt-sG4m7_k4oeDoiYNUxIaoMJrX204Q9EG67XyiRLExJq7RJkx19oRLmxFGe4buqPihl1Kh-Atd-RVFTHlnZL4BN2ccMyqARwY6ZxeGwAO_qnjRYod8TKDXnt_t/s1600/2012-07-021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDReq2TCv-XOFS-v_1zt-sG4m7_k4oeDoiYNUxIaoMJrX204Q9EG67XyiRLExJq7RJkx19oRLmxFGe4buqPihl1Kh-Atd-RVFTHlnZL4BN2ccMyqARwY6ZxeGwAO_qnjRYod8TKDXnt_t/s640/2012-07-021.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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What I love about traveling with my dad is he's not your typical tourist. He makes it a point to go off the beaten path to find the "true" cultural experiences. I think it's impossible for him to get lost in any country. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lLK6sNdM5GQdl96RHbsdCWT0-ntr8gX92HWU39XuPrSUskWrg7ROndOtZAMNKxdoV0iD1EYbViduzqBwLfAwmfuVwrIvBxHDsp_dzooo1pOuH38ZaEG1H32VjgpzWcFlPZmXpHGjV5oO/s1600/2012-07-022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lLK6sNdM5GQdl96RHbsdCWT0-ntr8gX92HWU39XuPrSUskWrg7ROndOtZAMNKxdoV0iD1EYbViduzqBwLfAwmfuVwrIvBxHDsp_dzooo1pOuH38ZaEG1H32VjgpzWcFlPZmXpHGjV5oO/s640/2012-07-022.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My dad is a pretty simple guy and didn't really want any fanfare for his special day. But he did request his favorite pineapple upside down cake. Thanks to Pinterest I found an awesome recipe that turned out perfect. We got to have my sister and her family on Skype while opening presents so it almost felt like we were all together! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6Pimw0YeFoBKPw0PGG1E2dS-8MdRTnYDNG91EBUgwF1tf9xikgjYsdez4u4UcOM1imGrEOuktzYk7bDklJ9Dl5yPMOePbMJzxrKYBOC5MV9V2_skynXeux1H_0XpFBkLUKFE5_YrLkJr/s1600/2012-07-023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6Pimw0YeFoBKPw0PGG1E2dS-8MdRTnYDNG91EBUgwF1tf9xikgjYsdez4u4UcOM1imGrEOuktzYk7bDklJ9Dl5yPMOePbMJzxrKYBOC5MV9V2_skynXeux1H_0XpFBkLUKFE5_YrLkJr/s640/2012-07-023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Some other good Pinterest finds for dinner. Yum! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsDdqP362HOWkWOs8F_gfV0RBnkHSGy5KiU9VqIlAmezwkDjF1SK-H88-WJGuwRss5_CHGhCnDTBcmrgtzLgLvp0ZeI8vqlwwumenLGljvaOiKDEh3AgQvc-cC9AQ5ft3JioQs7OqZmgT/s1600/IMG_0855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsDdqP362HOWkWOs8F_gfV0RBnkHSGy5KiU9VqIlAmezwkDjF1SK-H88-WJGuwRss5_CHGhCnDTBcmrgtzLgLvp0ZeI8vqlwwumenLGljvaOiKDEh3AgQvc-cC9AQ5ft3JioQs7OqZmgT/s640/IMG_0855.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm one lucky girl to have a dad like mine. He's the most kind, patient, supportive, and insightful person I know. Even though he's 60, he still acts like he's 30 when he's on the ski hill, the bike trail, or anywhere else that requires athleticism. He's a machine! I hope that when I'm 60 I can even be half as great of a person as he is. Love you, dad! </div>Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-81399136815499718152012-06-24T16:38:00.000-06:002012-06-24T16:40:38.661-06:00The Rest of Spring, Summer, and Random Instagrams<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a long and very overdue post! Here's a random mix of what's been going on around the Potter household lately:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We made it out to the Qquirrh Mountain Temple for the first time and were totally amazed by the view! I don't remember the last time I saw the mountains from the opposite side of the valley. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpW143b3XdJGJ8oTS1i4hEjHZOVRDTJF-ssyOWEcWQ36f1cfEPhOB5ZO1nDe8EGOq1qpZKCgmaV0TJf0MdR1FnswUIEZdxncaKEjYH367HnKR_QoI-0hXmgAw8sIyjcyX_fr2nSWCVlTCe/s1600/otemple4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpW143b3XdJGJ8oTS1i4hEjHZOVRDTJF-ssyOWEcWQ36f1cfEPhOB5ZO1nDe8EGOq1qpZKCgmaV0TJf0MdR1FnswUIEZdxncaKEjYH367HnKR_QoI-0hXmgAw8sIyjcyX_fr2nSWCVlTCe/s640/otemple4.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrseH6d8Uc-jAdZyZXXDQLs_yUC-5eUWSOUDz3fn-gDIo7Khq2ch6xQQ6oaEsVADlB59UADN22sZOt2H0zc1PtPahHyUSFw8QxivFZ-qfk9ipku69Fi591s_qPQAyTAylF-jNqJm8g9prN/s1600/2012-04-143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrseH6d8Uc-jAdZyZXXDQLs_yUC-5eUWSOUDz3fn-gDIo7Khq2ch6xQQ6oaEsVADlB59UADN22sZOt2H0zc1PtPahHyUSFw8QxivFZ-qfk9ipku69Fi591s_qPQAyTAylF-jNqJm8g9prN/s640/2012-04-143.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nick's brother and his wife live in Logan now, so it's fun to get to see them as well as my family when we drive up to visit. Nick's three nephews were there for Easter as well and it was fun to get to see them, too. They had grown up a lot since we saw them last summer! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODTSdz-dt6r8u54GBqe5bLATxMQsbo2feLYmRBnMq0Y8J1lqwF6OQiAgrZIFrqK7apnPWGT1EntbZEFkWX3X2zwRutkOpoEffS-3JMDAJOCiVcV1T5nGKrFXVAK6UCj15u9YI9YGliGvV/s1600/IMG_0624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODTSdz-dt6r8u54GBqe5bLATxMQsbo2feLYmRBnMq0Y8J1lqwF6OQiAgrZIFrqK7apnPWGT1EntbZEFkWX3X2zwRutkOpoEffS-3JMDAJOCiVcV1T5nGKrFXVAK6UCj15u9YI9YGliGvV/s640/IMG_0624.JPG" width="478" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I experimented with making my first Pavlova. I found this recipe for Pavlova with strawberries and passion fruit via Martha Stewart. I have to say it was a huge success, and Pavlova now ranks on my list of favorite desserts. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJLXVBbUolSS49CmANkUDXyFBDinELKuqmMI3XrSsTsjnm-8wUPhSBXHRnWgEM_PehjPN8IYaBCBw_POFROQ6mtu8wYS2OtvUDwsqLOK4INEB4m5ySaffL4TZZVAn1mhlujuCOCrHb26Z/s1600/IMG_0628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJLXVBbUolSS49CmANkUDXyFBDinELKuqmMI3XrSsTsjnm-8wUPhSBXHRnWgEM_PehjPN8IYaBCBw_POFROQ6mtu8wYS2OtvUDwsqLOK4INEB4m5ySaffL4TZZVAn1mhlujuCOCrHb26Z/s640/IMG_0628.JPG" width="478" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of our favorite things about summer is using our little grill on our balcony. S'mores have become somewhat of a Sunday tradition around here. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjives-b-Se5EImzD8N4iWCf428ZjEhyphenhyphenRrUvosIlCWWSrICP1Vi5XN_4NPqbVWdNne7oGLFwhqqTY8iNvVks4SccHnDLs-cGxkMRPTDaayvS5VQKxiVBAl0L1lPbOgAS0uy6dpSSZjYc5kh/s1600/IMG_0774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjives-b-Se5EImzD8N4iWCf428ZjEhyphenhyphenRrUvosIlCWWSrICP1Vi5XN_4NPqbVWdNne7oGLFwhqqTY8iNvVks4SccHnDLs-cGxkMRPTDaayvS5VQKxiVBAl0L1lPbOgAS0uy6dpSSZjYc5kh/s640/IMG_0774.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love that I work just a block away from this little gem. It's so nice getting to eat my lunch here every day! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxub4ZgZhiOgvDLBjfLdQVCJUTTg_VM4BHgHzn5kBonv7a1E1HH7ls1W5ylYT4yvd_Gb7DDVYK5tnsmL3XossNXDnfVh0K1_ihz-0b21rZj2qolZNLFamLApoMN2F0RVdRzg5IXFDYW1l/s1600/IMG_0820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxub4ZgZhiOgvDLBjfLdQVCJUTTg_VM4BHgHzn5kBonv7a1E1HH7ls1W5ylYT4yvd_Gb7DDVYK5tnsmL3XossNXDnfVh0K1_ihz-0b21rZj2qolZNLFamLApoMN2F0RVdRzg5IXFDYW1l/s640/IMG_0820.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeU3kHwKVuOLjLbUHW2AR9oSlozLksge4PoiM4o4dfOSZHZZggNmfe0nIt-6GYsNIJoAgJ2S4r_UiEDjfrOFDPzpXe1Pko18cuO13m3VanUCS9n1UIWGHJ69wbzLNQQ6gfUp014N8EFxB/s1600/IMG_0775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeU3kHwKVuOLjLbUHW2AR9oSlozLksge4PoiM4o4dfOSZHZZggNmfe0nIt-6GYsNIJoAgJ2S4r_UiEDjfrOFDPzpXe1Pko18cuO13m3VanUCS9n1UIWGHJ69wbzLNQQ6gfUp014N8EFxB/s640/IMG_0775.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Summertime also means the start of Bachelorette night! Yes, it's slightly embarrassing to admit that I watch this show because it's pretty ridiculous. However, it's so much more entertaining when a whole group of girls get together to watch it. This season we even started a bracket competition. Ha. Combined with treats and nail painting, it's definitely a highlight of our week! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlv0J8teve_eOKG7lZZEQxEdxunXlKzVWbxae6_rU5g2lRaKMWB2IhZxr1XOPSyE8gZ5warDmB73tLvafz72mrZf_6La2eR9LeyUnyGmcKfhqmFMZIgoOKgG2mInzxRnktR4SDruEcwq5c/s1600/IMG_0792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlv0J8teve_eOKG7lZZEQxEdxunXlKzVWbxae6_rU5g2lRaKMWB2IhZxr1XOPSyE8gZ5warDmB73tLvafz72mrZf_6La2eR9LeyUnyGmcKfhqmFMZIgoOKgG2mInzxRnktR4SDruEcwq5c/s640/IMG_0792.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nick's been working on his golf game lately, and was able to go with both his brother, Casey, and my dad and little brother over Memorial Day weekend. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1A70Czq4gcenRbFHWYIieL8hN5HCUXr35k8aLW-y5AEOCQxVL86G8xq3kHm4oYYb835RBN73sMkRUTf0ubuoxwdpLWLMW6_N9iIruoVQwksUtnJRpQSFOdTpijkh-zx3xX-oAv5UVMKw/s1600/IMG_0777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1A70Czq4gcenRbFHWYIieL8hN5HCUXr35k8aLW-y5AEOCQxVL86G8xq3kHm4oYYb835RBN73sMkRUTf0ubuoxwdpLWLMW6_N9iIruoVQwksUtnJRpQSFOdTpijkh-zx3xX-oAv5UVMKw/s640/IMG_0777.JPG" width="478" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While the boys were out golfing, I got to soak up my time with this little cutie. I'm slightly obsessed with dogs. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDiibWuA4NvGkfjXF65tSBq85SNLXXpwkqVSLEgnPSEuiTW8QXuLWQcZ0HUAZdLzCz7m3sCL4j4wYihoguh90fh1TzFqSGCZ4MnW7QM1HESTjdG7xBDHjKLWITJVAhh3Nal4gQSJ1K48C/s1600/IMG_0781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDiibWuA4NvGkfjXF65tSBq85SNLXXpwkqVSLEgnPSEuiTW8QXuLWQcZ0HUAZdLzCz7m3sCL4j4wYihoguh90fh1TzFqSGCZ4MnW7QM1HESTjdG7xBDHjKLWITJVAhh3Nal4gQSJ1K48C/s640/IMG_0781.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> One of my favorite times of year - Cache Valley is stunning in the spring time! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0pykEZ83_4pcVzsLGpobgH6L7hHF3190RSFnofix9vctEnwNp2fErDl5QvhNH0LmsfcVpUsFynYmIlt3yxYEZO9Z1q07OkaUci1SCMEoysGvrrbl5i3jnd49YSs6r_kaIyet8INax30x/s1600/IMG_0784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0pykEZ83_4pcVzsLGpobgH6L7hHF3190RSFnofix9vctEnwNp2fErDl5QvhNH0LmsfcVpUsFynYmIlt3yxYEZO9Z1q07OkaUci1SCMEoysGvrrbl5i3jnd49YSs6r_kaIyet8INax30x/s640/IMG_0784.JPG" width="478" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Though I know nothing about baseball, it was fun to have an extended lunch break at the Bee's game. One of the perks about working in a predominately "guy" office is that occasionally you get to tag along for "guy" activities. I'm not complaining! :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6pOPGu0U0DCCzQuj2TfPLFZxyE-Ne4oCi631VmMCU9BCi6JsSialYpGBTf6sFa2T6g54LvBfXtth6SmVB3HI18H9dn9vsRWlvdBHJy9-yiOMrkopjwFOuG2zdCxxNuNT0X9uM7vajmmg/s1600/IMG_0804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6pOPGu0U0DCCzQuj2TfPLFZxyE-Ne4oCi631VmMCU9BCi6JsSialYpGBTf6sFa2T6g54LvBfXtth6SmVB3HI18H9dn9vsRWlvdBHJy9-yiOMrkopjwFOuG2zdCxxNuNT0X9uM7vajmmg/s640/IMG_0804.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had a fun friend date at Slab pizza (delicious by the way) and The Awful Waffle (likewise delicious). Good friends. Good food. Loved it. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZU4qkn8N6wRdiTBM05jYRiMNjmgJ7fk2n2LoFWDgrhjXEuqH1w4Qtu_KMV4i0dtaTCYOyGR-Wcd_BKUPEG_tAvZTDOOQSk50eRQbwCgG-_VQbGrxe1LT6JPWeyTZJDeK_qbBsnITY7fgq/s1600/IMG_0814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZU4qkn8N6wRdiTBM05jYRiMNjmgJ7fk2n2LoFWDgrhjXEuqH1w4Qtu_KMV4i0dtaTCYOyGR-Wcd_BKUPEG_tAvZTDOOQSk50eRQbwCgG-_VQbGrxe1LT6JPWeyTZJDeK_qbBsnITY7fgq/s640/IMG_0814.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I fell in love with the rose bushes at the Provo Temple. We must have come during a week when they were in full bloom. The best thing was they smelled exactly like my Grandma's rose bushes, which brought back a lot of childhood memories!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-X2_459Gcm7EcsCl-qg5VnmeDldPVqwdhhqCvEU2frob-o9CthzHRBaZGg58lvM35xwPgmYXhyTCUAV2jwTmWir91upWWF0gaRENiOuUiROAm2Qr5URqpfnHucuPgX-J6hmHqsM2cSFKM/s1600/IMG_0848_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-X2_459Gcm7EcsCl-qg5VnmeDldPVqwdhhqCvEU2frob-o9CthzHRBaZGg58lvM35xwPgmYXhyTCUAV2jwTmWir91upWWF0gaRENiOuUiROAm2Qr5URqpfnHucuPgX-J6hmHqsM2cSFKM/s640/IMG_0848_2.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sushi night with friends (ignore our wolf eyes - gotta love iPhone pics ;) )</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This concoction was all Nick's idea - inspired by the Taco Bell commercials. I like to think ours were a bit healthier since they were homemade. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETHtq5CSV52qwlB0JQQANrQPXz-jr8WkRyc3LGQYJu1BLl65PXMJfwsDxrauzMeFuiBT1_QDPYyDzAq9HGSjHKie_-rE-gCmHQcUke-mBX-HNB7WKGxbY_0OBfxO7GlI3lQdrewTmrfzz/s1600/IMG_0826_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETHtq5CSV52qwlB0JQQANrQPXz-jr8WkRyc3LGQYJu1BLl65PXMJfwsDxrauzMeFuiBT1_QDPYyDzAq9HGSjHKie_-rE-gCmHQcUke-mBX-HNB7WKGxbY_0OBfxO7GlI3lQdrewTmrfzz/s640/IMG_0826_2.JPG" width="478" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Nick and Aaron did Ragnar last weekend and I got to meet up with them in Morgan on my way up to Logan. It was the first time in the relay for both of them, and even though they were limping the rest of the weekend, they did really well! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nick's sister, husband, and two little dogs stopped by our place on their way through town. How can you resist this little guy!? Again, we're kind of obsessed with dogs :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeje7fEjz9pv0IeZXn-sG5ptWF0ewaWFldEKZ3IG2uxaKLHaeqCbLZbnC3cY1DPxPJhIwApCC0BnTgiCtq866S6zCrVTWwGG8NzGG8Ul8QhTkr4i4SbG12UB2msXeR8Ajhg2eWan6Ra-K/s1600/IMG_0837_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeje7fEjz9pv0IeZXn-sG5ptWF0ewaWFldEKZ3IG2uxaKLHaeqCbLZbnC3cY1DPxPJhIwApCC0BnTgiCtq866S6zCrVTWwGG8NzGG8Ul8QhTkr4i4SbG12UB2msXeR8Ajhg2eWan6Ra-K/s640/IMG_0837_2.JPG" width="478" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More updates to come! </span></div>
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<br />Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-17240298308092212342012-05-01T00:21:00.000-06:002012-05-01T00:21:27.350-06:00Kona, HI 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
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We just can't get enough of this place! </div>
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We decided to take an early summer vacation to visit my sister and her
husband who were staying in Kona for a month for my brother in law's
medical school internship.They were staying the same house that my family vacationed in last August, so it was the perfect set up for us to tag along with them. Originally we didn't think Nick would be able to go because of finals, but he finished all his exams a day early and we both miraculously made it on the connecting flights to the island! </div>
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It was so fun to see my sister and little nieces again - they had grown up so much since we last saw them! </div>
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We spent our first day there at at Kukio beach. It's a private resort/community, but they allow public beach access -- we're so glad we found this gem! The golf course and grounds were some of the most amazing property we had ever seen. We found out later that golf course is so immaculate because they charge a cool 250K a year (!) just for a membership to the course. I only took a few pictures, but their <a href="http://kukio.com/">website</a> is definitely a feast for the eyes! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNWacnsF8SZUJvSCKy5DHu-qeR9Wu0kSi6IOJniWP5icuu104YZjHbFNgTFPjuULFMR9QfRHEktL3ADVtmYQt-7DBNyQHnTkl1T2ELFPx6Wu2duXdHfcl2HOCZG95edcIzFatjxsE6sip/s1600/2012-04-294.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNWacnsF8SZUJvSCKy5DHu-qeR9Wu0kSi6IOJniWP5icuu104YZjHbFNgTFPjuULFMR9QfRHEktL3ADVtmYQt-7DBNyQHnTkl1T2ELFPx6Wu2duXdHfcl2HOCZG95edcIzFatjxsE6sip/s640/2012-04-294.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We were lucky to have my brother Scott fly in for a couple days before he started finals the next week. It was so fun to have him there with us! We loved having an amazing view of the sunset during dinner out on the patio. </div>
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We spent the day on Saturday at Kua Bay, just north of the Kona airport. The water was so amazing! It's pretty rare to see water that bright blue in Hawaii. </div>
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The Eskaran's came to visit! Our friends Jo and Aaron moved to Honolulu last summer and we've certainly missed having them around Provo. Jo works for Hawaiian Airlines so they were able to catch a flight over to the Big Island for the day. It was so much fun to hang out with them again. Hopefully we'll get to visit them on their home turf in Honolulu soon! </div>
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Thanks to Aaron for these pictures! (Visit his site to see more of his awesome <a href="http://aaroneskaran.com/">photography</a>)<br />And he was nice enough to take a family picture for us.. even though we were still a little raggedy from the beach :)</div>
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Had to get a picture with the girls in their pretty Sunday dresses.<br />
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My brother-in-law, Dan, makes the most amazing ribs I've ever had. It's starting to be a tradition for him to make them every time we're together. Charlotte was a big helper with prepping the broccoli :)</div>
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Scott was flying back to Utah the same day my dad was flying in to visit, but we had a few hours together to eat dinner. Scotty just submitted his mission papers, so we were extra glad that he could come see all of us together because it will be a couple years before we get to do this again! </div>
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These little girls sure love their grandpa! </div>
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<br />Thanks to our trusty Hawaii guide book, we found out that there is a small black sand beach just north of the Kona airport. Originally we thought we'd have to drive to the other side of the island, so we were thrilled that is one was only a short walk from a major beach through a lava field. </div>
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Black sand is so unique -- I love it! We were also glad that it was overcast weather, otherwise the sand would have been so hot we wouldn't have been able to enjoy it! Walking through the lava field was also really fascinating. It's still amazing to me that the entire island is made of this stuff! </div>
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On our last day on the island, we spent some time in downtown Kona at the local market. They had such an amazing selection of leis and flowers that I had never even seen before. I wish I could have taken them all home with me! </div>
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We found an awesome local sushi joint that lets you make your own roll. You basically tell them what you want in it and they'll make it for you. The best part was each roll was only around $5. Even though my dad flies to Japan a lot, he's never really liked sushi. But we convinced him to try this with us and he loved it! And thank heavens for the iPhone -- it kept the girls entertained the whole time. </div>
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After sushi we stopped to get shaved ice - always a must when in Hawaii. </div>
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One last sunset picture. I don't think this view from the house will ever get old. Nothing beats a Hawaiian sunset! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWI3lOJK2jNaj-ut910TymrWxLwseNOS0HmUvZtNox_3wJyxaLu2G8vzFx9PIgEVT68FxOVdG9ZsCRWRY54Yd2yw6QkZBQv5wtQNBiwwoGf1wfgcVsRtotl83Vsa0p3C4iUiKXqNHt13_/s1600/DSC_1055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWI3lOJK2jNaj-ut910TymrWxLwseNOS0HmUvZtNox_3wJyxaLu2G8vzFx9PIgEVT68FxOVdG9ZsCRWRY54Yd2yw6QkZBQv5wtQNBiwwoGf1wfgcVsRtotl83Vsa0p3C4iUiKXqNHt13_/s640/DSC_1055.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-21339632031449434232012-04-14T21:53:00.000-06:002012-04-29T21:11:38.819-06:00March<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3 Years! </b></span></div>
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I never used to like the month of March because the weather was still cold and spring hadn't quite arrived yet. But for the past few years I've loved that we get to celebrate our anniversary in March because it gives us something to look forward to during the dreary winter months! And luckily, (just like on our wedding day) there always seems to be one weekend where the weather heats up right before it snows. </div>
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It's always amazing to me how each year just seems to go faster and faster, but I'm so grateful for every day that I get to spend with this guy! I've never been happier. </div>
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We kept with our tradition of staying the night at the Grand America and it was just as amazing as always. We absolutely love that place! When we checked into our room they had this cute little cake waiting for us. </div>
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It was delicious!</div>
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We spent some time at the pool</div>
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And the next day we went to Sunday brunch down in the Garden Cafe. We had both been looking forward to this since the last time we ate there, and it was just as amazing as we remembered. </div>
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After we checked out of the hotel we walked around temple square and took a tour of the conference center. It was such a beautiful warm weather and it totally reminded us of our wedding day! </div>
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For conference weekend, we decided to do a fun brunch at my brother Aaron's apartment since my other brother Scott would be down from U of U for the weekend. I found the recipe Kneaders french toast on Pinterest and I just had to try it -- and yes, that includes making the bread, too.</div>
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It was quite the process, but oh so worth it. </div>
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YUM! </div>
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</a></div>Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-17779353226126797662012-03-11T22:00:00.000-06:002012-03-11T22:00:37.638-06:00February<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">December-March are definitely the most eventful in our household. In addition to the Holidays, these months also include both of our birthdays, valentines day, AND our anniversary (which is coming up in a couple weeks). February flew by, but we were able to squeeze in some fun things in the meantime. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We said goodbye to the Driscolls and sent them off to their new life in California. We've loved having them in our ward the best few years and will miss them lots!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj45uyVNFyiCjQMcI3BglC9-oNPIgIZqOXCRNlOPCiZMGIs_Z65vERCGPEXZoGb57fVSQJEuWnHnLNREpaF3-G9uyEsqydJFprdhXyRkFXtLK1PrPopJV69ElvFT8AxmaFhkkzPBEhM454/s1600/IMG_0708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj45uyVNFyiCjQMcI3BglC9-oNPIgIZqOXCRNlOPCiZMGIs_Z65vERCGPEXZoGb57fVSQJEuWnHnLNREpaF3-G9uyEsqydJFprdhXyRkFXtLK1PrPopJV69ElvFT8AxmaFhkkzPBEhM454/s640/IMG_0708.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had a get together with a few of our ward friends to celebrate/say goodbye. Thanks to the Husbergs, Peckhams, and (both) Newsomes for coming and to the Cooks for hosting!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We celebrated Valentines Day with our second annual fondue night and it definitely didn't disappoint. We did the same copycat Melting Pot recipes and everything turned out delicious!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrP0CGb61poWBHvekhcKG_3L1RTnk1ieLS7VtzAkEUlzMVT8FBAIepUoiqel2tT9ZbaXiL2mE7_ouIibZwNCC0FRT0_vXM5NnL4rkXjAzeogI6FCrVk4l1bYma8KkmOlr-SBvw75XBdmnY/s1600/photo+(22).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrP0CGb61poWBHvekhcKG_3L1RTnk1ieLS7VtzAkEUlzMVT8FBAIepUoiqel2tT9ZbaXiL2mE7_ouIibZwNCC0FRT0_vXM5NnL4rkXjAzeogI6FCrVk4l1bYma8KkmOlr-SBvw75XBdmnY/s640/photo+(22).jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9syFeklHnCyacq8bpWXKGJQDzZavl_07NeqJamedqdPb403A7w4MRaiH8lVrCLB3gF_IWGFWx1rZsScU0Dmo6Y_tVMWV_jFQObhV-xkgf0A-3o7OooKyB-9Vjm6HIwP2g6sx2QAuXnb1k/s1600/IMG_0718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9syFeklHnCyacq8bpWXKGJQDzZavl_07NeqJamedqdPb403A7w4MRaiH8lVrCLB3gF_IWGFWx1rZsScU0Dmo6Y_tVMWV_jFQObhV-xkgf0A-3o7OooKyB-9Vjm6HIwP2g6sx2QAuXnb1k/s640/IMG_0718.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We loved just having a night in and not having to deal with crowds and long waits at restaurants. I think we'll probably keep doing our Valentines fondue night tradition for a long time! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hlBDobG9ZClDOEJyPow9nmhvaeJDyAijo-ATGn1ERtq1aW5z6-B3y78z5GgU44SHjkLioDHfuitQU2gGdPBungvQ-sGSOuPh7mp5ZOm6pasW_0BYEDxFkyqonNOSjoCYouIqP5iJdOAE/s1600/IMG_0726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hlBDobG9ZClDOEJyPow9nmhvaeJDyAijo-ATGn1ERtq1aW5z6-B3y78z5GgU44SHjkLioDHfuitQU2gGdPBungvQ-sGSOuPh7mp5ZOm6pasW_0BYEDxFkyqonNOSjoCYouIqP5iJdOAE/s640/IMG_0726.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We set a New Years goal with our friends the Cooks to go to a different temple every month for our date night. Last month we went to the Jordan River temple which I had actually never been to before. My grandparents used to spent a lot of time there so it was fun to get to go! It was beautiful and so much bigger in person than I thought it would be!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMre4_F1Fq60fBiA3CbpIEpoKsRaTT1ZF4o8WRoazgW7z27IzVPOK8PAcQw4dvLb3R8MAGzr-GlLEJ4Otzckr6oCEAOHTX4TGigOTHXasYlF60I-pcbV8Q6q6RFZ-spcTkiG98JM9rly-i/s1600/photo+(23).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMre4_F1Fq60fBiA3CbpIEpoKsRaTT1ZF4o8WRoazgW7z27IzVPOK8PAcQw4dvLb3R8MAGzr-GlLEJ4Otzckr6oCEAOHTX4TGigOTHXasYlF60I-pcbV8Q6q6RFZ-spcTkiG98JM9rly-i/s640/photo+(23).jpg" width="476" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My little brother, Scott, turned 19 on the 19th! My dad was out of the country on a trip and my mom wasn't feeling well, so we had him over for Sunday dinner at our place.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOCwa0XZj8Qp6fOiKTLUhhyphenhyphenJwRfswVSFS3CgimHuw-iFy143It1YsVT7kxKseYSlcLVZbo-qaTOtiuosEQWnRTGUZa_-RWgr3Gc3kRI129c0GKRm5MxYQoRT7YruI2XM_IhqBjQeJIu02/s1600/IMG_0733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOCwa0XZj8Qp6fOiKTLUhhyphenhyphenJwRfswVSFS3CgimHuw-iFy143It1YsVT7kxKseYSlcLVZbo-qaTOtiuosEQWnRTGUZa_-RWgr3Gc3kRI129c0GKRm5MxYQoRT7YruI2XM_IhqBjQeJIu02/s640/IMG_0733.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even though he lives in Salt Lake for school, we still don't get to see him too often so it was fun to have him in Provo to visit!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQK3Pe8XGeQupZdISZGgNWfEIYuT15aOCFQUkWmfHizQ-XZX2VkRji1533BffhGc2xSgGlBE7GmdcLJVuzgiuNX6W7-HuLECoiC6M-evsKqg9y2B83_75dENmN24ZlCnC4Rvvtlf0ugw7A/s1600/IMG_0729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQK3Pe8XGeQupZdISZGgNWfEIYuT15aOCFQUkWmfHizQ-XZX2VkRji1533BffhGc2xSgGlBE7GmdcLJVuzgiuNX6W7-HuLECoiC6M-evsKqg9y2B83_75dENmN24ZlCnC4Rvvtlf0ugw7A/s640/IMG_0729.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIcSq-nUoF-xzh8VMC93zB2zGqXEjAkZhM8ehgdn-meigwR-p-pNHAOTl4Er3zbkNm-ZE78ndB3vO-Dul8u7jC2-rPryEz7K-x7Li7YW1JbHauPa0i_ZHIqTB6_7qrJMv4gUey1SG4ivk/s1600/2012-03-043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIcSq-nUoF-xzh8VMC93zB2zGqXEjAkZhM8ehgdn-meigwR-p-pNHAOTl4Er3zbkNm-ZE78ndB3vO-Dul8u7jC2-rPryEz7K-x7Li7YW1JbHauPa0i_ZHIqTB6_7qrJMv4gUey1SG4ivk/s640/2012-03-043.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We did homemade pizza for dinner and chocolate fondue for dessert (we were still on our fondue kick from earlier that week). It was delicious as always!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bul3wF2UwWpPBPeFBdeQMKnyLOvQiu3mnoBv0bBXEFul9Tlr1lBCs1veg66e7ZLNHZD71t-1ERvqoClWC6StP0Uz-LuINRxD-xdIPdPagTeNLWvX3KeMcXhiTvW11NhBfsm2k5NuS_n1/s1600/IMG_0739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bul3wF2UwWpPBPeFBdeQMKnyLOvQiu3mnoBv0bBXEFul9Tlr1lBCs1veg66e7ZLNHZD71t-1ERvqoClWC6StP0Uz-LuINRxD-xdIPdPagTeNLWvX3KeMcXhiTvW11NhBfsm2k5NuS_n1/s640/IMG_0739.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nick's birthday was on a weekday so we decided to celebrate the weekend before. We found out the the Utah Symphony was putting on a "Simply Sinatra" concert and knew it would be the perfect way to celebrate. Frank Sinatra is one of our all-time favorites and the concert was even more amazing than we thought it would be! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xJwR3SSomcmPmaS6ELHm8BrKIYcAWWiQlzSIzaVYUSgQT5JvQhUQswurkDNump-5_Nk476djSHM-9-rpZdOPvHUKtyV4rJ63LK4zCoct0F1IB4GA2UxjgjlF-aUJAhCsK4RyezPiacCo/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xJwR3SSomcmPmaS6ELHm8BrKIYcAWWiQlzSIzaVYUSgQT5JvQhUQswurkDNump-5_Nk476djSHM-9-rpZdOPvHUKtyV4rJ63LK4zCoct0F1IB4GA2UxjgjlF-aUJAhCsK4RyezPiacCo/s400/Picture+1.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg72RXKjpCFdWL6sO1W6AxNLB2OALQ1n4hYfRbny5m_4SeRQZ93FCLHsHxjNOM47tf5SSirwRcBXAFSG6M_Vk0zl55nrobThwwpCFNJj7z1keiyAmrLhODMGX3x0E78iLagF4Ob7hJhyphenhyphen_c/s1600/photo+(24).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg72RXKjpCFdWL6sO1W6AxNLB2OALQ1n4hYfRbny5m_4SeRQZ93FCLHsHxjNOM47tf5SSirwRcBXAFSG6M_Vk0zl55nrobThwwpCFNJj7z1keiyAmrLhODMGX3x0E78iLagF4Ob7hJhyphenhyphen_c/s640/photo+(24).jpg" width="476" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Steve Lippia, the singer, sounded exactly like Frank and in addition to the symphony, they had a big band who tours all over the country. They played all of our favorites and we loved every minute of it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HDC5-2wzGY_mYLOZ8S15lhHKSK8fHZFIJzo49v5fdvq2HcKuhMtGGiSlbCSqfcYJkMbvenPobpCvwZxNifhWtNJgGiXH9ADShU6wCf0TQ7uQcGCcUKfAkHWwDeXUZmOPbGDLvgiw5s4e/s1600/IMG_0740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HDC5-2wzGY_mYLOZ8S15lhHKSK8fHZFIJzo49v5fdvq2HcKuhMtGGiSlbCSqfcYJkMbvenPobpCvwZxNifhWtNJgGiXH9ADShU6wCf0TQ7uQcGCcUKfAkHWwDeXUZmOPbGDLvgiw5s4e/s640/IMG_0740.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy birthday to my love!</span></div>Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203267276539845543.post-41464471184194232902012-03-04T21:37:00.001-07:002012-03-04T21:38:11.630-07:00January<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">January and February have been busy months for us! Here's my attempt to catch up on what's been going on around the Potter household. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">We finished up the New Years holiday with a day date that included a trip to the spa and a teeth cleaning by my dentist-in-training. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51x6OYbsMogsMr3s4mVh7STQsNnV9Ev4NVG1BNiMXRl6Z8xGmnAGycqhwDf1PKKclj40wnxcUiPzIuCnC-07tJ1Ur6ug7yyZ3o6kjugWOYdbSga6YEYyOjWx7_QF9dyLcD47htw8i4nvb/s1600/IMG_0489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51x6OYbsMogsMr3s4mVh7STQsNnV9Ev4NVG1BNiMXRl6Z8xGmnAGycqhwDf1PKKclj40wnxcUiPzIuCnC-07tJ1Ur6ug7yyZ3o6kjugWOYdbSga6YEYyOjWx7_QF9dyLcD47htw8i4nvb/s640/IMG_0489.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89qeyj3FL_MF2xebsU_WN6uuKcG5j-cFsLKMyvMWDG-2JYlkX_Ux1mmXOBK_eN10dQcoyM2vmJBt8jfqN1G_6w7Vw9AAAtgbWThQzQVfAhkdX7TzSrKQCZ2mtoMLbc7syg1Y8KXwVqJfA/s1600/IMG_0483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89qeyj3FL_MF2xebsU_WN6uuKcG5j-cFsLKMyvMWDG-2JYlkX_Ux1mmXOBK_eN10dQcoyM2vmJBt8jfqN1G_6w7Vw9AAAtgbWThQzQVfAhkdX7TzSrKQCZ2mtoMLbc7syg1Y8KXwVqJfA/s640/IMG_0483.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">We took a quick trip down to Moab with my brothers -- I can't believe we hadn't flown down that way sooner! The views were absolutely amazing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUQ6kRH2fd21gYsLRjIVNFOHDCjCWT6wK4bsjlXs8fx6H2YZTLGsGRsFJ2flYvUMFODYMXUVn7wJzatF40SstE38negLffecCBeeAIQ5LlJ24JmhT77rEIUSbC3ng9QUBVNaamhyphenhyphen4__z2/s1600/flying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUQ6kRH2fd21gYsLRjIVNFOHDCjCWT6wK4bsjlXs8fx6H2YZTLGsGRsFJ2flYvUMFODYMXUVn7wJzatF40SstE38negLffecCBeeAIQ5LlJ24JmhT77rEIUSbC3ng9QUBVNaamhyphenhyphen4__z2/s640/flying.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLg4BlkojfdbCutO7iloRUVz5E1IkxmuCA-Gd6zL6WrPfUbVrON_vGNToFQnzx0SOn1QSA912Z4udCKQTIgGDE_iZ7N5qhhjxlc-_ZKGsW3QEO32a3N2w34c9wnrxh2JXDcOm1GSEzEQl/s1600/IMG_0529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLg4BlkojfdbCutO7iloRUVz5E1IkxmuCA-Gd6zL6WrPfUbVrON_vGNToFQnzx0SOn1QSA912Z4udCKQTIgGDE_iZ7N5qhhjxlc-_ZKGsW3QEO32a3N2w34c9wnrxh2JXDcOm1GSEzEQl/s640/IMG_0529.JPG" width="476" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIUoU81X1ra26oXcU-WtSc_pUTAHh3mYS4GE7GCfkOcoUwZgZvRDv-ri4SMt-X6InUKmsiyBihmUbc-xO4gYibe85MhjXuUwFnKCSnpd7qZIF6i0v9H-bBnEMBh3KWX_546sqGGyGJBu3/s1600/IMG_0684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIUoU81X1ra26oXcU-WtSc_pUTAHh3mYS4GE7GCfkOcoUwZgZvRDv-ri4SMt-X6InUKmsiyBihmUbc-xO4gYibe85MhjXuUwFnKCSnpd7qZIF6i0v9H-bBnEMBh3KWX_546sqGGyGJBu3/s640/IMG_0684.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">My birthday was on the 27th and my sweet husband sent me a beautiful flower arrangement at work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFb2vT1zNAmf2pD-LsnEGC4Ru_UHElWhmYXYfnTfYRkrmgluZalYOdo5sM9sN8tzpS8sDy4a87Xrmys9PYZrgUMx7rP4HsNNZv4y327qkfX1AD3u79MWDAfOUkxoAj3r00Vc6NStY15oh9/s1600/photo+%2819%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFb2vT1zNAmf2pD-LsnEGC4Ru_UHElWhmYXYfnTfYRkrmgluZalYOdo5sM9sN8tzpS8sDy4a87Xrmys9PYZrgUMx7rP4HsNNZv4y327qkfX1AD3u79MWDAfOUkxoAj3r00Vc6NStY15oh9/s640/photo+%2819%29.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">We celebrated my birthday with our traditional birthday dinner at Tucanos (yay for birthday coupons!) and Nick surprised me afterward with a party with a bunch of our friends at The Chocolate. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJ2duE17eUPmcfUsOLfbq4OWpPOlBauXZSFwWh1uuO9rq_n_VzvR6CISHao7pg2iVazmd2ZUBOaTDF9BKn3MQ1U0rsOMZ8yfT8bF80MhTYnz4xvOYnSmG9jZyqIVjnt6misKHSomkTvvM/s1600/IMG_0689_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJ2duE17eUPmcfUsOLfbq4OWpPOlBauXZSFwWh1uuO9rq_n_VzvR6CISHao7pg2iVazmd2ZUBOaTDF9BKn3MQ1U0rsOMZ8yfT8bF80MhTYnz4xvOYnSmG9jZyqIVjnt6misKHSomkTvvM/s640/IMG_0689_2.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsRa4NgANmOgJTcRByHvN3K80iW8kTwA96Ek1u2x1qeHPCCtnVlLKob9vZRXtHJY2Vr3iQ3-irx_bm4ZX3zV_4cgsrPmL7NdicqKxa89DHUtt50Ka-K_JJUwoYWK8qMbx5K506y9X4zNo/s1600/IMG_0693.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsRa4NgANmOgJTcRByHvN3K80iW8kTwA96Ek1u2x1qeHPCCtnVlLKob9vZRXtHJY2Vr3iQ3-irx_bm4ZX3zV_4cgsrPmL7NdicqKxa89DHUtt50Ka-K_JJUwoYWK8qMbx5K506y9X4zNo/s640/IMG_0693.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Nick got a delicious chocolate cake for all of us to share. The Chocolate is by far my favorite place to cure my sweet tooth! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSbYh5lw8MaOVVPRwc0DuVJzlXKJdW6-1UCbb1xpoCPn2c010o6AmIeDYjN85hj9Pg6IAtvANvQ6mJJ4qNI8sIkEq5BHr_leXcp2UHY4aO-Em1thPSYiJCN61vIdJ8AVlL32Amhio09rd/s1600/2012-03-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSbYh5lw8MaOVVPRwc0DuVJzlXKJdW6-1UCbb1xpoCPn2c010o6AmIeDYjN85hj9Pg6IAtvANvQ6mJJ4qNI8sIkEq5BHr_leXcp2UHY4aO-Em1thPSYiJCN61vIdJ8AVlL32Amhio09rd/s640/2012-03-04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">It was so fun to have a bunch of our friends from the ward there. Thanks to the Cooks, Slezaks, Newsomes, Evans, and my brother who all showed up!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUNyVEDsnBS_4KRHykoqrnxa-rkP-uQ3FJKtSb32LVIl3KBfYmXOjXrHLytEfd-K7bgXiMhUgaTsyFQ8VL1_Y2wOlNNA6Z-OxKHdpP7EA04kFl0brx3j9Y4ROQEP6nwk-y9W3F_lE1Lua/s1600/2012-03-041.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUNyVEDsnBS_4KRHykoqrnxa-rkP-uQ3FJKtSb32LVIl3KBfYmXOjXrHLytEfd-K7bgXiMhUgaTsyFQ8VL1_Y2wOlNNA6Z-OxKHdpP7EA04kFl0brx3j9Y4ROQEP6nwk-y9W3F_lE1Lua/s640/2012-03-041.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">My good friend, Sarah and her family just moved away to California. Her husband, Nic just got a job with Chevron after he finished grad school and they are expecting their second little one in May. We're so excited for them but I'll sure miss this girl! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGizGTWycHJgYSh0amhmkj3pTk6IdLsJg2LjLPYJPWRkJJCVGzm5gsxxUakdglskMcahMGJs_e5h8ju8eEkJVO2DKkFMlt7O42bNp2ZvNqtkd2S31SpYwMbA6moyB80zDg7AI9cb0vZnA/s1600/IMG_0707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGizGTWycHJgYSh0amhmkj3pTk6IdLsJg2LjLPYJPWRkJJCVGzm5gsxxUakdglskMcahMGJs_e5h8ju8eEkJVO2DKkFMlt7O42bNp2ZvNqtkd2S31SpYwMbA6moyB80zDg7AI9cb0vZnA/s640/IMG_0707.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">They day after my birthday we met my parents and brothers in Salt Lake for dinner. Scottie was a good sport for being there -- he got in a ski accident earlier that day and was recovering from a concussion and what we found out later was a cracked pelvis! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">More to come for February!</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Erika Gerszewski Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04829459723052660804noreply@blogger.com0