Fresno, CA

I think I am finally settled in! My mom and I got to Fresno Wednesday night and met the family I will be living with. They were so sweet to us and we could not have picked a better situation. I put together some "goodies" from Texas for a welcome gift... complete with chips and hot sauce, a "don't mess with Texas mug, Texas hot pad, Texas-shaped pasta, Texas sized jelly beans, and preserves! (Thanks to Rachel for the idea!)


Thursday I had orientation at the hospital. It was so cute!

Here is a picture of the entrance


They had several animals along the road to the hospital... really "kid friendly"

I started my internship on Friday and love it. It is going to be very challenging... but I am looking forward to what is ahead!

My mom flew back to Texas today and I discovered the mall! It doesn't take me long!

Some things I like so far about Cali...
1. Every yard is landscaped beautifully! I went on a walk tonight and there is not one yard without bright green, carpet-like grass and beautiful flowers! So nice!
2. No humidity... it is hot here (102-104 during the day) but no moisture in the air like back home!
3. AND... I found a Chic-Fil-A this weekend! I was getting a little worried b/c I had not seen one since Texas! I was not sure what I was going to eat... but no worries... there is one close by!
4. Awesome fruit! There are orchards all around the area and they sell fresh peaches, grapes, plums, and lots more!

Things I already miss about Texas...
1. Friends and family close by
2. Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream
3. Of course... Tucker!

Grand Canyon

We started off the morning at the Grand Canyon! It was the first time for both of us! Needless to say... it did not disappoint!

Here are a few scenic pictures we took...




We saw a few animals along the way...



Mom and me at Mather's Point

We did not have on the "best" footwear for the Grand Canyon...

Looking in awe at everything around me

Mom and me at another view...


Mom found her new favorite "spot"!


I have never been so excited to see a sign in my life! "Welcome to California"! After 3 long days of traveling... we finally made it! I am settled in at my new home for the next 2 months and ready to start with orientation tomorrow!

Sedona, AZ

Today was so much fun! We left Benson, AZ about 8:00 and traveled through Tuscon, AZ to Phoenix, AZ and then we took the "scenic" route through Sedona, AZ! The landscape was gorgeous! These pictures do not do what we saw justice, but we tried to capture the beauty.

On the way through Phoenix
One of the many "scenic spots" you could stop at along the way
We went to the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona and it was beautiful!
This is a view from the road
Inside the chapel
The view of Arizona outside the chapel
This was a HUGE house you saw from the chapel!
Pretty views in Arizona!
We found a "Morgan Road" in Sedona! Had to take a picture!
Mom by one of the many "art" pieces around the town
Arizona is "going green"... had never seen one of these signs before!

1,190 Miles

Yesterday, we drove from College Station, TX to Benson, AZ OR 1,190 miles! It was a super long day, but we covered lots of ground in our trip!

For lunch, we stopped in Fredricksburg and ate at "The Peach Tree". It was a super cute tea room. We split peach cobbler for dessert and meant to take a picture for the blog... but we ate it too fast! It was so good!
We took a break from the car and walked around the town for a while and saw some cute shops!
The rest of the day we got real familiar with highway 10! I had forgotten how big Texas was and how much of it was just wide open! We literally traveled "across the plains of Texas"!

And So It Begins...

Well... we officially started the trip today around 9:00 and headed to college station to see my sister. The car was super packed and fortunately, everything fit! Despite the chaos of it all... it is organized... I promise!

We had to start off with Starbucks... of course.
I pulled out my Texas map and figured out the route for tomorrow... College Station to El Paso!
Going to need to get some sleep tonight!

We finally arrived in C Stat and watched the Theta skit showoff. (For those of you with sorority experience... you know what this means, me on the other hand, not so much!)

My aunt Melisa met us here and went with us

And we got to see some of Michelle's sweet friends.

I have to give a "shout out" to some people who helped me out with this whole "blogging" thing.
1. To Rachel for my inspiration
2. To Erin for the final "push" to make it happen
3. And to Kristi for my blogging tutorial session!
Thanks So Much!!!