Good Old Small Town USA

I went home!

Warroad, MN.

It was a delight.

Bucky and I left on Wednesday around 1

(after getting in a little fight about the tightly packed car)

and then, we made a pit stop in Rexburg, Idaho to visit the

oldest sister and the brother-in-law. It was great.

Then, we were back on the road.

I drove us through West Yellowstone in the mountains

and then to Billings, Montana.

Bucky took over from there.

We got to Glendive, Montana around 2 am,

and Bucky convinced me to keep going.

We ended up driving the entire way.

We hit Fargo around 8 am, and that was when I took over.

The fact that I hadn't slept yet hadn't hit me yet,

and the fact that the Fargo area is kind of flooding

kept me wide awake since I was terrified of the water

surrounding all sides of my vehicle. It was a thrill, I guess.

Then, we hit the beautiful state of Minnesota.
Ok, it actually wasn't super beautiful.

It was still really brown.

I love Minnesota when it's either covered with snow

or there's green grass and flowers :).

But, it was so hard to come off the interstate where we

maintained a steady 80 mph, to a 60 mph.

I had an expired license, so I was too scared to go

any more over 60. So we chugged along good ol' highway 11

for two hours until we finally reached the 

lovely town of Warroad, MN.

As we crept through town, a billion memories came flooding back.

We passed the window factory, where I remember working

10 hours shifts four days a week cutting metal
the summer before I came to college.

We passed the original Holiday station where I can remember

countless times I'd run in there hoping to get a nice Hot Stuff pizza.

We passed the good ol' Marvin Home Center,

where I worked with some pretty fun and some pretty crazy

people for two years. (I also became best friends with Malee there).

So, thank you, Home Center :).

We passed the Warroad River, where I remember going tubing

one summer with the guy I was dating and his family,

and I totally lost my shorts in the river.

Uhh..awkward!

We passed M&K Takeouts, and I remembered all the times

Ashley and I would drive by there after softball practice

and pick up some cookie dough and eat it before dinner :).

We passed Cenex and Lee's where all my car problems were solved.

What a great little town!

Then, we took that slight left turn and were on our way

to our Home Sweet Home.

6 miles later.

We passed mile marker 97.

I was so excited to turn down that dirt road!

In fact, I got a little too excited, and was driving

a little too fast, and my car started getting angry with me.

Oops.

But, we made it home :).

After driving in the car for 22 hours, 

my mama made us a quick lunch,

and then I took a nice long shower,

and headed off to my aunt and uncle's.

It was great. We spent the rest of the day there.

Around midnight, I realized I was really tired.

I had been up for about 40 hours. Oofda.

Needless to say, I was ready to go to sleep.

Unfortunately, my body didn't want to.

I laid in bed for like 45 minutes before I finally fell asleep.

But, when I did finally fall asleep, I was out cold.

Home was great.
 I was only home a few short days, but I made the most of it :).

Saw lots of family, rode around the back roads on the 4-wheeler,
 ate lots of yummy home-cooked food,

and kicked my mama's butt in a Gin Rummy.

Successful break home?

I think yes!

Papa Ron and I heading out for a cold 4-wheeler ride.

Zach, Bucky, Dad and Myself going for a ride. 

 My Mama is so cool :)

 I look like a pro.
Haha, too bad I could barely get a foot without killing it.

 Looking in the ditch at the fishies.

 Mama kept driving through water.
Papa Ron wasn't so thrilled about that.

 Yup, I'm cool.

 Dad was trying to show off his new 4-wheeler.
Then, he got stuck in the snow.
Durrrr.

Oh yeah, I jump across ditches. No big deal.

Easter was a blast.

I wanted to do my "cheesy" smile, but I just look a little on drugs.
Oops.

Bucky and I hid the eggs for my parents this year

and then we went to church, and then over to my Auntie Laurel's 

for Easter dinner and festivities. It was so great seeing family.

I love my hometown so much because of that.

I get to see all of my family :).

Mom and Dad's side.

So great.

Monday was my "get-stuff-done" day and then Tuesday,

Mom and I hit the road for another long trip back.

We drove all day Tuesday and 

got back to Utah late Wednesday night.

We stopped in Rexburg again to see Dawna and Justin's new place

and grab a bite to eat. (I love their new place, by the way).

Anyways, overall, the trip home was a success. :)

Now, it's back to work. Woooooot.