The Great Reno Balloon Race 2012

This was one of my favorite events so far!

We woke up really early (3:15 AM), loaded the vans, and headed to Reno, NV for the balloon races!

Around 5 AM they had the Dawn Patrol, where about 7 balloons lit up in the night sky!

Then, at 7 AM there was the Mass Ascension where all the balloons were blown up and began the race! 

We got to be right in the center, with balloons blowing up all around us as they lifted off!! 

It was so awesome! 

I was excited like a little kid!

This was something that I had always wanted to see!
So glad that I had this experience! 

:-) 

Update and Pics from Tahoe!

Let me just say, that I will never get tired of taking pictures of this place!

 It is gorgeous. I love the landscape, I love the trees, the rivers, the Lake. It is all wonderful and I am so happy to be here. 

The other missionaries are a wonderful group of girls and we have already had many great laughs and conversations. 

This past week has been about getting to know each other and going through orientation to familiarize ourselves with the program. We will begin school and have kids on this coming Monday! 

I will be helping out in both the preschool and with the Kindergartners. 

I'm very excited, because I will get to know many of the kids as I will be floating around helping. 

We get to do a lot of fun things with them as well, like go on hikes and go to the beach at the Lake. 

Fun times are ahead! 

I can't wait to share more with you guys! 

Enjoy these few pictures!

:-) 

Beach Trip -- Biloxi, MS

Warning: This post contains a lot of photos!

Last week, my Dad had a conference to attend in Biloxi, MS. Mom and I decided to go along so we could enjoy some pool time. 

Then, on the last day, we took a boat ride to an island 11 miles off the coast. We got to spend the whole afternoon there. It was wonderful!

Enjoy the pictures! 

:-) 

We got to stay at the Beau Rivage. 

One night, I enjoyed some puzzles and the Olympics!

These are pictures of the Gulf as seen from the pool. 

Never-ending hallway?

This place was SO good! So delicious, that we went back the next night!
The first night we went I ordered Seafood Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with a Ceaser Salad and Garlic and Parmesan Roasted New Potatoes.

Spend a little time at the Arcade! 

A dessert one night: Mississippi Mud Pie

Pool attire for one of the days!

This is the next night at the Half Shell Oyster House. 

I ordered the Big Easy Surf 'n Turf: Steak on top of a Crab Cake with Lump Crab Meat on top, with a Ceaser salad and Cheese Grits. 

And each night that we went, we ordered appetizers of Oysters. 

I'm telling you, SO good!

Beach Boulevard 

Leaving for Ship Island from Gulfport, MS.

The boat we rode.

The only things on the island were a snack bar, showers, two pavilions,

and

Fort Massachusetts. 

Stingrays would swim around you in the water!
Along with schools of fish and hermit crabs.

Hermit Crab that I found in the water.

We got to go into Fort Massachusetts for a few minutes before our boat came back.

There was a lighthouse on the island, but in the 70s (?) some campers accidentally set it on fire and it burned down. 

Leaving the island. 

:-)