We're back...

And we have been back for a week now and I am just getting around to blogging. I am a pretty pathetic blog updater compared to some of my blog buddies, but here it is. I am going to try to put some pics on here for the first time, so wish me luck. :)

So, the trip was good and not so good all at the same time. The drive out there was fine. We listened to some audio cd's like "I am America and So Can You" by Robert Colbert. It was pretty funny. I really enjoy his comedy. Our visit with Michael's Grandmother was tons of fun. We really enjoyed her company and her cooking. My two favorite things were her homemade bread and her delicious chicken soup. Mmmmm. Then, we headed onto Cosby, Tennessee where our trail began. We got all our gear together and started our journey up the mountain. Many hours later, we get up to the top of the mountain and begin the last part of trail for the day (1.5 miles) down to our first campsite. So, during most of our hike up, it was raining. I mean really raining. We stopped for a quick lunch and ate some delicious sandwiches that Michael's grandmother made for us. so, on our way down the 1.5 miles to our site, it stopped raining for a bit and it was a nice break. then, we got to our site and the rain started again. we put up a tarp and cooked some soup in order to get something warm in our stomachs. Then, we set up the tent (on a slope, might I add). so, it is cold and rainy and we decide the best place for us is in our tent. So, we get in our tent to get out of the rain and we notice that the tent is on a slope and we are having a very hard time sleeping without sliding to the bottom of the tent. so, we spend the entire night basically pulling our bodies upward as not to lean on the tent so as not to get wet, since it rained all night long. so, we make it through the night and get all packed up in the morning and make a decision to go back down the mountain instead of to our next campsite due to the rain and our tired legs (from hiking and sleeping on a slope). :) we hike down the mountain and basically as we get closer to the car, we are basically willing our legs to keep walking. we were both so sore, it was crazy. overall, we hiked about 13 miles. we made it to the car, got all cleaned up and started our drive home. we stopped for the night a bit outside of little rock and then drove home the next day. Michael actually drove the entire trip. He is so great. we made it home a day early which was actually kind of nice. we had an extra day to clean all the gear and let our tired sore muscles rest up. The trip sounds like it might not have been so much fun, but regardless, I am so glad we went. It was nice to spend some time in nature with Michael.

we had to finish out the work week, but we did get to spend our evenings with michael's sister, becs and her family. it was really nice to see them and hang out. good times. Their little boy, john aiden, is so freakin adorable. he was sick the last day they were in town and it was so sad to see him so sick.

This past weekend, we celebrated my mom's birthday and easter on saturday with my parents and sister. we went to a new sushi place in plano for my mom's birthday. it was quite delicious. also, we colored the easter eggs and michael won the egg breaking tradition. also, we closed the evening with a great game of poker, which michael won also. What a lucky guy.

Also, on saturday, my mom, sis, and I went shopping for a new dress for me. I actually found 2 new dresses that looked great on me, if i do say so myself. it was a good time all around.

Here are the pics as promised.

Michael and his grandmother, Kathy

Us after our night in the sloping tent

The Smoky Moutains

Me at the beginning of the trailMichael is all his rain gear

Our frosty trip down the mountain

We are going backpacking!!

I know it is still a week away, but we are both so excited. I can't wait to have some time hanging out in nature, just michael and I. I am also really looking forward to seeing how my weight loss will affect how well i can hack it on the trails. :) so, some big news in my world is that i bought some new tops this weekend. I actually bought several "smalls" and even 2 "extra small" tops. I can't even believe it. It was so exciting. I never thought in the whole wide world that I would ever have an extra small that would fit. YEAH!! thanks, mom, for going shopping with me.

what else...well, we had some dinner events last week. we went to pf chang's with my parents to celebrate my dad's birthday. It was a really nice time. I haven't been to pf chang's in a very, very long time, so i forgot how great their food is. I really liked what my dad ordered. He got eggplant in this delicious sauce. It was so freaking good. they also have these cute little shot glass deserts. You can each pick your own kind of desert and they bring it in this little shot glass, so it saves on calories and everyone gets their own choice.

Also, michael and i tried this indian restaurant last week in arlington. everyone says it is supposed to be so delicious, so we thought we would check it out. it was actually really good. there were several items i really enjoyed. the chicken tikki masala (which chef gordon ramsey says is the most ordered take out item in britain) was delicious!! also, the raita, which is a yogurt type soup and the naan (bread) with garlic were so good. overall, it was quite a great experience. we will definitely go back there.

Also, I got a call this weekend from my cousin, bassam, who has recently moved to saudia arabia from lebanon for a job with a lebanese bank there. It was so great to hear from him. he sounds like he is doing very well and is enjoying his time in saudi.

other than that, school is still going well and work is still work. I think this backpacking trip and a visit with michael's grandmother are much needed at this time. i can really handle a vacation. good times ahead.