New York City--Jan 2011



This is a post that I have been wanting to put up for quite awhile! So be prepared---

Robert gave me a surprise trip to NYC as part of my Christmas gift, not to mention an adorable red peacoat, a FlipCamera, and a new iTouch4 to skype all the way from NY. I have ALWAYS wanted to go there but thought it would be years before that happened.

To attempt to make a long post shorter, we had a GREAT time! We had quite the start though. We were flying out of SF straight to JFK. We had Momma Campbell drop us off in SF quite early to get onto a 7am flight, but as we neared the counter we soon found out our flight was cancelled due to a snow storm on the East Coast. After a short panic attack because our hotel was non-refendable (not to mention our Wicked tickets either) we had an adventure as we booked a flight to Washington DC (Dulles Int'l) with no idea how we would get to NY. We made it there and ended up renting a car and driving the 4 hours up to New York City. My first time ever on the East Coast was my honeymoon (flew into Florida and cruised to the Bahamas) but I still was so excited to go to the Northern part of the East Coast.

We drove into New York and although we were exhausted from our early morning and travels, we had a fun time passing the GORGEOUS Washington DC temple, the Delaware Memorial Bridge, and many other fun landmarks. (Not to mention Robert was the only one allowed to drive). We made it and had the craziest time driving around downtown Manhattan, trying to figure out where we were dropping off the car. After we finally found it, we realized we forgot to fill up---so 40 min. later we found a gas station and made our way back to the drop off. We flagged down our first taxi, and I thought I was going to DIE! It was the craziest ride of my life. We ended up hitting the town that night with all that adrenaline pumping from that taxi ride. We walked Times Square and had a blast. We also hit up the Empire State Building the next day, Grand Central Station, WICKED on Brodaway, the Museum of Natural History, THE TODAY SHOW! (hope you all saw my facebook post and saw me on there!! not to mention I met Meredith!), and our last day there we went to the Statue of Liberty and Ground Zero. Of course, we have so many more places like Serendipity, the Tiffany Store, Trump tower, Rockefeller Center...etc.

It never snowed or rained when we were there but for a California girl who has never been in any weather under 28 degrees, I just LOVED the cold weather there! I have to admit I understood the REAL purpose for scarves, rather than for fashion!




The number one question since I've gotten back:

What was your favorite thing?

Many laughs, but I am being HONEST!

The Subway!

It was such a blast and I just love love loved it!

It was definitely a trip to remember and would love to go visit again!

I have tons of fun videos and pictures but it seems to take forever to upload and for some reason it didn't like my video so I added just some pictures...ENJOY!





Guess why Robert was so proud of this picture?
But this was THE MOST delicious thing I've ever tasted!



It's about time!

Closed Captioning was unavailable so here are the reporter's comments:

Santa knows all languages, even American Sign Language. At Barton Creek Mall Wednesday night, deaf kids around Central Texas had the chance to tell a signing Santa their every Christmas wish.

The Egbert kids eagerly await their chance to meet him. Xavier wants a dinosaur. Isadora is asking for a computer, an IPod, some clothes and a camera. And for two-year-old Amelia, this is her first time to talk to Santa.

"I think it's cool, it's very nice, I'm very thankful they get this opportunity," the kids' father, Clyde Egbert, tells us.

Isadora knows Santa won't come to her house until December 25th, but says she's excited to talk with him ahead of time.

"This is the only time for us that we're able to communicate with Santa," adds Clyde.

The North Austin Optimist Club helped bring Signing Santa to the mall so deaf kids around Central Texas could tell him all they want for Christmas. For several hours, a line of excited kids wait to meet this Santa who understands them. Employees with the Texas School for the Deaf estimate there were about 200 kids there

It's Christmas Time!

Well, I've taken a 3 month break from the blog... and sadly, I'm disappointed. I've had so much going on that I should be recording but its just been crazy! Since I don't have time to write everything, I'll just highlight.

In October Robert & I went to Montana for my cousin's wedding and it was beautiful up there.  I went shooting for my first time, as well as golfing at the Beaverhead GC where Greg and Sara were married. It was great to see all my cousins and to have my Mom's side of the family completely together.  When we got back I couldn't believe in only 4 days how much Tuck grew! He's doing great though and is really a great puppy. He's now 5 months old and going to be neutered this next week (so he doesn't have to wear the cone of shame for Christmas!)

November was pretty much school, school, school. I did get to go to Apple Hill with my parents, Jen and Alix and we had a great time.  We took pictures, ate delicious apple donuts, tri tip sandwiches, and of course apple cider. It was an all around great day!

Since December has started I finished wrapping all Christmas gifts (I was done with shopping before Thanksgiving!) and signed up for my last semester in college--WHOO! We have our tree and decorations up and are getting into the Christmas spirit as best we can with our busy schedules.  I also was released from Primary after teaching, Sunbeams, CTR 4 then CTR 5 for two years.  It has definitely been hard not to see those adorable kids every Sunday, but Relief Society has whole-heartedly invited me in and made me feel completely welcome.  Since I was up in Primary since the first week we entered the Wilton Ward, it still feels like I don't know too many adults if they don't have children in Junior Primary.  I've loved going to RS events so far though and look forward to many more.  I am especially grateful for the Christmas season and for the overall happiness this world seems to embrace.  There are so many awful things in this world, but instead of focusing on the bad, we all get a chance to reflect on our Savior's birth and all that the Lord has and still does for us.  I am looking foward to what this Christmas brings and am especially grateful for the gospel in my life and the guidance it gives me!

September

It's crazy how time flies by without you even realizing it! To back track to my last post, I wasn't able to go test out the GC Turkey Creek but did enjoy a fun time at Dry Creek in Galt with my Dad, Uncle Ranse, and Robert. I scored a 106 and was thrilled! It's my best score yet and I really enjoyed the course.

As for this month, here are some highilghts

Sept. 1st--

 I started my Fall  2010 semester (2nd to last semester--YAY!). Classes are fabulous and I have said so many times "You know you love your major when you read weeks worth ahead in your school books just because you can't get enough!"

 Sept. 3rd--

Watched Ranse's first home game as starting QB for the JV team (although he's a Freshman!) They won and had an awesome game! So far they have been doing great! You can read about their latest game here.

Sept 4th--
Per Robert's request to add to the blog (although he rarely looks at it!), he went solo to Dry Creek and scored HIS best score in golf yet......96!  He is quite excited to try out another golf course next week in MT  (Info at the end of  the post).

Sept. 6th--

Was our 2 year mark of our first date and how did we celebrate? By getting this little angel... We named him Tucker.  He was 8 weeks when we bought him and he is a Miniature Australian Shepherd. It was the perfect choice for our smaller living space but still he's going to be a "dog-size" (according to Robert and not a "rat-dog" size). He has been a perfect puppy! We both just adore him.  I've been wanting a dog for awhile and Robert's reasoning for getting a dog was, "Makiya was neglecting Emily".

Sept. 11th--

Picked up Elder Brady Campbell from the Airport. He returned from his 2 yr. mission in Texas. First time we actually met as brother & sister-in-law.

Sept. 18th--

Daddy Campbell graduated from University of Pheonix with a Bachelor's in Business Management.

We also are headed to Montana next week to attend my oldest cousin's wedding! It will be the first time in awhile EVERYONE from my Mom's side of the family will be together and I am so excited to see them all! After that we head down to Utah and back home for quite a weekend full of driving!