Rafting on the French Broad River

Throughout the summer APX has matched up sales reps to compete against one another for different prizes as incentives to sell better. Eric has had pretty bad luck with the competitions in the past, but last week he finally won one!! He won a trip to go whitewater rafting. I was SO excited because I absolutely love rafting :)

On Sunday morning we woke up bright and early at 6 a.m. to get ready for our two hour drive. We were exhausted but also ready to hit some rapids. When we got to Blue Heron Whitewater they told us that the water level is really low this time of year so the rapids wouldn't be too intense. I was pretty bummed because we drove all that way for them to tell us we're going to have a sucky time. But then they suggested that we'd have more fun if we used the duckies instead of rafts, so our whole group decided to go that route.

Part way through the trip we got to cool off in the river with a cliff jump. (I didn't know they were taking pictures)

Eric was so cool that he had to show off with a toe touch. (Yes, he was aware of the cameras)

There weren't any class 4 or 5 rapids this time of year, so we had to settle for a class 3. It was short and sweet and to the point.

Before we reached the end of the road, we all stopped for lunch. This was the APX crew.

We paddled a total of 5 miles. During the short stretch of water after lunch, I thought my arms were going to fall off...and that was only the half-day trip! All in all, the trip and the duckies were a blast. Although I think I kept up with the boys pretty darn well, I have no intentions of rafting on a full-day trip any time soon.

Florida Trip

For the past week I have been visiting my sister Audrey in Florida. Eric wasn't able to come due to work, but everyone there missed him! Audrey and I always have crazy adventures when I come, so I thought I'd share them with you.

On Friday a local radio station was putting on a party for girls to wear their old wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses. There was a contest for the ugliest bridesmaid dress, and if you know me, I LOVE TO WIN! We didn't have any dresses that were contest worthy so what's a girl to do? Go to the thriftstore! A couple of Audrey's friends had gone shopping before us so they directed us to a thriftstore that had all of their dresses priced at $2.50. It was such a good deal for those BEAUTIFUL dresses.

At the party we were an immediate hit. Apparently not everyone takes winning as seriously as we do. It's a good thing Audrey and I love to be the center of attention. A ton of people wanted to take a picture with us, including this lovely bride searching for bridesmaids. (My dress was very shiny in pictures)

Everyone at the party got a ring and had to give it to the person they thought had the ugliest bridesmaid dress. The three people with the most rings got a prize. I thought Audrey would win, hands down. She walked from group to group campaigning, and to our surprise, people kept giving ME their rings. We were so surprised, but I wasn't complaining. Multiple people told me that my matching bow was what won it for me.

I got 1st place with 17 rings and Audrey got 3rd place with 13. I won a night's stay at the Hard Rock Hotel, $75 for dinner for 2 at Floyd's restaurant, and 2 concert tickets to see Blink 182 and All-American Rejects(unfortunately the concert isn't until the end of September so I won't be able to go). Audrey won 2 tickets for the same concert.

The next day Audrey and I went to a Rays vs. Royals game. I almost fell asleep at the beginning, but then I actually enjoyed the game. The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Royals 7 to 1. I didn't really care who won because I figure Eric and I will probably be Royals fans someday soon (they play for Kansas City).

There was actually someone inside that blow-up suit thing.

One of my favorite things about baseball is the cotton candy!! Yummy. I love sugar.

After the game there was a Chris Daughtry concert. I only know a few of his songs, but he is an amazing performer. Some people sound horrible in concert, but Daughtry sounded just like his CD. I highly recommend seeing him if you get the chance.

I couldn't go to Florida without eating at my FAVORITE restaurant: Arigato's. It's a japanese steakhouse, and I'm convinced it's better than any other one in the country.

At least I got to use some of my winnings. This is Audrey in the Hard Rock Hotel. We were hoping for something a little more extravagant, but free is free.

Audrey and I each got ribs this size. Of course we didn't end up eating it all, but we had money to spend--including an appetizer, salad, bread, main course, AND dessert! :)


And what about Eric this whole time I was gone? Of course he missed me dearly, but last week was his best week in sales this summer! While he wasn't working, he was at home reading Ender's Game, having poker night with the boys, and going to a birthday party.

Everyday and Cake

South Carolina is an interesting state. It stays warm all the time. Unlike NC, when it rains here it rains all day. It really limits the amount of days I can go to the pool. If you look carefully at the picture you can see the rain drops. This is how the weather is almost ALL THE TIME.

While I'm working hard relaxing at home all day, Eric is working hard selling. He comes home so exhausted! It's pretty cute when he falls asleep wherever he is.
This last Sunday the office had a BBQ and pool party. It was so much fun! Eric and I decided to bake a cake after. It turned out perfect, if I do say so myself. Eric is always helping me in the kitchen (even when he comes home tired and worn out).

This is the semi-finished product of the cake. Eric refrigerated the icing when it wasn't supposed to be so it wouldn't come out of the container when we squeezed it.

We couldn't wait for the icing to thaw before we ate the cake. So I decorated it the next day. Yes we REALLY like sugar and the whole cake will probably be gone in a couple days.

Falls Park

We've been in South Carolina for a little over a week now. We did some sightseeing at Falls Park after church on Sunday. It's a popular park located downtown that the locals go to hang out, eat lunch, and even take their computers to use the wireless internet.

This is us in front of the falls. I was expecting something A LOT bigger like Multnomah Falls in Oregon.

Not too impressive, but it was something to do.

Us having a mini photo shoot.

Eric being a boy and playing on the rocks.

South Carolina just has the nicest people...

Carolina Beach

A few weeks ago Eric and I found out that the entire Raleigh office would be moving to Greenville, South Carolina, further away from the beach. We decided to take a day trip a couple hours away to the Carolina Beach. We were so happy that it was partly cloudy so we wouldn't die from the heat.

Walking around the city we saw some interesting houses. This one was very very skinny!

We ate lunch at a local joint. I had a really good cheeseburger wrap. Eric liked my meal better, of course, so he ate it too.

This is the clock that Eric wants to put in our beach-themed bathroom that doesn't exist yet.

What's a beach trip without a sand castle?

The finished product. Eric worked on the bridge forever and then it collapsed, so he found a string to be the draw bridge.

Eric's first time being buried in the sand. Two little girls were kind enough to give me a hand with the hard labor.

Utah Trip

Eric and I moved to North Carolina for the summer because he is selling security systems for APX. We came back to Utah in June for Eric's brother's wedding.

This is after Mark and Lauren's sealing. We were waiting for them to come out of the Salt Lake City Temple.

Mark and Lauren just married. They looked amazing that day!

Eric and I at the reception. Everything looked beautiful. It was a perfect wedding.