t r i p || m o m e n t s {2021}

     It's here! The post that I've promised. 

     If you follow me on Instagram, or seen my last post, then you already know that LaKaysha and I recently went to New Hampshire along with Felicity, Josiah, and Kate. It was such a last minute thing I hardly had time to think about it, and then BAM we were on a plane bound for the East Coast. I don't know if it was because I never was in "vacation mode" or what, but no matter the reason, I didn't take very many pictures on this trip. (haha) That doesn't mean I didn't come away from this trip with great memories. Because it truly was one of my favorite trips out there. Crazy to think that it had been two years since we had gone out there, yet when we walked into Grandpa and Grandma's house it was as if we'd never left. I love that house and the people in it <3

     I'm not even sure if any of these meaningful moments will mean anything to anyone else, but they're beautiful to me, and I want them here to look back on later. To remind me of the good times I've had there in New Hampshire with my cousins and sisters.

m o m e n t s   t o   r e m e m b e r :

|| getting to sit to behind Felicity and Josiah on that first flight and holding Kate for most of it. Also, she said "Hi" to literally everyone on the plane, hahaha   

|| when your cousin buys you snacks for the (close to) two hour ride from the airport <3 

|| Grandma waited up for us, even though it was two in the morning when we got there, and guys, my heartttt <33333 *sniff*

|| Grandma put together the cutest room for us in the basement and I loved it. #mygrandmaiscute

|| that first morning there, I went upstairs to make my morning coffee. Grandpa was sitting at the table. He smiled and said, "Hi, Daminika!" <3 (read this, if you're not sure why this moment was so special)

|| that first night there Janeya picked us up and we went out for supper. Just me, her, and LaKaysha. We got *whispers* Starbucks *hides* afterwards, and then she brought us to Auntie Mary and Uncle Amos's so we could see Kate. (true friends bring you to your niece)

|| I tried to share ice cream with Kate, but she ended up sharing it with me. also, she got it in my hair. being her auntie is the best <3

|| my cousin was a sweetie and set up his nintendo switch our room, and even set up a hulu profile for us to use while we were there. that saved many a evening xP

|| Grandma bought me a coffee

|| once again. all the horrible pictures people got of me *facepalm* (and no, you won't see them)

|| played Super Smash Bros quite a few times - and failed - till our very last night there. I. Smoked. Em. *sunglasses* this is a huge deal since both Tyrel and LaKaysha were very good at this game.

|| somehow we managed to do tons of things without actually having to borrow a car! *mindblown*

|| longboarding with Tyrel - and then there was blood. (hahaha) both me and LaKaysha ended up falling off when trying to go downhill. she hurt her elbow (and wrist) and I hurt my knee. #adventureswiththecousin

|| going out for supper covered in blood xP

|| mini golfing with Felicity, Josiah, and Kate <333

|| explaining to my cousin for the millionth time that I AM A WEST TOO. Seriously, dude, I've explained the whole "1-2-3 cousins" thing to you soooo many times. How do you keep forgetting the part where I'm a West?? You know, the part where we share the SAME GREAT-GRANDPARENTS, making us THE SAME GENERATION OF WEST. come on, son

|| soooo much coffeeeeeeeee #itsnotaproblemipromise

|| going out for ice cream four times. and three times was at the same place. they had tonssss of dairy free options for LaKaysha... and Tyrel?... and Janeya???? am I really the only one who can have dairy!? (hahahaha)

|| making a special supper for Tyrel because it was his birthday. (I was super stressed but he said it was success, and thanked me for it, so I guess I didn't fail!) 

|| failing at making spaghetti noodles *facepalm* sorry, fam

|| getting my hair colored by my auntie and I looove it <3333

|| breakfast date with Janeya <3

|| went hiking on a "mountain" and almost died, but what else is new? #iamnotinshape

|| I made supper at Auntie Mary's one night. A meal that my grandparents made up (Hamburger Pie) and it's a little bit odd, so I was kinda nervous, but nobody gagged xP I think some people even liked it. (haha)

|| pushing Janeya's car because it died

|| on Tyrel's birthday we went through old pictures and found a bunch of him to stick on his door (tell me that wouldn't make you feel loved xP). Kate "helped" and she kept saying "Awwwww!". If we didn't react fast enough she would say it louder and louder *laughs* also, she thought Uncle Tim was her Uncle Chancy, so that's adorable. (oh, and my auntie Amanda and Uncle Tim had the cutest kids ever, apparently)

|| just hanging out with Janeya and Chanelle <333333

|| walking to Jonny and Darlene's because we didn't have a car, but it was such a nice evening for a walk

|| trying soooo hard to hang out with people other than cousins and failing so bad #itriedmybest

|| frolicking in the Center, climbing trees and just plain acting like we were sixteen 

|| "sneaking out" with my cousin to get coffee because he's afraid of people (hahahaha)

|| cousin while we're there: *takes us to The Stage*

cousin when we get home: "We never went to The Stage while you were here!"

me: "What ARE you talking about?"

|| that goodbye wave gets me every time *crying*

|| the mountains from the sky kill me every time #ilovemyhome

new hampshire 2k19 || moments

hey! Before doing a detailed post about my trip to New Hampshire (back in March), I would like to give you a sort of "sneak peek" at what my vacation was like. So here it is *winks*

m o m e n t s    t  o    r e m e m b e r:

-
taking care of the biggest sis - because morning sickness
-
when your little cousin wacks his nose on your head and bleeds all over you (I had to shower), but your head is fine. (also, Callen was fine too - it just bled a lot)
-
evenings spent just chatting with Janeya <3
-
"Stealing" a car with the help of your cousin
-
my uncle put gas in "my car" and bought me ice cream. I could've cried.
-
when your cousin pays you $20 for the $6 grinder you bought him O.O
-
when Pizza Haven forgets your order so your cousin pretends to be full so you can finish his food. Also another cousin dug his leftovers out of the garbage when he found out. (don't worry, it was wrapped up xP) #ihavethesweetestcousins
-
I bought the ingredients. "Michael" made the salsa. #teamwork
-
so many pretzels
-
driving all the way to the college to meet your cousin for lunch (and didn't get lost *sunglasses*). This happened twice. and both times were amazing.
-
"Volleyball Guy" #ifyouknowyouknow
-
when you're sick and your Grandma doctors you up <3
-
cousin -"Hey, LaKaysha"
me - "I'm Daminika."
cousin - "Is there a difference?"
me - "Yesss."
cousin - "Oh, fair enough"
-
walking to a waterfall on sheer ice, in the dark. . . that was an adventure.
-
"sleep over" at Felicity's. Sipping peppermint tea (I was still sick). Watching Psych late into the night. <3
-
Out with the girls one Friday night. Good food. Good laughs. Good times.
-
ditching your uncle at the coffee shop. *turns red* I'll never tell
-
cousin- "Yeah so The Stage is a great place, we should go sometime."
me - "Ok, so like, tomorrow?"
him - *looks at LaKaysha* *looks at me* "Would you like to invite LaKaysha or do you want to get away from her?"
#stilllaughing
don't worry, we invited her *winks*
-
my cousin while eating supper - "Could you get me some more garlic bread thank you you're a sweet person if only LaKaysha was more like you." *smiles sweetly at LaKaysha*
me - *still trying to make sense of that run-on sentence* 
-
walking the streets with the sisters and getting ice cream. also driving in a strange town. (I'm getting good at this *winks*)
-
being "forced" into Carpool Karaoke xP
-
facetiming "Roberta" and talking way too much #sorry
-
walking along the freedom trail, sipping my coffee, laughing at my cousins.
-
running to Walmart late on our last night there, listening to "Michael" sing along with Unwell by Matchbox 20 and trying not to cry
-
when a guy asks if you're okay and you answer "no", he won't know what to do. happened to me once so I ought to know. Because, yes, I cried the whole way to the airport.
-
when we were about to walk into the airport to leave I turned around and "that one cousin" waved goodbye. <3

Hope you enjoyed that list of random moments *smiles* I don't know when the detailed post will be ready to go up, so maybe just stay tuned? *winks*

Trip || M O M E N T S

I'm back! Did you miss me?
I got home last night, but not late - which was nice. I went to bed early and slept probably 10 hours. But still, I am exhausted. *laughs* Time change and traveling.
Did you notice? I was gone a week longer than planned. The 5th was getting closer and closer and I wasn't near ready to leave. So, my dad called the airlines and extended my ticket, and LaKaysha's ticket. I am so thankful for that extra week.
Leaving was once again really hard, just like last year. But I think it may have been worse this time? Our cousins brought us to the airport and I hardly said a word the whole way. It's hard to talk when you're freaking out about flying with only your sister, and trying not to cry because you have to leave these people behind.
I hate. hate. hate. goodbye.
But. That's life.

So many moments on this trip <3 So let's just get on with the post...

M O M E N T S   T O   R E M E M B E R:

When your sister won't stop flirting with her husband #awkward #butstillcute
-
Tyrel - *runs into bedroom door* "DOOR! How dare you betray me!"
-
Great Aunt Jennie on the phone - "Your cake is being loud!? I don't think you know what you're talking about."
-
Seeing your cousin, Ryan, march in the Memorial Day Parade and then getting your picture taken with him #favoritefirstcousinonceremoved 

-
When you feel both coffee and hug deprived and Uncle Marlon not only hugs you tight but he also brings you to Dunkin's #bestuncleaward 
-
Hanging out with cousins. Janeya bought me tea, Ryan threw my garbage away, Tyrel climbed on a roof and also put a bumble bee on his head - and made me touch it.
-
Went hiking at dusk/in the dark and I barely survived. And then Tyrel made me drive a stick for the first time since last year. In the dark. But I DID IT
-
Tyrel to other poeple - "If you so much as touch my doorknob you will die."
Tyrel to me - "My tea is on my dresser if you ever want some. Just don't let anyone else in."
I must be special xP*laughs*
-
Me - "Aren't I just cute?"
Marita - "You're Daminika"
Me - "But is Daminika cute?
Marita - *no comment*
-
when your texts conversations with your cousin don't make sense because they're partly in person, partly on Snapchat

-
Ryan - *throws something at Tyrel*
Tyrel - *spins around*
"Daminika did it!"
Me - "Whaaat?"
-
I BOUGHT THE GREATEST SHOWMAN SOUNDTRACK
-
Tyrel bought me Kimball's and then got lost on the way home... He's special *laughs* It was literally the best thing that happened. We were laughing till we cried while Tyrel tried to figure out how to get out of the woods we found ourselves in.
-
We decided to go swing on the swing in the dark and I SEEN FIREFLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
-
Listening to Tyrel and Kirsten talk like *blinkblink* you lost me a million words ago.
Those two are geniuses, I swear
-
Supper in Felicity's apartment <333333
-
*trying to explain to my cousin who someone is*
Me - "Do you remember that one girl..."
Him - "Wait! Is she beautiful!?"
Me - "Uhhhh. Yeah..."
Him - "Yeah I know her! She's on Christmas cards and I'm always like, Gahhhhhh who is this beautiful woman!?"
Me - O.O
-
Sometimes the simple evenings spent roasting marshmallows and watching fireflies are the best evenings <3
-
On the tramp. watching for fireflies. chatting. laughing. looking at the stars. <3
-
Kirsten - "Daminika. I love you..."
*I start to melt*
"... But. Give me your food."
-
Standing on top of a mountain after hiking, talking to Tyrel and LaKaysha - suddenly they both start attacking my face... but I still got bug bites
-
all the horrible pictures people manage to get of me *facepalm*

(also Kirsten's bakery is the best)
-
Even just bringing Marissa and Marita to the airport is an adventure when you're us. #adventureswiththecousin 
-
When Felicity makes you tea at her home <333
-
Going out to eat with Felicity and Josiah (oh Tyrel was there too xP)
-
Playing outside with the twins while everyone else is at a wedding <3
-
*The night before I left*
Tyrel - "What are we going to do? You won't be here anymore.... It'll be great."
Me - "You won't miss me at all!?"
Tyrel - "I might two or three or four times."
Me - *goes downstairs and cries* 

Trip // Those Moments

I never knew that leaving New Hampshire would be so hard. But, wow. It was the hardest thing I ever did.
I miss all the people there, and I get so lonely for them, and I only got home last night. But it is wonderful to be home to my bed. Where I have all my stuff, and you know what? I can still talk to all those awesome people thanks to this modern age. *winks*

I feel like I actually had two vacations! *laughs* After Kirsten and Emily flew home, my whole world changed to almost feel like I was in a different place. Grandma even painted the kitchen and changed things in the house around a bit, so it really was kinda different. *winks*

"Both" vacations were so wonderful! And somehow I managed to not cry when we left. Can't say we all managed not to, but I did. *winks* Which seems really weird.... I'll probably break down later. Like a delayed reaction.

Every moment I spent on my vacation was wonderful... besides the goodbyes. I hate goodbyes. Especially when you have no idea when you'll be seeing them next. The twins are young enough that if I don't keep seeing them every so often, they'll forget that they even have a cousin named Daminika! Or that she came to visit them for a month, and they loved her ('cause they did, I promise) and would run across a run to jump into her arms... *sniff*

So. I'll be telling all you guys about this wonderful trip slowly 'cause.... um... i've been gone almost a month!!! and you expect to hear about it in one post? HA!

Today I'm sharing moments. all those wonderful moments, and crazy moments, and scary moments... you get it. *winks*

M O M E N T S   T O   R E M E M B E R: 

- when you hide in a cubby hole and text your grandpa, "want to play hide and seek? Come find us."
then you hear your grandpa and grandma wandering the house, "where did the girls go?" *laughs so hard* we are the best granddaughters

- *uncle walks up and gives me a hug* "Now which one are you?"
*me grinning* "I'll just let you think about that."

- doing The Monkee walk down the street in Boston just because we're awesome that way

- when LaKaysha can't climb a mountain and I win Trivial Pursuit -- how did we switch places? (LaKaysha says the air is different out there)

- watching Tyrel jump from rock to rock with LaKaysha slung over his shoulder like a little sheep. why didn't I think to video!? *laughs* 

- when it's late and your playing a drawing game with Tyrel and all you see is Elvis Presley. I'm not that obsessed, I promise.

- watching "Love Me Tender" during a thunderstorm and almost crying 'cause how dare they kill Elvis! 

- when you don't know what to order and you ask Tyrel for help and all he does is shove you up to the counter, rambling out what he just ordered. The guy stared at me, then Tyrel, then is like, "Is that what you want?"

- riding around with DaNita and just laughing at everything she does

- blowing bubbles with the twins. who else is in love with bubbles!?

- when it's the day before you leave, you walked out of your room and there's little Callen standing there looking way too cute in his pajama's and he grins when he sees you and comes running over, so you bend down and he jumps into your arms... *blinkblink* good thing I didn't think about that while boarding the plane.

- when you're riding with Tyrel and he stops at a stop sign, yanks up the e-brake and jumps out of the car, "You're driving." I guess he wouldn't settle for one lesson on how to drive a stick...
"Tyrel!! I can't do this!" but he believed in me more than I did and I did do it... we won't mention how many tries it took to get going. *facepalm*

Tyrel - *holds up a pair if shorts* "What do you think?"
Me - "I have no idea. I've never been shopping with a guy before."
Tyrel - "Well, it's just like shopping with a girl, only way faster."

- "So. Kirsten and Emily were here for two weeks and I hardly seen them? I'm a horrible person. I should be sunk." *says Aunt Jenny as she has her head in the sink*

- sitting at Pauly and Sharon's, listening to the guys sing... *happy sigh*

- glow bowling till midnight when you've never even been before in your life, then basically falling asleep in the car on the way home 'cause fun is exhausting.

- just sitting up late, chatting with Tyrel <3

- realizing fidget spinners are so fun and mentioning you want one. So your sister's boyfriend buys you one -- but Felicity falls in love with it so he lets her keep it. Then you end up with a better one anyway 'cause Ryan picked it out and bought it. *spins it with love* 

- for some reason your "go-to" drink changes from coffee to Coke after Kirsten leaves. *shrug* 

-getting your hair cut with layers for the first time in your life -- I finally feel like a teen girl, which doesn't really make sense *laughs*

- having a "fun day" for kids and racing Tyrel through the obstacle course. We're kids too *winks*

- not being able to leave your phone unattended when you live with Tyrel. *laughs*