half way done

Mike has been in his 3rd year of dental school for about a month now.  Yesterday was the first day he got to start seeing patients.  His first "screening" patient came in and wants a total cosmetic procedure.  Not only does he have to make the teeth functional, he has to make them look good!  Today is his first day doing actual work on someone.  He will be doing fillings on a 94 year old man.  He is just hoping to get him out alive:)  I am sure he will do great!

I am so excited that we are halfway done and can't believe it either.  It is crazy how fast it has gone by.  I am so proud of Mike for being so committed in school and at home.  Somehow he has been so good at finding a balance between everything and we love him for it!  

Now we are gearing up for a great weekend ... ready to hit California for the 4th of July.  I can't wait to be in the 70 and 80 degree weather instead of the 110 weather!  It will be so refreshing!

Park City

Mike & I have never really had a "getaway" since we started having kids.  We really needed a break so we asked my parents to watch the kids one of the nights we were in Utah so we could stay in Park City.  We ended up staying at the Waldorf Astoria.  It was the most beautiful, relaxing hotel I have ever stayed at and I have stayed at some nice ones.  

Mike and I on Main Street

The amazing hotel lobby (my dad built that staircase)

Mike in our room

I had to take a picture of the carpet because I loved it so much!  

From the second we pulled in we were treated so well.  My dad was nice enough to let us take is sports car so we could feel like we belonged (even though we know we don't:).  We didn't even understand how the valet worked:)  The entire hotel smelled so wonderful.  The sidewalks were heated out to the pool.  There were a few outdoor fireplaces with huge plush blankets in each room to use by the fire.  I have gotta say that I have never been to a hotel where you sit down on big leather chairs to check into your room.  The environment was so relaxing and peaceful, I felt like I was at a spa the entire time I was there.

We had a great time and can't wait to do it again.  I think this might be a thing to look forward to every year!

playing catch-up

We have had lots of fun things going on lately.  Here is the bunch of random things we have been up to.

We have been painting.... above is emerson's room (partially done)

Here is my room, the color is shocking but I love it.  It is so bright and fun to look at.

We had party #3 for Madden.  We had a fun combined party for Madden and his friend Corbin.  They are only a few weeks apart.  It was a breakfast at the park with many of our great friends. We feel so lucky to know so many awesome people!

Here is Madden with his cute little friend Avie Jo.  She is adorable and only 6 weeks older than Madden.  He loves her, they are so cute playing together!

I have been working on endless school projects that are completely time consuming

Emers went on his first father and sons camping trip last weekend.  He was so excited to go sleep in a tent and roast marshmallows.  I was sad they left but Madden and I had a great night out with the girls!

Emers and his pal Easton at the campout.

Sitting by the fire.... 

Our last adventure was last night.  I went onto the porch to water some plants, I looked over the railing and saw a fresh dirt pile with a hole in the middle.  It freaked me out so I ran in the house to get mike.  He gets really close and tells me he thinks it's a rat because he thought he saw wiskers.  I HATE HATE HATE rodents, bugs or any creepy thing!  I ran in the house and watched from the porch and googled what it could be...

We found out it was a pocket gopher, they dig a hole and make tunnels underneath the ground, going to your plants and killing them by eating the roots.  I was wondering why our palm was dying....  After looking online we thought flushing it out was the best idea so Mike got the hose and started the water.  After only a minute or so the gopher came running out.  He is the little guy in the corner of the rocks and driveway.  We scared him off into the neighbors yard:) Hopefully he leaves us alone now!

Now we take off for 2 weeks of fun in Utah!

I am thankful

Lately I am so thankful for strawberry milk!  Emerson is back on a "I would rather not eat anything at all kick"!

At least this time he is drinking lots of strawberry milk and getting some nutrition.  Last time he just wanted water.

I will never understand why this boy is not interested in eating....isn't this a problem an adult would like to have?!

The backyard

It started like this.....

and now looks like this.....

  

My baby is 1!

Yesterday Madden turned 1!  I can't believe how fast this year has gone by.  Madden has been so much fun for us.  We love having him in our family.  He has been the happiest baby in the world!  His dimples melt us and I love how adventurous he is already.  Madden was an unexpected blessing in our lives.

Madden loved all the attention he gets when we have a party for him (we have had 3 so far).  He loves it when we sing happy birthday to him and he loves tearing open the presents.

Madden's fun present was the sandbox.  He tried eating the sand and loved picking it up and throwing it out of the sandbox.

But the best part of the birthday was the cake........

(make sure you click to enlarge this picture so you can see how much he really enjoyed it)

Happy birthday my sweet little baby guy!  We love you so much and you have brought so much fun and happiness to this family!

uncle ry

This is our ry with madden guy.  Madden loves ry, he always smiles at him and loves it when he is around to play with.

Emerson and Ry are best buddies.  Ry was only 8 when Emerson was born.  They lived in the same house for until Emers was 1.  Emerson thinks Ry is so funny, that he has the best toys and is so fun to play with.  Emerson now tries to do everything Ry does and always tells me Ry is funny.  If Ryan is on a nerf kick, so is emerson.  If Ry is on a lego kick, emerson wants to be too.  He is a pretty cool kid to try and be like!

Many people from Mike's mission that don't know me, think Ryan is my son.  I guess it is pictures like this on facebook that make them think that:)  We would claim him any day.  Everytime we see Ry, I always ask him if he will just come live with us forever!

Ry is so helpful with the boys, he is always so concerned about them and their safety.  He is the greatest uncle & we are lucky to have him.....everyone should have an uncle Ry!  He is the best!