Seattle

Over Memorial Day weekend we made the last minute decision to go with Dillon's parents to Washington.  We were hoping that Dillon would have been able to start working by that time but, since ISU messed up on his paperwork that he needed to get his temporary license in order to start work, not once but TWICE, he was still not able to start work yet.  So, the decision was made, bags were packed and the L.O.N.G drive began!  I took off work on Thurs and we spent all day in the car.  We finally made it to Seattle that night around 9:00.  Friday we spent the day seeing the sights with our tour guide Landon (Dillon's brother) who is going to grad school up there.  

He showed us the University of Washington campus...

And took us to Pike Place Market...

The famous gum wall!

While at Pike Place Market we snagged us some lunch at the Crab Pot and couldn't resist taking our pictures :)

Dillon's mom and dad

The happy crabbers :)

After walking around the market for a few hours the sun was starting to come out and we were in need of some relaxing.  So, off to the beach it was :)  Landon took us to Alki beach where we had an amazing view of the city. 

We ended up just sitting at the beach, people watching and enjoying the sunshine.  It was so nice to just sit and talk and enjoy the beautiful view.  After a few hours, we piled back into the car, found some dinner and headed to Safeco Field to watch the Mariners take on the Texas Rangers.  

It was a really fun game.  Cold,  but fun!  Unfortunately the Mariners couldn't quite pull out a win, but they sure made the last inning an exciting one!  

The next morning we were up and headed out to go and see Dillon's grandparents that live about 3 hours from Seattle in Tri-Cities.  Dillon's grandpa has Parkinson's and has not been doing well as of late.  It was so good to go and see him and spend some time with him and Dillon's grandma.  We were also able to see Dillon's great-grandma who is just down the hall and around the corner from her son in the nursing home :) and spend time with Dillon's aunt and uncle and cousins.  I don't know why, but I didn't get any pictures while we were there :(  

But it was a great (quick) trip and so fun to spend time with Dillon's parents and see some of his family that we don't get to see as often!

Graduation

He did it. 

We did it.  

It finally happened.

Congratulations Idaho State University's 
Masters of Occupational Therapy
Graduating Class of 2013!!


HUGE thank you to these guys,  Terry and Travis.  I'm pretty sure Dillon has spent more time on the phone talking to and texting these two guys over the past three years than he has with me.  In fact, I'm sure of it :)

Here are a few pictures from the graduation dinner and hooding Friday night (May 10th) and actual graduation Saturday morning (May 11th).

Dr Brian Gee hooding Dillon

Dillon's mom and sister Tosha came to the dinner with us.

The Darringtons.  Can't wait for Dillon and Terry to plan hunting trips so Sarah and I can plan some girl time!

Graduation morning with Dillon's mom

Dillon's sister Taya and her husband Chase were able to come also.  Thanks guys!

These two didn't come to graduation but joined us for some yummy lunch at Texas Roadhouse to celebrate

And it just so happened that a friend of mine from High School was hooded and graduated with Dillon as a Doctor of Physical Therapy.

Congrats Jess, it was SO good to see you!

After the graduation festivities, it was off to celebrate with a weekend away at Bear Lake!

 The lady I work with that owns a condo at Bear Lake and let us stay last year for Memorial day, offered her condo to us yet again.  We were so grateful to her for her generosity and for the chance to get away and enjoy the amazingly warm weather and celebrate Dillon's amazing accomplishment!

 I love you babe!  Congratulations again.  Can't wait to start the next chapter of our lives together.

Easter & Birthday

The timing of my surgery was not ideal since in my family, Easter is kind of a big deal!  My mom and dad had planned to fly home for the holiday (which doubled as my dad and I's birthday), the big egg hunt was planned and family pictures were scheduled.  And... I had to go and have surgery just 4 days before the party weekend.  Oh boy.  But, the night before surgery we were able to invite the Bastow's over for some egg dying fun!

Such silly kids!

Trying to show their "Lukas" and "Sofia" eggs.

 Easter weekend turned out great, despite being so close to surgery.  I got the catheter and balloon out of my uterus on Friday and Saturday morning we were up bright and early to head to Preston.  We got there just in time to head over to the city park to meet the photographer for pictures.  We had our pictures done by Alana Lange Photography.  She does an AMAZING job for which I am very grateful since I did NOT feel as good as she made me look :)

Me and my love!

My cute mommy and daddy!  Can't wait to go see them in July

All of us kids with mom and dad

Normal siblings.  Right?

We can be normal

Grandma and Grandpa with all the grandkids.  We have the CUTEST nieces and nephews for sure!

The WHOLE fam being normal.

I love my family!

Of course after the pictures it was time for the real fun!  We headed back to my sister Nicole's house for the big egg hunt.  A total of 500 eggs for everyone to find.  That is a LOT of eggs!!  First was the little kids turn.

Then the big kids turn!

The eggs were near and far and everywhere!  Seeing as how we've always done our egg hunt in Star Valley and pretty well know where to go for eggs, this year was a little bit trickier having it at Nicole and Bills in Preston.  I changed back into my PJ pants and got my little helper Jack Jack to walk around with me and pick up some of the 'easy' eggs for me.  After about 10 mins I was spent and let everyone else find eggs for me while I hung out in the house with this cutie and my Grandma Brough that came to join in the craziness.

 Once everyone had looked long enough and given up, it was time for prizes!

 All the grandkids got these ADORABLE hats that grandma made for them!

The rest of the day was filled with Easter candy, yummy food, birthday cake...

birthday presents, well me stealing my dad's presents...

and eventually....

... a much needed nap :)

It was such a fun, and tiring, day.  After a good nights sleep we were able to spend Easter Sunday, and my birthday, in Smithfield enjoying the day at my Grandma Brough's house with her and my aunt and uncle and cousins.  

Overall it was a great, exhausting, Easter & Birthday weekend.