The Finish Line

It's almost a bit anti-climatic.  We married almost ten years ago and have been on this journey ever since.  I remember early in our marriage discussing Bryan's future as a physician.  It seemed so far away.  I can't believe far away is here.  

As long as I've known Bryan he wanted to be a doctor.  There was no other option.  He has worked so hard to get to this point.  It definitely has been a roller coaster of great, sad, happy, hard, tired, discouraged, frustrated, successful and overall crazy moments.  I am so proud of him.  Through this long and difficult journey I feel so blessed that Bryan has found something he is really good at.  He is a great doctor.  Riverside has trained him so well and my very favorite part of graduation was seeing how much his colleagues and attending physicians respect him.  Okay enough of that.  He's going to kill me when he sees this post.  He doesn't love me to gush over him but after enduring 12 years of training with him, I deserve to gush a bit.  I sometimes wish we could add up the hours of time spent at that hospital.  He deserves to be celebrated. I hope he knows how much his hard work, dedication, example and integrity has means to his little family.  

 It was nice of my parents to come and attend the dinner.  It isn't a great big ceremony like medical school graduation but the dinner was nice.  I felt like residency graduation is a bigger accomplishment.  Med school was pretty hard but residency...whew.  There was some hard work being done there.

 Here he is being recognized with his fellow chief residents.  He had an excellent class.

 Lily was the only child to join the festivities.  She had the time of her life.  Laying in your carseat in the corner while your parents try to ignore you is the best.

 Of course Bryan closed his eyes for this picture.

 It was a nice night.  A night of great accomplishment.  So proud of you Bryan.

 They gave him a nice plaque.  You can't see it very well in this picture but you can imagine how awesome it is.

Kindergarten Graduation

Julia just (well maybe a few weeks ago) graduated from kindergarten.  She is looking so grown up to me.  I can't believe this school year is done.  Thankfully I honestly feel I couldn't have asked for a better school experience for her.  She had the best teacher and friends and I have seen so much growth in her.  

 It was a good day to celebrate.

 Here she is singing songs for all of us with her friends.  Julia is a carbon copy of her dad.  She was so happy to go and sing but wouldn't look at us the entire time.  She was almost turned completely away from us.  She gets nervous sometimes.

 Bryan was able to leave work to come and see her.  He even brought he flowers.  She thought that was very special.

 Have you ever seen a cuter graduate?

 We sure do love Julia.  She has really grown to love reading and writing this year and I love all of her stories (even if they are about me kicking her in the face, you all remember that one don't you?).  My favorite thing is that I see her being kind to her friends and trying to include people.  She has a very diverse class and was friends with everyone.  That makes me very very proud of her.

 Her beloved teacher Mrs. Headley.  I could not thank this woman more for giving my daughter a love of learning.  A wonderful teacher is invaluable and Mrs. Headley was wonderful.

We are so proud of our Julia.  Now on to a new school, a new town, new friends and new everything.  First grade is going to be a bit of an adjustment but I know Julia is going to do great.

 We also went strawberry picking here recently.  I was VERY brave and took all three girls by myself.  Luckily Julia was a pro picker and helped me immensely.  Those berries were delicious.

 This little lassie is growing before my eyes.  She is getting close to crawling and is getting in to everything.

 Oh man I love that smile.  Her little body is just asking to be squished.

Memorial Day

Thankfully for Memorial day we were given a swimming suit that fit this little chubs a bit better.  I know you all remember the previous suit I tried to squeeze her in.

 She seems satisfied with it.  She is the squishiest baby ever.

 We got to spend the day with some of our very best friends and had such a great weekend.  The Gaileys and Teeples came over to our pool and we stayed for over four hours!  We enjoyed pizza (thin crust Little Caeser's will change your life), drinks and Kristi's famous chocolate chip cookies.  Nothing better than sitting by the pool on a hot day, stuffing your face and enjoying great conversation.  I loved every minute.  I just feel so blessed to have had so many wonderful friends during our time here in Ohio.

 The men hung out as well.  You can see who had all the kids (the wives) and who was "watching" the kids.  Though I will say the poor girls in the front of the picture were caught in the cross fire of a serious squirt gun war and were none too pleased about it.  I suppose I can't blame them.  There are few things worse than a cold squirt on a bare back.  But then again what do you expect when you're in a pool full of kids?

 Then the real fun began.  The kids were tossed in the air.  It was impressive how high they went.  Bryan said kids were lining up to be tossed.  It was a little awkward when Dave asked for a turn.  Sorry Dave.  You're a little bit too old for that.

 Zach's pose is my personal favorite.

 Isaac's is pretty awesome too.  I think Bryan (and I would imagine Dave's too) shoulder's were sore for three days after this.

 Alissa even got in on the action.

Lily snoozed for a good portion of the pool time.  She got in the water a little bit but didn't enjoy the cold water.  I love a sweaty headed sleepy babe.

 Such good buddies.  I hate that you are moving to Oklahoma so soon!
Connor's face in this picture is classic.  I just love these boys.

 Thanks friends for a wonderful day!

The Party

For the big four year old we had her very first friend birthday party.  She had a "beach" day in preschool and was so thrilled with it that she wanted a "beach" themed birthday party.  Thankfully the weather was hot hot hot so I was able to pull it off.  We bought a five dollar slip and slide, water balloons and the party was a hit.  

 She's a pretty cute four year old if you ask me.  I made some cupcakes that were inspired by that time sucking website pinterest.

 The birthday crew.  We have such great friends.  It's going to be sad to leave them all in a month or so.  My girls have had to say goodbye to so many friends.  It's surreal that we are the ones now saying goodbye.

 A slip and slide action shot.  It was hilarious watching the kids try to master the slide.  Some laid on their bellies and slithered across like little snakes, some just ran through, some would run halfway and then shimmy on their bottoms and some on their knees.  I was laughing about 90% of the time.  The other 10% I was squirting them with water.  What?  Can't the adults have fun?

 They had to fish for swedish fish "hidden" amongst the goldfish without using their hands.  As you can see by this picture "not using your hands" was a tricky concept.  Those swedish fish are just too delicious!

 The birthday girl blowing out her candles.  She has been talking, hoping, dreaming for this party for a long time.  She has invited/uninvited her little carpool buddy a million times up to this point.  I can't tell you how many times I heard, "Riley you aren't invited to my birthday party!"  Followed by a, "Please!  Audrey please invite me to your party!"  Thankfully Audrey and Riley's friendship can withstand all birthday uninvites because he was at the top of the invite list.  Kids are so funny at this age.

 She makes our lives so fun.  So glad we could have this celebration for you Odd Job!  You are such a beautiful little girl.

 And the best part?  PRESENTS!