The surgeon's beach party

Just another day at the beach surrounded by doctors. At least you know you're covered should you suddenly need resuscitating. It was a beautiful sunny day with lots of sandy goodness.


Keith was what they call "post call". That means he just got off a shift that was all day, all night & all morning. I think it's silly to make the people cutting you up go all night without sleep but thats just what they do I guess. So he gave up his usual post call nap to have a little family fun instead. What a guy.
This is the back of the house at the top of the hill that looks out at the beach


These pictures were saved in my file right side up but I just couldn't seem to upload them the correct direction. I love this one of daddy tossing dakota. Trust me, he liked it.

Here I am with my head cocked funny but it's proof that I got in the water too.

Dakota Jack's first trip to the Zoo

This is a very momentous trip. Oh how we love animals and safari outfits. DJack had such a fun time with the baby goats not to mention his new little friend Josslyn ;) She is the daughter of a new friend of mine here who is also an intern's wife. She has a season pass to the zoo so I got in free as her guest! It is a tiny little zoo but with a baby and a pass it is perfect for frequent short visits. So, what sound does a giraffe make anyway?

..and now introducing (drum roll) COUS COUS!

It has a delightful texture with a delicate nutty aroma.
I simply adore this culinary masterpiece.

for dessert I'll have a twinkie

Christmas in July

Wow, we heard a knock at the door and a little UPS guy (Santa's elf in disguise) delivered two BIG Ol' boxes for Dakota Jack! Open them Open them!!!! What could it be?
Dakota was speachless. Overcome. Amazed by the colors and shapes.

This is so exciting! All these toys from Lisa & Grandpa S. We never had so much fun.














We thank you so much for all the great toys. He plays with them everyday and sqweels with delight. Thank you Thank you :)

Places to go, People to see....

Ive been getting out and having a little fun. Most my pictures are on another computer right now but ill try to add them later. Here are my boys lounging at one of the many bbq/pool parties so far this summer. We even made it to our first movie since Dakota's birth thanks to a friend here babysitting for us. It was amazing to be unchilded for that long. (not that i dont totally adore you darling baby of mine, it just that grown ups like to play too)


And now I have been initiated into the doctors wives club called "MedMates". They are a cool bunch and all in similar situations. We had a really fun time chatting the night away and eating fancy food at our first get-together of the season. They have lots of little activities and so far I get a kick out of all of them.

welcome committee

There is more to my wildlife family then just Chip
I have a few of these little fellas. Two that are daily deck visitors. I named one Bushy and the other George. Sometimes they think they can swipe Chip's peanuts because they are bigger and stronger. How rude! My cat Monkey goes nuts herself watching them through the window as they lounge and flit their tails at her.

And here is Peter! He like the weeds that grow in the cracks of the patio. I reckon he either gets around at warp speed around the house or there just may be a few more Peters in my yard.

Now if I could only catch a picture of BackYard Bambilina

It's delicious and nutritious - with antioxidants too!

Mmmmmm this homemade babyfood is so good.
but I think I can handle it myself mom

Way to go kid on your first self-feed attempt. Just wait till you try spaghetti!

Sunny Days

Daddy and Dakota ready for some fun in the sun

It was time to break in our new backyard with a good 'ol sprinkler running




but, maybe sprinkler running isnt for everyone....

Chip

This is my front walkway. Do you see the crack in the middle?
Now look closer. Do you see a little something peeking out?
This is Chip. And apparently he lives at our address too! This is his walnut. He has brought several of them home so far but can never seem to get it to fit through his cement entryway. He'll try for hours to shove it down and then just leave in frustration with it jammed half way. I tried to get it down myself but they dont fit - so, i helped out by cracking them. I did this a few times but he keeps bringing more and more so I decided he needs to learn and I stopped.

Now I bring him peanuts instead.

Lake Michigan

Last week my awesome mother-in-law Deb (whom I love so much) came for a visit. It was really nice to see her and have somebody to talk with here at home. While she was here we decided to go for an exploration and find Lake Michigan!
It was a hot & hazy day but only 40 minutes away was this great beach (there are closer ones too).
Man, was I surprised to see such yummy sand but even more surprising was how delightfully WARM the water was! The little town was cute but I thought it was funny to see surf shops in a place with no real "surf" not to mention several feet of snow most of the year. At least the summer here is turning out to be pretty nice. Don't you think so Dakota? hmmm

Great Migration

Okay, Its been a while since I've posted I know. But im pooped! I feel like I havent sat down to take a break in a month! My feet ache my shoulders are tight, a stress line in my forehead is setting in and tensions are running high. But we did it! We moved all the way across the country with our infant, cat, plant and about 80% of our junk all on a budget.
Here we are in phase one - the pack up.
We chose to do a U-Pack where they deliver a truck to you, we pack it up ourselves and pay per sq ft then they pick it up and ship it to your new home. It was the cheapest way for us to go, but people, I warn you - if you can possibly afford another way please avoid this back breaking headache and hire someone to do it for you. We joke now because Keith thought it might take us about 3 hrs max to load up the whole house. I laughed and nodded because in the end it took 2 full days of sweat. Here is our truck on the road!

The car we drove was so cramped inside with all our remaining things (and passengers) that we ended up having to buy a roof bag and leave behind some perfectly good things that we just couldnt fit nor justify leaving the kid instead :(

Our first stop was in Milton-Freewater to see my dear Grandmother who I love so much!!!!! This was a great chance for her to meet her Great-grandson for the first time and for me to say good-bye. While we were there I video taped her talking and telling some great stories about her life. I cant wait to someday edit it into a nice DVD for posterity. She has such a beautiful name: V'Audrey Willoughby, and someday I may share with you the interesting story of how she got that name...

Dakota also got to meet his great Aunt Kathy! She's the coolest and i think he got a kick out of her.
There were two other stops but i didnt take pictures and now I feel bad about that. In Utah we stayed with Keith's cousins , Doug & Tracy & kids. They are so great and so good to us. They even made us stay in their master bed! Then we stay with my Uncle Doug & Angela's home in St Louis, MO. He is my mother's youngest brother and only 6 years older than me so he seems more like a cousin than uncle. They are having their 5th kid right now! all under 8 years old! What a champ. We passed through Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas , Missouri, illinois, and Indiana before we hit Michigan. Here we are somewhere in the middle of one of those nowheres at a dead stop on the freeway for a couple hours. It sure was hot, And just to see if you are still reading this, I had to pee in a bucket at this place. (good thing I just happened to have a bucket from cherry picking with my uncle Wayne)
Then one day, all of a stiff sudden I woke up to find that I had landed in my new home. I am a Michigginian!

Hop on dear and welcome to your new home! And hop on was exactly what I did.

Congratulations on his graduation

What a proud day for all of us. Can you believe that we met while he was just in his first year of Medical School. Well he finally finished and managed a wife, baby & nonprofit children's facial reconstruction foundation along the way. Now thats extra curricular activity...


You looked so handsome darling and my heart swelled as you marched down and knelt for your hooding.



Here were are at the schnitz
Proud Pop with proud boy.






Afterwards we enjoyed a yummy lunch with our funny family.

Keith's folks of course, and his brother Chris & Lisa and Sister Nicole with her kids Payton & Kodi. Grandma Evette & Aunt Lori flew up all the way from florida As well as Grandpa & June made it from Utah. Even my Dad & Lisa and "the trids" (kix are for trids) Mari&Duncan showed up for the event. Phew! what a gang. what a meal. What a day.



So that was that. The next day bright and early we embarked on the arduous journey to Michigan.....