Dr. J

He did it! Nicholas graduated from dental school (May 11th) and we couldn't be more proud of him. 

I can't believe it's over. It's been bittersweet watching everyone move away and enter the new chapter into their lives. I am very excited for this new beginning we are about to start as a family though. 

In case you didn't know, we are going to New Mexico! We will be in a town just North of Albuquerque called Rio Rancho. I'm excited to explore Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, and all the other neat places I've already heard of in New Mexico.

The biggest thing I'm excited for is to be closer to family. Our usual 10 hr drive to Colorado will be cut almost in half to a 5.5 hr drive. To us, five and a half hours is nothing, so we're excited. AND to make it even better, it's about 6 hrs from my favorite girl in the whole, wide, world: LU, my sister!! I'm so excited to be able to see her and her family more often. Her babies, Elizabeth & Jackson, are just the CUTEST things ever. Can't wait to squish their cute faces.

Also, we can drive to California to see my parents, and always stop on the way in AZ to see my sister which is about half way to California. New Mexico really does just seem like the perfect median for us! 

Well, the four years are over. They came and they went. A little faster than I expected at first. There were great days, and there were lonely nights, but overall, it was such a fun and memorable experience.  And Now it's off to the Land of Enchantment!

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Nick's birthday was last week, the 28th of April. We (the kids and I) were so excited to celebrate with him! One, because birthdays are just fun and especially fun celebrating someone you love and making them feel special. And two, because it was the last day of Nick's Dental Boards and he would be done with all testing and requirements for dental school that day!!

We got everything ready for him while he was gone testing. We set up some gifts-- I tried to do 28, since it was his "golden" birthday, 28 years old on the 28th of April. Half of them ended up being candy bars I think.. ;) Anyways. While the kids were down I started making his cake. Can I just say I NEVER make a cake from scratch. I did this year though, that's how much I love my husband. It actually wasn't too hard, and it was Delicious!! Here is the recipe I used:

http://www.howdoesshe.com/german-chocolate-drizzle-cake/

After I baked the cake I lied down for a nap. Nick got home shortly after that. We had covered all of his gifts on the couch with a blanket, so that he wouldn't see any when he got home!

We waited for Katelyn and Jacob to wake up from their naps before opening gifts because I knew they would be SO sad (Katelyn especially) if they missed that.

Katelyn was so happy and so ready to celebrate! She loved giving daddy each gift and telling him what each one was.

 All set up before we covered it up

 The kids wanted a pic too, they deserve it since they helped me so much :)

 Jacob playing peek-a-boo.

 Katelyn getting a present for daddy

 She made a special card and picture for him

Later that night we had dinner. Nick made his own birthday dinner. Yeah, I know, it shoulda been me, but he wanted steak and NO ONE makes a better steak than he does. It was delicious. I've never really been a steak person until I met Nick. He cooks them SO good!

After that we sang to him and ate some cake. 

 The birthday cake, yum!

 Katelyn helped Nick blow out the candles

 Nick insisted he light his own candles, and he was super excited about it. Haha.

 Make a wish!

 Me n the kiddos

My sweet boy pre-glasses. Such a happy kid.

We hope Nick was happy too ;)
It was a good birthday. We are so lucky to have him in our lives and are SO happy we are just about done with Dental School! I'm so proud of all of his hard work, seriously, so proud.

FOUR

4

CUATRO

FOUR MORE DAYS PEOPLE!!!!!!! 

Can't wait until graduation :)