The best vacation ever...part 1

We just got back from Hawaii! It was the most amazing vacation ever. Kevin had a conference there and I joined him later in the week with some friends of ours. The first day we were all there we went to the ocean and played in the water. The only thing that sucked was that a wave took me and pounded me against the coral on the bottom of the ocean, jamming my toes pretty good. Not fun! So, now I am in a walking boot for the next week until the swelling goes down. ARGH! And for the first time in my life I actually have some color other than blinding white. :)

This is a picture of the happy tourists after an amazing dinner at Atlantis Seafood and Steak. There will be more to come in the next few days...if I put all of the funny moments into one blog it would be about 4 pages long.

This is Kevin and Laurie. They were responsible for getting us around during the week. So, they were the driver and the navigator. Laurie is awesome at reading maps...thanks to her we only got lost once or twice! :-)

This is David and I. We were known as the backseat drivers. When we weren't fighting with each other we were making fun of Kevin's driving...poor Kevin...he really had to put up with a lot from us. By the way, David, the bite marks have left from where you bit my arm!

Outdoor fun

I love our town. We have some of the best parks here. Matthew loves to be outside running around. He is going to be our marathon runner! One of our parks has the best slide ever. It is a big radio flyer wagon slide. The pictures are of Matthew and his friend Jacob at the park this spring...they had the best time ever! There is also a carousel at the park that Laurie and I took the kids on. Allen really loved it and even likes to still go "up and down" on our laps!

The kids were so cute taking turns down the slide. Matthew is still asking to go to the park with Jacob (hint, hint Laurie...it is time to get back up here!).

I am so lucky

This is a little late for Father's Day but I just had to share about how lucky I am to have Kevin. Not only is he a fabulous husband he is a wonderful dad. Matthew and Kevin have a bond that is unbreakable and so sweet to watch. Matthew just loves to do anything that Kevin is doing. Recently, we started talking about things to do this summer. Kevin and I both have bikes that we like to use, but we didn't have a great solution for Matthew. We looked into the seats that attach onto the bike, but they are only safe for up to 45lbs...Matthew will hit that soon I am sure. So, Kevin bought the coolest thing ever...a bike that attaches to the back of Kevin's bike for Matthew to ride on, but he doesn't have to peddle. He LOVES it! Now that the weather has turned nicer Kevin takes Matthew to school on his bike in the mornings and picks him up in the evenings. He is the envy of all of his little friends at school.

The picture that is attached to this blog was taken by a good friend of ours the day that Matthew and Kevin bought the bike attachment. When they got home that night we HAD to go for a short bike ride because Matthew couldn't wait anymore to get back on it. I have to admit he looks mighty cute in his little bike helmet too!

My new job

No, I haven't changed to a clinical type job...but this is me in scrubs. My second day on the job at Sacred Heart found me shadowing one of our Assistant Nurse Managers in our neuro surgery unit. I am sure that there were several bets lost that day when I didn't pass out! I witnessed several cool things, including a tumor removal. It makes me appreciate even more what OR nurses do, because I most certainly couldn't be an OR nurse! :-) The picture is a little blurry, but you get the point.

The picture before that is what I normally wear to work. Kevin took that one of me on my first day at work.

I was so exaughsted my first week that I was going to bed at 4:30pm (no, that is not an exaggeration). I am starting to feel like I have more energy now, but I know that it is all going to change these next couple weeks as we have budget, inventory and Empath to handle before I go on vacation in 2 1/2 weeks! I have to admit, though, I am loving every minute of being busy!

Well...

Above are some of the pictures that my good friend Misty took for me on my graduation day. She is an amazing photographer and I am so pleased with how they turned out. Misty, you are amazing!

We're not moving. We are staying put in Spokane, I accepted a new job at Sacred Heart, Kevin will be working from home, Matthew stays at his daycare...it's all working out! :-) I start as the business manager for surgery services tomorrow with orientation. I can't wait! While the last 4 weeks have been tough not working, there is one big positive...Matthew is almost potty trained! We are so pleased!

Only a month until Kevin and I vacation in Hawaii!!!

Some simple math

15 = the total number of months that I spent completing my MBA. I graduated on 4/21/2007!

6 = the total number of years that Kevin and I have been married this year.

5 = the total number of years that Kevin has been working on his Masters and PhD.

3 = the number of interviews I have had for higher level HR positions in the last week.

2= the number of months until I am sitting on the beach in Hawaii! (Kevin gets to go too!)

0 = the number of classes that Kevin has to complete in his PhD program!!! Yup, we only have a qualifier, thesis and dissertation left before Kevin can add "PhD" to his credentials!

So, it looks like we will be having another party to celebrate graduation before too long! We have often joked around that we don't know what it is going to be like to be a married couple instead of married students! Guess we'll have to find some hobbies!

Kid's Shows

My three year old is addicted to kids television. I usually get about 5 minutes of quiet in the evening before I hear "I want (fill in the name of the show)". Even at night we have to "take turns" in order to get him to go to sleep. This totally backfired on me the other night when he woke me up to tell me that my turn was over...ahh...my little night owl.

Now, before you start commenting on the dangers of too much tv, please know that Matthew is also going to be our track star and goes out for mile runs with Kevin on a regular basis. And, he does run...not just walk, but full out run. His little legs are very muscular already!

So, for those of you who have not had the opportunity to take advantage of kids televison...let me give you the latest run down:

The Wiggles - four Australian men who sing and dance. They have friends named Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus and Dorothy the Dinosaur. If you ever see someone driving down the road dancing and singing to their toddler, chances are they are listening to the Wiggles!

Dora the Explorer - a precocious little girl who likes to explore with her monkey friend "Boots". If you ever take a toy or anything from a child and they say "Swiper, no swiping" they are watching Dora.

Blues Clues - problem solving skills are the key to this show. Joe goes around looking for Blues Clues to solve the day's mystery. Kind of catchy...Matthew loves the songs that are the same every show.

Larry Boy - So, for those of you who have heard of Veggie Tales, Larry Boy is Larry the Cucumber as a superhero. Matthew really identifies with Larry Boy for reasons that are unknown to me...but if you say "The World Needs a Hero" Matthew will wrap his blanket around his shoulders like a cape and reply "I am that Hero". Larry Boy even has a theme song...which we have modified to say "Matthew Boy". The most funny by far! :)

Gotta run...I have just been told that he needs Dora.