Vegas, baby!

So, we do Vegas probably a little different than most people -- our very good friends live there, so we don't hit the Strip or gamble or anything. We eat at some awesome restaurants, relax and usually hit the park. This time, we hit the park and I did a little shoot for one beautiful mama:

Oh, we miss our friends so much! We definitely don't get to see enough of Dave and Erin. And the kicker this time? I didn't get to see their newest addition. In fact, I had friends/family who had three babies this summer, and I didn't get to meet any of these new little ones. I was sooooo bummed!

Fortunately, I also got some shopping time in with my bestie; she was doing way better with her pregnancy than I was last time, so I'm glad she was up for some eating out and walking around the mall. We also stopped and let the boys play at the splashpark.

We also did some swimming at Erin's mom's swimming pool; it was too cold for me, but the kids (and the big kids) loved it!

 

Vegas was, as always, too short. But we had a jam-packed summer, so on we went...

Next stop: Cedar City!

Phew, it's hot in Arizona...

So just a quick update: We made it to New York on Tuesday, Brent is checked in at work and is still going through paperwork stuff before he can get down to the dentistry stuff. We found a good place to rent and we move in tomorrow. Just need to get a second car and we'll be doing well. We've had only one crazy day with the kids and just a few pull-your-hair moments (mostly because we've been crammed all together in a car and hotel rooms for more than a week now), but they're doing well.

On to our awesome summer vacation! We left our beautiful home in Oklahoma in June and we had a fun-packed summer vacation visiting family and friends. Our first stop was to Arizona to see our close friends Zack and Keri and their kiddos...

Holy cow was Arizona ridiculously hot! We hung out with our friends and went swimming every day. The kids LOVED it! The kids loved the neighborhood pool, and we also went down to the river to play on the beach. It was weird having it be so hot outside, but the river was so cold I couldn't get in.

So we got a big mud tower going on the bank instead...

The kids were brave and learned to jump off the side by themselves, even Bryn!

We miss our friends so much, can't wait to see you again soon!

Thunder up!

Our last week in Oklahoma, the Thunder made it to the NBA playoffs, and the Finals came to Oklahoma City. I'll admit: I'm not a basketball fan, but Thunder fever was contagious! It was awesome to feel the excitement throughout the whole city, so we couldn't pass up the opportunity to go be part of the action. We headed downtown to eat at one of our favorite places, Earl's Rib Palace.

I tried to get a picture of them together, and I got one, except it looks like Drew is trying to protect Bryn from the camera or something...

Drew found this among his fries, and I think it properly sums up how we feel about our Okie home:

After some yummy food, we headed up to Thunder Alley in front of the Chesapeake Arena.

All of us at the Finals...

Drew also played in a free bouncy house and we got free slushies and Thunder bracelets. It was fun, I just felt really out of place with our double stroller.

Too bad the Thunder didn't quite Thunder up in the end, couldn't quite pull it out against the Heat. I'm sure it's because we moved. :) More on our adventures across the west coming soon...

Introducing Dr. Talbot...

So last Saturday was the big day: Graduation! Brent has worked very hard for four years, and it was wonderful to see him earn his doctorate. I can't believe we're actually here; I knew this was coming, and I honestly have mixed feelings. I'm so proud of my hubby, I feel a sense of accomplishment (mostly for him but a little for me too), and some dread at the big change we're now facing.

Oklahoma has been so much more than I ever expected. I was scared for the big change we made when we moved here, and it turned out to be some of the happiest times because we have some seriously amazing friends, a great ward and a cool place to live (yeah, Oklahoma's cool, who knew??). And so, I'm mostly just sad I won't get to see my friends every week (oh, and giving up my house -- I love it!).

I did pretty well through the ceremony, mostly just beaming with pride and trying to keep Thing 1 and 2 from being too crazy during it. I only got emotional during the processional and recessional because they had this amazing bag pipe band playing, and the music was so powerful as Brent and his classmates walked in in their academic regalia. Very cool...

(Haha! Look at Zack in the background, he looks thrilled!)

Dr. Brent had several reactions, including the fist pump...



the jump for joy...

and the Tebow!

But seriously, we have had lots of prayers answered and Brent completed all his requirements, passed his boards and graduated on time. We've got a wonderful assignment in New York and are excited for our new adventure. Thank goodness I will be seeing all these faces at least one more time before we go. Thanks friends, you're truly the best!

Zack and Keri

Jordan and Katrina

Isaac and Leanne

Dave and Nina

And there are a few more (we love you too!), but they didn't make it out to our picture spot after the ceremony.

Drew is already missing his friends...

And thanks to all our family for their well wishes and support. We've felt your love and so appreciate it. We can't wait to see you all this summer!

Aaaargh, birthday matey!

My little man turned the whopping No. 5 on Monday. Holy cow I can't believe he's that old. But I've known this day was coming ever since his best friend had her birthday in January -- I think he's reminded me pretty much every day that he's turning five in April. And since he was old enough -- and so excited -- about his birthday, we decided to have his first friend birthday party...

Drew had so much fun with his friends. I even got fancy and made him a cake. Thank you, Pinterest, for the idea!

We also had a pinata, which ended up on the ground after only four kids. So they broke it open on the cement and I had to dump all the candy out. They still seemed to enjoy it.

Drew got a new swimming pool, and we gave all the kids water guns and they had a blast running around and trying to get each other wet.

Drew's friends were very generous, and he had a great time opening his presents. He got a super water gun, four sets of Legos, a snake he gets to color how he wants, and even some money. He was so excited about everything! 

Guess I should have dressed Bryn properly for the party. One of my friends came to pick up her daughter, and her son, who's Bryn's age, came along. In the two seconds we weren't watching them, the two of them decided it would be fun to go swimming in their clothes...

These two crack me up!

Look, Mama! I went swimming!

Leave it to Bryn to use it how it's NOT supposed to be used...

She sure enjoyed the cake. All the kids were really impressed with the cake but didn't eat much. Bryn finished off Drew's piece. With every bite, she said "mmmmmm" enthusiastically.

I've been waiting for this day for a long time -- Drew and daddy building Legos together. It was so cute. I love that Drew's old enough to enjoy all the fun sets now.

On his birthday, I took baseball cupcakes to his class and then we had more cake and opened presents. On Tuesday, we went with our good friends to Gattitown for pizza and games, bowling, bumper cars and go-karts and had sooooo much fun!

This weekend, Brent took his regional boards (WREB), and just finished up this morning. Now we just have a few weeks for him to finish a few more requirements and sign out of all his departments, then he graduates on the 12th. I am so proud of him for all his hard work!

Bittersweet...

Not sure how we got here, but here we are suddenly! Brent only has a few more requirements to finish up and he will be done with school! He'll be a full-fledged dentist in a month and a half! He's worked really hard, and for him, I'm excited to be done with school. But at the same time, I can't imagine not having our incredible friends around anymore...

We have been so very blessed during our time at dental school; this is our dental family. We went to an OKC staple on Tuesday and had dinner at Pops. We are having a gorgeous spring, and a picnic on the back lawn at the restaurant was fantastic! The kids flew a kite and we played frisbee and football.

We have loved our time at dental school because of these wonderful people. I can't believe we're almost done! We are excited about our next step, but I know there will be plenty of bitter with the sweet when I say goodbye to our first house, our fantastic ward at church and the amazing friends who have made this a great adventure. But if I loved it this much here, I'm sure we'll also love New York.

Thanks, friends, for everything! You really are the best!

Drumroll, please...

We're off on our next adventure...

We'll be living near Watertown, NY. We'll be an hour north of Syracuse (our closest airport and shopping), three hours from Montreal and six hours from New York City (yeah, I'll have to jump on the Yankees bandwagon with Brent now). We'll be really cold in the winter, and by really cold, I mean I can't even comprehend what that will be like after our nice Oklahoma winters. But when we're not bundled beyond belief, we'll be camping and fishing and exploring church history sites and enjoying some of the most beautiful fall scenery in the country. And if it gets too cold, I'll just have to pick that time to make a trip to see my friends the Hansens, who got the spot in Hawaii! :) 

We have to be there Aug. 1, and at this point, we're going to do our darndest to make another trip out to Utah before then. And I expect all of you to come and see us while we're living somewhere cool like New York!