Island Park

My family did one last vacation before Miles left for his mission. I flew in a little late since I was in CA getting our house ready. We spent driving through Yellowstone Park. It was gorgeous and we saw hundreds of buffalo.

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The next day we went into West Yellowstone. My mom gave each of the kids $5 to spend at the dollar store in town. Clara found this adorable kitty that when you pressed a button on the bottom it meowed. The clerk who was a 20 something year old male, told Judd to put it away or buy it and leave. Judd came over and told me. I thought it was ridiculous so I gave it back to Clara knowing that we would buy it later. The dialogue went something like this:

Clerk: (upset) I asked the father (Judd) to put the toy away or buy it. Your daughter won't stop pressing the button and the sound is annoying!

Me: (calm) We will purchase the toy when we are done finding the rest of the things we are going to buy, I am going to let her hold it until then.

Clerk: (upset) Put the toy back or get out!

My Mom: Why are treating her that way?

Clerk: (very upset) I asked the father (Judd) very nicely to put the toy away because the sound is loud and annoying.

Judd: (calm) No, you did not ask me nicely, you were very rude.

Clerk: (walks around to Clara and takes the kitty out of her hand, looks at me and points to the door and very loudly). You can leave!

The rest of us... still all very calm... "This is a toy store. Why are you working here? She is a two year old. We will purchase the toy and leave. You are being very rude."

Clerk: (loud, engraged and mean) I deal with moronic parents and their kids every day. The sound is annoying the costumers. This is my last summer here, and then I am gone. My grandfather started this store. You are not welcome in this store! I am going to call the cops. Get out now! You are banned from the store!

Us... and the rest of the store walked out. Totally in shock. And pretty sure we will never be going back EVER again. Which is sad, because we go everytime we are in West, it was a tradition... a tradition that is now ended. The others in the store were all on our side - he was a total jerk and lost alot of business that day. PLEASE IF YOU EVER GO TO WEST - DO NOT GIVE THAT STORE A PENNY OF YOUR MONEY.

White Coat Ceremony

The White Coat Ceremony was great. It started out with all of the Health programs and then later we separated into separate departments. The two of us.

Scott getting his official white coat.

Us.

Class of 2014

After the ceremony we went to the school for the Presidents Lunch. The school has an art exhibit of fake people all over. Its a little weird, and I am hoping its just temporary.

Now, a tour of the facilities:

A lecture room:

A study room:

Simulation lab:

Western is lucky enough to have 80 of these typodons, its a computerized head that they practice working on.

The simulation lab:

He is soooo excited for school. He is now a week into it - and could not be happier.

Disneyland & California Adventure

So we packed up our house. I have NO pictures of the move, our empty house, or the over packed UHAUL and car that we towed. We said our goodbyes to neighbors, met my mom and Miles at the gas station, Miles and Scott said goodbye, I kissed my kids goodbye, got me a large Diet Coke and went to the UHAUL to cry. It was a hard drive... but I was looking forward to a whole week in CA with Scott and no kids... and that helped.

We decided to go to Disneyland and California Adventures as our last hoo-rah before dental school and real life started. It was a total blast! I felt like a kid again as we went from ride to ride and ran around with out one thing to care about - or a kid to chase after!

We finished the night with the "World of Color" show. It was AMAZING! We were a little worried that it was not going to be worth it, seeing that we sat in line for over 1 hour... but wow. It was by far my favorite thing of the day!

We can't wait to take the kids. We are planning on getting our yearly passes... and all you visitors out there - plan on us anytime you go!

24th of July Fireworks attack

After the slip n slide we met up with the Millers for our last night out together as neighbors :(

We went to Cafe Rio and then headed to Sugar House park to get the kids energy out. I guess Taylor needed some down time, so he had Jessie push him on the swing. Ha.

The kids loved the swings, Taylor included. After the park we concluded the night with fireworks.

The Miller Family.

We were super close, and Clara was so scared of the noise. I think she thought if she closed her eyes it would all go away.

Enjoying the view.

Like I said, we were super close. We were all enjoying and loving the fireworks (minus clara), when something went terribly wrong. One of the lines was tipped over and the fireworks were being shot into the crowd... directly at US. At first it seemed like a small fluke one - but then one after another they kept coming. Everyone was starting to scream, and according to Jessie I was one of those people. I dove over Clara to cover her up, and I heard my mom yell to my dad, "Peter cover the kids!". Scott grabbed Jack and ran. And of course - I panicked and grabbed Clara and ran too. I hid behind a truck fearing for our lives. I am sure it wasn't too long (although it seemed to go on forever), and it was over. I went back to my family and everyone was freaking out, but thankfully no one from our group was hit. I think all together there were 7 injuries but nothing too serious, which suprised me because it literally felt like a war zone.

Here some of us were, totally in shock.

And our kids... forever scarred from this night - lets hope we make it to another fireworks event without the fear of catching on fire.

It was our last night with Taylor and Jessie as neighbors... and it definetly went out with a bang. I miss their little family so much already. I just might have to bump up my minutes for all the time we will be spending on the phone making up for lost time.

Waterslide with the Neffs

The Neff family did the slip n slide on the 24th of July. It is always so much fun!

Me. Clara. Candice. Taina Jade.
Scott. Clara.
*clara was terrified.

Jack was obsessed.

Jack. Scott.

The slide from the top view. Of course you can't tell how steep the hill really is. All I can say is - its steep, super fun, and can get pretty wild.

Super Hero Gymnastics Camp

I put Jack in a Super Hero Gymnastics camp. He absolutely loved it. The last day of camp, the parents were invited to come and watch the kids graduate from camp. It was awesome! They each went through a course and at the end did a super hero pose of their choice. This was Jacksons.

A perfect shot with the American Flag behind him.

The rope swing was a favorite.

We will miss Jump Up Gymnastics. If you live near Lehi - check them out online.

California Dreamin'

WE MADE IT.
Its been an interesting week. Busy. Exciting. Sad. Hard. Fun. Every emotion has been felt and expressed.

We have been doing alot of unpacking - it's exhausting. Especially the downsizing part. I just don't know what to do with everything.

Monday we took a break and went to Disney Land... just Scott and I. It was a total blast!

Scott started school on Tuesday. He LOVES it. Of course this week is orientation - so its all one big party. Catered breakfasts and lunches... lots of hanging out... and super laid back. Real school starts Tuesday, we will see how he is feeling then.

I love our area. I love our apartment. It's small, but I like the layout, and I love that I have less to clean.

There are frozen yogurt shops on every corner!

I have had so much fun exploring and learning my way around. So far, the people are all very nice and traffic is not that bad.

I think this will feel like home sooner than I thought it would... that doesn't change the fact that I will miss UTAH every day and especially the people there - but I am excited for the new friendships and new memories that are ahead of us.

Although I am so greatful that my kids are with my family, and I am able to get organized out here without them... I miss them more than anything.

Things are going well.