And... so it begins..

I will be sure to take pictures, but we are headed to Texas. I think our passports are in order (You sooo need them in that state). We are off... 24 hours.. I have Benadryl and Valium. (just kidding about the Valium not the Benadryl). I will take pictures of the car.. and the events.. I have the toys, the food, the cooler.. the gulp.. movies.. Wish me luck... See you next week!

Straight Hair

Okay- to clarify some emails- it was only temporary.. Hot iron and a blow dryer.. there were no chemicals.. a one time thing. Yes, the curls are still there.. :) No worries mom. :)

Wknd at Laughlin

Emma Dancing
Waiting for the wedding to start.. it got hot.. hence the grumpy face

Zacky hitching a ride.. it was COLD!!

Emma not to sure about this

He is always the same.. I couldn't give him away if I tried. One look at the face and you know what you are in for.. UGH!

So, this weekend (my first off in many) was a trial run 10 hours total round trip to a wedding in Laughlin NV. We started out Friday night and came home today. It was great to see our old friends, and watch others take their vows (about time we say). The kids enjoyed the very warm weather and very COLD water. I could not bear to get in. Larry was a great sport and took the shivering children in and out. They did take breaks to warm up, and yes lips were blue when we were done.. But, they had a blast! I am still not ready for next weekend. Who takes 3 little kids on a 24 hour car trip?? And lives to tell about it??

Straight Hair??

My mom would die. I had my haircut, and then it was straightened. I have never straightened it.. Those curls, the time it would take.. heck no. So, it was kind of weird to do it. Larry was like whoa.. and Zack said, You are so pretty mom, but what did you do to your hair??? The fact that I paid her to straighten it would make my mom pull her own hair out..

Yellow Daffy's

I love flowers. I love to garden. Spring is one of my favorite seasons for all the great flowers that arrive. Tulips and daffys are my two favorites. A very dear friend brought these to me on Monday. She added a very thoughtful note that sits by my computer at work. So, on those days when I think I can get one more thing done before I go home, I see it. And, I remember, there are little ones at home waiting for me. And, I leave it for the morning. She's right, they are little only once. Great words to remind me to live by. The flowers bloomed for almost 2 wks, and everyone loved to stop by my office to comment on them.

Still blooming

Their view from the window
The orchids

So, in November when my parents came to visit, my dad bought us this beautiful orchid. I had one, but it's only bloomed 1x since we have been here, so I moved them to the piano.. the second orchid bloomed once it was moved. There have been blooms on both plants since then. They are gorgeous. They have the perfect sunlight I guess, and are totally happy with their home. I love to look at them when I get home and in the morning when I check for emails from students..

Finger painting

Zack's hands
Finger painting Emma

Finger painting Zack

Another great way to burn energy.. paint away.. We stripped them down and let them have at it.. Some of their master pieces!!

Outdoor fun

Zack king of the BIG slide..

Playing with the car.. Zack is of course giving directions...
Emma on the slide..

Sunday I was exhausted. But of course, the kids had 100x the energy of a normal human being. So, what better way to burn it?? OUTSIDE!! I had to take photos from inside, hence they are not that sharp. Emma still refuses to allow me to photograph her.. Zack is a photo ham! They had a great day having us both home and relaxed.. I have to say I love being home after a 60+ hr work week!!

Our New Addition...makes.. 4

Waving.. a little arm

Profile

I wish I had a scanner, these are so hard to reproduce..

Well, after last year, we were a little worried.. but this time.. we think it stuck. Now 13 wks.. All testing normal so far....

Walking the dog... ?

Emma's new thing... to not let me take her picture!!!
Riding.. what happened to walking the dog??

So, Larry wanted a new baby.. well, what he meant was a new stroller.. we've blown through 2 and this one is guaranteed to last the life of our kids... do they know we already have 3 rumble tumbles??
So, I took it out for the virgin ride.. and the dog only lasted 1/2 way.. gotta love the kids who say.. oh can she ride with me?? And, let me tell you, this stroller is a sweeeeet ride. VERY VERY VERY worth the extra money. The kids love it as well.

My Saturday Mornings

This notebook is about as thick as any I had in grad school, and it keeps growing!! They are always wanting to keep me on my toes.. I guess that is a good thing!

My papers, Coke Zero to keep me going.... and my planner..

My early morning sunrise at the Naval Hospital..

Well, everyone always asks can we come to this or do that, and although I would love to 90% of the time I can't. :( I am tag teaching with another professor, so usually I get a break but, it's tight no matter what with spring break coming up. Poor Larry! He is a trooper and takes the kids to the b-day parties and even a baby shower! (My hero). What do I do?? I am teaching undergrad students at Balboa Naval Hospital. They are in their Obstetrical rotation. And, I am teaching two of their classes, plus their weekend clinical's on Sat. So, I am either preping for the day, grading papers, answering questions, or planning Sat. post conference discussions. Yes, I am exhausted by Sunday my only day off. My day starts at 0420 and I am out the door by 5am. Then to the hospital. Usually, we are done by 2pm. It depends on what they want to talk about our discuss. They are a great group of students, but they pick my brain clean by the end of the day. It's good practice, cause come retirement, that is what I want to do!! So, I will have UPenn on my resume and UCSD. Pretty good start.