4th Anniversary Road Trip

After Dylan's graduation we stayed in Salt Lake City for a couple of days. We spent one evening with our wonderful friend's, the Erb's. It was so great catching up. I hadn't seen them in a whole year. Carley is a little girl now and Julie and Kenton are expecting a new baby girl in November. Addison and Carley seemed to pick up right where they left off a year ago. Addison was acting like a big sister to Carley! Feeding her and tickling her.


While Dylan was occupied at school with his last few lectures, the girls and I played in Salt Lake city. We played in Liberty Park and went school shopping with Aunt Moni, which is always a wonderful adventure. I think Aunt Moni FINALLY found her shopping partner, Jessica! Madi gave us a private tour of her high school. East High School is the most famous high school in America, apparently! It is the high school where "High School Musical" movies was filmed. Jessica and Jaci loved exploring and reconizing parts of the school were the movie took place.



We went to the zoo and met, Zuri, the almost one-year old elephant. She was playing all around, kicking a ball and splashing in her mud hole. She came up to the glass window where Jessica and Addison had their faces pressed up against and several times rubbed her muddy trunk all over it. It reminded me of a toddler finger painting. I don't think Addison will forget that moment anytime soon!



Aunt Moni and Uncle Mike treated all of us to an awesome day at Lagoon Amusement Park. I was so impressed with how much Addison loved all the rides. Any ride that she was tall enough for she tried and giggled the whole time! Even the super fast spinning rides made her so happy! She would say, "That one made me laugh!" Jessica, Jaci, Madi and Mack came with us and it was a full day of spinning, rapid-riding, roller-coasting, churro-eating, funny madness!




After Salt Lake City we drove to Colorado Springs. We decided to take the scenic route. It wound us through the mountains. It was scenic alright, but long. Nine hours or so later we made it to Sara's house. Dylan interviewed with an allergy and asthma clinic in Pueblo, Colorado. Dylan and I spent a day driving around the area looking at houses and talking to locals!

We spent one day playing at Water World in Denver. Addison and Ellie enjoyed playing in the kiddie area. Splashing and "falling" down the water slides! We had an awesome dinner in Castle Rock at a Japanese Wok Restaurant. Jessica and Jaci weren't too sure at first. The Japaneese man flipped and chopped and cooked on the Wok we were sitting around. I was proud of the girls. They tried all sorts of new food, including shrimp and ended up loving the food. It was so much fun and the food was to die for!




(My camera died. Most of the CO pics are on Sara's camera!)

On our way home to Montana we drove to Jackon Hole, Wyoming and spent the night. We shopped and went out to eat. What a fun little town.



The morning of our fourth wedding anniversary we drove through Grand Teton National Park. Although it is amazing to see from the road, I have decided the only way to truly see and appreciate the Teton's is with a backpack on your back and a good pair of hiking shoes on your feet. I hope to make it back soon and take a week and hike and camp around.




After Teton, we drove into Yellowstone. Jessica and Jaci had not been before and were excited to see it. We only saw a lone buffalo and a few elk, but the geysers and boiling lakes were impressive. Old Faithful lived up to her name and delivered a memorable show.




It was a fun couple of weeks. I was so happy my little sisters came with us. They are such great girls and I am really proud of them. Plus they are an amazing help with Addison.

In My Daughter's Eyes

Sometimes you hear the words of a song you have listened to for a long time and you realize exactly what you heart is feeling at that exact moment you really hear the song....

In My Daughter's Eyes

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the
world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me gives me
strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand
around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about

It's hangin' on when your heart
has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daugter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy
she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes

Graduation Trip

Dylan graduated! Dylan, PA-C!! (Well, he will get the -C after next week when he passes his boards!) Wow, I really never thought those words were ever going to come out of my mouth. The past 27 months have been a whirlwind of joy, excitement, stress, elation and sadness. I think back to when Addison was a tiny 5 months old and we pulled out of our secure bubble of Montana and drove into the scary big city lights of Salt Lake City. We were excited about the new faces and new places we would see and saddened with leaving behind our home, family and friends. It flew by in a flash. Dylan studied and studied and studied! After 15 months of the big city we came back to Missoula. And Dylan studied and worked and studied some more.

When Dylan accpeted his diploma they asked each student to say a few words and I quote, "I guess I can't be the only one not to say anything. Thank you to my family for their support. This is the most expensive piece of paper I have ever held!"

Amazon

Our beloved leopard gecko, Amazon, has died. She developed some sort of eye disease which caused her eyes to scab over. Being unable to see she was not able to hunt the worms she eats. For about 3 months I force-fed her a lizard vitamin fruit mixture but without meat she lost weight fast. She died when we were on our trip to CO and UT.

I told Addison, "Honey, I have to talk to you about something, your lizard died." She said, "Oh, why." I said, "Remember how she was sick and wouldn't eat, well she died." She wrinkled up her nose into her sad face and said, "Ohhh." And ticked her little tongue they way she does when she is sad or excited...Then she was over it!