Launch Your Rockets!

June 28, 2014

Jake and Maren Cannon had some rockets they wanted to launch.  Since they don't have any kids yet (they got married the same week as Aunt Malea and Uncle Colton) they thought it would be fun to invite us.  We met them at Solite Park just down the street from our home.

Getting the rocket set up and ready to launch.

The kids were super excited.

Rocket is on the launch pad and ready for blast off!

Maren making sure everyone is at a safe distance.

The kids took turns pushing the button to launch the rocket.

I missed the rocket launching, but got a picture of the retrieval crew!

Dad is ducking between the bushes with Eliza and Nathan in hot pursuit.

Daniel beat them all to the rocket!

Our second launch was not quiet as successful...at least as far as landing and retrieval.

It was pretty high up in the tree.  It is on the left side of the tree trunk, paralleling the small tree behind.

We tried throwing things at it, but the parachute was caught in the branches to well.

We weren't able to use the last engine since we couldn't get the rocket out of the tree, so we moved to the playground to play and visit a little longer.

Eliza with her cape.  She has an unique sense of style. :0)

Bradley on top by the BIG slide.

After we got home from the park we saw this little bunny in the neighbor's driveway.  We have enjoyed seeing these little cottontails around the yard as well.  The kids love to chase them.

These last ones were technically taken on the 29th, the day before the movers came.

We packed our bags with everything we wanted to keep with us for the month we were homeless.

Nathan almost fit right in.  :0)

We are very excited to be moving on to the next stage of our lives, but we will miss the many friends we made here in NC.  Each of them has touched our lives and we won't forget them anytime soon.  Thanks!

Bye, Bye Box Turtle

June 28, 2014

We have all enjoyed finding box turtles periodically in the yard.  I am always amazed at how excited the kids get.  We found another box turtle in the flower bed early in the morning when we were saying goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa.  We put it in the wagon to wait until the kids got up to see it.  To see Nathan's reaction was priceless!

"Ooh a turtle!"

"I see it!"

"Turtle!!"

"Dad, turtle!"

"It get me!"

We moved it out onto the drive way so the kids could see it better.

This little guy was staying locked inside!

Daniel, Dad and Nathan

Daniel pretending to be scared of the turtle.

Nathan just kept repeating, "A turtle!" over and over again.  It was pretty cute.

Daniel with the turtle.

Bradley and turtle.

Nathan pointing at the camera.  He loved the turtle...from a distance.  He did not want to hold it.

After everyone had a chance to see the turtle we put him back into the flower bed by the front door where we found him.  He didn't stick around long.  As soon as we turned out backs for a second he was gone!  We will miss finding turtles in the yard.  I guess we will see what new kinds of critters are waiting for us.  :0)

Graduation Dinner

June 27, 2014

The last four years have been LONG and HARD!  There were times I didn't think either of us would make it, but we did!!  It was good to have Andy's parents come celebrate his graduation with us.

Proud parents!

Carla and Alpheaus

Andy's co-chief, Carolyn and her husband Ned.

They were excited to be finished at UNC as well.

The man of the hour!

He sure washes up nice.  :0)

The graduating chiefs.

Andy and Carolyn

Carla, Andy and Alpheaus

I joined them for a picture.  As I looked through the pictures later I realized this was the only picture of both Andy and I that I have for that night.

During the dinner the chiefs gave a short speech.  Andy did a great job.  He shared a short story about each of his attendings and thanked them for all he learned over the last four years.

He also thanked his parents for all their love and support and for making the trip out to the graduation.

I got thanked as well.  :0)

Andy, Dr. Turvey, and Carolyn

All the attending doctors Andy worked with over the last four years.

The out-going Chiefs with their Interns.

Carolyn, Esther Dixon(clinic supervisor) and Andy

Some of the clinic and OR staff.  They all love Andy and thanked me for sharing him with them for the past four years.  

Our neighbors, Marek and Margaret, kept the kids for us while we went to the graduation dinner.  They have been such good neighbors.  I am not sure what I will do without them!

Marek showing Andy pictures of the kids doing silly things.

We have all come to love and think of them as extended family.  Thank you so much for all you did to help us make it through the past 4 years!

Grandma and Grandpa in NC

June 27, 2014

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit and join us at Andy's graduation.  We played in the yard and relaxing most of the day, and then went to the graduation dinner in the evening.

Andy enjoying some relaxation and freedom.

Grandpa...being silly.  ;0)

There's the Grandpa we know and love.

Here we have the adult supervision.  (It can get kind of rowdy in the cul-de-sac.)

Grandpa, Grandma and Dad

Daniel getting ready to launch one of the stomp rockets.

Nathan loved the fan we set out to provide a little extra air movement.

Daniel has to be talked into smiling for pictures occasionally.

Daniel launching another rocket.  Notice the white streak above the car.

Sometimes the stomp rockets get caught in the tree.

What can you see hiding in the branches here?

A rocket!

And a football.

I threw this football up to get the rocket out and got the football stuck.

Notice this is a different football stuck in the tree. :0)

Andy threw this one up to get the other football and rocket down.

It took Grandpa with a small basketball to get all the balls and rocket out of the tree.

Way to save the day Grandpa!

After playing outside we had to have a little down time.

Grandpa in his usual spot on the floor.

This is what I found when I came down from getting ready for the graduation dinner.