BYU-I Graduation

I finally graduated with my Bachelors of Science in Nursing! There isn't really a benefit at the moment but I'm just betting in the future there will be a nursing shortage and it will count for something :). My job doesn't change, my pay doesn't change, and it was a lot of work for a year and a half but I now have three letters after my name (BSN) instead of two (RN). I did the online program through BYU Idaho so all of the class work was online and then we had to set up our own clinicals each semester. My clinicals were spent at IMCs Neuro ICU, following a pediatrician at the instacare, at the homeless clinic down town, at a WIC clinic, and with my manager in the NICU. It was a lot of work working full time while doing school and clinicals I can't even imagine how someone with kids on top of that would survive! Drew was patient with a dirty house, dirty laundry, and not many homemade dinners for a year but then again he was the one who promised my parents I would get it in order to marry me haha. I do have to say I learned a lot in my religion classes and nursing classes with the bonus being the whole thing was free.. thanks IHC! Not only was Drew a big help (especially with my B of M classes) but my parents were amazing by encouraging me, proof reading my papers, and being my proctors for Pathophysiology tests.

 My dad was really looking forward to going to Rexburg for my graduation so I couldn't let him down and he headed up there for the weekend. He has been raving about this hamburger place in Rexburg and we have some relatives there so it made for a fun weekend. I have the best and most supportive family someone could ask for.. my aunt Janeal heard we were going and all of the sudden it turned into a fun family trip with my parents, Janeal, Tom, my Grandpa and my three cousins Ariel, Logan, and Jake. It was so sweet of them to all want to drive 4 hours each way for my graduation! We had a fun time at dinner and then Drew and I and the cousins shared a hotel room. It was a fast weekend with a lot of driving but I loved it and was so happy so much of my family decided to join in on the party!

 I pretty much owe my whole education to my parents! They have been awesome and paid for all of my schooling until BYU-I when IHC took over. They also paid for my housing when I lived in Provo and only slept there maybe once or twice a week.. oops. They have been so encouraging and have really showed me how important it is to get an education. I will never be able to thank them enough for all of there help financially and emotionally! The last year and a half they have kept telling me "all you have to do is pass" when I'm stressed... knowing it would calm me down but that I couldn't go for just passing..

 Blurry.. but the only picture of everyone that came.

I got my diploma in the mail today.. and I figured out as much as I think I don't like change there must be something inside of me that thrives on it because I had transfering credits from 5 five schools plus my final one at BYU-I on my final transcript. Drew and I are both so excited we are finally done and can come home from work and just relax instead of doing homework!

Catching up... Feb/Mar/April

Feb. was so crazy I forgot to use my camera and couldn't find my battery charger for awhile after the move. We bought and moved into our house in Draper while we were both trying to finish up school this semester. Our families and friends helped us a ton with fixing things and cleaning before we moved in (with no running water) and then moving us in. Thanks to everyone who helped us! We really appreciate it! On Valentines I used a pinterest idea and had a different gift for Drew to open every hour of the day.. cheesy I know. As soon as I handed them to him in the morning he asked if it was from pinterest haha. He has been patient with all my trying recipes and crafts from pinterest. After work we went out to dinner and a movie. That about sums up Feb.

In March my brother and sister in law had their fourth boy Weston in PA. I can't wait to meet him when they come for the month of July! Nats and the kids get to come to the rodeo and Matt joins us for our Montana family reunion.. can't wait!

In April Kylie had her baby shower for Jack. She looks adorable preggo and we can't wait to meet him in a couple weeks. We are lucky to have such a close group of friends Drew went to highschool with. 

 Our visitors we had in our back yard.  

Easter weekend we drove up to Rexburg for my graduation with my BSN!!! Finallly! Pictures to come... we drove back Saturday and drove straight to Spanish Fork for an Easter egg hunt at Crystal's house. On our way home we tried Buffalo Wild Wings despite my hesitation.. now it's one of our favorite places. In a way it reminds me of our times of Iggys with the sports and TVs and the food is fantastic! Easter day we went over to the Putnam's and had dinner and an adult Easter egg hunt.. Dave and Drew were so excited you would've thought it was Christmas.

The next Sunday we had Easter with my family. We had an easter egg hunt for the kids and had dinner. Brynley got these pjs and shoes from grandma and grandpa and we were all surprised with the pants until we realized she put the shorts and pants on together haha. 

 My sisters family.

Pyper and I did an easter craft day and got lunch at Rumbi.. yum! We both love wood connection and these are the things I made :)



Drew was a good sport (well he actually came up with the idea) and we went to City Creek the opening weekend. I loved it, the atmosphere is great and maybe one day I will be able to afford something from Coach or Tiffanys :). Can't wait to spend more time there this summer! We also tried the blue lemon cafe after we went to the temple for my cousins endowment and it is such a fun little place try it if you haven't!

At City Creeks opening Deseret Book had a coupon off anything in the store. My parents and sister have this picture and I have always loved it because it's different and contrast in colors is gorgeous. Drew found it and said we could buy it so I didn't hesitate! My parents helped pay for it for my graduation present... we love it!



~January~

Drew reading to the nursery kids. They (like all other kids) loved him. I have to remind him to be calm because one week by the end he had kids running across the table, throwing balls at each other, and he was being tackled on the ground.. yep I'm in trouble when we have kids.
My mom, dad, Landon (nephew), Drew, Landon (Drew's friend), and I went to a BYU basketball game in Drew's grandparents tickets. Landon was absolutely thrilled to sit on the floor with grandpa and kept jumping out of his seat he was so into the game.

The only picture I actually took.. for Danielle's bday we went to Texas Roadhouse and then for Christmas we all got Brian Regan tickets. It was such a fun night. The concert was hilarious I don't think I have ever laughed that hard for that long.

The whole group at Brian Regan

January was a busy but fun month. After the wedding festivities were over we went on a fun family date to Brian Regan and then bought a house! We closed on our house Jan 31st and moved in the 4th of Feb. We are still working on getting everything fixed and put away so I will post pictures when we are done. We are loving it already though! My top favorite things are:

Both being able to park in the garage

Not hearing people walk above us

Having a fridge with an ice and water maker in the door (amazing!)

Being able to change whatever we want

Decorating!

Having two bathrooms

Drew having an office

Having a walk in closest!

And having more room so Drew can watch tv and not bug me while I do homework

Oh and I can't forget.. not having a bite size oven and washer/dryer (I did all of our laundry in 3 loads yesterday that's amazing!)

I thought having a house was more work but didn't think it was this much work haha and it's not even summer with our big yard.

We haven't really met people yet or been able to go to our ward but we are excited to go tomorrow. I never thought I would say this but I miss the nursery kids from our old ward :(.

We are buying a house!!!

We put an offer on this house in Draper at the end of September. It was a short sale so we have been waiting for awhile. We finally heard the bank accepted our offer and we have to close by Feb 12th! We are really excited but kinda nervous. Inspection is done and we are most likely closing Jan 31st and moving in Feb 4th!

Danielle/Dave wedding!

Danielle and Dave's wedding was on 1/12/12. It was a gorgeous and freezing day! I love Danielle's dress it looked absolutely perfect on her! It was fun to be part of all of the festivities all day and see how happy they are. Danielle is such a sweatheart we love her. Drew has always told me no man could ever be good enough for Danielle until he met Dave. They get along great and Dave takes such good care of Danielle. The family always talks about how it is kind of creepy how similar Dave and Drew are (maybe that's why Drew likes him).

(No this isn't Drew's purple jacket he just forgot his)

The luncheon was at the Atrium. The food was delicious. This was the cute dessert with the temple chocolate.

I am lucky I have such great inlaws! Whenever I hear people's nightmare stories about inlaws it makes me more and more greatful for mine. Not only are my inlaws great but the extended family on both sides are great too.

The reception was also at the Atrium

Crystal/Josh and their cute kids

Drew looking good in his tux

Sophie and Jace entertaining themselves :). Crystal's kids are always so well behaved everywhere we go. One day I'll have to get tips from her. She has five kids yet you would never know it they are so quiet and well behaved!

The food at the reception was amazing! Robin, her sister Audra, and some ladies in the ward did it all! I don't know how they did it all but it turned out great! Danielle's favorite was homemade bread and jam.. yum!

Dave's favorites were all chocolate. Brownies, reeses cupcakes, kisses and more candy.

Right as Danielle was saying he would be nice Dave shoved cake ALL over her face. They both had cake all over their faces. Danielle is always a great sport. I would have killed Drew :).

It was a fun day! We wish Dani and Dave all the best!