It's late and hot, so just a glimps at our 4th vacation

Jason was able to take some time off from the clinic so that we could go enjoy some festivities down in Corvallis over the 4th. We had 2 wedding receptions, one BBQ, one trip to Newport and lots and lots of swimming and playing. During this trip we also managed to find a building that Jason is planning to practice in, talk to a loan lady about getting into a house and even a couple of dates!!!

Below are pics of the fun trip. We loved the atmosphere of Corvallis. Just driving into the city you start to breathe slower, drive slower and notice the little things. Somehow life just seems simpler there than here in the big city?!?!

Rilee soon traded in her pink boat for Taylor's water floaties so she could move around better on her own.

Taylor loved her floaties until she discovered that she didn't need them and could swim on her own. Jason spent one night in the pool teaching her the basics and before you know it, her favorite thing to do was get out of the pool, run to the opposite side of where Jason was and jump in. She's such a dare devil!!

This is the spot where Jason and Taylor had their dates every morning. Rilee and I would sleep in and J and T would get up, go have breakfast and then walk down to the river to skip rocks. Taylor totally loved the time she got to spend with her dad. This particular evening we were walking back to the hotel from the Red White and Blues festival downtown and Taylor was sure to stop her and explain her dates with dad and tell us all the ducks names.

Throwing Rocks!

Shower Buddy

Emily and I were roommates through college. We had 3 other girls living in our apartment with a total of 5 girls and 2 bathrooms. Surprisingly enough, the bathroom situation wasn't really an issue. Three girls shared the upstairs bathroom and Emily and I shared the downstairs bathroom, which was located right outside Emily's bedroom. I think that usually having to share a bathroom causes lots of frustration and fights. For Emily and I, however, it was the opposite. Every morning I would wake up, go downstairs and get in the shower. With the bathroom right next to Emily's room, she would wake up once the water started. At this point Emily would come and brush her teeth and sit on the toilet and talk to me. Once I was done with my shower, we would trade places and I would continue to get ready for the day while Emily washed her funk off. This morning ritual is one of my most precious memories of my college days. Emily and I are fairly different, so she always offered a different perspective to the boyfriend or school issue. I grew to love her to pieces. She is thoughtful, kind and very smart. She always thinks out every decision she makes and how it will affect those around her. I loved to hear the incite she could offer me. If she ever missed a day of talking to me through my shower, I was lonely. I hated those mornings.

Well as you can imagine, things were a bit different when I got married. I remember telling Jason on more than one occasion how much I missed Emily and our shower time together. Being newly married, he thought that was a bit strange, but would accommodate me anyways. What a good man I married!!

It's funny to me now that my girls have taken Emily's place. Not a shower time goes by where the girls aren't coming in and chatting with me while I clean up. They may not offer me the best advice on my life problems as Em did, but they do remind me that my life is so blessed.

Over the 4th we had the great opportunity to go to a wedding celebration for Emily and Ryan. It was beautiful!! I can't even express to you the excitement I had to see my shower buddy again. You know you have an amazing friendship when you are able to pick up right where you left off 5 years ago!!

HE DID IT!! HE DID IT!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!

Well Jason did it. He graduated from Chiropractic school. The ceremony was on Saturday the 23rd. I was amazed at the emotions that I felt during the graduation. I was all business leading up to the event. Getting family in town, getting the party prepared (my mom and sister did most/all of the work THANKS), getting us all dressed and downtown in time to find a seat and get settled. Once we were there with plenty of family to play with the girls, I didn't really have much to do other than reflect on the last 5 years that had been leading up to that moment. We had several opportunities for growing together and separately. This school experience was not just one of education for Jason. I had to learn to be more independent than I ever thought I would with two girls. At times I felt like a single mom with some guys laundry that I did every week. Other times, I was amazed at Jason's ability to put us first and his willingness to stay up all night to study just so we could play together in the evening. Jason is blessed with the ability to sit in a class and retain the information that is presented. With a bit of studying, he's able to pull grades that I would have to study countless hours for.
Anyways, back to the graduation day...I had such a sense of pride in my man. Being that Y is almost the last letter of the alphabet, we had to wait what seemed like forever to see him. He looked great dressed in his cap and gown waving at professors and family in the audience. A small lump started in my throat at the thought that this graduation was actually for him. See, he served as the ASB President for 2 years. With this position, we were able to attend many graduations and counted down at each one for when it would be him getting sworn in as a Doctor of Chiropractic. The lump in my throat disappeared as did Jason to the back of the group of graduates. The speeches were awesome. There was no sleepiness at all. Then came time for the regalia. They knelt as it was placed around their neck, then moved to get their diploma. The lump in my throat moved all the way up and out my eyes. I couldn't help it. I still can't. Just thinking of the accomplishment that this is for our family brings tears to my eyes. It was not an easy road for anyone, but WE DID IT! We have been working for this day our entire marriage and we did it!
After the ceremony they had a reception out in the foyer of the auditorium. We posed for lots of pictures and shared lots of hugs and congrats to other graduates and their families. Jason graduated with a great group of docs. If you ever need a chiropractor, I'm sure I know of a great one where ever you may be.
After lunch at Subs on Sandy :) and a party at my folks, the day ended with a Good night Dr. Young.

DR.YOUNG!!! Can you believe it?!?! WOW!! That's Awesome.

There was no way I could hold a camera steady during the ceremony, so I'm waiting for everyone to send me the pics they took. Once I get some, I will post them all for you guys to see!!!

While I was gone

While I was in NYC, Jason took time off from the clinic and school to be a full time stay at home dad. From what I hear, they had a blast. He took the girls to the zoo, the children's museum, the laundry mat (our dryer was broken) and out to eat ALOT!! This time was so good for them. I came home to the girls calling me dad, as they were use to being with him all the time. Jason said it was one of the best weekends he's had in the last 3 years. So cute.

Anyways, while I was gone I got an e-mail each day with a count down until I got home. This was something that I got to look forward to each night. SO FUN!! I couldn't find the photos of all of the days, but here's a sample (above).

Many many many thanks to Jason for being such a supportive husband and loving dad!!

Mandy escapes to NEW YORK CITY

Amazing!

My sister swore this guy was famous so Jessica posed as the subject of the picture so that we could get a shot of him :)

A view of Time Square at night from the Empire State Building.

Mom outside of Scott's Apartment

The island is where we stayed...a view from the airplane.

LDS Temple
Us at La Soup...I know that's not how you spell it, but sounding it out, it's right :)
Time Square
FAO Schwartz
The Lady
Ground Zero
Taking a break from walking across the Brooklyn Bridge
The actual Mulberry Street
This was a GREAT show!!!

Bling Bling!!

Mom teaching Drea how to do Sudoku puzzles on the airplane there.
Our first trip on the red bus to go to the city our first day
Drea and me
No, we aren't tourists, we know exactly where we are going.
Drea and Jessica on a side street near Wall Street.

That's right, my mom, sister, niece and I all went to NYC for a little R and R. We were there to celebrate my mom's birthday...it's the big 60 for her this year. What a blast it was. We were able to stay at a friend's apartment in the city while he and his wife vacationed in Europe. It was awesome. Their place was super cute and we really got a feel for what it was like to live in the city. Thanks Scott!!

We did everything there was to do in NYC over the 5 days that we were there. We walked in central park, shopped at Tiffany's, went to some Broadway shows, visited the Empire State Building at night, looked around in SoHo, saw the "Lady" (Statue of Liberty)and Ellis Island, and so much more. We seriously ran ourselves ragged, but loved it.

I had so much fun with my mom, Drea and Jessica. We've always been a tight group of girls, and it was nice to reconnect after being in our own little lives for so long. Happy Birthday to my mom!! 60 years young and many more to go!

First watercoloring experiance

The Easter bunny brought the girls some watercolors. This is now almost a daily event that happens in our house!

Easter Updates

Happy Easter Taylor
You too Rilee

Jason painting Rilee's fingernails with some polish she found in an egg.

How cute is Bryce?!?!?

We continued a tradition that my mom started with me a WAY long time ago...she has since informed me that my easter bunny died, so I had to carry on the tradition in his memory :) The girls awoke to little post-it notes posted right outside their door. These notes sent them on a treasure hunt to find their baskets. They loved figureing out the clues that eventually led them to the dryer for Rilee's and the oven for Taylor's. After frantically going through their candy and presents, we were off to church. After church it was to my folks for dinner and an easter egg hunt in the Oregon sunshine. SO FUN!!!