Brian finished Anesthesia school! It's been a long 28 months, but he did it! Blake & I flew to Erie for the last time on Friday, May 8th.
Saturday, May 9
Look who we found in the hotel on Saturday morning!
We went down by Lake Erie to take some pictures. Top left, Brian and his cute little family. It was so nice that Ken and Cindy could come for the big graduation day. Celia's parents Mike and Grace and grandma Jenny Clift were there to help celebrate too.
After pictures we went to lunch at Texas Roadhouse.
Graduation was held in a nice big room in a hotel. There was a nice dinner before the graduation.
They had these nice pictures up on the big screens as they called the graduates name. We are so proud of you Brian! Maden got really bored and tired, so he just went to sleep.
Sunday, May 10
Since Brian is going to be working with Blake, they are moving back to Idaho! Blake and I were driving a car home for them. We started heading west about 8:30 Sunday morning. Annie and Maden thought it was fun to pick some "flowers" at a gas station somewhere in Ohio.
We arrived at Cindy and Ken's about 4pm. I don't know why these are the only pictures I took there! We just chilled out and rested up to get ready for our long car rides. Thanks for a great pit stop, Cindy and Ken!
Monday, May 11
We got up really early and were on the road about 6. It was raining really hard about the time we hit Chicago, then we had some pretty strong crosswinds the rest of the day. We planned to travel about 10 hours and stop in Kearny, NE.
We stayed at an AmericInn in Kearny. Maden was thrilled that there was a chess set in the lobby. He taught Grandpa and I a few things about the game.
Everyone enjoying being out of the car and having some swimming time at the hotel.
Tuesday, May 12
Once again, we got up early and hit the road. We had another 10 hour drive to reach Wolf Creek Resort near Ogden, UT. Once again we had some strong crosswinds, but they were coming from the opposite direction this time.
We spent a long time in the car with only two stops, and they were very short stops, just to get gas and use the restroom. Annie and Maden were amazing little travelers! We all cheered when we saw the sign saying we were in the Mountain Time Zone.
There was quite a bit of snow along the way in Nebraska and Wyoming.
We went to the hot tub at the resort, Blake had a spider that looked like it crawled out of his belly button! Don't know where that came from! Annie thought the hot tub was too hot.
Wednesday, May 13
Brian passed his Boards! It was a very hard test, and he had a miracle and passed! Now everything is sent in and he's just waiting to get his license!
We made it home to Blackfoot! Maden wanted to play pool first thing. Annie just had fun rediscovering everything. She loved swinging, and Maden loved picking up pine cones with Grandpa. Annie thought this magnet toy made a good camera, she's telling me to say "cheese". The kids stayed with us and Brian and Celia went and slept in their new bed in the home they've rented in Idaho Falls.
Thursday, May 14
They loved using both sinks to brush their teeth, playing with the toys and playing more pool. Nikelle brought Molly to meet her cousins, Annie loved the baby and wanted to hold her a lot. Grandpa got a bunch of fingernails cut, but not Maden's! Annie went with Grandpa to the John Deere store and thought the trike there was really fun.
Maden got in the hot tub, but Annie thought it was too hot. Then suddenly she thought it would be ok. They had a great time!
Saturday, May 16
Brian decided to have their belongings shipped via UHaul Pods. Cindy and Ken had gone to Erie the week before graduation to help them load the pods. They got it all in 2 and sent them on their way. The pods arrived in Idaho Falls on Friday, and we went to pick them up on Saturday morning. Of course, it rained the whole morning.
They were packed pretty tight. Randy, Blake, Jared, Brian and Maden had them unloaded in about 1 1/2 hour. Maden thought he was one of the big boys and they found boxes that he could lift. He loved helping.
After everything was unloaded, we got some pizza. It was nice to have so many chairs to sit on. The kids were excited to find their trikes and bikes and try them out on the new driveway. Courtney even had to try out the little bike.
We are so excited to have Brian, Celia, Maden, Annie and the new little one who will arrive next month back in Idaho again!
