June Vaca (uno)

This week we've been settling down from a great week long vacation! Daniel had the entire week off, and we celebrated the entire time!!!

First Daniel's sister Tina came to visit us from DC. I gave her my rendition of the Yale tour, and we spent the weekend relaxing around town. Picnics in East Rock, Hiking up Sleeping Giant, even a beach trip. It was a wonderful visit, we hadn't seen her in 2 years! I was amazed how it seemed like no time had past at all, it really was a great visit.

Have you ever seen a bunny at the beach?! It was soooo cute!

 Ps. Shout out to T and F for checkin out the blog! :) We love you guys!

Swept up in life :)

It has been quite a while! Sometimes when too much fun stuff happens, I get bogged down in my blogging, and swept up in life instead.

This has been a great month! Daniel competed in his Triathalon, I visited my Grandma in Utah, Celebrated Daniel's birthday, read a few good books, and went on my first New England beach trip. 

Daniel did an amazing job at his Triathalon! While he competed, I was in Utah, and by mid-day of the race, his mom Susan, and sister Raquel and I were texting each other to anxiously awaiting any news. Finally he texted me the words "I made it, I didn't die." I read the message out loud to everyone at my Grandmas, and we burst into a clapping and cheering in relief and excitement.

Daniel's birthday was also quite an event. I planned a surprise party for him, and it was so fun. Daniel made it challenging, as he unknowingly set up road blocks to many of my sneaky plans...somehow, we pulled it off though, and he was totally shocked when everyone yelled 'SURPRISE' as we entered the house. He screamed and jumped up and backwards, waving his hands in the air.

It. Was. AWESOME. 

We made an Ice cream cake. It was quite a disaster in the kitchen, but turned out nicely for the party. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it, and I'll probably attempt to make one again sometime soon.

Lastly, I went to the beach while Daniel was out golfing. It was warm, but overcast and a bit too breezy near the beach. I didn't mind, and found this tucked away spot to read and get some sun while being sheltered from the wind. 

I was impressed with the lush plant life in the dunes!
Friends here have warned me "They aren't like the beaches in Florida" as a disclaimer to expect disapointment. I feel like all beaches are different, and neat in their own way. I loved this one and was pleased to see my friends were right, it wasn't like any beach in Florida :)

Mothers Day!

This mothers day happen to also be Daniel's birthday {which was very, very fun...i will post that next}. However, I wanted to put up a little tribute to our Moms and say thanks for how wonderful you are! We love you both, miss you very much, and cherish the time we get to spend together with you!

Last weekend my mom and I went to Utah to celebrate my Grandmother's 70th Birthday {which I will also post next}. It was an amazingly wonderful visit that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world!

Last month Daniel's mom came to visit us in New Haven and it was such a treat! We loved having Susan and Raquel visit us here in New England, and get to see what our new life is all about. We explored New Haven, New York and attended a temple session together...a marvelous weekend!

We Love You Guys!!!

"I want to ride my bicycle...."

We had a busy, fun weekend, and went on a grueling great bike ride through Branford...the cutest little New England town you've ever seen. The road we were on was lined with beautiful homes, tiny views of marsh land, fresh leaves and vibrant flowers. 

Josh, Mattie, and Daniel 100% kicked my buns! I still had a great time and appreciated everyone's moral support :) Poor Daniel even walked with me up the wimpy hills that I couldn't cycle up...what a guy!

(bonus points if you know what song the title of this post if from...without googling it!)

Cadaver Ball and Some Dance Moves

I have to back track to post some pictures of Daniel's Cadaver Ball. It is a formal event held to honor the donor cadavers that were used by the med school students during anatomy lab in the fall.

 As I explained this to my Stepdad Larry, he said 'That sounds a little creepy'. Haha, I agree. But I think to the med students, who had to saw off their cadaver's legs, holding this ball is the nicest, uncreepiest thing they've done all year :)

Study Group! They've been through a lot together.

DB, Travis, Kaitlin, Dramos

 Among Daniel's classmates, he is not 'Daniel' anymore. He is "Dramos" 100% of the time. In the fall, everyone recieved a nickname, and Daniel's is randomly one of the most popular and well used among the class. When they are referring to myself and Daniel, we become the "Dramos's".

[how do you make things that end in an s plural again?]

 

This is Daniel's famous Snooki dance. Snooki is a girl from TV that Daniel impersonates very well with this dance move. I'm pretty sure every time he does it, one of his classmates will pee their pants laughing hysterically. The rest yell "DRAmoos!"

I might get in trouble for posting this one :)

Babysittin'

Besides my CES job, I babysit the cutest little boy named Orion. It's usually just once, sometimes twice a week, but during April, Orion's mom Eva went on a 2 week trip to Venice. Very exciting for her! I had the opportunity to watch Orion day after day, and we had quite a fun time together. 

Bright Blue Eyes and Super Blond Hair.....and Dimples! 

This was on one of our many shuttle rides around town. Eva is much better at writing how Orion speaks, but this is my best attempt at 'Ride the Shuttle' 

"Ida suddle? Okaaay"

I am called "Az-a-ze" 

 I love this one for some reason. Such a toddler. Bubbles. Phone. Not a care in the world.

 We visited a pet store one day...

...And slid down the big red slide a million times every day :)

He's become one of my favorite people here in New Haven. He's 2, very sweet, and VERY smart.

Fun Family Weekend

Daniel's mom and sister came to visit us last weekend! We had fun checking out New Haven, New York, and attended Daniel's 'White Coat' Ceremony. 

My pictures don't cover the whole weekend, but here are a few. These are of the ceremony
where all the PA class recieved their nice, professional 'white coats', marking the beginning
stage of becoming a clinician.

Daniel is hiding on the back row, just to the mid-right.

Raquel GREW this artichoke! It's her first baby 'artie' ever, and she flew it up to Connecticut to share with us :)
This sentence pretty much sums up Raquel. 

We went on a Yale Tour, checked out the British Art Museum, ate lunch at 'the carts' (a must), went to the Manhattan Temple, ate at Garry's Papaya and Magnolia bakery. Walked through central park, went to the MET art museum, and visited with Aunt Connie and Uncle Jeff. It was a great weekend, and we are so glad they were able to come visit us! 

p.s. there are flowers in central park too!