I wrote last week's post from the airport in Portland just before I flew down to Utah to be reunited with my family. The flight went smoothly, albeit long (hey, at least the tickets were cheap), and I soon found myself in the car with Wendy and Brandon on the way up to Downey, ID.

Some of you don't know where Downey is, so I will explain: There is a large expanse of nothingness between Pocatello, Idaho and Brigham City, Utah. Right in the middle of this vast area of sagebrush and...well...more sagebrush, there is a gas station. This is Downey.

I went to the city website and found out that the population is 650 and the city tagline is "Welcome to Downey: raising cattle, crops, and kids." No joke. And it makes me wonder if there is anything significant about the order they listed these things in. Oh, and it is also a city where they couldn't find normal wire to run a phone line so instead they used barbed wire fences that were already put in place by the local farmers. Again, no joke.

So why, you might ask, was I going to Downey? Well, remember that gas station? Rachel's dad built it. Actually, the whole family did, and Downey has become a meeting place for the family every Memorial Day where they can all go and talk about how glad they are that they don't live there any more. And it is where Kelly, Rachel's father, has made his final resting place after being struck by a car a few years ago.

And so we went to Downey, and with the rain pouring and the wind howling we paid our respects to those who were passed.

And I hugged my kids.

As soon as they saw me all of my children got the biggest grins on their faces and came running at me with outstretched arms chanting papa, papa, papa, as if I had just scored the winning touchdown of the super bowl. It was a very rewarding moment as a parent, and even more rewarding since every time they saw me again for the next HOUR they cracked up into giggles and came and gave me hugs and begged to be held and started the papa chant thing again. I love my kids. They are amazing.

After we were done in Idaho we all drove back down to Utah to stay with Rachel's family for a while. Most of them were still working or in school, so there was time for us to be able to help out around the house or in the yard while they were busy. While doing this I got totally reved up about owning a house some day that I can work on. Maybe it's a guy thing. Maybe I'm weird. Maybe both. But I really enjoy being able to fix things up and make them look nice- especially when the only difference is a couple of hours invested in good hard work.

We also spent a lot of time at parks. The "hanging monkey bars park," as Evelyn calls it, had something for everyone: a playground for Evelyn to be a "rock climber", trains to keep Jackson mezmarized, and grass for Adalie to eat while making cow noises. Yep, she sometimes forgets that she is a person and goes into cow mode. It really is very strange.

Also slides. Addy LOVES the slides and will dive down them with reckless abandon. She does NOT like it, however, when there is nobody to catch her at the bottom and she is launched face first into the wood chips. She actually did this a few times, which concerns me because I would really like to think she would learn after a while that this is no fun. Also, it turns her into a big, blubbering, whiney heap of tears for the next several minutes.

I liked it better when she was a cow.

When we were all able to be together we played games. This allowed for a lot of good conversation, as well as the chance for me to firmly establish myself as the undisputed loser of Uno Attack. Also, I need to make a special mention here of Brandon's robotic wings he crafted for the costume contest at a Sci-Fi/Fantasy convention that was recently held in Salt Lake. They are (offically) cool! He won first place. I guess that's what you get when you let a mechanical engineer enter the world of costume design.

On Saturday evening after the kids woke up from their afternoon naps we all went over to Marissa and Wesley's apartment for a BBQ and pool party. Evelyn took to the water right away and was soon jumping off the edge and pushing off from the wall all by herself. Addy and Jack took a little while longer to warm up to the idea, but after a while they were also giggling and splashing while we carried them in the deep water. I think that we will definately be involved in a lot of water activities as a family.

After the pool party the plan was to drive back to Rexburg to be with my family, but after a brief conversation in the car we decided that we were having so much fun in Utah that we might as well stay a few extra days. After all, what's a vacation if you can't be spontaneous and change plans? So here we are, still in Utah...and loving it.


Here is a screen shot from Brandon's 3-D design software that he used to help make his wings. I'm thinking he might have had the competitive advantage in this contest.

A few pictures of us goofing off at "the hanging monkey bars park."

Group pose after a good afternoon of work. The task at hand: dig a 4" deep hole. Yes, it took all of us.

Well, compared with last week this one was pretty boring. Actually, compared to any week, this one was pretty boring. I spent the majority of my time in a hotel room watching Netflix and television.

But first, let's go back to Monday night. On Monday we found out that the landlords of the place we were planning on renting in Post Falls decided that they wanted to change the terms of the contract on us to make us stay for a minimum of one year. Whoa! For a place that originally started out being a month-to-month rental this was a huge change, and not one that we were okay with. See, we are going to (hopefully) be purchasing a home in the near future, and we would rather not be responsible for a rental payment on top of our new mortgage.

So, here we were with only one day left in town and nothing in sight as far as housing goes. This is when we started getting nervous, because in a few weeks we were planning on returning with the kids and we needed a home to move into. We started making a lot of phone calls to everywhere we could think of and asking them if we could do a month-to-month or a 6-month lease. The only place we could find was a single-wide mobile home that looked like a rusted-out bus, smelled like cigarette smoke, and was placed next to a train track that ran every hour (but it did have a grown-over playground next door).

We were stuck. Suddenly we found that our plans were changing and we couldn't do anything about it. Maybe we wouldn't be looking for a home purchase for another year. Maybe we would have to live in a run-down trailer park. Maybe we would have to increase my commute to work every day to over an hour. These were the things we were talking about when we received a call from Geri- the owner of a cute little duplex that we had seen. This was the final place that we had any hope of getting. And she told us...

One year minimum. That was it. The final nail in the coffin, so to speak. We were completely out of options. After a feeble attempt at graveling, Rachel politely told Geri that we weren't interested in a one-year lease and hung up the phone. We could do the trailer. It was only short term. We could drive to places for the kids to play. In fact, we didn't really need to be home at all except for at night time to sleep. There was a nice library in town where Rachel and the kids could hang out all day. And the little park next door wasn't that bad.

But it was no use. We weren't good enough liars to convince ourselves that the next 6 months would go smoothly, and the truth is, we were a little depressed about our situation.

And then, after about 20 minutes of this, the phone rang again. It was Geri. She had a feeling that she just couldn't shake despite her own business training and despite all the advice from friends and despite what was her normal way of doing things. This feeling was that she should rent the duplex to us for a 6-month term.

Of course we immediately accepted the offer before she had time to change her mind.

And this place really is great. Out of all the places we looked at, this one is by far the nicest. I don't have pictures with me, but I will try to put some up next week if I can. We are very excited.

There is one downside. We had to change wards. I guess this isn't really a downside, since I'm sure that our new ward will be fantastic. But I am a little bit sad about it.

I don't know if you have seen the Disney/Pixar movie "Cars." If you have though, then you will remember a part at the beginning when it was introducing Radiator Springs, a small and forgotten town off historic route 66. During this part a couple of lost travelers find themselves in Radiator Springs and the town completely pounces on the unsuspecting "visitors," doing their very best to roll out the red carpet for their new guests. And even though they are only animated talking cars, I always felt a little bit bad for them when the visitors explained that they had no intention of staying.

Well, I feel like Rachel and I were the visitors. The ward we thought we were going to be in totally made us feel welcome, almost killing us with kindness in the process. We had help when we needed it, a free place to stay, and free meals every night. It was amazing. And now I feel like I am turning my back on these new friends and saying "thanks for everything, but we're leaving."

Like I said, it's not really a downside, but it makes me feel a little bit bad.

Anyway- that was the exciting part of the week. Now for the boring part.

On Wednesday morning Rachel dropped me off at the airport and then drove down to Rexburg. I'm sure she has had a lot of fun there, but I can't tell that story because I wasn't there with her. As for me, I arrived in Portland after a one hour flight from Spokane. There, I found the cheapest hotel in town and made reservations. When I got there I found that they had 3 cats living inside the hotel that were allowed to wander around freely, and that the whole place smelled like smoke. But it did have a free breakfast, was right next to a bus stop, and across the street from a Walmart. What more could I ask for?

...On Saturday afternoon I re-took the endodontic portion of the licensing exam (remember the dynamite in the tooth from 3-27-2011?). It only took two-and-a-half hours. I was in Portland for 5 days. Baaaaahhhhhhh (That was me expressing frustration at the sheer amount of boredom I have had to endure). The good part is that the exam went well. And I got to see Portland. There are a lot of weirdos in Portland. Seriously. It's beautiful, but I don't think I'd want to live here.

So here I am, back in the airport waiting for a flight that will take me to Salt Lake City. There, I will catch a ride with my in-laws up to Downey, Idaho, where I will be reunited with my family. I am excited. It has been almost two weeks since I saw my kids. Excited.

Instead of posting pictures this week I want you to go out and hold a cat, find someone to blow cigarette smoke in your face, and find a lame television show to watch. Do it for me.

I'll try to get some pictures of our new place up next week.

What a week! So much has happened over the past seven days that it is hard to believe that only a week has gone by since I was sitting on my front porch in Cleveland eagerly anticipating graduation.

Let's go day by day.

Monday:
Monday morning our house did NOT look like we were moving out is less than 24 hours. Somehow though, with the help of Allison, my parents, and some friends, we were able to get everything cleaned, packed, and loaded up by the end of the day. The U-haul was totally packed to the point that I began to fear for my life when I opened it lest the whole mound of "stuff" come pouring down on top of me. Luckily it didn't though.

Tuesday:
We woke our kids up early and put them in the van we borrowed from our friends (ours was already on the trailer attached to the U-haul). On the way to the airport Evelyn said goodbye to all of the things she had known in Cleveland. It was a bittersweet feeling to actually be doing this move. It didn't take long to unload our kids and wave goodbye as my parents and Allison took them into the airport. Now it was just Rachel and me.

You know, I've had the feeling for the past several weeks that I can only describe by drawing the connection to something most people have experienced. Roller coasters. Stay with me here, because I have been trying for a long time to figure out how to record these thoughts and feelings, and I think that this works.

So, you get on the ride because you know that in the end it will have been fun. The cart takes off slowly enough and everybody is smiling and having the time of their lives. But then comes the part where you start going up. Click. Click. Click. Higher and higher- way higher than it looked from the ground. It isn't long before you start questioning your sanity for ever stepping foot on this thing because there is no way out now but to ride it through to the end. Click. Click. Click. Higher and higher. And you know that with the last click, you are going to plummet downwards into a series of twists and turns that, to you, is totally unpredictable.

And then, just as the car reaches the crest of the hill, there is a moment when you take a look around and think, how pretty. Let's just stay up here for a while and enjoy the view. We don't need to move forward- that sounds scary. This is comfortable. And you might even start to wish that instead of getting on the roller coaster you had joined the swarms of young children and grandmas that were riding the little trams back and forth across the park. They seemed happy, and they didn't have to risk their lives to do it. How easy would that be?

And you ask yourself for the hundredth time, why do I keep doing this? Why do I always have to find the biggest, fastest roller coaster that there is? Why can't I just content myself with the tram? What's wrong with me? Why can I not help but to think big?

And then your stomach starts rising out of your throat and you realize that you are in free-fall and totally, one hundred percent, out of control. And you scream.

Well, that's pretty much what happened inside of me on Tuesday morning when my kids left at the airport. I was screaming inside.

Over the past several years I feel like we have been slowly moving up, up, up. The view has gotten better and better. And as I tried to ignore the inevitable drop that was looming in our future, I became very comfortable with the easy predictability of life. Last Sunday when I graduated I felt like I was on top of the world. Things had never been so good.

And then my stomach caught in my throat when I realized that for the next several months I would be in total free-fall. Starting Now.

Wednesday:
The good thing about roller coasters is that usually the gut-wrenching feeling of doom only lasts for a couple of seconds. And then you realize that, while the end of the world may someday come- that day was not in the near future (I had to make reference). But seriously, after just a couple of seconds of complete and utter terror, you suddenly realize that you are smiling and that you are actually enjoying yourself, and that the fear you had was more of the drop itself than for the twists and turns that followed. And the drop was over (or at least, almost over), and you were still alive.

That was Wednesday.

I was driving across the country with my beautiful wife, on her birthday nonetheless, and completely loving it. And oh how we drove. I'll just say that we became very familiar with the inside of that noisy, gutless, gas-guzzling truck. When we both got too tired to drive we would sleep in the back of our van where we had somehow fit our queen-sized mattress across the seats, and then we would wake up and drive some more.

Thursday-Saturday:
We arrived in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho on Thursday at around 11:00 am.

We have spent the past few days becoming familiar with our new town. This place is incredible! I honestly don't think I could design a better place to live. Here's a rapid breakdown of our agenda over these days:

• Go to Q'emlin Park (Fact: There is nobody who actually knows the pronunciation of this park) and hike around in the beautiful alpine setting that is just three minutes from where we are going to live.


• Go to Taco Loco- a locally owned taco shop that I inexplicably fell in love with from the moment I saw it. Strange, I know.


• Go to Wal-Mart and wash up a little bit in their bathrooms since we haven't showered in several days. Sort of gross, I know.


• Unload the U-haul into a storage facility. A few members of the local Elder's Quorum came to help us. One of them rents out rooms for a living and offered to let us live in one for free during our time here, and the Relief Society of the area made sure we had dinners for the duration of our stay. I love the church and the instant connections that it provides. Hopefully one day (soon) I will be able to be on the giving end of things.


• Hike Tubbs Hill and stare in awe at the perfectness of this place. I seriously think that this may be the prettiest place to live in the whole world.


• Hang out at the park by the Coeur d'Alene resort and think about how fun things are going to be when we have kids here.


• Look at houses and realize that in the very-near future we will be able to buy a home that perfectly fits our needs.


• Go to Corbin Park and see the perfect kayaking play spot that apparently gets a lot of attention in the summer. There is also a swimming hole right next to it and a put-in for a 6-mile class III stretch of river. Again, about five minutes from where we will live. I'm in heaven.


• Go back to Q'emlin park in the early morning for some rock climbing. I love this place! We did three different climbs on these beautiful granite cliffs and realized how much we had missed climbing. There are over 120 climbs in this area, with a few more going up every year. Remember, 3 minutes. Amazing.


• Get a place to rent while we are in the process of finding a home to buy. I think we may end up paying a bit more than we had hoped for, but that's okay. We will have a fenced-in yard, and that will be great.


• Go to another park (I forgot the name- there are a lot of parks around here) and see, what I think, is the most beautiful home I have ever laid eyes on. We looked it up and apparently it is owned by the guy who sits at the top of a big multi-level-marketing (legalized pyramid-scheme) company. At 28,000 square feet (in the main house) I think it would be uncomfortably large to actually live in though.


• Go out to dinner at the Olive Garden to celebrate Rachel's birthday.


• Look at more homes.


• Go to Falls Park (2 minutes) where they have stocked fishing holes for kids and adults, and a view over the waterfalls. The river is totally swollen right now and the falls are amazing. (Fact: It is impossible for anyone with the last name of Hazard to see any sort of whitewater without engaging in a serious discussion about how one would go about running it in a kayak).

Sunday:
We went to church and met our new ward. They are very welcoming, and we were very happy to see that during sacrament meeting there were times when the children were louder than the speaker. We will feel right at home.

You know, as I've been writing this I came to the realization that the other thing about roller coasters is that sometimes they surprise you. Just when you think you have figured out some sort of rhythm to the madness it will suddenly switch directions and take you off-guard. But I came to the realization that this unpredictability, while being a little bit scary, is what makes roller coasters fun. That, I think, is why I love them so much. They keep life interesting. And fun.

And now for the pictures:

You can buy food in bulk! I know it's a dumb thing to be excited about, but in Cleveland you can only buy bags of flour in 5 pound increments.

Oh- the sweet feeling of granite!

Our first view of Coeur d'Alene. This picture does no justice to the magnitude of this place.

This is in Cleveland. After we dropped the kids off at the airport we went to the lake by our house and walked around it and reminisced and cried a little bit and vowed to ourselves that we would never forget how wonderful the past four years had been.

Evelyn's last nap in Cleveland. Actually, I took this picture because I thought it was sort of funny just seeing her little mattress in the middle of an empty room. I'm weird, I know.

Right now it is early morning and I am the only person awake. I am sitting on my front porch right now and commiserating over the past four years. There is a light rain falling- enough for the sounds and smells of rain but not enough to keep the birds from singing. It is beautiful.

I've been thinking about how great Cleveland has been to us. Rachel and I came here not really knowing what to expect. Actually, the very first time Rachel saw Cleveland was from the train- and she cried. Little did we know that we would totally fall in love with this place.

Part of it has to do with the sheer number of things to do around here. I think we can definitely say that we have "done" Cleveland. Of course there is the Rock and Roll hall of fame and the Cleveland Indians. But we have also gone to all sorts of different festivals, museums, venues, markets, parks, beaches, and attractions that are a little off the beaten path. And just when I begin to think that I have explored every nook and crany this city has to offer another surprise will pop up. That is the cool thing with big cities- they always have surprises. There is always something going on and some place to go. It's been a lifestyle that has worked well for us.

Another major contributor to the love I have for Cleveland comes on a more personal level. The other day I told Evelyn "her" story. I walked with her outside and told her about when we brought her home from the hospital. I brought her into our bedroom and showed her where the crib was, and then into the kitchen and pointed out where she would sit and eat. I showed her pictures of "baby Eva" when she was leaning to crawl and showed her the place where she took her very first steps. We then went back outside and I took her down to the forest at the end of our street and told her about how this was the first "walk" I ever took her on when she was just 2 weeks old.

As I was doing this, it really hit me that Cleveland will always have a special meaning to me because this is where it all started. When Rachel and I arrived here four years ago we did not have any children and our house felt huge! Well, according to some people we are now a large family, and somehow the home we have lived in for the past four years has taken on a much smaller size. I can't say exactly how I know this, but I think that being here for these few short years has permanently effected my family and the people we will all one day become. It's just a feeling I have.

When I think of Cleveland I also feel a certain sense of accomplishment. On the first day of dental school our dean came and gave a speech to our incoming class. At that time he told us to mark on our calendars May 15, 2011 . That was the day that we would become doctors. Well, in case you haven't noticed, that day is today. It's sort of crazy to me that this is the end. I have had this goal for a long time and finally it is happening. Later today I will proudly put on my wizard robes and march up in front of everybody to receive my diploma. And I won't lie- that feels good.

All of these thoughts were going through my head yesterday as we loaded up our truck. The friends, the activities, the living, the learning, the playing. Our house now looks a lot like it did when we moved in- empty. But it's not. Instead, it feels profoundly different. This house is still overflowing with love and with memories (and with people), and even without all of our stuff in it, it is still our home. Cleveland is our home. And we are leaving.

Goodbye Cleveland- it's been fun.

On to different (but not necessarily greater or better) adventures. Life is exciting.

Pictures: Obviously some of these were taken after I wrote the post.

First I'll show all of the obligatory graduation pictures. I like the wizard robes. They make me feel smart.

Here's Evelyn and Luke watching us load up the truck.

Here's Grandma, Addy, and Jackson watching us load the truck.

And here's Evelyn and Rachel- watching us load up the truck. It actually only took us about 20 minutes to load thanks to Rachel's excellent planning. All of the boxes we used were exactly the same size and all of the furniture was already disassembled. I have helped a lot of people move, and let me just say that we were easy. I am proud of that.

Notice Rachel's swollen cheek. Sadly, she had to have a tooth pulled this week. Even sadder- I couldn't be the one to do it because I had to stay home with the kids. Saddest of all- the doctor who did the extraction gave her over FORTY shots! WOAH! Talk about overkill. My jaw hurts just thinking about it.



We spent a lot of time at the park and just hanging out. It has been great having my parents and Allison here. They have been super helpful, and it has also been a lot of fun.

There is so much going on right now that I am going to use headings to delineate topics on this blog. Before I start though, I need to share a funny thing that just happened. We are going to the zoo tomorrow and Evelyn is excited. Well, just now Evelyn saw a picture of a guy with dread-locks on an advertisement and she pointed to him and said "Momma- Maybe we'll see that animal at the zoo!"

That actually reminds me of another funny thing she said this week (FB users will recognize this). She was "reading" a Disney princess book the other day. Here is her version: "Cinderella has a blue dress and glass slippers... Ariel has red hair like me and a pink dress... Jasmine does NOT have enough clothes on!...Sleeping beauty has a pink and blue dress..."

It's interesting to see what kids pick up on. Anyway, on to the headings.

Happy Mother's Day!
I don't really know how to write about my mom. There are so many experiances and conversations and mental photographs that I have which have shaped the feelings that I have for her today that it is impossible to really express how grateful I am for her. I know she is probably reading this right now and thinking "oh, that's nice," but seriously, I want you to know, Mom, that I love you. Recent events (you know, the cancer scare and miraculous recovery and all) have really helped to put in perspective our relationship. I feel like it is perfect. I enjoy calling you on my walks home from school just to chat. I love how we can do that. I feel like we are friends and I think that is cool.

I love how involved you are in my children's lives even though you live six states away from us. I know you don't feel like it is enough, but I think it is significant that every one of them recognizes your face and your voice, and that Evelyn can cite memories she has of being with you. They know your personality and they love you.

I love your zeal for life and I definitely feel like that has rubbed off on me. You have taught me through your example how to be happy. I know you feel like Dad was the "fun parent," (at least that is what you have told me) but you need to know that you were every bit as involved as he was in infusing me with optimism and passion. When you talk about the things you do, whether it is stories from kindergarten or from a recent vacation, I can see that you totally live life to its fullest and enjoy every moment for what it is. I want to be like that, and I think because of you (and Dad), that I know how.

I could say a lot of other things, but it wouldn't really do them justice. Just know that I sincerely love you and that I think you are the best mother a guy could have. That's all.

Happy Six Year Anniversary!
That's right- it has been six years (on Thursday) since Rachel and I kneeled over the altar in the temple and got married. They have been the best six years of my life.

Someone once told me that when you get married you have your spouse on a pedistal, and that as time goes on you start to realize flaws and quirks that bring them down to a more realistic level. Well, all I have to say is that I feel bad for that person for not having married Rachel. Yes, I think that she was absolutely on a pedistal from the day I met her. And yes, I feel like I know her now better than I have ever known anyone else in my entire life. But the thing is, that in my eyes, her pedistal just keeps getting higher and higher.

I don't think I could have married a more perfect person. We have definitely grown into each other over the past six years, and I think that we are both better people because of it.

She is my best friend in the world.

Happy anniversay Mango- I love you!

"The Move"
Our house resembles an egg packaging facility. Enough said.


Evelyn
Evelyn, Evelyn. This little girl has totally captured and melted my heart.

Evelyn, I have thouroughly enjoyed spending so much time with you this week. You have been a great helper as we are getting ready for this move and I have loved having you alongside me packing boxes. It was fun going to school with you and packing up all of my dental stuff.

I have loved the depth of the conversations we have had. You are such a smart girl and it is fun to listen to you tell me about what you are doing and thinking and feeling. You love coloring and playing with your doll house and we frequently do these activities together while "telling stories."

This morning you came and snuggled with me in bed and we talked for a long time about a lot of things. You are looking forward to moving, but you are also a little bit nervous. You will miss your friends a lot, but you are very excited about getting to spend some time with Grandma and Grandpa.

I know that this move is going to be a little bit hard for you. It is even harder for me, knowing that you don't fully understand how tough it's going to be. This week was your last week of pre-school and of dance class and of nursery. Tomorrow at the zoo you will see some of your friends for probably the last time ever. They have all definately been a part of your life and you have stories to tell about each of them. You love your friends. It makes me a little bit sad that you might not even remember some of these people, but at the same time a little bit glad that you are so young and that you will adapt quickly to your new location and make new ones. Don't worry sweetie, you'll be alright.

You, Evelyn, are an amazing dancer. I frequently dance around the house with you and I can freely admit that you are the better dancer between the two of us. When you hear music it's like you can't help it- you just have to move. Your dances are impressively "moody" and full of feeling. It's like you just have this natural ability to express yourself. I'm jealous. On Saturday you had a dance recital and you did great! I am very proud.

Every night after you fall asleep I go into your room and lay in bed with you for a little while. I always ask you if you know that your daddy loves you, and you always nod your head in your sleep. I hope that you really know that. You are truly -My-Little-Girl-

And you always will be.

Adalie and Jackson
I know it's not fair to group you together like this. Well, I have two things to say. First, get used to it. You are twins. You will always be grouped together. Second, I will do everything I can to help people see you as unique individuals.

And you are.

Addy- you are the cuddliest out of everyone. Your favorite thing is to bring me books and then snuggle into my lap as I read them to you. We would do this all day if you had your way. Today at church I got a chance to just hold you and love you for most of sacrament meeting.

You love dogs! Every time you see one, in real life or in a picture book, you totally crack up giggling and you can't stop repeating the words "dog" and "doggy." It is hilarious, and very, very cute. You are My Addy.

Jackson- you are a maniac! I mean this in the best way possible, but it is true. You are everywhere. If you could have your way you would just start running and never stop. Only you wouldn't run in a straight line. Nope. You are very easily distractable and you would end up running around in circles until you got dizzy and fell over. I know this because I have seen it happen.

You also have a very sweet and sensitive side which is starting to emerge and which is very specific to your individual personality. We have spent a lot of time together "figuring things out." You are so curious, and I have treasured these moments. You are my Little Man.

Both of you guys- When did you grow up? Holy smokes! I think that I might have been distracted by school or something, but this week I have come to the stark and kind-of bittersweet realization that you are not babies any more. I love it whenever you see me and you follow me around like little zombies chanting the words "Papa- Papa- Papa..." I am your Papa and I love you so much.

Well, this blog has turned into much more than I thought it would- in a good way. I honestly consider myself the luckiest guy in the world.

My family is my life.

And life is wonderful.

Here's Evelyn and Luke sharing a cup of milk after the dance recital.

My hippie girl. Adorable.

This is Elle, Evelyn's "best friend in the whole world." They are both princesses. Seriously.

Here's Evelyn's dance group.

She is so proud of herself- and she should be! I hope she is always able to stand with pride in herself and in her achievements- just like in this picture. This was taken at the dance recital (obviously).

Here is the video of her recital. In the first dance she is in the front on the far left. In the second, she is in the front on the far right. Enjoy!

-Before you read this next post, go back to last week and watch the video of Addy and Jack "exercising." I know it has taken a long time, but as promised, I finally posted it.-

For the past 24 years I have been enrolled in formal education. The only break in this learning streak has been the two years that I took off for a service mission in Brazil. Basically, school has been a very large part of my life for as long as I can remember. And I have to say, I think that I have gotten pretty good at it. But now that is all coming to a close.

Friday was my last day of formal education, probably, that I will ever have. I am done with school. It's over. This is as far as I go.

Do you know how bizarrely strange this is for me? Very.

Do you know how absolutely terrifying this is for me? Very.

Do you know how wonderfully exciting this is for me? Very.

Obviously I have some mixed feelings. This isn't the first time I have had these feelings though. When I went to Brazil, I first passed through what we call a Missionary Training Center (MTC). There, we focus most of our time on learning the language (in my case, it was Portuguese). And then after 6 short weeks of intense training, they set us lose on the world. The feelings that I have now are a lot like those that I had as I left the MTC. Yes, there was a certain dread of the unknown, but at the same time I felt like I had reached a plateau in my education, and I knew that unless I took this next step I would never go much farther than I already was.

School has been good to me. I have learned a lot. I have done a lot. But now I feel like I need to move on in order to really progress any farther. And I love learning! I am super excited to start seeing my own patients and putting into practice the things I have learned. I am excited about the experiences I will have that will allow me to go so much farther than I was ever able to in the confines of a learning institution. And I am really excited to never, EVER wear scrubs again (the pajama look, I think, just squashes any degree of professionalism that was ever there).

So here's what I have to say- Look out world, here I come. This is going to be a blast!

On Saturday we went to the park with some friends. Here are some pictures we took. I have the greatest kids in the world.

Oh, this felt good. Even at $4.00/gallon, gasoline has never been more worth it. (Yes, those are the horrid scrubs I have had to wear for the past four years)

Just as a side note, this recent increase in gas prices is coming at a very opportune moment for us. In about three weeks Rachel and I will be driving 2,400 miles in a truck that gets 8 miles (or less) to the gallon. This thought is almost as exciting as sitting and contemplating the loads of student loans I get to start paying on!

Rachel got to have a yard sale. As mentioned in earlier posts (5-30-2010), I am not too into the garage sale thing. Rachel, on the other hand, loves these events. Well, on Saturday, Rachel and a bunch of other people in our ward got together for a big fest of second-hand merchandise. At the rate that Rachel is selling our stuff we may not have to get that moving truck after all!

We were horrible parents and failed to dye eggs last week. I know- this is totally inexcusable and we should be cast into parent prison for our transgression of time-honored tradition. We tried to make up for it, however, by doing it on Monday for Family Night. Evelyn loved it. Adalie loved drinking the colored vinegar. No joke. I tell you, that girl does not discriminate- she will eat (or drink) anything!