Introducing... Ephraim

So my parents moved from my hometown of Thatcher, Arizona and moved to Ephraim, Utah for a new job opportunity at Snow College beginning this last semester.  For my last week of vacation of my fellowship, I went to check out the new place and fortunately my two sisters came at the same time!  We had lots of fun including the BYU game, picnics, driving up the canyon, hiking the S, checking out all the good eats, and meeting all the very friendly people of the town.  Such a quaint cute place.  We're glad my parents left one small town only to arrive in another small town.  I also spent a day in Utah Valley with fall festivities at HeeHaws and hiking to Lake Blanche with friend.  So glad to see family again!

Utah

The beginning of July, Stephen and I drove up to Utah for a few short days to see my family.  My parents had just come back from Germany and driven across the country from Maryland.  So we had a few family BBQ's, ate at our favorite restaurants, had a picnic up the canyon and played some croquet.  And... I FINALLY got to climb Suicide Rock, a giant painted rock at the mouth of Parley's Canyon that I've driven by loads of times.

Not to mention I got to see this cute girl!  I love being an aunt :)

Thatcher

The beginning of June, I drove home to Arizona for a few days since Sonya and Tyler were going to be there for a week and my parents are moving so it was my last chance to go home, ever...

On the way, I stopped at Goldfield Ghost Town, just 10-15 minutes off the freeway in Phoenix.  I can't believe we had never been there before as a family on MANY of our day trips to Phoenix.  It was a cute little tourist attraction with restaurants, shops, and mine tours.

The next couple days in Thatcher were spent eating at our favorite restaurants-- R&R Pizza and Casa Manana, as well as going to Frye Mesa-- man made lake at the base of Mt. Graham and on the top of a giant mesa.  We spent the afternoon swimming and jumping off the wall of the dam.

And PLENTY of time was spent sorting through junk, getting rid of stuff, and packing up the memorable items.  Goodbye Thatcher...

Oklahoma City

My sister's husband, Tyler, graduated from dental school back in May and I was lucky enough to get 3 days off to fly out for the weekend.  I was lucky enough to be with my whole family too!  It was one of those rare times when all 6 of us can get together, which doesn't happen very often.  Sonya and Tyler have been in Oklahoma for FOUR years and it was my FIRST time there visiting.  Gulp, I feel bad I hadn't been before so it was fun to finally see where they are living.  And what can I say but, I really like Oklahoma!  It's a slower pace of life, green, wide open, and good BBQ!  Sonya was THE best host and party planner around!

Like I said, I wasn't there very long but still managed to see the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial.

Mom was also lucky enough to have all of her kids present for Mother's Day that Sunday.  And.... even luckier that I was on her flight back to Phoenix (on my way back to California).

The Parents

The end of February, my parents came for a weekend to visit and approve of my living and work situation :)  I think I passed their investigation.  Ok, I kid.  They came out for a few days, so I gave them the grand tour of Redlands and the hospital where I work.  On Saturday, we took the aerial tram to the top of San Jacinto Mtn, which is just outside of Palm Springs.  I've never before been in a tram that rotates around.  A 360 degree view was nice, but not when the person standing next to you keeps leaning on you because she won't let go of the rotating handrail.  Don't worry lady, if you fall, I'll pull you back in.  We took a short leisurely hike, had some lunch, the headed back down.  Couldn't have asked for a more gorgeous day!

My parents even got to attend my YSA ward and meet Stephen, so that made them some happy campers!

24 Hour Christmas

Wow, I'm SUPER behind on my blog, but there's no time like the present to catch up!  Speaking of presents... let's talk about Christmas.  But first, let's talk about holidays in general.  I think I missed EVERY significant holiday in 2013.  Let's start at the top... long distance relationship for Valentine's.  Boo.  In Honduras for Easter.  Boo.  Working the night of July 4th.  Double Boo (one of my favorite holidays).  Moved to CA 2 days before Halloween and didn't know anyone yet.  Boo.  Working on Thanksgiving.  Boo.  Working on Christmas.  Extreme Boo.  Working New Year's.  Boo.  What kind of profession did I go into anyway?!

So the point of all that was to tell you that I DID actually get to go home to Arizona for Christmas, but only for 24 hours the weekend before.  Well, there was plenty of time for some shaved ice, the temple lights, and.... that's about it.  My parents sent me home with a WHOLE suitcase full of presents.  So opening them Christmas morning before heading to work was just fabulous.

And work was bearable ONLY because we wore our ugly sweaters and I got to stay an hour longer to do a procedure.  Which meant I was an hour late to my Christmas dinner invitation.  They were just to kind to wait.  Not sure they appreciated my ugly sweater though...

Denver

Wow, where did September go??  I have some catching up to do!  For Labor Day weekend, the WHOLE family got together for the baby blessing of the newest little Anderson boy.  And what a cutie he is!  Where did all that hair come from??  So far all the Anderson babies have been born with a bushy head, hopefully my own will someday live up to that.  Why, you ask?  Because bald babies look like aliens.  Ok, so maybe that's a little harsh, but you know it's true.

We had a grand few days there lounging about, sharing memories, making new memories, and of course eating.  Everything revolves around food in our family.  Take for instance my list of places to eat this week before leaving Utah: J'Dawgs, Cubbys, Slab Pizza, Guru's, Cafe Rio, and The Happy Sumo.  There's not even enough days left in the week to make that happen, but I'm sure gonna try!  Just try and stop me.

I really like Denver and love its concrete skyline.  One day I aspire to live in a downtown somewhere-- you're close to all the action and the good food of course (see, what did I tell you??).  Plus, more people tend to be out and about downtown and I like that.  I like being outside.  Which is also why I like baseball so much.  I convinced my parents and brother to go the Rockies vs. Dodgers game and oh, what a game!!  There was hit after hit, such a high scoring game.  I couldn't be happier for my first MLB game of the season.  The seeds, peanuts, and 7th inning stretch sealed the deal.

Can't wait to see this little dude again!!

Graduation Week

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!  I'm actually DONE with PA school.  Where did the time go??  I feel like I just started.  I am also extremely glad to be done.  Yes, even though I have kicked it in San Diego, Honduras, and Hawaii for rotations, the last two years have been intense and exhausting.  I somehow passed all of my final comprehensive exams and never again have to introduce myself as a PA student.  How thrilling!  But man, what an exhausting graduation week.  I had written final exams on the Friday before graduation week, then practical final exams on Monday.  Tuesday and Wednesday were lecture days for Board prep.  On Thursday my sister and parents got into town just in time for my graduation party.  Booyah.

On Friday morning we presented our poster, representing our clinical project-- READ IT HERE, because you know you want to :)  That afternoon was the PA certificate ceremony.  Then some of my Mom's friends threw me a graduation BBQ/party for the whole family.

Then Saturday was the actual graduation!  It was combined with a few of the other programs like psychology and dental hygiene so was a little long, but so glad to celebrate with my classmates!  A degree well earned!

I was sure glad to be done with all the festivities and spend the next few days with my family showing them around Portland and then spending a few relaxing days in a beach house on the coast.  SO MUCH FUN!  We had a great time!  Love my family!  We missed you Ryan & Maranda!!

Indulging at the famous downtown food carts-- why did my favorite one have to be closed?!

Waterfront at the Portland Saturday Market

The delicious Voodoo Doughnuts!!  The line was forever long so we opted for the East side one.

On the Burnside Bridge

Typical-- what else can I say??

Multnomah Falls-- well worth the short hike to the top

Haystack Rock

Acting like "goonies" at Cannon Beach (movie reference anyone?)

The famous Tillamook Cheese Facotry-- squeaky cheese & ice cream!

Shopping and touring Depoe Bay

Fish & chips for lunch!!

Gleneden Beach-- sand volleyball without a net??

Roasting hot dogs and smores on the beach

Yaquina Lighthouse

I JUST LOVE THIS

SO WHAT'S NEXT??
I moved to Provo to be closer to family, friends and the outdoors while I study for my Boards, which I take in September.  Then I have all of October to play, mountain bike, hike, read books I want to read (!!), and travel.  Then I start a 14 month emergency medicine fellowship in Southern CA on November 1st.  Looking forward to it!