The first week in June with no furniture

 Derek started in processing or his first real days of intern year!

Love him!

 The kids spent hours and hours outside looking for bugs. 

 And I spent hours and hours trying to keep Elara's diaper on her...

I gave up here and took a picture instead.

I did work on the yard a lot and it's amazing how many random things you have to do when you move even without furniture.

An endless supply of rollie pollies...

TEXAS!

 Driving up to this sign to get gas made me so happy! We were so close and it certainly was feeling like Texas!

 And then I saw this sign.

Texas is really quite beautiful! It was so green compared to New Mexico! It made me smile that we get to experience this new beauty!

When we officially got to San Antonio we got an awesome hotel that had a working pool. The kids were able to go swimming and we ended up staying an extra night because there was no end in sight when our furniture would arrive. 

The next morning we got our key and got to drive up to see this awesome sign for our new neighborhood.

And FINALLY getting to unlock the door and call this place home!

 I think the kids favorite part is the huge back yard. Getting them to see their new home was just awesome.

We had to buy a mini fridge and some air mattresses to make the next week livable, but we did it. At first we had Elara in our closet and Kael in his room and Eden in hers. It didn't last even one night. Both kids were so scared of the big empty house. We finally put them together until the furniture arrived and after that they did a lot better.

El Paso, Texas

We made it through New Mexico and arrived in Texas! We knew we were in Texas because they had a Rudy's and we could take the kids there for dinner! They LOVED it!

 We promised the kids swimming and were already striking out...

The pool in El Paso was drained and broken. HUGE BUMMER!

Here's what we did instead to get rid of wiggles from being in the car.

It wasn't great and water got everywhere in that tiny tiny bathroom, but the kids at least had fun.

 Then the kids got snacks and to watch a movie on the kindle before bed.

 At least Elara got worn out.

The drive to Phoenix

I'm not a fan of traveling. I'm a HUGE fan of seeing new places and exploring. I get car sick. I get tired. I get miserable. Just my lot in life. I drove with Elara and Odin. I got really tired getting to Phoenix. So, I took some selfies and got Elara grabbing her ponytail.

 But, we made it safe and sound to Uncle Josh and Aunt Emily's house.

We even have a picture there.

What I don't have are any pictures visiting with all the Aunts and Uncles and cousins.

The first night we arrived we went to dinner at Jon and Janice's house and visited with everyone and spent the night at Josh's house. The next morning we had a great visit with Great Grandma and Grandad Sapp. Grandma also took us to Burger King and the kids loved being able to play there. And the kids got to get measured on the wall again.

That I at least have 3 pictures from!

That night we drove to Jake and Nicole's house and had another get together with everyone and spent the night there and left early the next morning for El Paso, Texas.

Grandma and Grandad

At Burger King.

First stop Hurricane at Grandma and Grandpa Heaton's

 This is how I like to travel! Lots of stops. Who doesn't love to stop at Grandma and Grandpa's house for a slip in slide adventure with cousins and then a nature walk to a tractor... We got some good rest and then were on the road again officially saying goodbye and leaving Utah on to our next stop in Phoenix, Arizona.

 My sister in law Jill came with her two girls Ellie and Kenna. 

 I told Eden to share the strawberries she picked in Grandma's garden with her brother and sister, and she immediately shoved them all in her mouth so no one else could have one...

Last view of Utah. Goodbye Hurricane!

Saying goodbye to Utah or in my words See you later!

 Bradbury's goodbye. We will miss them as they set off for North Dakota and us to Texas. I think a road trip is definitely in order to see this fun family again.

 Kael's best friend Talal. These two played awesome and we are going to miss their family as they head to Illinois. :( We all took off in different directions this year.

Zoha and Eden. And me and their Mom Aneela Sadia. 

We have made so many great friends in the student housing at the village. Each year there is a huge turn over and we have already had to say goodbye to so many wonderful people.

Instead of goodbye I've been changing it to see you later, because I have every intention of seeing all of these people again and soon!

 Elara ready to hit the road!

Derek's Medical School Graduation

Grandma and Grandpa Heaton and Grammy came to help us celebrate Derek's graduation.

 There were a lot of graduates.

 Where's Waldo? 

 He got to walk right by us on his way to his seat again.

 Having a Mom that is handicapped just plain sucks. I mean really sucks. But, if you have to be handicapped at least they give you good seats right? The four of us in our seats.

 The program

 The boy walking through and getting hooded.

The dean of medicine talking. 

We had several people talk. My favorite was the medical student. They also had Dr. Mario Cappecci speak. But, he is a scientist for a reason if you ask me and not a full time public speaker, it was a great genetics 101 lesson though. :)

Bishop Price was our bishop until the month before Derek graduated and he was on the board of trustees and got to be up there when Derek got his diploma. It was kind of awesome.

 University of Utah Medical School Class of 2014

A boy and his Momma.

 Photos with friends:

 Stuart Curtis and Derek

 Anesthesia buddy

Kevin Kirk and Derek

German, Derek, and Patrick Bell

Patrick Bell, Bishop Taft Price, and Derek

After the graduation we grabbed the kids and went to celebrate with the Bell's and their family and Mom and Dad Heaton. We ate dinner at The Garden Restaurant at the Joseph Smith Memorial building. It was an amazing view of the temple and downtown Salt Lake City. We sure are going to miss the Bell's and it was a great last experience with them.

 Kael and Benji Bell

The Bell Family

 Grandma, Grandpa, Eden and Kael

It was such a great day and to finally say he is DONE with medical school. They actually handed everyone their actual diploma at graduation. We loved celebrating with friends and family and it is hard to believe we made it to this point. We are all so proud of Derek and his hard work for our family. He is the most amazing husband, father, son, friend! We are all so lucky to be a part of his life. 

We love you Derek!

Way to go!!!