New picture for a new year

Blast from the past

As a kid at family reunions Uncle Gordon would make a 'black pig'-- an old tube tied at both ends, one with the hose in it. You turn the water on. As the water fills you can run and jump on it, like a sort of gymnastic horse. The winner was whomever was on it when it finally gives out and bursts.

So this summer at the Dixon Reunion my boys got to experience one of my fond childhood memories. They enjoyed just like I did. Thanks Uncle Gordon for the flashback.

We also got to hear my 4 uncles harmonize and sing songs Grandpa used to sing. I have videos, but can't get them to load. Sorry that you are all missing out on that one.

First Days

Okay this was over a month ago, but here are the boys first day of school pictures. I also took a shot of Jeff. It is his first day practicing real medicine. Of course I didn't get a shot of Alex on his first day. He did tell me yesterday while unloading the dishwasher that he has the nicest teacher, Miss Marcie. I am glad because he sometime fights going to school.

Library Heaven

The boys and I thought we'd check out the library here in South Jordan. So off we went to get our new cards. It is a very nice library that is fairly new. Oliver was hard pressed to stay within mom's check out limit. He was having his brothers take some of his books. While browsing the books Oliver turned to me and said, "I'm in library heaven." I didn't know there was such a place or state. I am glad all the boys love to read.

Actually got up early and exercised. The kids are still asleep. Jeff is off to work. All is quiet. I don't think the house has ever been this quiet. We are enjoying Utah and being back in Utah with family close by. I was a bit nervous about how that would all go. Our family has been very independent the last 10 years. It was very good for Jeff and I. We depended on each other to make ends meet in everything. I wouldn't trade that for anything. It is nice however now to have the boys ask if they can go to grandma's and be able to say 'yes' instead of answering 'we'll see grandma (or who ever) in 3 months'. I am loving my home and neighborhood. I turn into the neighborhood and take a deep breath. It feels like home-- peaceful. The boys started school, but are already off track with year round school. So this break is actually our summer. It is nice to relax. We have swim lessons, cub scouts, and are starting piano and riding lessons. We bought a horse property. I want the boys to be comfortable around horses. Oliver is mucking stalls for a little job. He loves that he has a little job and gets paid. I'll stop my rambling now.

19 states later

WOW!!! Jeff, the boys and I have been in 19 different states in the last month. We moved from Syracuse, NY to South Jordan, UT. We left June 27 and arrived July 9. We made a real road trip out of it. We had a great time seeing some amazing places and visiting with wonderful friends. Our stops along the way were: Washington DC, Jamestown, Yorktown, Virginia Beach, VA; Kitty Hawk, NC; Charleston, SC; Savannah, GA; Augusta, GA; Atlanta, GA; Nashville, TN; Santa Clause, IN; St. Louis, MO; Kansas City, MO; Denver, CO; and South Jordan, UT. There were some great highlights during the 12 days in the car. I'll try and post more about all the fun.

After arriving we waited a week for our stuff to arrive, had a week to start unloading, Seth turned 7, then we left for another 10 days of vacation. This time we went to Island Park, ID and Yellowstone for a weekend with Jeff's family. After that we went to Lake Powell on the Utah Arizona border with my fam. We got back Saturday night and Monday Jeff started work while Oliver, Bry and Seth started school. They go to year round school. It has been a whirl wind summer. I am looking forward to settling down in a routine. We had a great time this summer. I am sure that it will not be equaled.



We hit DC right at the beginning of the heat wave. The boys were wiped out. This is not a posed shot.

This is a favorite picture of mine in Jamestown, VA-- the first English Settlement in North America

Charleston, SC. Fort Sumter in the back ground.

Aboard the USS Yorktown a retired air craft carrior. Very cool!

By the Savannah Cotton Exchange. Savannah was my favorite city to visit.

Liberty Jail where Joseph Smith was kept for 4 months on bogus charges, then let go.

Seth pulls a silly face on his birthday.

Floating the river in Yellowstone.

Lake Powell tubing

ENT Graduation

June 11 was an amazing day. Jeff had his official ENT Graduation dinner. The night begins with drinks and appetizers, followed by dinner and a program. Dr. Kellman talks about each graduate to congratulate them. He likes to read from the opening essay from when they applied to residencey. Jeff's essay echoed what he is today and actually received a spontaneous round of applause. Dr. Kellman gives the certificate to me to pass along to Jeff. It is the departments way of saying thank you for supporting the resident. Jeff then got to say a few words. He still has to finish out this month, but he has his certificate. WOW!!! This is the end of Jeff's educational goals that he has been working on for the entire time I have know Jeff-- even before we were married. He has always wanted to be a physician. He didn't always know that he wanted to be an ENT. For a long time when he was asked what kind of doctor he wanted to be he'd say, "A good one." Now we are heading back West for Jeff to join a private practice in South Jordan, UT. I just want to say that I am proud of Jeff for the amazing amount of hard work and many long hours he has put in. I love you and am very proud of you.



Jeff, Spencer and Tucker-- The graduates.

Jeff and Dr. Kellman, his department chair.

A shot of Jeff and I

The boys came for the first hour during drinks and appetizers. It was a perfect way for the boys to feel the importance of the night, but not be overwhelmed with 3 hours of being perfect. Thanks Bruce for taking them to Doug and Connie's.