Connecticut or Bust

Sunday morning we packed the kids up and start our eastward trek. I can tell you that Ryan and I have looked at each other at least a dozen times over the past few days and we can't believe we are in this crazy situation. Seriously? Three small kids and everything we own in the back of our two cars, headed for a new state, new job, and a new life. We have no idea what we are in for.

We packed up every earthly possession we could into the back of our minivan. We sold/good willed anything that wouldn't fit. Insane.

The precious cargo fit snugly into the back of the Toyota. I started out with them but Ryan and I have been switching vehicles periodically to keep our sanity. So far we are all still alive.

Our first night we stayed with our friends the Andrea and Tyler in Indiana. Sadly, I didn't take any pictures of us with them, but they were excellent hosts and the kids loved playing together. 

Davis has been doing a little of this and it seems to be keeping him from melting down too much. 

We took a slight detour to the Kirtland Temple yesterday and let the kids run around the grounds a little bit.

When D finally got out of the car, he had to learn how to walk again, his poor chubby legs were like jelly. 

Maddie was glad to be out of the car as well.

Five weary travelers in front of the Newel K. Whitney store. This was day two on the road.

Maddie trying to snuggle up to Ike tonight while watching cartoons in upstate New York tonight. Day three on the road.

Aside from Maddie losing her breakfast 1 mile from our home in Des Moines (seriously. 1 mile), the trip has gone better than I could have ever anticipated. No car problems, no mega-meltdowns, no potty accidents, and all the kids have slept like rocks every night. We have been very fortunate. 

That being said, I CANNOT WAIT to arrive in Connecticut tomorrow! And I don't want to get back in the car again for a long time...at least not for any road trips. If I ever decide that I want to voluntarily drive across the country again, someone please slap me silly and hand me a plane ticket. Ryan and I discovered that if you count our trek to San Fransisco after we'd been married just a year, we will have driven across this country from coast to coast. 

As I finish up this blog post in our hotel, I feel pretty lucky to have three great kids (all asleep...they always look so precious and innocent while they're asleep, I have almost forgotten how they were driving me crazy a mere hour ago), a sweet hubby who is easy-going and willing to role with the punches, and an overall awesome life. 

Connecticut or bust, baby, Connecticut or bust.

Graduation Weekend

Our Memorial Day weekend was jam-packed with graduation festivities, packing, and the beginning of our great move to the east coast. Ryan's parents came to town for Ryan's big day and it was great to see them and have them with us for the big celebration.

Davis wouldn't come within 25 feet of Grandpa Lynn when they first pulled up to our house in Des Moines, but it didn't take long at all for them to become bffs again.

Maddie and Grandma Mary-Ann at the graduation. Suckers were a life-saver there as well as on the road a couple of days later.

Davy on the lookout for his daddy.

Just seconds before Ryan walked across the stage to be hooded and receive his diploma, this little guy through a giant-sized tantrum. Since I was frantically hauling him out of HyVee Hall, I couldn't get a picture of Dr. Payne. I figured I should at least document Davis' fit while I had the camera all ready. 

Maddie hanging out in Grandma's camping chair after graduation. Lynn and Mary-Ann brought their own bed, their own chairs, and even their own towels to our place this past weekend because we literally had zero accommodations. Zero. They were troopers and we are so glad they came to share this special time with us.. 

I never got a picture of the whole family with Ryan in his grad robes, but here he is with his hat and ropes.

Kissing a doctor for the first time was even more amazing than I imagined.

My favorite quote of the weekend came from the words of Mark Twain:
"I'm glad I did it; partly because it was worth it, but mostly because I shall never have to to it again." 
Good work Dr. Payne!

Spring Family Photo Shoot

Are you sick of seeing our family pictures? Great, me neither! We are super lucky to have both a fantastic photographer in our family and another great friend here in Des Moines, thus getting our family pictures taken four times in the last year! Here are a few of the latest favorites.

All photos courtesy of Chrissy Jo Parkinson.

This Might Have Been the Start of Something Big.

Ryan pretending to be a doctor. How priceless is this photo, considering what he has accomplished over the  past four years?

Can you believe this was taken almost 30 years ago? Ryan graduates this Saturday with his doctorate and I am so proud of him. I bet his mom never imagined when she took this picture so long ago that one day her little angel boy (that's what she still calls him...to this day) would accomplish such a great undertaking. I mean really, what kid hasn't played with a toy stethoscope a time or two?

Ryan and Isaac just after beginning medical school (at the white coat ceremony) almost 4 years ago.

Taking Gross Anatomy.

Doing some pro bono work on his dad back when he didn't really know what he was doing. He knows now.

I can't wait to see what is in store for our family on this next adventure that we are about to embark upon! It really is such an exciting time. 


Congratulations, Ryan! You did It! 
We are so proud of You!

I am a Child of God

Love this video!