Vacation to Utah...

Yes, another week off of work == another visit to Utah.

Along with being able to spend much-longed for time with our families, Todd and I were also able to meet with physicians, administrators and recruiters from McKay-Dee Hospital and discuss future job opportunities.

Even more exciting was the blessing of having Laurel and Paisley visiting from Pittsburgh!!!

I was able to leave LA a few days before my dear hubby. I arrived in Utah on Saturday, September 26. I was met at the airport by Daddy, Mommy, Grammy, Laurel and Jocey and we headed straight to Provo for the BYU-CSU game. Thankfully BYU didn't disappoint (hard to believe this season I know) and provided a win!

Sunday is always a wonderful day when home. I was able to go to church and hear Dad's fabulous Sunday School lesson. It was then off to Devin's for a celebration of all of the September Birthdays!

Only our best sides please!

Sweet Sisters minus Emily.

Princess Paisley is requesting no pictures at this time...

Mommy and Daughters...we miss you Emily!

Mommy, sisters, cousin MaKenzie and Aunt Mindy...sure adore those beauties!

Monday morning I was able to meet with a surgeon at the Ogden Clinic to talk about surgical practice in Ogden. The rest of the day was spent playing cards and lunching, shopping, and meeting Daddy for dinner at Cafe Rio (no trip to Utah is complete without Cafe Rio pork)....what were we thinking...no pictures?

Me and my gorgeous Mommy!

Me and my beautiful Grammy!

How blessed I am to have the love, support and example of these two marvelous women!

Tuesday was spent meeting with the big-wigs from McKay-Dee...oh how I hope I can have a job there one day!!! Tuesday was also Christine's birthday and we were able to celebrate by going to dinner with Todd's Mom and Dad.

Happy Birthday Christine...beautiful flowers compliments of Jimmys Floral.

Wednesday was a bitter-sweet day as we had to bid farewell to Laurel and my Princess P. We stopped for lunch at CPK before going to the airport.

Me and my Princess...she really isn't scared of me...

She was really supposed to be mine...see the resemblance???

The best hubby in the entire world..at the most handsome!

How how I love and adore this little girl!

Mommy, Laurel and Me...

Wednesday night we were able to spend visiting and playing cards with our dear friends Bill and Heather...Todd and Bill were classmates in medical school.

The winning side of the table!

Don't frown just because you are losing!

Thursday was a day at the salon...mommy and I were able to have Auntie Emily beautify us. That night, the Grunander Family got together to officially celebrate Christine's Birthday. Enjoyed a yummy dinner at Timbermine!

Todd's Mom and Dad

The Grunander Clan

Friday was spent running errands and playing cards with Grammy and Aunt Mindy! Take-out, spoon me and the BYU-USU game filled the night.

Saturday I was able to meet with my sweet friends from high school, have lunch at Sonora Grill...a stop every time we visit and then it was back to LA for Todd and me....however, only to prepare to leave the next day for Cancun...more posts to follow.

Thanks again to our families and friends for another wonderful visit...I can count on one had the number of visits we have left before we are finally home for good!!! We love and miss you all!!!

10 Years of Truly Wedded Bliss!

I can't believe that Todd and I are celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary today. I t seems like just yesterday that we were sharing our first kiss by the WHS tennis courts during a Halloween stomp! What absolute utter joy that you have brought into my life...more that I could have ever dreamed possible! Heavenly Father has truly blessed me with the most amazing and wonderful husband imaginable and I would be utterly lost without you! You sacrifice so much on my behalf...and I know that it is not equally returned! You never fail to provide for my needs whatever they may be. You go out of your way to cook, clean, do errands, grocery shop and ensure that the laundry is always done despite how busy you are. You carry me to bed when I am absolutely too exhausted to walk the short distance from the couch to bedroom, never forgetting to get my alarm set for the next morning. You allow me to stay in bed and answer intern and resident endless pages and phone calls all through the night even though you may be on call the next day. You are loving, kind, thoughtful, supportive, a worthy priesthood holder and exercise that power within our home, and despite how tired or stressed you may be feeling, you never fail to bring a smile to my face when all I want to do is cry...and if I do cry, your supportive shoulder and listening ear are always there! How blessed I am to be your wife. If asked to make a list of the qualities I hoped and looked for in a husband, my best list would have fallen very short of the man that you are. I love and adore you more than I ever imagined possible! You are the love of my life..I can't wait to embark upon the next 10 years of our marriage!

Vacation in Utah...

Todd and I were able to spend a fabulous week in Utah the first week of June...sad that it has taken me this long to put together a post.

Todd had gone to Utah a few days before me as his vacation started earlier. I was able to fly into Utah early Monday morning and headed straight for lunch with many of my mom's side of the family. Great company and good food...can't ask for a better way to start vacation!

Tuesday was spent enjoying the great outdoors of Willard Bay!

Brady showing off his wakeboarding skills...

Teaching Cannon wakeboarding...

Todd slalom skiing...yummy!

Wednesday was spend with more family and friends....lunch with Judy, Nicole, Mom and the sisters at Pelotons. We then went to dinner at Sonora Grill and bowling at Fat Cats with the Grunanders!

Dinner at Sonora Grill...so good!!!

Jennifer and Christine

Thursday morning I was able to meet with Trauma/SICU/General Surgery group at IMC to discuss future job opportunities. I then met Mom, Grammy and the sisters for lunch at La Ferovia. That afternoon I was able to meet with a general surgery group at McKay-Dee to also discuss future job opportunities while Todd met with an orthopedic group who is actively pursuing him to join their practice when he is done. Then, off for more fun at Willard Bay followed by pizza and cards with Grammy Char...what a fantastic way to spend the day!

Cannon was able to have fun in and out of the water!

Whose legs are more pasty white...mine or Jocey's???

Sadly, I think my leg is twice the size of Jocey's scrawny chicken leg...

Sunbathing Beauties...

Cute Crewy...just adore that little man!

Brady, Laurel and Cannon on the tube...

Todd was able to knock them off...

Friday morning Todd and I made the trip to the salon to be beautified by Aunt Emily...haven't been able to find anyone even half as good at doing my hair in LA! I was then able to spend the afternoon and evening with my dear friends from medical school catching up...oh how blessed I am to have such wonderful friends!

Saturday was spent lunching at Cafe Rio...a vacation must! We then spend Saturday night playing more cards with Grammy Char...absolutely one of my favorite past-times!

Sunday we were able to attend church, enjoy Sunday dinner and then off to the airport and back to work!

Thanks to the Wolthuis and Grunander families for making our visit so wonderful...you always pamper us and we really appreciate it! Can't wait for our next visit in October!!! We miss and love you all more than you can know!

Happy Birthday Emily...a few days late!

Although my sister Emily's birthday was last week, I did want to let her know how much I love and admire her. She is the most perfect mother and wife..I am in awe of how she is able to keep up with 3 very busy boys, always cook a wonderful meal, her home could be a picture our of a magazine, all while serving her ward and neighbors endlessly!!! Happy Birthday a few days late...so grateful that you are my sister and my friend!

Harbor-UCLA and USC graduations

Every year in June was are able to attend celebration dinners in honor of the graduating chief residents. Here are a few pictures from our respective program graduations...

USC Orthopedic Surgery Graduation

The "DREAM TRAUMA TEAM"

Danny (2nd year), Adam (chief), Nora (4th year and Todd's trauma chief this year)

Mike (Todd's co-resident) and his fiancee Judy

One of Todd's favorite graduation chiefs, Bobick

Another of Todd's favorite chiefs, Maddhov and co-resident TJ

TJ and Todd's trauma chief, Adam.

Harbor-UCLA General Surgery Graduation

The girls of Harbor General Surgery

My co-residents...Armen, Taryne, Cliff. Missing Matt...

The Famous...Infamous....flip flop of my trauma chief.

He would wear these with bootie covers while on trauma call and walk around the blood covered ER trauma bay....GROSS!!!

My co-resident and dear friend Taryne

Notice someone missing from my graduation dinner...Where is Todd you ask??? At the Angels baseball game sitting right behind the dugout...apparently tickets that just "couldn't be passed up." I think I deserve a pair of shoes for letting him ditch me...how about you???

Happy Birthday Johnny!

Happy Birthday to the best brother EVER! You are so sweet, thoughtful and caring...couldn't ask for a more loving and supportive brother! I treasure our phone calls and miss you tons! Sorry this is a day late...work, work, work...what can I say...

Mommy, Daddy, Jocey Come to LA...

It has taken me a month to get this post completed, but I had to share my pictures of the recent visit of my Mommy, Daddy and Jocey that we were so blessed to have! I absolutely treasure the time that they are able to spend here in LA with us!


We had such a relaxing visit...starting with mani-pedis...even Daddy couldn't resist being pampered!

We spent the following day at Santa Monica Pier...sight seeing and riding the ferris wheel...

Cutest Parents EVER!

We were able to go to the Dodger--Angels interleague game on the only night the dodgers won!!

Downtown LA in the background

LAC-USC hospital in the background...Todd's home away from home!

Miss you all terribly...can't wait for your next visit!