Spring has sprung with great blessings!

This spring has been super busy.  Michael's little sister Megan came home at the end of March from her mission.  We got to spend most of spring break with family.  Julianna (Michael's oldest sister) had a baby boy at the beginning of March but we couldn't get away from school to go see them until spring break.  We took a trip with Megan, Cammy and her girls to visit baby Quinton and his family.  He was so precious.

For Easter Sunday we went to church with my family and had a great talks all focused on the Savior Jesus Christ.  Later that day, I celebrated my birthday at home with my family since I have school on my birthday.  We celebrated Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday and boy did I get spoiled!  Mom and Dad got me a new vacuum and Michael put it together and tested it out in our apartment.  My carpets look awesome.  The vacuum I had before always lost suction and would never pick up very much.  I also got some pretty flowers, beautiful clothes, and some great smelling candles, not to mention a bunch of gift cards.  I am looking forward to spending them!

 This week is my last week of classes and all I have left is one test and 48 hrs of preceptorship.  I am almost finished with nursing school. It has been a great journey that was very challenging but full of forever friendships and life changing experiences.  Michael is close to finishing his second semester of the Radiology program.  He has summer school which is a bummer but it is strictly clinical hours which will prepare him very well in positioning for all the exams.  Attached are a few photos of family, friends, and my birthday loot! 

Unbelievable Find!

Saturday, Michael and I went thrift store shopping.  We spent the entire afternoon going from shop to shop in the Treasure Valley.  I want to make coasters out of scrabble pieces like the one in this photo.  Unfortunately we did not find a scrabble game at any of the thrift stores.  So the search continues.

On the bright side, I did find the Operation Game with all the pieces, perfect condition, and even the old classic edition for only $1.99.  I seriously had considered buying the classic game off of Ebay or Amazon for $39.00.  Hasbro stopped making the version I loved and grew up with.  The new one has sound effects and objects like toilets and cellphones to remove from the patients body which does not impress me.  I love the silly ailments that were a part of the original  game like butterflies in his tummy, water on the knee, writers cramp, and a charlie horse. What are the odds of finding the edition I wanted, that had all the pieces and was still operational?  Needless to say, I came out of that store with a giant smile on my face.  What a great Day!

Stuck in Boise

We are back in Boise after our month long Christmas break.  I miss being home in Burley with family close by, where I get to spend time with silly nieces and a wonderful family on both sides.  I miss the fun at the flower shop and the chance to enjoy the warmth of the greenhouse.  I am a little sad to have to go back to school.  This should be my last semester for a while... I think.  I need a break and just want to work as an RN for a while, but I do have plans to continue my education. Michael is back in the swing of things as well and gets to drive to  Saint Al's Nampa for Clinical.  I have been trying to distract myself from school today and ended up wasting time surfing the internet for cool chairs.  Ever since I saw the movie Up I have wanted to incorporate chairs like Carl and Ellie's for Michael and I when we grow older. Now I have my eye searching for the perfect chair for me.  I'll let Michael find one that pleases him.

We visited Grandpa Badger and Grandma Vera before moving back to Boise and they had their chairs set on opposite sides of the room.  They had the darnest time trying to pass photos back and forth.  Grandpa exclaimed to Vera, "We've got to get our chairs closer together!" It's a lot of work for them to get up and down super frequently.  Michael's grandpa is 95... I think.  He has a brilliant memory (way better than mine) and makes beautiful wood work.  He is always giving his wood toys and puzzles away to the great grand kids.  I would love to have some of his work one day. 

Hernandez Family Pre-Christmas Dinner

 Last weekend the Hernandez Family got together to celebrate Christmas early!  Julianna's family came down from Idaho Falls to spend some holiday time with us since they wont be at Grandpa's house for Christmas day.  We enjoyed the day making Popsicle stick ornaments and laughing with the kids.  After a yummy dinner we opened presents and took some family photos. Enjoy the pics!

I made the girls bracelets to play dress up with.

Halloween meets Michael's Birthday!

 My sister Amy is great at hosting and throwing parties and she especially loves playing dress up.  Last year we had a Harry Potter Halloween Party which was super cute.  My dad made a great Hagrid!  Well this year Amy chose a Zombi theme.  The doctors and scientists were trying to come up with a vaccine against a host of diseases... The research took a turn when the vaccine started turning people into Zombies.  Here are some pictures of family and friends who came to rescue the remaining survivors at the Lab.

Michael is not for dressing up so he threw on a mask and pretended to be a zombie killer from off the street.

Some how we didn't take any pictures during thanksgiving.  But we did get pictures on Michael's birthday three days later.  Michael turned 26 this year.  He got new glasses and contacts from my Mom... poor Michael has needed an eye appointment for some time now and I have just been too cheap to get him one.  A video game from me, he picked it out of course.  We are terrible at surprising each other with gifts.  He always knows what he is getting.  Amy gave him a best buy card which he has already spent.  His sister Cammy gave him a football and Steve and Gloria got him a cute children's book called Pingo.  He read it to me in bed the other night.  Michael's grandma Hernandez would call him and the other grandchildren pingo; A term of endearment for little devil or little menace.  I hope he had a good birthday.  I felt badly because I didn't get to spend much of Saturday with him due to work.  Here are a few pictures of the birthday boy. 

The Foothills

The Boise Foothills have many hiking, biking, and pet friendly trails to explore and enjoy.  Michael and I  explored Camel's Back/Hulls Gulch Reserve this Saturday.  It was a beautiful little hike through practically our backyard.  Thankfully this time I didn't get stung by any bees! 

   

  

 

View of Boise Capital and Down Town

From this view, you understand why Boise is called the City of Trees

Hot and Sweaty after our Hike

Women's Celebration

This weekend was fun.  Michael volunteered as an escort for St. Luke's Women's Fitness Celebration 5K.  He also stood on the side walk in his half tuxedo (dressy on top and casual on bottom) to slap hands and cheer on the runners, joggers, and casual walkers as they near the finish line.  Following the race there was a fun concert and lots of dancing.  Michael got to dance with an older lady on the concert stage.  Here are some photos.

Several husbands came to celebrate the women in their lives. I think they are adorable.

Last runner to cross the finish line.

Michael escorting a senior runner and dancing across the stage.

Later that day we enjoyed the company of Josh and Whitney Blauer.  Josh is back from Iraq and Michael was able to be with his bestie for an evening.  Those kids are silly when they get together.  We watched the Boise state game at the Sub because we don't have the CBS sports channel and the student guest tickets were all sold out. :( The game was fun and the crowd really gets into the game at the Student union which definitely adds to the excitement.  To end the night right we went for frozen yogurt; It was a delicious ending to a great night.