Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Weekend started off with a camp out Friday night at Nat-Soo-Pah.  We got rained on that night but managed to stay dry in our little tent.  It rained most of the day too, so we spent the day in the trailer with Cammy, Nick and the girls. We didn't go swimming because of the wind and thunderstorms but enjoyed Smores and a game of Mexican horse shoes and Hopla.

Ella was so fun.  Michael and I played tag with the girls. I can still hear Ella's sweet voice saying,

"Me, Amber! Chase Me!"

Hopla kept us entertained, while it was stormy outside.

Kendra with her Cozy Rosie

Watching the fire show Nick and Michael put on for us...

Me and my Nieces

"I do it Me-self!" -Ella

Ella attempted to roast her own marshmallow.  It caught on fire in the end and made a sticky mess, but she had fun doing it.

Tasty Smores!

Memorial Day

Michael's Mom and Little brother's grave

Michael and Me-Look we Match! Michael hates matching...:)

This was actually Mother's day...

Ella had fun playing around Grandma Holly.

Pinning and Graduation

I have completed nursing school and it feels bitter sweet.  Glad it is over, but wish NCLEX was too! I test for my registered nursing license next week.  Pinning ceremony turned out beautifully, I was happy to have my family there to support me. Here are some pics.

 Getting pinned

 Candle Lighting Ceremony

Cute Flowers my Niece made for me!

Graduation was probably great too, but I decided last minute not to go and to stay and help my family with Mother's day flowers.  It turned out to be a wise decision and much appreciated by my parents.  So instead we had a mock graduation for me, took pictures, and went out to dinner. 

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.