Back to school. Back to school, to prove to Dad that I'm not a fool. I got my lunch packed up, my boots tied tight, I hope I don't get in a fight...

My first day of nursing school was on Tuesday. This is the picture that is on my student ID. I was trying to look really determined and responsible but ended up just looking frightened.

I have a long, crazy first day story. So I drop Lindsey off at her sweet Aunt Kelli's house and I was running a tinsy bit late. I had to hurry because the instructor had emailed us to get to class early for our clinical assignments. When I got into my car, I realized I was practically out of gas so I stopped at a GHETTO gas station on the way. It was the first time I'd put gas in the Blazer so of course I pulled up to the wrong side of the pump. In the process of flipping the car around to get to the right side of the pump, I managed to anger a mean man who looked something like this. When I pulled out onto the road to continue driving to nursing school he cut me off and proceeded to drive at least 10 miles under the speed limit. When I tried to pass him he swerved in front of me so I was stuck behind him for a few miles until I got to the freeway. By this time I was really flustered and I knew I was going to be late. I got to the freeway and I couldn't remember if I was supposed to go South or North! Ahhhhhh! I frantically called Elliot but he couldn't answer his phone so I had to guess. Luckily I guessed right. Once I got to campus I was 7 minutes late. So I started running as fast as I could and my flip flop broke.

Keep in mind, it is 12:07 PM at the end of August in Arizona. The Asphalt was BURNING hot. So I would run as far as I could, stop to let my foot cool down and then continue running. All the while, I am picturing the shame and embarrassment I am about to go through as I have to walk into the auditorium where the other 90 on time students are sitting, limp down the isle with one shoe on and intterupt the lecturing instructor so she can give me my clinical assignment. Lucky for me, everyone was still lined up to get the assignment and they didn't even notice I was late! Anyhow, the rest of the day was fine and I am going to get to school a little early today.

She likes moon lit dinners and long walks on the beach.

We went to California to see the Geurts Family and have a little fun in the sun! We missed the sun at the beach but we still had fun with our little beach baby.

I got matching outfits for the little baby cousins!

Lindsey isn't the best at sharing the spotlight or the toys with other babies so she was not the happiest camper when cute little Courtney came around. I am confident they'll still be best friends.

Food usually fixes that pouty face! She gets that from me.

Very vogue

The Action Shot
Aunt Adriane was able to get an elastic in Lindsey's sparse hair and attach a pretty little bow. Ohhhhh, Lindsey's first hair bow! If only she had as much hair as Courtney.

We met Marcus, Natalie, Brandon and Keri for lunch on the way home. The only footage I have of this get together is when we let Lindsey try a lemon. It was Lindsey's idea.

It was a fun trip!

Camping Smamping!

We decided to test our new blazer out so we loaded up all the kids for a camp out! Warren, Kelli and their cute little family came too! It was kinda funny because we thought with the larger vehicle we'd have plenty of room. As you can see, our gear is still piled pretty high. We are happy we all fit though!

Here is Lindsey soaking in the many marvels mother nature has to offer.

Here are all the dogs that came on our camping adventure. Bear, Santa (we are watching him for some friends. We renamed him Marshmallow for the week tho), Thor and Shiloh.

Our family picture. If only the cats were there too.

Lindsey is pretty happy about the camp mush she just had for breakfast. Yummy.

Lindsey LOVES riding on Daddy's shoulders. I bet it's a nice change of scenery.

Poor Lindsey had a rough end to her camping trip. She was stung by a bee. Lindsey is doing fine and I think I have recovered too. When she was stung we where 30 miles from civilization, out of cell phone range and about to run out of gas. I was sure she was going to go into anaphylactic shock and as a result there was some yelling and freaking out involved. No worries tho. All's well that ends well! Her finger is barely swollen.

So I mentioned that we were about to run out of gas...the story goes that after we played at the lake we got in the car and all our gas was gone. We thought there was at least a quarter tank but that wonderful red gas light was on. We had about a 30 minute drive to a gas station and didn't think we were going to make it. It was a camping miracle tho. We coasted down that mountain into the town and just as we spotted the first gas station the car ran out of gas. So Elliot and I both held our breath as the car crept around the corner, right up to the pump and then stopped! It was amazing!

I've Always Thought of Myself as a Trailblazer

Here's our new 2002 Chevy Trailblazer! This is the first car Elliot and I bought together and we love it! We can't wait to to do SUV type activities like go camping and have room for everything +plus dogs, climb up steep hills and transport large furniture. My husband was very sweet to buy it for me and it proves that enough whining can get you anything. Thanks Elliot and I love you!

Beans, Beans, the Magical Fruit!

Up until now, I could not get Lindsey to eat green vegetables. She hated the puree Gerber baby food and wasn't interested in eating cut up veggies. My sweet pal Mako made us some homemade puree peas and green beans and Linds LOVES them! A mother's dream come true! She likes them so much I couldn't spoon feed them to her fast enough. So I dumped them on her tray and here is a video of her shoveling her beloved green beans into her mouth. Bon appetit!

Thank you Mako for giving my child the gift of green goodness!