Sunday, June 24, 2012

Father's Day Pics

A couple weeks ago we went back to Phoenix so that Nathan could go on his scuba trip with his Priest's Quorum (more on that later).  The first few days we stayed with the Simpsons, then I went and stayed with Kristie while Nathan went to CA, then when he got back we went and stayed with Andrea and Paul for a few nights.  It was a lot of moving around but it was super fun and we are so grateful we have such great family and friends who are willing to put up with us for so long!  While at Kristie's my mom called us up and asked if we would try and get some pictures of the kids for my dad for Father's Day.  We did this last year too and it didn't go so well, especially since Mia and Violet were blobs then.  This time was still pretty difficult but we managed to get a few cute shots.  Taking pictures of 4 kids under 4 is never very easy, I guess.  They had fun together, though...so that's the most important thing, right? :)


 
He loves his baby sister...the best part is Violet is almost always ok with letting Sawyer guide her somewhere.  So I can have him run and bring her back to me if I need to.  Usually.
 

Busted out a bubble machine for round 2...they LOVED it.  (can you spot Violet behind Mia?)

Everytime we asked the boys to hold their sisters' hands and walk towards us, they immediately linked in a circle and started playing ring around the rosies. 
I seriously can't get over this picture.  Hilarious.


Ok so he doesn't always love her....
gearing up for the push





Man down!



And lastly, a few instagrams from the scottsdale quarter splash pad.  Good times...




We call her Wily Viley...

I posted this picture on Facebook a little while ago but I had to put it on the blog for our family history. We will never forget Violet's little stunt with the printer ink a week before moving out of our apartment in Phoenix...

Friday, June 22, 2012

Nathan Larson, DMD

Well we finally made it...Nathan is officially done with Dental School as of May 31st, 2012.  It's been a  challenging but fun journey for the both of us and, as with most things in life, it's completion comes with bitter sweet feelings.  We are sad to be leaving so many good friends that we've made along the way and all of the amazing family that we both have in the Phoenix area.  We have come to love this place and will have very fond memories here forever.  

Graduation day was wonderful and full of celebration for our hard-working graduate.  We are so proud of him!

Because Nathan commissioned in the Air Force as part of the Health Professions Scholarship Program, he advanced in rank from 2 Lieutenant to Captain on Graduation Day.   Next up is a residency in Advanced General Dentistry at Nellis   Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nevada.  During the month of July he will attend Commissioned Officer Training in Montgomery, Alabama.  Following our year in Las Vegas we will move to another location for another 3 years to pay back our time to the Air Force.
This is the best shot I could get of Nathan walking in with his class
Receiving his military pin...
All his family that was able to come to the graduation ceremony.  Andrea joined us for lunch afterwards!
Let's be honest, not much has changed.  Even a dentist still does the chipmunk :)

Nathan with his Dean, Dr. Gilpatrick, and his Clinical Care Coordinator, Dr. Gibbons.  Very influential men in his life :)
These were all of the students that worked in his 'Bay' in the clinic.  "Suite D"
Great friends...we're going to miss these guys...(and their families!!!)

And no graduation is complete without some 'High School Musical' style jumping pics...I only managed to snap the before and after shot...but luckily our friend Bri got the awesome shot in the middle!  So glad she got it!



And just like that, our Nathan is now a Doctor of Dental Medicine.  We are so proud of all of his hard work and achievements and we're excited to be moving into this next chapter of our lives!!!

Monday, June 11, 2012

Family Pictures, May 2012

With graduation and the end of our 4 years in Phoenix we decided to take some family pictures before we left.  They were taken by our friend and wonderful photographer, Jamie Harper.  She did a fantastic job and we are really happy with them.  Thanks Jamie!