CRAM SESSION

Mt. St Helen's is big foot country.

We have lived so close to Mt. St Helen's all this time and have never bothered to go see it. I guess we are now trying to cram everything in. Devin has time and I am not working anymore so cram session begins. We drove up to Johnston's point Observatory with Mike and Julie and had a fun day. It's crazy to think about how the Earth was created ( under Heavenly Father's direction of course) by these Volcano's and the devastation the area experienced in 1980. It changed the landscape and continues to do so. The before 1980 and after pictures don't look like the same place. We had fun learning and exploring.

As we drove along the road it was foggy and we were feeling like a usual Pacific Northwest morning might ruin our plans, but as we drove not seeing our destination all the sudden this is what we saw. It was breath taking. We felt like we were flying above the clouds. This is Mt. St Helen's as we first saw it on Saturday.

A view from Johnston's point

Nola practicing her standing.

The Toutle river no more. Now it's ash from the explosion still 30 years later. You can see the Mt off in the distance.

Last Day on Campus

Yesterday was Devin's last day on campus. He will begin his Preceptor ship on Monday. Five weeks until we move. YIPEE

Nola's Day of Firsts

First Time on a Boat

First time wearing a life jacket

First time eating all you can eat sand

Yay Nola

Wake Boarding

Look at my handsome man.

Nola 8 months

Vacation

Devin and I were more than ready to vacate this place after the busy past few months we have had. We went down to California to see the Redwoods and then to Crater Lake. It was fun, but a lot of driving. Nola did really well considering but she got pretty sick of being in her car seat. It was well worth a sometimes cranky little girl. We had a good short little vacation and it was nice to get a way for a little while.

Crescent City California

Nola at the beach

The Local light house.
Crescent City is tucked right in the middle of the redwood forest.
So we stayed here the first night. Beautiful little coast town.

Redwood National Forest

The Coast

California Elk.

Do you know whom I am married to? Of course we had to take pictures of these boys. Not too much farther down the road were the cows. We knew the babies had to be close, but those momma's hide their babies well.

Paul Bunyan and his ox Blue

Just to give a little idea of just how big these monsters are.

Driving through the tree was pretty cool. We had to pay $5
because it is privately owned, but Devin said it was worth the five bucks.

Nola sitting on a redwood

Crater Lake Oregon

I still cannot get over how blue the water is. It was gorgeous.

NOW WE REALLY DID IT !

Dev just found out he passed part 4 boards. Yipee

WE DID IT !!!!!!

Mom and Dad Searle

Nola waiting for the ceremony to begin just getting in a little snack

My Sisters Jami and Kelli

The Processional

Devin getting his sash turned inside out symbolizing he is now a Doctor.

The Simpson's

Graduated and drank a Pepsi

Our Family

Mom and Dad Simpson

Dr. Simpson and Dr. Simpson

Darnell, Dad, Devin and Tyrell.

Some of our friends who graduated with Dev. Parker, Alisha, and Travis

Graduation was wonderful. I am so proud of Devin. I am still beaming and it's a few days later. Thank you to our wonderful family who supported us from a far that day and those who made the drive to be with Devin on his big day! We love you all so very much.
YIPPEE WE ARE ALMOST ALL DONE!

CHANGES

I am not really sure how to describe the flood of emotion I have been experiencing lately. All I know is that our lives are about to change in so many ways. Devin graduates a week from Saturday from eight long years of school. In roughly 3 months we will move to Star Valley and I will be a city girl trying to make a home in the country. Heaven help me. I will only be 3 hours from mom instead of 12. Buying a home. Establishing a career. However, with all these exciting changes it's hard to not be a little sad. I miss home, but Oregon I will miss you. Even now tears are welling up in my eyes. I will miss my friends. Dare I say my Oregon family who have been there for Devin and I. I will miss seeing green 365 days a year. I will miss game nights with the Kunz family. ( At least as frequently) I will miss my little apartment that I brought my first baby home to. Devin teases me saying that Graduation is really for the wives. Maybe it is. Maybe I need to see a visual of all my blood, sweat, and tears. I might not of had to sit in class or take boards, or listen to all the lame Professors but I sacrificed just as much. I went without things. I moved away from my home, family, and friends. I have been the provider for this family for 4 years. I went with out spending time with my husband. I got the blunt end of all the stressful finals weeks and crap the clinic put him through. HECK YES I want to see all my hard work walk across that stage next Saturday. You better believe it! Oh and by the way I will be the one crying and sighing with the baby that looks just like you.

Cake decorating...Oh and Devin's birthday!

My first real attempt at cake decorating and making.
Thanks again Julie for your tips. I think it turned out ok for a first.

Happy Birthday Devin!

Before..........After

A paint job and cushion cover's later a brand new glider.
Thanks Mike and Julie for your inspiration and help.

The munchkin

Nola's favorite bath tub toy. She says "look no hands".