Long Time No Post

HURRAY! We made it!!! We are pleased to inform everyone that Nicole finally graduated... Again. She has been in school almost a decade- 9 years to be exact -and she's not quite sure how to become a normal person now that it's all over... but she is more than willing to try. Nicole now has a third major completed and a second Bachelors. Her first degree is a bachelor of science with a composite major in Advertising and Public Relations. She graduated with high honors and summa cum laude in 2002. This time she has earned a bachelor of arts in english education with an Utah Level 1 certification. She also managed to keep her status on the dean's list every semester and again graduated summa cum laude. In fact, save one grade she has strait A's and is walking with a 4.0 in her major content area!!! O.k.- that's the end of the bragging phase of this blog. It was the most aweful thing in the world to drive to Cedar and back everyday and work two jobs so you can't help Quinn and Nicole wanting to celebrate at least a little bit. As Nicole completes her study abroad this summer and an internship next fall, and Quinn finishes his apprenticeship this September it is starting to feel a lot like comping out of the dark. Finally we are becomming real people who are afforded the opportunity to live life without the guilt of unfinished homework lingering closely by. We can't possibly imagine what our new found freedom will feel like!

So now that the endless homework cycle is over, let us take a minute to update everyone on what we've been doing these past few months.

Last October we went to Disneyland with the Stirland family. We had a blast seeing everyone at our favorite place. This was our second stirland family trip to Disneyland. We didn't rent a greyhound this time, but we certainly created some new traditions. We stayed at the Grand Californian Resort and Hotel right in California Land. Suffice it to say, we are pretty spoiled now and if we ever go back I'm not sure we could down grade. Quinn flew home early for work (someone has to pay the mortgage) and the next day we went to the park wide trick o treat in California land. It rained but it wasn't cold and we really scored with some great treats. It was such a fun trip and a monumental one at that because it was the first time we met Spencer Shelton. We really hit it off with him and are looking forward to having another great in-law in the family.

Later this Spring we attended two major events: Becky's farewell and Kari and Spencer's wedding!

Becky has since left for the MTC and then she'll be in CHILE! It is crazy to think she is old enough to be serving a mission, but also very cool. After her farewell dinner we went to see the famous migrating snow geese during their annual stop in Delta. There we thousands of them!

Kari and Spencer had a chilly day, but one of the few sunny days during the inversion in SLC. Kari looked so beautiful and it was such a wonderful day. We had a super time with the fam and enjoyed seeing just about everyone at the reception.

THEN THERE WAS HAWAII. Unfortunately Nicole had to leave Quinn behind for this one. She managed to slip away on Spring break and She, Megan, Cindy, and Ron headed to paradise. We went to Kuai'i for the first time and now have decided it is the only to see when planning the ultimate Hawaiin vacation. We sunbathed with seals, four wheeled in the Volocirapter field from Jurassic park (yes, we broke down right in the middle), we communed with the Humpback Whales (so so cool), and ate mountains of seafood. It was a blast and before we left we planned our next vacation back.

In other news, about 100 babies were born. All of Quinn's brothers and sisters had a baby this spring, Nicole's two best friends had babies close to her birthday, and two cousins, Mindi and Katy, also have new little ones to look forward too. We have had a fun time meeting Mallorrie, Landon, Porter, Alex, Ava, Anika, Herb, and Jonah (still waiting to meet him). All of this baby business has got us thinking we really enjoy being just aunts and uncles. No babies for us any time soon.

Well, that about raps it up for the last few months. The only left to discuss is our very own enormously wonderful garden! When we got home form NYC we couldn't wait to get our hands in the dirt and we've been working on our garden ever since. The last week we have experiences our first yiedlings: RADISHES! I never thought anything could look so beautiful. When I pulled my first radish it was love at first sight! I'm telling you, these things are gorgeous. Now we are starting to see some squash, Zucchini, Strawberries, and tomatoes peeking out. It's the coolest proudest moment in the world when you step out into your garden each morning and see something new. We have planted and diligently take care of radishes, carrots, tomatoes, yellow sqaush, zucchini, cucmbers, red, gren, and yellow peppers, cantelope, pumpkins, watermellon, beets, 5 different kinds of tomatoes including cherry tomatoes, and strawberries. It is great fun. Our little garden is not so little as things start to grow and our sucker hose watering system has worked beautifully. Hopefully it's not too late to get a few onions in.

That's all for now. Have a great day everyone.