Donut Falls

The great thing about UT is the mountains are so close. You only have to drive 30 minutes and you're in the mountains. We took a great little hike up to Donut Falls last weekend. It's name is appropriate as the water falls through a hole in the mountain and down into a cave before it continues down the mountain. We highly recommend it if you've never done it. Just be careful climbing up all the wet boulders to the top!

4th of July

I found out last February that Carrie Underwood would be headlining the Stadium of Fire this year. Since we'd be in UT and I know how much my sweetie LOVES her, I just had to get us there. So I bought tickets for Tyler and kept them a secret for 4 months. He was super excited to see one of his favorite singers in person.

And she was worth every penny. She was absolutely fabulous in person. Not to mention the Stadium of Fire in general was awesome. From the jet flyover to the fireworks I don't think there is a more patriotic celebration. If you've never been it's worth spending the 4th in Provo for one year to see the Stadium of Fire.

I thought I was really patriotic, but I learned I'm in the minor leagues compared to Tyler. We are so grateful for the dedication and service of our troops. It has really been hitting home as I get to work with veterans everyday and hear their war stories. Our thoughts and prayers are always with those who have sacrificed so much so that we may enjoy the freedoms we have today.

Banquet Dinner

Estes Park was immediately followed by our Awards Dinner/Banquet on Thursday night. This is basically an expensive dinner where they give out awards and is our last chance to mingle with our professors and classmates before graduation. It was hosted at the Brown palace. My parents and Tyler all came to support me. What a great hubby and parents I have!!

Yours truly received 3 awards:

• American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Award
• American Association of Oral Biology Award
• Quintessence Award for Clinical Achievement in Restorative Dentistry

They don't call me smarty pants for nothing ;)

We all agreed that for $50 a plate they better be serving us gold for dinner. It wasn't so.

The Girls

The Boys

One last hurrah

We got back from Grand Lake on Sunday. I spent a few days packing and then Wednesday headed up to the YMCA in Estes Park for the bishops youth trip. I was planning on staying the night and leaving Thursday morning, but found out my TB test for working at the VA had to be read Thursday morning. So I left late Wed night. I had a great time with the youth of our ward. We made jewlery, played volleyball, ate lots of food, sang songs around the camp fire, and had a great time!

They youth saying goodbye to me. If you look close you can see me in the middle of everyone.

I'm going to miss each and everyone of these special girls!

Grand Lake

My birthday was immediately followed by a trip to Grand Lake with some of our really great friends. All of us (Buttshaws, McEwens, Cooks, and Milroys) stayed in a big house/cabin.

The boys spent a lot of time fishing

I went with them once, but because I didn't have a license I had to sit out on the sidelines and read...oh darn.
The girls spent lots of time watching movies.....

......And playing games.

I learned how to play Settlers. I don't quite understand why people like it so much, but I think I need to play it a couple more times to really enjoy it. I learned Becky is a freakin' awesome gamer. Really-she was incredible at ever game we played. It's now my goal to beat her when we go back to CO at X-Mas:)

Of course we had to celebrate my birthday again. The kiddos were allowed to pick out a gift for me at the local drug store. They got me a whoppee cushion. They thought it was pretty great....and to be honest, so did I! :)