Publication

So remember when a long time ago I was working in a lab and writing a journal article?

Well after months of going through the review process and making edits my paper was published!!!!

I put so much of my time into that research and then writing the paper my last two years of my degree so I am so happy it all didn't go to waste.

Unfortunately you can only access the paper for free if you have access to the journal's database through an academic institution but if you want to see a preview click here.

A Weekend of Goodbyes

So as I have mentioned before our good friends the Millers are moving (well now they moved but I'm trying to stay positive). 

They left yesterday so Ryan and I offered to watch their kids on Friday so that they could get some packing done and then attend the general graduate graduation without kids.

We took Cooper and Lynndon to the park, Lake Mendota to feed ducks, and to Ella's Deli for ice cream. 

It was weird going from having no kids to having two kids but it was a lot of fun.

Cooper loved these rocks and he made sure everyone had one to sit on. 

Ella's Deli is pretty crazy inside.  It has all of these motorized toys traveling across the ceilings.  All the tables have displays inside them.  There is plenty to look at.  Cooper and Lynndon loved it!  After Cooper was so excited to ride on the carousel but when it came time to get on a horse he got scared.  First he said Ryan could sit on his lap and then he said they should just ride on the bench.  Ryan said if he'd known they were going to ride on the bench then Lynndon could have come but she enjoyed waving to Cooper and sticking her head in between the fence posts.

Saturday morning we slept until 11:00 am.  We have never done that.  I guess you can say we aren't quite ready for two kids.  Haha, Ryan said we should have done less park and more movies to conserve energy.  Saturday was Bret's graduation BBQ and then on Sunday we had to say goodbye to the kids because Bret's parents were taking them up to Appleton so all the final moving preparations could be kid free.  Ryan also had to say goodbye to Bret and Charise that night because he started his internship Monday morning.  The Millers spent the night at our apartment Monday night and left Tuesday evening.  It was so sad to see them go but I'm glad we had the chance to get to know them.  We wish them the best in New Mexico!

Mother's Day

We had the BEST Mother's Day!

"Forget Me Not" by Pres. Uchtdorf book from Ryan

Phone call from Elder Anderson in Moscow Russia

Francisco came to church with us

The Elder's Quorum took over Primary so I was able to attend Relief Society

Cards and flowers from my two favorite kids who live next door (Lynndon and Cooper)

NAP!

Delicious tortilla for dinner made by Ryan

Skyping with our own mothers

 Apartment get together for homemade ice cream

Yeah, it was a good day

Ascot Lane BBQ

When we moved to Madison in the Fall we knew we were going to have LDS neighbors but we didn't realize how great all of them were going to be. 

They have become like a second family since most of us live far away from our actual families.

I love that we can just randomly get together outside for play dates, have game nights after the kids are asleep thanks to baby monitors, and have more planned activities like homemade ice cream nights and BBQ's.

Last weekend we got together for a BBQ since a lot of our neighbors will be moving this summer :(  It just happened to be the one day it rained but thank goodness we have a great basement to fit the 17 adults and 9 children that were in attendance.  

It's pretty hard to get 9 kids to look at the camera for a picture.

Charise and her husband Bret really made the move to Madison so much easier!  I don't know what I'm going to do when they move next week.

Charise's kids Lynndon and Cooper.  I LOVE these kids! 

Paella

Over the weekend we got to spend a lot of time with our friend Francisco who is visiting from Spain.

On Friday night we went and saw "The Addams Family" musical.  It was hilarious!  I was unsure at first if it would be interesting but after seeing it I would definitely recommend it.  The acting was great and it was really entertaining.  If you want to see a clip of the first number click here.  It will really give you a glimpse into what the musical is like.

On Saturday Francisco came over and taught us how to make paella.  Paella is a staple in Spain and they eat it every Sunday for lunch.  It is a rice, chicken, and vegetable dish.  I grew up eating an American version of Paella since both my parents served a mission in Spain but this was my first time eating an authentic paella.  We both thought it was delicious and will definitely be making it again.

The finished product

A Series of Unfortunate Events with Good Company

Last weekend was the ward temple trip so since we were driving all the way to Chicago we thought it would be fun to also play downtown after the temple.  We decided to carpool with our neighbors and good friends (The Millers) so we could spend some more time with them before they move in a couple weeks :(

1. The bishopric provides child care for the ward temple trip.  So Ryan and I were going to trade off and do initiatories so that we could at least get to go to the temple.  However, due to some miscommunications Ryan didn't get to attend the temple (long story)

Eating lunch with Lynndon at the church where we were watching kids

2. We wanted to go to the Shedd Aquarium so we walked the mile from our car to the entrance but the computer system was down so there was over an hour wait to get into the aquarium.  Needless to say we decided to bag the aquarium.

Part of the line at the aquarium (entrance was at the top of the blue tent and the line wrapped around the corner)

3.  We walked about Millennium Park in the cold, but we did get some good pictures at "the bean."

4.  Ryan and Bret wanted to go to the Nike Store but it was another mile north and the blister on the ball of my foot just didn't like that idea.  So, Charise, Lynndon and I decided to stay close by and check out the "Public Library."

5.  The "Public Library" was really the Chicago Cultural Center so we just sat in the Lobby to stay warm.

6.  The Nike store was closed for remodel until Fall 2012 so the boys walked all the way up there to see a boarded up building.

7.  On their way back they stopped for some Garrett's Popcorn.  They waited in line for 30 minutes only to find out that the credit card system was full and it would take 20 minutes for it to re-boot.  Thank goodness they had some cash!

8.  Pizza at Giordano's was delicious!  

9.  We get to the car only to realize we lost our parking ticket so we had to pay the maximum rate.  Haha.... really?!? today of all days?

10.  As we drove away from Chicago there was this dark low cloud hanging over it.  That must be why nothing went our way!  

Eating our popcorn on the drive home (don't worry we were stopped at a red light!)

Despite our series of unfortunate events it was still a fun trip.  We had a great time with the Millers.  We sure are going to miss them!

Dance Recital

The recital for my dance classes was two weeks ago.

I have seriously been stressing about this since the classes began in February.

From picking and editing music, trying to find costumes, choreographing the routines, and the most important part teaching the routines to the girls.

So needless to say I was pretty nervous for the recital.  I just wanted everything to go well.  I mean I wasn't even the one on stage and my stomach was turning.

I must say all the stress and nerves were worth it.  The girls did amazing!  I am so proud of how hard they worked.  They looked so focused and well rehearsed on stage.  I got a lot of compliments from the parents and the girls all said they had a lot of fun and want to take classes again in the fall.

Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of my ballet class but here is a picture of a couple of the girls from my jazz class.