Graduation Part I

I really don't know what was more exciting: Matt graduating or going back to South Pasadena! Well, maybe Matt graduating but we were all so very excited to go back to South Pas. We left early Wednesday morning and stopped in Temecula on our way out. We found a rental house in a great neighborhood so that was an exciting pit-stop! Then it was over to South Pasadena. What a happy reunion! We had to go visit the Olson twins. Graham loved holding them.

And had a great time eating a Popsicle with Jake
My good friend Jordan planned a picnic at the park that evening with a lot of our old ward members. It was a perfect start to the trip and so much fun! Look at these kids! Crew was in heaven seeing all his buddies again!

Thursday we had ceremonies at the medical campus (that was Matt's campus). My boys were looking good.

Matt received a medal and the honor of being inducted into The Order of the Golden Cane. I know it sounds a little Harry Potterish, but it is a pretty prestigious award. Way to go Matt!

Friday morning, Matt and I left early to the main campus for commencement. It was crazy but awesome to be there!

My parents and Matt's parents brought the boys on the metro and met me in time for Matt's School graduation.

It was really cool to be on USC's main campus. Matt was always on the medical campus so we didn't really ever go there. It was so beautiful and felt really grand on graduation day. Matt's graduation was in the Bovard Auditorium.

Graham, thankfully, fell asleep about half way through the ceremony. The kid was out!

Great day!!!

Graduation Part II

Completely exhausted from graduation, we had a pretty mellow rest of our trip. A quick trip to the Americana and a wonderful afternoon at the Arboretum with the Ericksons made a great end to an exciting weekend.

We did have to play in the roots of the tree by the library too.

The peacocks at the Arboretum are amazing and their babies were such a hit with the kids too. Graham loved this place.

Graham and his buddy Tom looking at the peacocks

It was so wonderful to go back to South Pasadena. We love and miss you all and that wonderful place! Also, another big thanks again to the Ericksons for letting us stay with you part of the trip. We are so lucky to have such great friends!

Hip Hip Hooray!

Matt officially graduated from USC's Physical Therapy School on May 13th. We are so proud of you Matt. You are amazing and we love you!!!!!
I will post more on our trip back to L.A. soon. And for an update... Matt takes his boards June 7th and then we are off to Temecula on June 11th.

Our Little Getaway...

Last week Matt and I had our first getaway since Crew was born! It was fantastic! We left early Wednesday morning and drove out to Temecula to try and find somewhere to live. We did not find a specific home, but we really got to know the area better and got a feel for what neighborhoods we want to live in, so that was a plus. We spent the night at my sister's then got up early, thanks to sweet Parker, and headed up to Trestles in San Clemente. I got to go for a run then watched Matt surf for a little while. What a fabulous morning!
Back in December 2009, Matt and Maren each won a two night stay at the Montage in Laguna Beach from the Ellen Show. Finally, we were able to cash in! We checked in that afternoon and had a nice welcome treat! (Matt and I celebrated our 7th anniversary on May 1st)

Hello! This place was awesome! Thank you Ellen because I'm pretty sure we never would have been able to stay at this resort otherwise! It was amazing to be on vacation without the boys and we tried to take full advantage of it!

Saturday we met my parents to pick up the boys and then headed over to the Allen's for Matt's grandparents 70th anniversary (also on May 1st). All of Matt siblings were there, except for Devin, but it was so fun to have everyone together. All the grand kids.

Thank you so much to both our parents for taking care of these crazy boys while we were away. And a monsterously huge thanks to Ellen for the much needed getaway!