Derek-isms

Last night I was making our new blog header {do you like it? hope so!} and I asked Derek if he thought I should add anything in. He then preceded to tell me exactly what he would want on his

OWN banner.

Oh, have I forgot to mention that he's hilarious?

Idaho Vacation

A few things I learned on our summer vacation this year:

{a} An evening at the golf course with Whitney really means that I get to play caddy and drive the cart. Golf just isn't my sport.

{b} Overlooking the valley of Derek's picturesque hometown was eye opening. I have had a soft spot for Idaho since college, but this blew me away.

{c} Lots of laughs and smiles during a family photo shoot. I don't even want to tell you how many fish heads were in that water right there. Nasty.

{d} Check out that golf swing. Better yet, that bum. All mine. :)

{e} This is on a street in Oakley. Seriously? Look at that green. It was gorgeous. Besides that, don't slide you hand on a wood bridge. You'll get a nasty splinter.

{f} A dirty, thumb aching, 3 hour exploring adventure with only 3 freak out moments was good for me. My panicking days are over! (until chillen's come)

{g} A cute couple photo. Minus the fact that I have a pigment change above my left eye causing light to catch and giving me a permanent bug bite in photos. Oh, and don't wear super textured sweaters in family pictures- adds major poundage.

Back to Real Life

After a week of not answering cell phones, never going on computers, and just relaxing, it's back to school for the both of us. Derek begins a short 6-week course before starting his clinical rotations and I am back to teaching little kiddies at school and then heading to Sylvan in the afternoon. This schedule should keep us very busy for the next few months, and all we have to say about it is "Is it Thanksgiving yet?"

Off to the Ranch

This morning, Derek completed his last final of his medical school career. It was a very happy day. We celebrated after work with a Chipotle dinner sitting criss-cross-applesauce on the floor at the coffee table. After a nightly chat with my sister asking about an update of my sick little brother (my parents are still in Thailand and she is playing "Mommy"), we enjoyed snuggling on the couch and laughing to Wipeout. We are heading off to the Smith Family Ranch in a few days and it's hard not to remember all the memories made in visits past.
My first fishing experience was out on the ranch in June 2009. After my 2nd "perfect cast", I snagged this beauty. Riding horses November 2009. Let's just say it's not my favorite thing in the world....Four-wheeling, sledding, and snow ball fights December 2010. That beauty in the background is the family cabin. So beautifully 70's in every way and I love it.

A Year of Bliss

{a} Stealing a quick kiss before all the fun.

{b} Reception at Maderas Golf Club in Poway, California

{c} Don't let that face fool you, he loved every second of this day.

{d} Our lovely and delicious cake courtesy of VG's Bakery.

{e} Centerpieces included cheery yellow roses & fact cards in our wedding colors and theme.

{f} A bubble getaway with friends and family.

Happy 1 year Anniversary to my love. I can't believe we sealed the deal just a year ago. I can't wait to spend forever with Derek.

"Choose your love. Love your choice."

-President Thomas S. Monson

Summertime Blues

{a final swing of the club as the sun sets on our wedding eve}

Our summer has been the total opposite of "relaxing and fun". With Derek taking the Board I exam, choosing/applying to 4th year cores and externships, weekend courses on ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support), preparing for 3rd year rotations, and a semester of classes on top of it, we have been nothing short of busy! I also opted to have a busy summer, working 9-12 hour days and keeping to a strict exercise regimen that had me up at 5:45 some days, or still going hard around midnight. Thankfully, through all the stress, we have managed to stay healthy, happy, and sane. With our 1 year anniversary creeping up (this Sunday!) and an intense finals week starting the following day, we opted out of celebrating together this weekend and have two fun-filled, relaxing days set aside for the next before we jet off to Idaho for a week long vacation.