thank goodness for Mothers!

I wasn't able to go home for Mother's Day, but I was able to see her on Thursday :) She had to drive a bid down to Olympia, so on her way back home she stopped by and we got an early dinner after my meeting before my lab :) I was once again reminded of the quality of time one gets, not the amount, because we only had an hour. But of course I was pleasantly surprised when my mom brought the infamous Banana Chocolate Chip muffins :) they always go fast in my room, because my roommate and Brittany love them!

Thanks mom for stopping by! And for the muffins they were delicious!

But I did get to skype with my parents, sisters, nephews, brother in laws, and Guela (her first skype) on Sunday afternoon so I could wish them all a Happy Mother's Day while overhearing all the conversations going on :) And later I skyped with Caitlin and Lacey which made my afternoon even better! Caitlin is getting so big and we even got her to sing her ABC's for me! So great!

Hope everyone else had a great Mother's Day! Our families wouldn't be the same without you!

nothing like a surprise text....

Thursday was such a blessing too! I got a text from one of my best girl friends Lacey Dillard saying she was in Seattle and we should meet up (since we couldn't over Easter). It was spur of the moment, but after my MicroBio lab we met up with Stacey, Jordan Head, Nate Libolt and Lacey and headed out to Dicks to get them some food :) It was so great seeing her and I'm so blessed that she took the time to stop by~

Nothing like seeing friends from home :)

*This is just the 1st of 3 new posts - so read all the way down :)

Golden Gardens and Relay 4 Life

This weekend started out with a GORGEOUS Friday afternoon with sunshine, blue skies, and a trip to Golden Gardens! It was a girl on my floors birthday, so we made a fire, brought s'more fixins, a frisbee, football and headed out to celebrate :)

Amy and I toasting our marshmallows

Perfect S'mores!
YUM!!!!

And...an AMAZING sunset

All the girls :)

And....this weekend was the 25th anniversary for Relay 4 Life!

But this Saturday, the weather was...well...Seattle style- it started out sprinkling, then rained a little harder, got sunny and kinda warm, then down poured and blew everything over and finished with a clear night :) It was quite the adventure. Only the true troopers stuck it out the entire time :)

Me and Stacey waiting for the Survivors to come around :)

Sara was on the committee this year and she did great!

Roommate love! These girls are great!

Me and Paige :) She's from Juneau, and she's pre-nursing! She rides with us to Children's on Thursdays and goes to Mosaic with Emily and I - love her!

It was a great success despite the crazy weather! Our school raised over $24,000 dollars for Cancer research! YAY! Cannot wait for the Lynden one this summer!

Roadtrip

3,750 miles

10 days

6 people

7 states

= One great roadtrip!

Well in case you didn't know my parents went on a little adventure with Jerry & Wendy Brann and Brent and Marcia Crabtree. They headed south and went through Oregon, California, Arizona, Utah, Montana (and 1 other...). All of us daughters got updates from Guela throughout the entire trip keeping us informed of where they were, and the progress they made. I think it was a good, relaxing trip for everyone :)

This is the only picture I have so far, the Mustang at one of the Canyons

I"m glad my parents were able to spend time with their friends, enjoy the scenery and make it back without any accidents or tickets :)

Plus they came home early on Easter Sunday so I was able to see them! Such a great surprise :)

April Birthdays

Well I couldn't go to bed without wishing one of my favorite cousins happy birthday...so here's to Stacey Kristine: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Notice how I didn't include the year?? lol Anyways, Stacey has always been such a huge part of my life and continues to be, just with a few miles between us ;) but we've had PLENTY of birthdays together growing up - going shopping with Guela to get matching outfits (I still remember getting the blue skirt and shirt with the daiseys on them :) and loving the fact that we were so close in age. Well can't really believe it now, but were 20 and we've grown up so much since then!

I love you so much Stace! and could not have asked for a better cousin! You are so great and such a blessing! Hope today was fabulous =)

Birthday Weekend!

Sorry these are a little late but here's pictures from when we went out to dinner at a cute little Italian restaurant called Tutta Bella :)

Me and my birthday Tiramisu!

The whole group of girls!

Me, Natalie, and Kristina

On Saturday we walked to South Beach from Discovery Park - Such a gorgeous day with blue skies!

Always amazed at God's amazing creation~

Walking back through the trails

Such a great way to celebrate turning 20 :)

Home for Easter!

Easter with the Van Dalens :) And my parents! I know that might sound strange, but I wasn't planning on seeing them when I was home for Easter but they surprised me and came home early! What a great little treat to end my weekend home. I spent Friday night at Shannon & Dave's and spent time with Guela and the whole gang living with her while I was home and it was just what I needed :) Sorry for the length of this one, I just had too many to choose from and so many good ones! And its faster than uploading to a slideshow lol so here you go!

* Guela and Kali *

Mom and Bryce (this was the best I got sorry!) what a chunk tho! He's growing so much! And he's got some thighs to him thats for sure ;)
Best cousins :) Me and Stace at the little kid table with Brock
I was shocked that we got one of him actually smiling, he's in that phase where he doesn't want you to take a picture of him. But we got a good one :)
Truman messing around with a boiled egg...before Amy made him throw it away lol

Kali playing peak-a-boo with Bryce :) what a great cousin!

Hunting for eggs!

In the rain...

Brock with his easter basket, finally getting to hunt for eggs!

Weston out looking :)

Breester with her eggs

Love them!

And Emily with her finds

And...Bree accomplished her goal for the day: She found the "Special Egg" and was smiling from ear to ear! She carried it with her all afternoon :)

What a cutie!
Brock: "Truman can you find me another egg? I have my basket!"

Weston: "Truman, can you find an egg for me?"

I think Truman had 2 very devoted little guys following him around all afternoon :)

Cousins!!! Hoods + curls = good to go!
Me and Brock after hunting for eggs :)
Well hope you all had a great week! We've been experiencing Seattle's bipolar weather all week but its supposed to get sunny next week! :) Just in time for my 3 midterms and a paper :)

Love you all! Hopefully I'll get birthday pics up next!