Playa Del Carmen...

 I could not think of a better way to celebrate our 10 year anniversary,(a little early) than a trip to beautiful, sunny Playa Del Carmen!  With so much being on our plate this year it was nice to get away for a few days. A good friend of ours let us stay in his condo.  It was the perfect place for a little R & R...private beach, huge 80 something degree pool, messages on the beach, a quick walk to 5th Avenue for great eats, and a great concierge to help us with whatever we needed.   

This was what we woke up to every morning.  Sunny and 90 degrees!  No complaints here!

The Beach

The Pool

We headed to Cozumel really to just say that we have been there, because if I am being honest, its just like Playa with a little less people on their beaches.  

This was the Mexican Convertible we rented while visiting Cozumel for the afternoon.

 Look who we found stranded along side the road...the Broadbents!

Vacationing with friends is always so fun.

The sweet people of Cozumel love to entertain and cater to all the tourists.  A sweet man made Val and I these Crickets.  Their chillin' on top of our Mexican Convertible.

We headed to Tulum one of the days for a little ruin site seeing.

Pretty Amazing! 

As exciting as site seeing gets we spent the rest of the day at Xel-ha, snorkeling, zip-lining, swimming, and eating until we couldn't anymore!

This was no Kipu Falls, but definitely fun.

You don't see these every day.

 There's nothing like trying new food in a foreign country.  5th avenue did not disappoint.  Justin's favorite restaurant was La Parilla (Mexican Grill) and mine was Sur (Argentine Grill).       

The Combination Grill at La Parilla...a table top grill...so yummy!

A picture of our toes in Paradise because we're trendy!  But honestly one of the most relaxing vacations I have ever taken.  It may have taken the whole week but I even read the entire 1st book of the hunger Games.

 The token group picture.  

 What a great vacation!  We feel so fortunate to have been able to take this great trip, knowing that the kids were in great care with Aunt Jayne, and that we have friends who put up with us for a few days and still manage to have a good time.  Until next time!  

Now for my "Near Death" experience!  Our plane ride from Cancun to Denver was down right frightening!  We hit some turbulence and the entire plane of course was shaking, but it gets worse.  BAM!!! the plane hits an air pocket and free falls for what felt 30-40 feet, and in my head was continuing to fall through the clouds and straight for the ground.  The flight attendants and their cart went airborne and drinks flew to the ceiling splattering everyone and everything!  People screamed and the flight attendants yelled at people to sit and get their seat belts on.  My heart jumped out of my chest and the blood rushed from my head to my stomach.  My life was over!  Because even after hitting a huge air pocket the flight continued to be turbulent.  I have never had as many things rush through my mind as I did at this moment, especially the thought of My kids being parent-less!  I was freaking out, in my head!  I told Justin I was going to faint, and tried to fan myself to calm down.  Of course NO ONE is explaining over the speaker system, that things are fine and that smoother air will be ahead shortly.  Nothing was working.  I got myself into such a frenzy, the silent type, of course, but felt it coming, and nudged Justin to see if he had a barf bag in front of him...of course NO!  I looked in mine...YES!  It was a done deal the amazing burger, fries and milkshake I had eaten before getting on the plane...gone!  I of course calmed down after that and smoother air finally arrived, and obviously I am still alive.  I guess I have a weak stomach.  And at the top of my priority list is a Will and a family Trust!

It's Finally Done!

Justin's office is finally done, well except for a few things like back ordered toilet paper roll holders, chair rails and small details that still need to be filled in.  But it is done!  Who knew building a new office from scratch would be so much work!  We owe a huge thank you to my mom for helping us with the design, color, and materials.  She really knows her stuff!  I am afraid to know what it might have ended up looking like if it were just up to me and Justin.  And of course we can't forget to thank our General Contractor and all his subs who made the design come to life.  

Given the bones we got to work with as far as the existing building we moved into, I think it turned out great!  Of course there will always be things we wish we could have done, but with a tight budget, having to meet specific OSHA requirements, and building around things that were unchangeable, we feel really good about the outcome.  Now all we can hope is that it pays off, if you know what I mean.  So far, the response from patients has all been positive, which is great.  You always wonder if people are going to walk in a be overwhelmed or underwhelmed.  I hope neither.  The goal was to make it inviting, so if we are still in business after a few years I think we will have our answer.

He had an open house last Friday and after it was over we took some pictures. Justin took more detailed pics with his phone when there was still daylight, and I just got the general ones, as the sun was setting. So drumroll please!

Reception Area

 More Reception desk and East Hallway

 Consult Room

 One of the Doctor's Ops

 Staff Room

 Records Room

  Inside the Surgical Suite...cool light!

 North Hallway

 Lab

 South Hallway

 Doctor's Op, we frosted and tinted the windows, rather than have dust collecting blinds.

 Sterilization

 Other side of Sterilization

 West Hallway

 Hygiene Op

 Dental Chair, we purchased used and had them reupholstered.

 The Pass-throughs from Sterilization

 Doctor's Op

 Consult Room, in case you wondered if the doctors really do have a degree.

 Doctor's Op

 Surgical Suite

 North Hallway, the staff is loving how bright it is with all the windows. 

If you want to see more you are just going to have to take a trip out to Portland and visit us.  Oh Gee Darn!  

My Funny Bunnies...

 Finally, a sunny and warm Easter!  We definitely lucked out this year.  The kids got spoiled by the Easter Bunny, wore their new Sunday clothes, had a great egg hunt up at Grandma and Grandpa's house, and hopefully remember what they learned in church...the real meaning as to why we celebrate this day.

  Zach made a mad dash to gather up as many eggs as he could find while Kate took her time.

I love this last pic, faded and all.  There's just something about having a sunny day on Easter that makes it so much better!

They are looking so grown up to me lately.

 

Zach's First Science Fair...

Or should I say Justin's first Science Fair, because let's just be honest here, what First Grader is actually going explain how his beyblades, which are the modern day version of a spinning top toy, can be explained by the laws of Gyroscope physics? I can guarantee that if you are reading this you are already scratching your head wondering what is Gyroscope Physics.

Although Zach would have never come up with this idea on his own, I do applaud Justin for finding a way to engage Zach's attention and interest in science and applying it to his absolute most favorite toy...BEYBLADES!

Zach's Science Fair Project was about the Physics Principles in a Spinning Top(beyblades). Ready for your science lesson? I should know because just an hour before the Science Fair started I was explaining to Zach what the 5 physics principles to a spinning top are...seriously me? The one with a dance ed degree and a minor in business? I couldn't be further from what I claim to know! But he had to know, he was going to have reviewers coming and asking him questions. Justin said he went over it with Zach as they were putting the poster together the night before, when I spoke to him the morning of,telling him he better plan on coming home from work early to help his son understand and be able to explain his science project, but come on really? Gyroscope Physics, Beyblades, First Grade, Zach? You've got to be kidding me!

Really Zach should have planned to tell them, "Ask my Dad, it was his idea!", but no protective me couldn't let that happen, he had to have something to say for this.

SO here's the skinny! Because this is turning into a novel. Really!
The 5 Principles are:
1. Friction
2. Gravity
3. Moment of Inertia
4. Torque
5. Angular Momentum

Picture me up in Zach's room, beyblade in hand, launcher in the other, the beyblade stadium below pointing out the 5 principles and trying to get Zach to understand and repeat the process back to me. He would get it, and then I would ask him two minutes later about one of the principles and then he would look at me like well mom aren't you going to give me the answer? Panic? Yes!

So here we are at the school and did I really need to panic? Because, honestly, I am sure every adult in the gym knew that this was NOT a first graders' idea, that a parent obviously helped in this situation. But, I listened in while the 2 reviewers interviewed Zach about his science project and I have to say, I was pleasantly impressed with how confidently Zach presented himself and his project. He even explained 3 out of the 5 principles, Gravity, Friction and Angular Momentum (Insert proud mom here!) He either learned something in our crash course or he is the best "B.S.er"!

Of course he was way more interested in showing the reviewers how the beyblades actually work, and when they asked him what he would have done anything differently the next time, his reply was, "I would have brought L Drago(a different beyblade)to show everyone. (Insert me dying!)

Zach/Justin's project was a success and I think most people were impressed that science can be applied to beyblades, and it was an obvious hit with the kids. For the record, I am almost positive that most to the projects were suggestions from an adult, but I think next year I will be making sure Zach does most of the work!




Here he is with one of the reviewers. He really was so confident and I think felt he sort of knew what he was talking about. I hope he remembers these moments, because I know I will.