That's Dr...

Justin R. Marostica! Well, he did it! He is officially a DMD. Here is the rundown of all the festivities the last couple of weeks, and a handful of pictures...

We went to Justin's Senior dinner for all the people graduating in his class. It was held at the Chart House near Penn's Landing in downtown Philadelphia. Here is the view from the deck. The guys had to fork over an additional $50 to have us wives come to the event. We were a little worried that it was going to be a night of cocktails and appetizers only, but were pleasantly surprised when we all sat down for a pretty descent meal. In other words...worth the extra $50!

Justin won't forget these guys. He carpooled to and from school with them. I think they are all relieved that the commute is finally over. Good-bye 422, Rt. 1, 76 and Broad Street!

Some of the wives that survived the 4 years of Dental School. We worked hard too, just not in a scholastic sort of way.

The day before graduation they had an awards ceremony. They awarded some pretty prestigious accomplishments. I was amazed with some of the things his peers had done while in school. Justin was awarded a couple for being such a stellar student. Not too shabby huh?

This award was awarded to him for his interest and commitment to oral implantology and implant dentistry. He also got a piece of the loot for his board score for boards part II. Way to go Justin! All that studying was definitely worth it.

The day of graduation we had prepared Zach for his walk across the stage with Daddy. He was very excited to say the least. He walked off waving and giving everyone a two thumbs up.

Here is the calm before the storm. The actual graduation lasted a couple hours. I promise that my kids have never been so naughty as they were for these two hours. It didn't help that both Kate and Zach were exhausted from being carted here and there with little or no nap in between. I am just glad that we survived and that I didn't kill my kids...definitely tempted!

And he did it! He is now Dr. Marostica! We couldn't be more proud. What an accomplishment.

The kids are still trying to catch up!

We Are So Proud...

Daddy passed he boards! I have never seen Justin so nervous to open a letter in the mail. Well, I guess this wasn't your typical letter. Anyways, after an insane amount of studying, hard work, and perseverance, the result we got on this small slip of paper made it all worth it! Congratulations! We love you and could not be more proud of you. To celebrate we hit up good old Chili's for a little dinner.

The facial hair? That is a whole other story. I was given several reasons for the grow out that I am not sure if it was a good luck charm for him and his buddy on the boards, an opportunity to get attention from his peers, who he claims have given him loads of compliments on it, or just an attempt to look like McSteamy. He even got a compliment from his little brother, Tyson, who could grow a beard for him and Justin both!

Graduation...

Is just around the corner and the next four weeks until we move are going to fly by. Before every one's families got in town, Justin thought it would be fun to get together with all his friends from his class and have one last BBQ. Most of our friends were able to be there. A few weren't able to come because of prior commitments and some who have already moved, but we adopted some of our med student and pedo student friends as well. We all had a great time. The rain that poured most of the day stopped just in time for us to start grilling. We provided the meat and drinks and everyone else brought a side to share. Justin and I were proud of our kabobs. They look good, no? We will miss having such great friends. My friend Emily also took some pictures.

I Know Some Kids...

Who are ready for summer! We have been teased by the weather. Last week was gorgeous...this week, rainy. The kids are on their way to celebrity status, wearing sunglasses whenever... inside, outside, sunny, rainy...more like when I run out of ideas of things to do inside. Who knew sunglasses could be so entertaining.

A little randomness...

In the Four Years...

That we have lived in Pennsylvania, the cherry blossoms, blooming on the trees, are on my most favorite times of the year. They are also one of the few things that I actually enjoy about the apartment complex we have been living in, next to the occasional brown water. The brown water is a joke, and as for the cherry blossoms, I really do love them. This is the entrance to good old Colony. The sad part is that the blossoms only last until the first spring rainstorm, but until then...

What Do You Do...

On one of the most important weekends of your husband's life, or career? You go to a Phillies game! Last weekend Justin took his boards, clinical style(actual patient drill and fill sort of stuff). This test is a definite hit or miss type, that if you are not on your game, could fail pretty easily. Needless to say Justin was anxious, nervous, antsy, you name it. Above all the stress and anxiety leading up to this weekend, I was invited to a Phillies game with my friends. I couldn't resist...a night out with my friends that I am going to have to say good-bye to(sob sob) in a month, and seats that are, well, let's be honest, amazing, just two rows up from the dugout, order practically any food, drink, treat you want and they bring it to you, and its afforded a scanned ticket away, so close if you had a go-go gadget arm you could reach out and touch the players on the field(easy Val, lol), let's just go ahead and be the ump for the game, your so close kind of seats! No one would pass this up. Justin, being the best hubby in the world, let me go. I offered to get a sitter for the kids, but he insisted that even though this WAS a huge weekend for him, that I go and have a good time. I am one lucky girl!

Cindy, Jen, me and Val. Thank you to my friend Cindy and for her sweet Acme hook-up. Like that plug? Shop Acme!

Ummm, are these really our seats? Look how stinkin close we are?

Oh Cole!!! Watch out he's married. And so am I. He's just a really talented athlete right?...and maybe easy on the eyes too.

Ok that's enough, but you get the idea.

For Justin...your favorite player, Chase Utley. I love ML Baseball games. My first(the Orioles) was 7 years ago when I lived in D.C. and I had not been to one in 4 years. It was about time. Great weather, phinatic fans, 7th inning stretch...the list could go on and on. This game was also extra special because they honored Harry Kalas, the voice of the Phillies, who passed away recently. We are going to miss Philadelphia when we leave, especially with all the sports teams that we get to cheer on, and on occasion get to actually spectate.

The Easter Rundown...

Zach's pre-school had an Easter egg hunt. It was a little different. They had all the eggs scattered around the playground and the grass, but they were empty. Which to Zach meant, don't pick them up. He was looking for some loot! So while all the other kids were filling their baskets full of eggs Zach kept running around picking up the eggs, but throwing them back down on the ground after discovering they were empty. Later we all went inside the school and found out that the eggs the kids picked up determined what order they could pick out their prize and get their bag full of candy(to make it fair). Not such a bad idea after it was all said and done.

This is Justin, one of Zach's favorite friends from school.

The day before Easter we dyed Easter eggs at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Zach was very involved in the dying.

Kate was the "Egg Keeper." She was not letting go of that egg carton. As you can see from her body position she has a little sass in her. Cute, but I think a little naughty! Grandma sure got a good laugh when we asked Kate to put the eggs back in the carton, and Kate's response was to turn her back, fold her arms, and say "No!." This girl has some tude!

I got Zach and Kate some new Easter outfits or "costumes" as Zach would say. I think they look cute.

Grandma and Grandpa have the perfect yard for an Easter Egg Hunt. We invited our friends, the Broadbents, to join the fun. Zach was running of course.

Kate caught on too! Justin was cute with her showing her how to find them and getting protective of her hunting space when Zach got near. Some one's got her daddy wrapped around her finger.

And of course, the Easter Bunny never just stops with candy. Thanks Easter bunny for all the fabulous treats this year, and a delicious dinner to boot. Boy are we loved!

If we couldn't find Kate, sure enough she was off in her own little hiding spot(in this case behind the chair) sneaking in some candy. Wrapper or no wrapper, she was loving it. We have been warned, cute...but naughty!

With all these fun activities we of course will not forget the true meaning behind Easter, and will hopefully be able to help our kids understand why we celebrate Easter. At the dinner table, before we blessed the food, Justin asked Zach why we celebrated Easter, and Zach's response was "The Easter Bunny!" I couldn't help but feel like a failure as a parent, but I guess better luck next year.

This Is What...

Taking advantage of no church on Sunday(Conference) looks like...These guys are having way to much fun, or have watched a little too much Nitro Circus!

I Smell Bacon...

Or should I be nice and say Poe Poe? Either way I got a ticket!

Here's the scenario. I was asked to make a meal for a friend who just had a baby. I love doing this because I know how much I appreciate a home cooked meal after I have my babies. It is nice during that adjustment period of adding another baby to the family. Plus there is the added bonus of feeling good, knowing that you might make some one's day with the small gesture of making them a meal. Anyways, so I made the meal, put my own family's meal in the oven to cook(while I make the 2 minute run over to her house to drop the food off), ran out the door, placed the food in the passenger side of my car, and was on my way to try and get the food to her while it was still warm. Until ... are you kidding me? Flashing lights behind flipping pull me over. Off course I was going over the speed limit! I was obviously not paying attention to the speed limit, I was thinking about getting this meal to her and then getting back to my own family to finish making our meal. The cop caught me going 50 in a 35! 15 whole mph, how easy is this to do, especially when the street you turned from was 45? Who changes the speed limits like that? Darn Penndot!

As I clearly point to my food in the passenger seat and plead my case to the occifer, he says "Well let me just check all your info, so we can get you on your way." I gave it to him and as he walked off I prayed in my head that he would just give me a warning. I have not had a ticket in 6 years!!! Why now? Especially knowing that I was on an errand to brighten some one's day. A ticket would just ruin the whole meaning behind making the meal and helping someone out. Plus it wasn't like I was recklessly driving and going waaayyy over the speed limit. I just was a busy mom trying to get stuff done. I honestly wasn't trying to hurry, I was on auto pilot, not paying attention. I could drive this street with my eyes closed. That is how often I drive on this street(Audubon Rd.).

Needless to say he hands me my ticket to sign and says "You might be able to get a judge to drop this if you tell them your story." I said "No that is your job! Your the one who is supposed to tell me that this time you will give me a warning." Call me rude, but honestly, he could clearly see that I was not trying to break the law! I was trying to do something nice! All he could say in response was some saga about how the state has mandated that we yada yada yada... I was so mad, started my car, and pulled away to get to my original plans of delivering what was now my cold meal.

So here I sit with this $150.00 ticket wondering if it is worth going to court to try and get it reduced. I don't care how rich or poor you are, $150.00 for 15mph over the speed limit is inconvenient! I could think of a million other things I could put my $150.00 towards.

Talk About Getting...

The RoYaL tReAtMeNt! Don't you wish someone would style your hair every day? Forget having to go to the salon...Miss Kate is so spoiled by Justin. She gets her hair blow dried every day. And on a good day, round brushed! You can tell that this is their bonding time.