All good things must come to an end- Part 1

The last few months in Provo were bitter sweet. All of our friends were slowly going their way. Dave was heading to California early to start his new job and I decided to stay with the children so that they could finish school and spend some of the summer here and spend a bit more time with our friends before we finally moved. Dave and I were apart for 6 weeks and in that time he visited twice.

Above is one of our last official outings with the Lloyds. Visiting our friends new little foal.

We were fortunate to still be in Provo for the blessing of the Woodruff's baby Sawyer. Dave has known Tyson they were at BYU as 18 year olds in 1993. So we were stoked to be there for it and be part of the baby blessing.

It was sad to see the Woodruff's leave for Washington DC. They were our fun brigade! Life is definitely a little more boring without Diana ringing to ask if I want to run in a snow shoe race, make s'mores up in the canyon or go camping. I am so glad Dave and Tyson organized for Dianna and I to go on a blind running date when we had first moved to Provo.

Good times!!!

We have been in California for 7 months now and my children are still talking about the crazy Woodruffs and when we will see them again...... they also miss all the birthday cakes she made for them. I am not so good : (

The boy's primary teacher came over and took them for a ride and to say goodbye. The boys were stoked!!!

5th grade goodbyes. This was a real sad time for Goannah! She had made some incredible friends and it was very difficult for her to say goodbye : (

Loved her teacher!!!! She had 2 incredible teachers while in Utah.

The photos are out of order, but we got to go on one last hike with the Woodruffs near Sundance.

Yep, Diana is hiking with a new born!

Love Summer!

Just hanging. Now that we are in California in a house I can honestly say that I don't know how we lived in a tiny 3 bedroom apartment. We also had more children hanging out our place than ever. Four of the neighbours were over in this photo. Something we strangely miss. It was one big exhausting and fun party.

Below is some of the girls in block 16. Some of the great neighbours that I learned to lean on and (borrow an egg) every now and then. Gorgeous Connie was leaving with her family to L.A and we were all out for a girls night.

For mothers day I like to go on a date with each of my children. I decided a few years ago that it was going to be a tradition. A good excuse to spend one on one time with them and do the fun mum things I keep meaning to do.

With H'bomb, we went to the nickel arcade and had dinner at Sushi Ya!! Yummy.

A picture say's a thousand words!!!

For Beth she wanted a picnic in the sun with friends of course!

Can't be a date unless you buy a treat or two!

Edgar was doing the MBA program with Dave and Daniella helped me with the international committee at BYU and helped translate Portugese. She really helped integrate the Brazillian girls. Best cook ever!!! We loved learning more about Brazil from them and can't wait to visit them in Brazil one day. We loved spending Christmas eve with them and others Brazilian style.

Goodbye beautiful Alex. Alex wanted to do a special movie night. Diana had just had her gorgeous baby and it was to be our last official girls night out. It was a blast! Tyson was there too. But he is one of the girls and we talked, talked, ate and watched Avatar. I miss my gym buddy!

The fun ship

After graduation, we thought what better way to celebrate than to go on a cruise. Many of our friends couldn't make it because of work comittments, pregnancy or lack of a willing babysitter but those who could make it had a blast.Onboard the fun ship we had 5 couples. For 5 months we had been looking forward to this moment.


There were many highlights, but I think we all agreed that hands down the best part was our formal dinner each night. We all got to dress up with the luxury of not worrying about children and we could happily stuff our faces. I think one of the best quotes was from Matt when he would look around the table at what everyone had ordered and wished he had ordered the persons next to him. Then he said one night as he was looking around at all our dishes...."I've got food envy!!" Brock's dancing was another that we will all never forget! I don't think I have laughed so hard.

Totally not planned : )

Did we get boat sick??? Nope. Loved the feeling of being rocked to sleep.

We got to explore Catalina Island. Loved the feeling of exploring a new place. We boarded a little boat and headed over for the day.

Some of the couples decided to hire a little boat and explore the island a little more. Second biggest highlight for us!!!! We had no idea where we were going. We wanted somewhere private to snorkel. Eventually a tour boat interrupted our isolated beach but Dave was a little impressed with himself. He was the skipper and if the tourist boat had come out to this beach, I think we were in a pretty good spot.

Cold, freezing water but got to see some bright red fish.

We rode past this isolated resort on our way to snorkelling.

We were a little excited when we saw something moving in the water. Hoping for a dolphin, hopefully not a shark, but it was a few seals. Emily thought we would see if they liked red vines....

MEXICO. I was a very excited Aussie being able to visit another country. Mathew and Monica thought it would be great to go to this famous blow hole and also go to the streetside markets here in La Bufadora.

You wait and wait for the water to come out of the blow hole. Lots of fun!

The Mexico markets. Cheap, cheap, cheap!

The kids were disappointed we didn't brng the hats home.

These were the best, freshest and most authentic tacos I have ever had. Fish and shrimp. As Brittney would say..."dreamy".

The local taco hut.

On the way back our bus guide who was a lot of fun but also seemed a bit suspicious. As he drove us back to the crusie ship, he stopped off in the middle of the highway, with all of us in it and three men on horses rode to his bus window. He passed these cowboys a whole wad of money. We thought it was odd. But then he had to stop to fill up with gas and police blocked our bus in and ordered us all off the bus. Originally he was going to have to go to the police station and leave all the tourists stranded but then they changed their minds. The rather chatty bus driver was very quiet for the rest of the trip. I felt like we got a real feel for Mexico.

While the girls lay in the sun, the boys were on the court next to us playing basketball.

One of the things we all did best was EAT! I happily admit to eating 3 of the lobster meals.
I think the melting chocolate cake was everyones favorite. One night some of the guys were going on about a midnight chocolate buffet. However, we got the nights mixed up and missed it.

At least there was the 24 hour pizaa buffet as an alternative.

I have never seen Dave dance so much. I don't think we have laughed so hard over extended days. All the boys were dancing, even Adam. The girls were

were very impressed! At the mention of Adams name, we can't help but add that THE most funny story came from Adam and Emily! Emily related Adam's difficulty getting through the security screenig. However, that's a story you would have to ask them!! Let's just say we never tired of bringing that story up at every possible occasion.

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Boys rocked the karaoke.

Dave and I have not had more fun trip away since our honeymoon. We have also never gone on a trip with other couples before. Great company. Couldn't have asked for a better time than we had. Thankyou Rachel & Susan for looking after our children. Really appreciated it!

Random pic's

MBASA girls night out.

Lot's of mum's very happy to have some fun!

MBA Golf day.

CRAZY! A midnight showing of Eclipse. Waiting in the freezing cold Provo night.

Women's conference with Susan Lloyd. My neighbour and all time angel. We did it both years and had a laugh when the BYUTV crew interviewed both of us. Obviously we didn't cut it because we never made it to air.

Women's conference.

One of Dave's international activities was hiking the Y and having a devotional and donuts.

Hiking the Y. (For the 10 millionth time!!)

Roller skating with the Lloyd's.

Had a lovely lunch for the students who received the Hawes award and their spouses. This is the highest achievement given in the program each year and is based on academic performance and contribution to the program. Students and faculty are asked to provide nominations each year.

Dinner with friends. In our tiny apartment we had more people over than we ever did in our large home in Perth. I have to smile at that. I realised living in tiny student housing for 2 years that you can't take life and the things around you for granted. Like having your own glorious laundry and being 7 minutes from the gorgous Perth beach.

An actual photo of an international activity. International cooking classes were held during the month. The Brazillians showed us how to make some exotic food from their country so it made me laugh when they just simply wanted to learn about cookie making! My fave international activity was the one Dave and I combined to work on (and I used all his budget). We had an International Christmas party for all the MBA students. I was very glad that I organised for others to be the judges of baking competition because it got very competitive! We were too busy organising that we forgot our camera that night. Dang it!

Beverly the cookie demonstrator.

Hyrum fractured his arm just walking home from school. It was a team effort from all my friends who helped Hyrum. He fell in front of a ward members house who ran out to see all the commotion. Hyrum was laying on the ground, surrounded by his friends and Sister Heaton, being a nurse strapped him up. Kristen, my friend, and another member of our ward who was driving past, stopped to see if she could help and rang me. Susan, our neighbour, who also saw the commotion on her way home, kicked her children out of the car and put Hyrum in the car and took him home to me. Only in Provo would I have 3 dear friends and sisters in the ward come to Hyrum's rescue. Having the chapel next door to the school has its advantages!

Alex's birthday dinner at Chilis with Mike & Alex, Tyson and Diana and Mathew and Monica.