pictures of joe's graduation

I know this post is almost a month late, but we've been pretty busy. i'm trying to update in chronological order. Next post will be pictures of our cruise!

 It's hard to see in this picture, but this is Dr. Shneider placing the doctoral hood on Joe. I have no idea why it's purple.  

 Here is Dr. Joseph Whitehead DDS! I'm so proud of him!  I may have cried during the whole ceremony.

 I love this picture of Joe's sisters giving him a kiss on the cheek.

 We were lucky enough to have 2 of joe's sisters and his parents come to Iowa for the ceremony.

 I don't know why i like this picture. We don't really kiss like this with our noses squished. I think I was too happy to care.

The kids' last picture together with us all living in Iowa. Needless to say it's been an emotional few weeks.

I know this post is about Joe, but I just had to add one picture of these amazing, wonderful, incredible, can't-say-enough-about-them ladies.  I hate leaving them.

Story time

"boys do you want me to tell you a story? Once upon a time there were 2 boys who didn't eat there dinner so their mom and dad ate all the ice cream sandwiches all gone, and the boys didn't get any. The end"

after a great deal of time spent fake crying and throwing fits....

"mommy that wasn't a very happy story. I'll tell you a story. Once upon a time there were 2 boys . and Ethan and Noah were holding hands with their mommy and daddy and they were so happy to cross the street and hold hands. And they went to the park and were so happy to play." 

 I love their creative play. although its so obnoxious to hear them sing Rudolph the poop nosed poop dear, I am secretly hoping that it will someday translate into some form of creative writing talent.  This is the first time they have made up their own story. I hope to hear many more in the future.

Family Pictures!

A few weeks ago we were able to have our pictures taken by our friend Kate Allen. Proceed to the bragging: she's an award winning photographer, and she's just been accepted into the Master's program at the University of Iowa College of Fine Arts. Here is her website in case you'd like to see some of her work. 

 http://www.kateelisabethphotography.com/

I love how they turned out!

OUT OF TOWN!

Joe GRADUATED FROM DENTAL SCHOOL TODAY!!! I'll post more when i have time. I'm just updating to say that Joe and I are leaving for our cruise and we will be gone for the next week. I'M LEAVING MY PHONE WITH GRANDMA (Joe's mom is staying at our place with the kids) so if you need to get ahold of me, you will need to call Joe's phone.

WE ARE OFF!!!!

Solid Food

Joelle has been eating solid foods really well!

Today was prunes and green beans

I think she likes it!

Trip to Missouri

On Thursday morning Joe and I dropped our boys off at a friend's house (a VERY good friend who was willing to watch our rascals overnight) and drove to St. Joe's to find a place to live. We'd expected to drive around all day Thursday collecting info and making phone calls, and then spending all of Friday seeing places. Luckily enough we were able to find, call, tour, and sign paperwork for a great place all in a few hours time on Thursday.
Here is a link to what our place looks like. We aren't renting through this website but the rentals are almost exactly what our duplex will be like except for a few minor differences. We live on a different street so our backyard is different than pictured on the website. It also doesn't show this on the video tour but there are 3 bedrooms, 3  bathrooms, and each bedroom has its own walk in closet! I'm most excited about that part! Also our place doesn't have shower doors, and the kitchen cabinets have a lighter wood color.

 http://www.stjoerent.com/c-north-woodbine-1.html


We can move in as early as June 15th, but logistically can't really move in until about the 20th. This means that we will be able to spend some time visiting friends and family in Utah after we move in.
This is all happening so fast!