Catching up

It's been a while since I've had a chance to update my blog. School has been crazy, it feels like that's all I've done the last few months. But, I'm almost done! yeah!! I completed my comp exam a few weeks ago (it's the big "program-end" presentation). It was a lot of work, but I did well, and was so relieved to have them over- I couldn't stop smiling :)
Three weeks, one class, and a few clinicals- you may then call me Master Sarah.
I've been able to take a few quick breaks in the last few months, here's a recap, in no particular order.

a little hiking in Boulder, at the Flat Irons.

we hit it just right, the wild flowers were out!

In between semesters i spent a few days in SLC, visiting family. it was a welcome break!

I tagged along with the English's on a Memorial day hike to Grandeur Peak. The girls did fantastic!

We went to Logan to see Ali and Shawn's new house. Of course the day revolved around food: the cheese factory, Aggie ice cream, and the Pepperidge Farm factory.

Clara graduated from preschool!and BBQ's! oh how i miss summer BBQ's.


The Stink-eye:

This little one came to visit me in Denver, then we spent a week in Salt Lake together, every morning I got the stink eye and a shake of the head. I tried bribing her with marshmallows, toys, and pushes on the swing. She wouldn't have anything to do with it- just the stink eye!
(one day she'll realize how cool i really am)

She loved the breakfast food playground at the mall here in Denver.
Who doesn't like a bacon slide!

Did a little "naked" swimming in the river downtown.

I did sneak away for a quick weekend of dressing up and looking pretty in Cali.
I went for my first ever singles conference- it felt a little like a Jane Austen novel: dressing up and going to find a husband. No husband found, but who can complain with a beautiful day at the beach and catching up with great friends.

Lucky me! I was national grilled cheese sandwich month at Clementine's!
Yum!

The Sarah's- enjoying our grilled cheese.

Chicago:
I went for a board review course that the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Conference was holding.
So much information, but great time in the evening exploring the city.
I was able to meet up with my cousins, we had a great dinner, and tour of the city- and the bean!

(photo courtesy of cousin Andy)

Finally- the trek. Our stake did the pioneer trek this year at Martin's Cove. I went as the nurse, patched up blisters and passed out Advil. We had three girls from our ward it was so great seeing them work with their families ad begin to understand what the early pioneers went through for us. I secretly love going with the youth on the trek.

There you have it, my life in a nutshell for the last few months. What's next you say?
For starters, a trip to Bolivia for a few weeks, it's a humanitarian trip with a little fun at the end.
A weekend in New York for the US Open.
My Pediatric Nursing Boards, ugh.
Hopefully a trip back east this fall to visit family and see the leaves.
A move to Salt Lake.
Job searching (let me know if you hear of anything, of if your pediatrician in SLC needs a Nurse Practitioner, I'm friendly and generally likeable).
I'll try to keep you posted...

A visit to SLC

I went to SLC a few weeks ago for this little guy's blessing. He's 3 mos. now and has all that great baby fat, a big change from this.

Hanging out with dad.

Hannah is a great help in the kitchen.

Looking for the ducks at the park, it was still a little too cold for them.

Luke loves the park too!
It was great to spend time with the family, thanks for a great weekend.

More Snowshoeing

A few friend and I spent a long week end up in Estes Park and did a little snowshoeing. It was a great getaway and the views were amazing!

Lunch at the Lake (there is still some debate over which lake we ended up at- i guess it doesn't really matter, it was beautiful).

We had a little snow storm the first day, the wind was miserable, the fresh snow made some great off trail snowshoeing.

Paris-Prague-Rome

One of the great things about being in school are the breaks.
I've been trying to take full advantage of them.
This winter I found a deal to Paris-Prague-Rome, so I went, with a friend, Richelle.
We packed our days with sight seeing (and eating in my part) and tried to stay warm.
It was cold- probably the reason it was such a great deal.

PARIS

Ah, Paris...

The Eiffel Tower

The Seine

Notre Dame
The Christmas decorations were still up, luck us.
The bell tower was closed due to inclement weather, not so lucky us.

The Louvre.

More Louvre.
It's huge.

We saw art.

And when we got tired of art, we looked out the window and looked at the other side of the Louvre. I feel like we walked the whole thing, but I don't think we even made a dent in the the massiveness that is the Louvre.

Looking pretty at the inverted triangle.

Even McDonald's knows how to do it right in Paris.
This hot chocolate: Delicious.
(and yes, I did eat all that whhooop cream)

I discovered these jewel on my last visit to Paris and had to track them down again.
Macaroons. French style. Laudree's

And these little guys- more macaroons, of the free variety.
After my delicious McHot-chocolate, we were walking out and the nice server asked if I wanted to take some macaroons, for free. yes please.
Not as good as Laudree's, but they were free.
Even McDonald's has macaroons. So fancy.

Versaille.

The Hall Of Mirrors.
Pictures don't do it justice.
I thought the stools were fancy.

A fancy doorknob at Versaille.

Au revoir Paris

PRAGUE

We were welcomed to Prague by a foot of freshly fallen snow.
It did not deter us, we walked the streets with frozen smiles.

Soldier at Prague Castle

St. Vitus Cathedral

Prague Castle

Astronomical Clock

Prague is such a pretty city.
I would love to got back and visit sometime when my feet don't feel like ice blocks.
There is so much more I want to explore

ROME

The Spanish Steps.
It was warm and the sun was out.
We ate pizza.
Life is good.

The Trevi Fountain.
More spectacular at night (but I'm not good at night shots, just imagine).

The Pantheon.
I was in Italy a few years ago with some friends.
We somehow missed this, it was always just around the corner,
but we could never seem to find it.
It was amazing.

The Colosseum

The Roman Forum.

Arch of Titus

Pretty Pillars.
It's amazing to see these ruins in the middle of a thriving modern city.

St. Peter's Dome at St. Peter's Cathedral.

St. Peter's Square.

Another great trip, and ready for the next!