Home Sweet Home

On June 15 we closed on a house in Indianapolis. It was quite the process getting all the verification our lender needed, and we wondered if we'd be able to close on time. Thanks to some good luck, it worked out. Once we arrived in Indy we had five days to settle in before Matt began residency training. It was a busy five days to say the least.

I'm hesitant to post pictures of our place because it's still really barren--white walls, empty rooms, etc. But because I really like the people who've requested them (and it will probably be some time before walls are painted and furniture bought) I will. :)

Home Sweet Home

I still can't believe I live here.

Backyard

We have our work cut out for us getting this grass to grow.

View from the Front Door

Great room straight ahead and closet and powder room to the left

Imagine new couches, a great paint color, and drapes. I think that will make this room look fab.

Great room view from the breakfast area

Powder Room

Kitchen

Matt and I picked out the colors in the kitchen. I was scared it'd look too dark, but I absolutely love it! Only probably with dark is that it shows dirt so easy. I am mentally refusing, though, to mop the kitchen more than once a week.

Another kitchen shot with the breakfast area

Upstairs Loft

This serves as the TV area and playroom. Eventually we want the lovely floral couch to grace this space.

Baby Sister's Bedroom

Ironic, her bedroom looks the most complete of any bedroom, and it won't be in use for another two months. This picture also made me realize that I should have taken pics of each room right after I'd vacuumed. Don't you love vacuum lines?

Skylie's Room

She slept in a pack-n-play during her two-week stay in Utah and had a fit when we tried to put her back in a crib. We all pick our battles, and that's not going to be one of mine.

Eventually this will be our office with the desk and floral loveseat. Until I learn (or more likely--hire someone) to install a phone jack in this room, our computer lives elsewhere, and this room is empty.

Laundry Room

Master Bedroom

Now that we have internet our desk is now in this room, too.

Master Bathroom

I think Matt and I did a good job picking out those colors as well, if I do say so myself. :) The other side of the bathroom has a storage closet, garden tub, and shower.

Upstairs Bathroom

Family Reunions In Utah

After our Hawaii getaway, Matt and I returned to Utah and spent six days with family. I love that Skylie got to spend time with each of her grandparents and most of her cousins.

I absolutely love these last two pictures! The second one above I love because Papa's with all the grandkids (except Kohen), and it was completely candid--not posed or planned at all. I love the shot of Skylie because I'm totally biased and think she's the cutest little girl that's ever walked this planet!

Hawaii Vacation

After graduation and checking out of our apartment, we high-tailed it to Utah on Sunday to leave Skylie with grandparents so Matt and I could vacation in Hawaii for a week. Oh how great it was! I felt like I was living a completely different life! No diapers to change. No toys to play with. No entertaining a toddler for hours on end. No responsibilities. Just me, my hubby, and a few friends to relax with. I don't think anyone has ever enjoyed seven hours on a plane ride more than I did on the flight to Hawaii.

We vacationed on Big Island and stayed in a rockin' condo at Waikoloa Village with five friends. We visited Volcano National Park, hiked to some waterfalls, snorkeled, hung out at the beach and the pool, stuffed ourselves silly at a luau, and relaxed in style! I don't have pictures of my favorite outing. We kayaked across a bay and snorkeled around the Captain Cook Monument. We saw dolphins--and Gavin spotted a shark! (Afterward we learned that particular shark was not dangerous.)

I intentionally did not take many pictures (What seven month pregnant woman wants pictures of herself in a swimsuit?), but these are a few from our trip:

Volcano National Park

Volcano National Park

Nate feeding Matt ginger
Megan told Nate that he gets weirder when he's around Matt. The same is true of Matt. I'm not sure how these two can escalate a normal conversation into nonsense so fast, but they do it in...umm...remarkable style.

Volcano National Park

Matt, Nate, and Gavin hiking in Volcano National Park
I'm glad Matt had these guys to goof around with while we girls relaxed by the pool! Who comes up with games like "unwrestling"? These three.

Shoreline of Volcano National Park

Me and Nikki before the luau

Me and Matt
Matt, Erin, and Nikki

Finishing off dessert at the Luau
Matt is expressing how he felt by the end of the meal.

Akaka Falls

Boiling Pots

Eating shaved ice on Kona's Coast
I do try to have normal pictures with this guy once and a while, but this is usually what I get.

All in all, Hawaii was a dream! Who wants to celebrate with us again in five years!?

32 Week Pregnancy Picture

Yesterday marked 32 weeks.

It is probably due to the crazy month we've had, but I can't help but feel like this pregnancy has not been quite as easy as Skylie's. (Don't get me wrong. I know I've got it way better than most.) Good thing all that back pain, sore feet, and sleeplessness results in a cute baby!

I'm now officially at the weight I was when Skylie was born (at 38 weeks). Awesome, right?!

May I Introduce...

Dr. Matthew Pitcher

On Saturday, May 28 Matt graduated from Des Moines University with his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine. He has been working toward this accomplishment for as long as I've known him, and I couldn't be prouder.

The days leading up to graduation were more exciting than the three hour ceremony. Get-togethers with friends, graduation picnics, and banquets filled much of our time on Thursday and Friday.

Graduation Picnic and Banquet

At the picnic for graduates and their families
Here's Skylie and Teirsa. The two were neighbors until the Ellis' moved last year.

At the banquet

Kelly and Jacob Pluid, Matt and Erin Pitcher, Nate and Megan Rencher, Jenni and Nick Racker, and Annie and Caleb Pinegar

Many of our med school friends moved out of state one or two years ago, and it was so nice to have them back for graduation (not all are pictured here). Medical school was a lot of work, but I'd be lying if I didn't say we all had our share of fun times together.

Some of my favorite girls
I'm sure Matt would agree that these are a few of his favorites as well

Graduation Day

The proud family before the graduation ceremony

I think she was more impressed with the fun tassel than anything else.

Jacob Pluid, Nick Racker, Nate Rencher, Gavin Ripp, Caleb Pinegar, and Matt Pitcher
These friends made the endless hours of studying more enjoyable for Matt. Thanks, guys!

His moment of fame caught on video.

Our sweet friend, Nikki, ended up being the person who gave him the real diploma.

After the ceremony
(Fortunately I attended the ceremony without a kiddo, thanks to Margaret's willingness to babysit Sky.)

Congratulations, Matt! In the words of our household icon, Dora, "You did it!"