Residency Graduation 7/1/11

The setting: Two Rivers Winery

We were so happy to have Mom and Dad Long, Carson, Carol, and their girls in attendance!

Carson and Carol

Toby received two awards during the ceremony. Each time he went forward, Claire followed.

The Kellers

Tob's parents chatting with Sherm, aka Dr. Straw, director of the residency.

Nick and Toby

the graduates

Two amazing women. My dear friends, Laura and Lorri.

cousins

Carson helped entertain and keep track of Claire, who became a little loopy and out of control as the evening progressed.

me and my brother

Carol, me, Dad Long

Congratulations Mr. Colorado Resident of the Year.

You're amazing. I'm proud of you babe. Job well done.

Last day of work at the residency!!!

Bye-bye pager!

Helllloooo summer vacation!

Elise and her GJ church and school friends at a "Farewell to Friends" playdate that we hosted one rainy June night in Junction...

I am grateful for these sweet girls (and their mamas!). And I look forward to getting to know the new friends Elise will make in Kindergarten. It's the in-between time that's so hard. Waiting for a hole to be filled.

Praying for patience and optimism!

Avery and Linnea spent a lot of time at our cramped little Orchard Avenue house. Sometime mid-June, I watched them at that house for the last time.

Of course, the girls wanted a "tea party lunch."

And then we worked on a special project... wood memory boxes.

Earlier that day the girls played beauty shop at which time Elise received this glamorous new look.

Linnea's box

Avery's box

Just want to interrupt my photo organizing and editing of pics from the last month to simply say...

Carson Coates you are a wonderful brother. A fantastic uncle. An all-around great person. And I flipping miss you and your family.

Claire misses you too. We all do.

our last Grand Junction farmer's market :(

The last day of June... our last Grand Junction farmer's market. Feeling a little homesick for Junction.

a perfect farmer's market night, complete with cotton candy, face paints...

time with gramma and poppy...

the wonderful main street water fountains, and ...

some sweet street music.

Grand Junction, we miss you.

Wow. I'm a month behind on blogging. A lot has happened since my last post about the graduation picnic. Toby did indeed graduate. (Pictures will be posted someday.) It's official - residency is OVER. And we made the cross-country move to Michigan. In fact, today was the unloading day. Our huge moving truck arrived around 11am, and by 7pm all of our belongings were in the new house, most of it out of the boxes and in the correct rooms. Of course, we have tons of organizing to do, and furniture shopping... It will take a while before we feel settled.

We have so much to be thankful for.... for what Colorado was... for what the future holds. But it's all very bittersweet. I don't like goodbyes and I would love to... (gulp....) have my nieces nearby to squeeze. Yikes... I can't go there. I'm missing them too much. And our many dear friends.... And our favorite Grand Junction places. Oh, what I wouldn't give to be sitting on our back patio in Junction under the white lights. (Sigh...)

But we have a great house close to amazing family. Everyone has been so welcoming and wonderful. Life here will be great.

Transitions are hard for me. And now, with every closet a mess and beds unmade at the new house, I'm missing Grand Junction and all that went along with it.

I didn't intend to write so much tonight. Just wanted to send a quick update out for anyone who might be wondering how we're doing and give myself a chance write some thoughts. We're exhausted after a long day of working at the house and after all the travel and sleeping here, there, and everywhere. Time to get to bed. More posts, updates, and photos to come.