Chagrin falls-our last trip

We recently took some time away from the chaos of packing and ventured out to a favorite spot in chagrin falls. We love this little town!!

Real Photos from Cleveland Clinic graduation

I already blogged about this graduation, but they just sent us some photos that the hired photographer took. I wanted to quickly post them here! I love to see these photos because I am so proud of Matt! Isn't he a hunk? 

Splash Pad Goodbye Party! :(

Today we got together with some of good friends for one last party.

Luke and Devin have a few different friends they see at different places, but

wanted to have the chance to see them all one last time before we go. So 

we threw a little party at a splash pad. Some friends have already taken off or couldn't make it, 

but we were able to see some good friends at least once more!

We had pizza, watermelon, drinks and cookies. I think my boys ate an entire package of cookies, 

at least. They were in heaven!! They played with some friends they don't get to see too often.

We were there for over 3 hours and they were loving every minute of it!

I was so happy! 

It was also 95 degrees! The perfect day (for Ohio).

Thanks to all who came! And all who couldn't come, hopefully we'll see you again soon!

 I want to remember all these cute faces!

Goodybye Beach Party

I think the next few posts will somehow be titled "such and such goodbye party."

We're pretty much dragging it out all month long (insert sad face).

We had a lucky, beautiful summer day at the beach a week ago, with some of my 

absolute favorite people. I am really going to miss these people. Over my years in

Cleveland I have met and made a lot of wonderful friendships, but these ladies are

definitely some of the best. Friends I will certainly have for life!

 And hey! My cute husband got to come too (even though he was post call FOR THE LAST TIME
IN RESIDENCY EVER!!!!!!).

 The girls (minus Michelle)

and the guys.

These photos are my fav.

 (Don't mind the arrow on Matt...that was edited for a graduation pic. Haha)

 Our last beach trip to Lake Erie!

And these stole my heart! Kassie's name is written all over these.

Aren't they absolutely ADORABLE!?!!

Thank you dear friends!

Soccer Spring 2014

Luke and Devin played soccer on our little "homemade" league. 

It was Devin's first time!

Matt meant to coach...but only was able to once, because of work. He was bummed.

Devin was on the Blue Dolphins. And Luke was one the Red Fire Spirit team. Heehee.

Dev was so-so. Some days he loved it and played, others not so much.

 This sad face, running to mom.

 The coaches volunteer. And we pay about $10 per kid, for their jerseys and medals.

It's pretty sweet!

Cleveland Clinic Graduation

Wahooooo!!!

Matt has officially graduated from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation's

Obstetrics and Gynecology Program. What an accomplishment! 

I am so proud of him (and us really). It was a brutal (and I don't say that lightly)

4 years. He worked so hard, put in A LOT of long hours. We missed him far too much.

But we are ecstatic that it's his turn to graduate and move on! 

Since his program is a combined program with MetroHealth Hospital, 

he has two graduation nights. We have another one next week too.

This night was very lovely (besides the part where my steak was completely raw. No joke).

There were a lot of kind comments made to Matt and great advice given.

 This was a long awaited night.  A lot of thought and planning went into our outfits...

Matt even bought a new suit! And doesn't he look dashing?!

  

At the dinner, the lighting was very low, so the quality of my photos are 

pretty poor, but still I'm glad to have snapped some photos of the event!

An awkward "family style" photo of the attendings, graduating fellows and residents.

Doctor Ureekrow (haha that's how it's pronounced, but no clue how to spell it)

presented Matt's award to him. Of all of the presentations, I thought his was one of the most

genuine and touching (not just because I was bursting with pride). She read some parts from his 

personal statement, from when he applied to residency. She talked about a lot of his accomplishments and said his motto from his personal statement was "to always go forth and serve." Which is what

he has done throughout residency (and his life).  

She also shared a funny story about Matt. She was a resident at Metro when Matt was a medical student. He did an OB rotation with her. At the time he was thinking he wanted to be a pediatrician. She told him "you know Matt, you're really good at delivering babies. You should really think about being an OB, not a pediatrician." And he said , "oh no. I don't think so." And sure enough, she was right. 

He is really good at delivering babies. 

The graduating residents.

Matt, Kristen, Chundra, Jill, Rachel, Amanda and Mark.

May, June and THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

A hodgepodge of happenings in May!

First of our many good-byes.

We'll miss our neighbors and friends!

 A trip to Lake Farm Park

 Mother's day...

Luke gave me a "breakfast bag in bed"

(see where James' gets his pointy ears???)

 Someone had a run-in with a tree at school and got to leave early!

 The rainy, wonderful day we closed on our house!!!

And then the highlight of the month was when Aunt Susie came to visit!!!!!!

Welcome to CLE!!!

 We did SO many things...the art museum, Little Italy, saw the lake, downtown, 

West Side Market, Lake View Cemetery, lots of shopping, Granite City, PF Changs, 

worked out and swam at LifeTime, Chagrin Falls, Shaker Square, The Christmas Story House, 

Kirtland Temple and Historic sites.

It was seriously amazing! We crammed so much in and had a great time!

Thanks for spending the week with me (while Matt was away in Philadelphia).

Daddy came back home!

And went back to work!...booo.

Luke had the Spring Fling at his school.

A bounce house, lots of food and ice cream, games, a movie, etc.
Lots of fun and work....whew!

Our last Memorial Day Parade!

(As always parked in front of the Kiene's first house!).

Matt was post-call and me and the boys were still recovering from being sick all

weekend. It was a beautiful morning to get out and enjoy the sun.

 And a car wash...water fight.

 We had a day in the backyard with friends too.

 And best of all...Matt came home with FIVE GUYS!

Oh and a new van.

Best Husband award goes too....

this guy.

 For Mother's Day Matt got me a 2 month pass at LifeTime Fitness

(because who can afford more than two months...I mean, really?).
So we've been trying to take advantage of the indoor/outdoor pools too!

It's barely warm enough (Ohio gets a bit jipped on their summers).

As we get closer and closer to moving day, our house gets more and more

empty and echo-ey.

We've sold a lot of furniture and rugs, and packed away a lot.

It's even more bare since these photos.

I can't believe it's almost time to go. :(

Matt has decided we need a lot of dates before we hit the road to head to Utah.

We've hired a girl in our ward, so we can go to a bunch of places once more before we leave.

Date 1 was awesome. Dinner downtown at Chinato (best gnocchi of your life!), shopping downtown, Ice cream sundae at Sweet Moses and watching the sunset on Lake Erie. 

...more dates to come.

Silly Luke loving the sunroof in our new van.

Dev and his best friend Jane having Froyo

and James happier than a lark with his new toy.

The last week of school!!!

Luke's school is FINALLY out (June 5th).

The last week was exhausting...

Monday-BBQ lunch with parents.

Oh and his cute little friend Lily (his crush).

  We also were without Matt's car for 3 days...so we walked everywhere..

And snapped these cute pics of these bunnies in our backyard, 

and these cute Amish boys (oops) watching us walk to school.

 Tuesday- Field trip to the Botanical Gardens.

Wednesday-Kindergarten Showcase

His best buddies, Alek and Alex...confusing?

 Thursday-THE LAST DAY.

Awards ceremony.

Luke got the Principals Award for Mathematics

and a PAWS Award. 

 Then he had a class party (that I helped with) that went from 11:30-3:15....we were all pooped.

Saying goodbye to some of his little friends.

Kindergarten Teachers, 

Mrs. Duhanic (right)

Assistant Teacher Ms. Napier (left).

 The happiest guy out for the summer!!!

Luke had a bit of a rough year adjusting to all-day Kindergarten.
A lot of days it was a struggle to get him to go. We wanted to make a big deal 

of him finishing, since it wasn't easy for him.

When he got home....

 He got a little gift with some books, a workbook for the summer, 

and a movie for our party that night.

I can't believe he's growing up so fast!

My handsome boy!