BUSY!

So, you may not have missed us, but in case you're wondering why we haven't been blogging, here's what we've been up to...

• Andrew finished up his Advanced Education in General Dentistry and graduated from his residency at Scott Air Force Base just outside St. Louis. His residency class had records in production and physical fitness. It was a really neat graduation ceremony, everything so "formal". They said after factoring the cost of supplies, the salaries of the specialists who spent one-on-one time with the residents, etc., he received about a 2 million dollar education from the Air Force. Kind of neat to think about it that way. It was a busy year, as we were only allowed time off at Christmas, but he had so many great experiences and met a lot of wonderful people. We really loved living in St. Louis!
• Our closest friends in St. Louis, Todd and Karen Broyles, lost their baby, Kloe, during delivery (full-term). I will dedicate a post to her very soon. It has consumed us...especially emotionally. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. 
• The movers packed up our stuff and moved it into storage until we want it delivered, and we spent our last 9 nights in St. Louis in the Holiday Inn Express. It wasn't as bad as I thought, as we were busy with last minute doctor appointments, being with our friends, saying goodbyes, softball playoffs, etc. Cooper was super cute at his first eye appointment...not so cute getting the last of his shots before school. :) The Primary President I served with at church, Rose Polvado, had a fun little going away dinner for us. She is Hawaiian and made a ton of YUMMY food! Andrew was sad to move and miss the championship softball game. He helped the dental squadron get there though...even with the heat index pushing 115 degrees the last few days we were there!
• Wednesday, we headed to Whiteman Air Force Base, just East of Kansas City. That is where Andrew will be stationed for the next 2 years. We spent a few days looking for housing. Still haven't finalized anything. We LOVE the fact that there are A10 fighter jets and B2 bombers. The boys love to point them all out. Andrew is excited to have his own big office, wrap-around desk, and 2 operatories all to himself!
• Friday, we flew from Kansas City to Boise where we had an extended family reunion with Andrew's Mom's side of the family. We also were able to attend the memorial for Kloe, as Todd and Karen are both from the Boise area. SO glad we could be there!
• We are now in McCall, Idaho with Andrew's parents and his 2 sisters and their families for family reunion. We are staying in a fun house, which sleeps 16, a block from the lake. We will be here until Wednesday.
• We will drive up to Spokane, Washington with Andrew's parents on Wednesday and spend a few days at their home. (Beckett will be 3-months old on Wednesday!)
• Then we'll head to Coeur d'Alene, and spend a week with my family. We will bless Beckett on the 17th in the Dalton Ward. We will also be busy manning our family's Elephant Ear Booth at the North Idaho Fair. Each year it brings in about $30,000, an what's left after overhead goes toward the family mission fund. We will also have our first annual "cousins camp" for the kids while the parents work the booth.
• Saturday, August 23rd, we'll fly back to Kansas City and try to finalize housing. Cooper will start preschool that Monday. And, hopefully, we'll find a place to live for the next 2years, get our stuff delivered to us out of storage, and figure out what "normal life" will be like in our new home. :)