Boys first Surf Competition

In September, we signed the kids up for a surf competition here locally. The gulf provided a sweet surprise when we got there that morning...the waves were great...seriously one the best days we have seen here. The boys were nervous...but kind of stoked. Shane went first...and rocked it, with a little of Gav's help (a parent in the water was required for his age group). He ended up getting 1st place in his division. Christian's first heat went well...he placed high enough to progress to the next round. Christian ended up doing well, even though he was in a older age group...placing 3rd overall. They are both super stoked for next years competition, setting their sights on ripping up this gulf coast surf! They know this is a good place to start before we get back to SoCal surf where the competition might be a little more fierce.

Gav was in heaven with his surfer boys...and also couldn't wait for the competition to end so he could have a little piece of the decent waves!

First day of school 2012-2013

Christian's day started earlier than he had ever done before...they leave for school around 6:40...which means he is up by 6am...its been quite an adjustment for him (and me). I cannot believe he is in middle school...and I was worried about how he would do there...my worries have proven fruitless..he is ripping it up, dare I say bored =)

 Shane's bus...it was raining...but Shane was pretty excited to ride the bus the first day!

And Daddy started his clinic a little late that day to make sure he could be there to see the boys off on their first day.

Camille milestone

Just prior to turning 6 months...Camille started solids. She followed suit with her brothers...she had a couple of meals of rice cereal and then would not touch it again! Here is the first time:

Christian's 11th!!

Yep...6 months ago...Christian turned 11...here are the pics to prove it !

 We had literally been our home less than a week...the house was a disaster still!

 Dinner at Crab's on the beach ...one of local favs

my 4 favorite guys!

Checkin out the new digs

Our boys are back

Out of necessity, we had to be seperated from our boys for a few weeks as we moved across the country and searched for a place to live. It was hard...but it was definitely better than torturing them through all the things we had to do within that time frame. We finally got them back in the middle of July...the first thing they wanted to do was check out our "new" beaches. They found some pretty profound differences...some good, some not so great....they LOVE, love the warm water. They miss good surfing and boogieboarding waves...there are waves here...just very inconsistently. With warm water, comes new wildlife...the kids wanted nets and snorkels to check it all out. They water is pretty here...blue and clear.

Four of July...farewell party

This was a bittersweet day for us. We were so grateful that many of our friends and family came to hang out at the beach on the 4th...since it was our last day in San Diego. It was not the best beach day...in fact, it was darn cold. But it was fun to spend time with everyone.

 Camille chilling with her McEwan girlie cousins.

 Daddy and Joel watching the fireworks by the bonfire

 the bros deciding when to brave the cold water with little waves

my girlie's first fireworks

HUGE day...RESIDENCY GRADUATION!!!

"Congratulations to my amazing wife on OUR residency graduation yesterday. The certificates may have had only my name listed, but all of our accomplishments over the past 13 years have been made together. Thank you for being the best partner and friend I could ever ask for! -G "

June 23rd was  big day..a day we have been working toward for...well, our whole married life! And although Gavin has had many graduations and celebrations over all his schooling and training endevours...this was kind of the pinnacle. One piece of paper embodies...13 years of studying, sacrificing, moving all around the country, sleepless nights, sleepy days, missed birthdays/anniversaries/kids activities, living below poverty level, debt, stress, pressure,worry, thankless work, underpaid and overworked, filling the brain with more than it can possibily retain,lonely nights/weeks/months without a husband, celebrating successes, mourning over failures. How do you even describe this road we have traveled? A road that no one in either of our families had travelled before...so it was an unfamiliar, unaccompanied road. This was the end....or is it just the beginning. Now, several months into life outside training...I think the reality is...the road is beginning and evolving. Medicine is a tricky profession. For now, I will say....I am grateful that some of the hardest parts are over...and I do look forward with optimism that the payoff...in all forms...will some day come our way. But sadly, the end of residency also meant the end of our stay in San Diego, home...and off on another adventure...another learning experience...another uncharted road! From CA to FL.....now with 4 kids, our complete family in tow!

Just a quick bragging point....to say residency was easy for Gav would have been comical. But...this night, he recieved several awards...one of which was the research award given to only one. I was so proud/shocked...sometimes he surprises even himself <3 p="p">

Partners in crime