WE DID IT

WE DID IT!

We survived our first semester of medical school. 

Dave passed all of his classes with flying colors and even got a few Os.

(outstandings)
Shockingly enough I see him more than I did when he was doing his undergrad at BYU.
He loves the knowledge he is gaining and even though a lot of it is over my head I love hearing him tell me all about it. He gets so excited.
He was in classes or studying from 8 am to 8 pm most days. And when it was a week with tests it was usually more.
But he always made time to come home and be with me and chubbies and we always had date night.
He has been so dedicated and hardworking!

I couldn't be more proud of him

and I couldn't be more excited for him to have 3 weeks of freedom to do whatever the heck he wants with himself over christmas break.

He deserves it.
I have been blessed to make lots of good girlfriends whose husbands are students as well and we kept each other company doing crafts and going to the park with their kids and going for walks etc.

The semester went by so quick, we are hopeful that the next 7 semesters will fly by just as fast.

Christmas

My boss asked me yesterday if mormons celebrate Christmas.

This question caught me way off guard and I quickly replied "YES"

and explained that the full name of our church is

The Church of JESUS CHRIST of latter day Saints.

That "mormon" is just a nick name because we believe in the Book of Mormon.

We then talked about missions, where the chapel is in our town and a few other things.

I just want to clarify that I believe in Jesus Christ. I know that he was born in a manger and raised my his earthly parents Mary and Joseph but is the son of God.

He lived his life as an example to all of us.

He suffered for my sins.

The greatest gifts I have ever received and will ever receive are from my Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ.

And Christmas is my favorite holiday because I reflect on those gifts and my wonderful Savior's birth.

Thanksgiving Highlights

Dave and I spent our Thanksgiving break in St.Louis with the whole Holt clan. 

There were 13 adults, 16 neices and nephews in one house for one week. 

A recipe for memories.

 Here are some highlights from our week.

 Bon Fires in the clearing.

Watching Grandma & Grandpa give tractor rides all day and night.

Hanging out with our cute nephews and nieces.

Brushing the goats, watching them attack Angie for the banana she brought.

Cage fighting at the Zoo with uncle David.

 Funny faces, cute nieces.

 these just make me laugh 

 hehe haha

 more Zoo pics

Penguins

Dave calling the Bears. haha

Eating at Pappy's...our favorite BBQ place in the country.

Playing Dodgeball and milk jug lacrosse at the church on a rainy day

Making gingerbread houses....well gingerbread mansions really.

Getting makeovers from our wonderful nieces.

 Talent Show. 

Our rendition of rolling in the deep by Adele.

 Breakdancing.

Musicals.

Dancing and singing.

Dave reminding his parents that he is still the baby. 

but one of my favorite parts of the week was each time a little niece or nephew came to me to give Chubbies a hug and talk to him through my belly.
We loved every minute of it. 

I'm so thankful to have married into such a wonderfully large, loving and fun family.