Last Days in Cali!
Leaving LA was sad, but very eventful. We took Mike's nephews to 'Medieval Times' and rooted for our Knight (unfortunately, he was wounded in battle), and had a blast eating with our fingers and drinking beer out of pewter mugs. On my last night, Katy and Ali took me to their favorite Karoke bar, Dimples. They actually got me up on stage to sing a few times. It was a wonderful last night with my California family. Miss you all!

Cross Country Driving
Is always way better when you have a companion. Katie and I left on a Saturday morning and drove to Sedona. We spent the next afternoon walking around and getting our palms read and running from bears before heading to the Grand Canyon (for those of you planning on visiting, unless you plan on hiking, you spend $25 to say 'ooo', and then get in your car and leave). We then made it to Vale, Colo at 2 am. Then off to the great state of South Dakota to see Mt. Rushmore and the Badlands. We took no direct way back to Iowa, but we had a lot of fun along the way.

Baby CeCe
Congratulations, Leah, on your beautiful baby. I get to be an auntie again :)

A Huge shout out
to my dear friend and personal decorator and road trip companion. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Katie. I wouldn't have seen the Grand Canyon, Mt. Rushmore, or decided to pain my wall yellow without your. Miss you mucho!

New York City, BABY!
After driving cross-country, I got on an airplane and flew out to NYC for Katy's 1st of 3 bachelorette parties. It was a blast. These picts don't even do it justice. As you can imagine, there are about 300 pictures, and it is so hard to pick the best. And yes, that is me with striaght hair. Weird transformation, eh. We had so much fun bar hopping and getting guys to play games to make the Bachelorette $$. We made it to see "Hairspray" on Saturday night, and I was so happy to see Nicole after a full year away from the East coast. i think Katy's favorite thing was staying up ALL night to see "Regis and Kelly" and be the go-go dancer with her pink fuzzy boa.

Vegas and Sarah's Wedding
May was a crazy month! It started with a girl's trip to Las Vegas to celebrate the weddings of three of my dearest friends from medical school (Sarah, Hilary and Emily-in order of weddings). It was so wonderful to see everyone and catch up, not to mention the good laugh we all had at Hilary's expense when she was pulled up on stage at The Thunder From Downunder. And who can complain about a day lounging by the pool!

The following weekend was Sarah's wedding. She looked beautiful, and the wedding was a blast as well! And, I have to say I did a wonderful job as Maid of Honor! Congrats to Sarah and Jacob.

Graduation weekend...
Was stinking packed with stuff. Parties everynight, my promotion to Captain in the USAF, banquets, the actually graduation, and more partying. It was fun though! It was wonderful to get back together with my friends and support system from medical school and meet the wonderful parents who raised these phenomenal doctors. These are pictures from the banquet on Friday night. I'm always impressed by how well we all clean up.

I Graduated!!!!!!
Here is proof

Out on the town after graduation...
Saturday night the whole gang made it out to celebrate our graduation and the friendships that developed over the last 4 years. I had a wonderful night, but it was definitely bitter sweet. I will miss all of the people who have become like family to me during medical school, but vow to do my best to stay in touch with everyone. The medical community is very lucky to have all of these wonderful, intelligent, caring and compassionate people entering the profession. Their future patients will be lucky as well.

Sunday's Graduation Party!!!
If figured since everyone I know is having a wedding this year, I got to have a graduation party and make all of my friends and family come and have a last hurrah with me before I move to Omaha for good. It was so great to see everyone and say hello and see-ya-later to so many of the important people in my life. Looking forward to all of the new people I'll meet in residency in Omaha.