Preschool Graduation 2011

Alivia graduated from Covenant Presbyterian Preschool today! I don't think it has hit me yet because I have not shed a tear. It has been a good year but I think next year will be even more exciting as well begin our adventure at Veritas Academy. The graduation ceremony was sweet. All the kids were asked to say their full names and what they wanted to be when they grew up. Alivia said, "Alivia Claire Risinger. I want to be a doctor and a mom when I grow up." So sweet! Later she said that she wanted to also say "vet" but that Ms. Jean told her she could only pick two things.

What Happens in Vegas. . . Gets Posted on my Blog

Oh my goodness. . . where to start? I had a fantastic, fun, hilarious weekend with my best girlfriends from college. They can make me laugh like no other friends in my life. We know each other so well - now 20 years and counting! Red (Shreveport, LA), Anna (Denton, TX), Alison (Springfield, MO), Mandy (Austin) and I all met up in Vegas for a long weekend. We stayed in a great suite at the Venetian. The first full day was spent poolside at a private cabana at the hotel (I highly recommend it). The second day was spent shopping at a beautiful outdoor shopping center with a great lunch. Dinner that night was at the old downtown area of Vegas at Hugo's Cellar where we all enjoyed good conversation and great food and they enjoyed good alcoholic drinks (ha ha!). Our last meal together was at Olives Restaurant at the Bellagio.

I can still giggle about some of the jokes and comments that were made during the weekend. I love you girls! We are already trying to talk our hubbies (and kids) into letting us take another trip next year.

The group (minus Mandy)

Touring the Venetian

Funky Diner for breakfast

Poolside at the private Venetian cabana

We all loved the fedora that Red bought

Dinner at the Wynne

Livin' it up in old Downtown Vegas

My FAVORITE pic of the girls - I grabbed these matching sunglasses from a nearby vendor

Heading out to shop

Checking out H&M and feeling very very old

At the shopping center - looking so cute

Last night out - a look at the hotel suite

At Olives Restaurant with Red

Anna, Mandy and Alison

Last group shot of the trip

"The Art of Dressing Well"

My Prima Ballerina

Alivia's dance class from Dancer's Workshop performed on Saturday to Disney's "Art of Dressing Well." It was adorable to watch and since Alivia is one of the oldest in the class, she really knew the dance well and was quite the leader. It was fun to share the moment with cousin Avery and neighbor Katherine Dugan.

I snickered a few times watching my brother sit through the 2-hour production. I have to admit, towards the end they started looking pretty similar.

I thought the costumes were especially cute, and once we put a little makeup on them, they looked like angels. Alivia has really enjoyed her year at Dancer's Workship. Her teacher, Miss Robyn has been wonderful. At this point, we have signed up for another year of classes.

Alivia was thrilled when Mimi gave her a bouquet of flowers at the end of the show. She insisted that I put them in a vase on her bedside table.

OUCH!

Will was running as fast as his little legs would carry him and tripped over an uneven place on the sidewalk. He fell. HARD. I can still hear the sound of his head hitting the pavement. He recovered pretty quickly and I was so glad that he did not hurt his eyes or teeth.

Elizabeth Ann Seton Gala 2011

Matt and I rubbed elbows with the movers and shakers of Austin and attended the Elizabeth Ann Seton Gala last night. The food was great and it was amazing to see people our age during the live auction bidding on items over $5000! The Gala raises money for the Seton Community Clinics of which I currently work as an Internist. The Gala was predicted to net over $500,000 that night. The entertainment for the evening was Clint Black! I just love his music and we got really close to the stage. He is a great performer and really personable. Even Matt, who has never listened to a note of country music in his life, said that he really liked Clint. I hope I get to go again next year.

All gussied up

Matt had to borrow a pair of boots - maybe it's time this Yank bought a pair!

Clint Black!

We were so close it felt like a personal concert - very cool!

Portland Trip

I have not even had a chance to post about our great trip to Portland. My parents kept the kids (thank you!) to let Matt and I have a few days away. I went to a great Internal Medicine conference run by the faculty where I trained all day on Thursday and Friday, but we were able to squeeze in some dinners with friends along the way. I have hardly any pictures because I just wasn't motivated. It rained the whole time we were there and it was really COLD. But I still think that is such a beautiful part of the country and I am so glad we got to experience it for three years. We drove by our old house and went to my favorite Indian restaurant while we were there. Plus, it was fun to just spend some quality time with my favorite person, Matt.

My sweet friend, Megan. She and I have re-connected over e-mail. We are in the same life stage (she has 3 kids, too) and we e-mail each other several times a week. She lives in a suburb of PDX in a beautiful house. Megs, I wish you could come help me decorate!

This is Dr. Patterson. I love him so much. We spent a month in Africa together during my residency. He is a semi-retired Pulmonologist and is brilliant.

This is Janan. We were residents together and now she works as a hospitalist at PPMC.

This is Michelle. She was my mentor during residency and we have stayed in touch since then. I always love talking with her about work/life/kids balance.