The Projects I have started

Now this was the project that I was so excited about.

I have never been able to paint any of the rooms when I lived with my parents. Of course now that I am not at home anymore they have their own place and painting rooms. So since we are allowed to paint I was determined to make this place our own.

As you can see these are the before pictures and the kitchen is not ours it is actually the model that we looked at the first time we looked at the complex.

The dining room with Rocco supervising Travis as he tapes the walls.

One side of the living room.

And the other side of the living room.

We are grown ups now!!!

We have had a busy week. With this new apartment comes new appliances. Since this new apartment only came with hook ups we needed to find a washer and dryer. There really was no point in buying new machines since we aren't sure how long it will be until we have our own place. So we decided to just find a used pair for under $100 for both together. Travis is such good bargain hunter. However this time it proved to be a little iffy.

The washer is a whirlpool and was pretty clean and runs good, but the dryer well that is another story. It looked beat up on the outside but we figured we would take their word for it and it would work fine. Well boy were we wrong. I opened it up and found that the lent trap was rusted clean through and there was a mice nest all in the bottom of the machine.
We had to take everything apart and clean it. Starting with just vacuuming it out and getting out all the trash.

Then we had to scrub out all the urine that was left by the lovely rodents.

Needless to say I was not in a good mood as it took us 2 hours just to clean the dang machine.
You would also be surprised how much change we found in the dryer. I think it was like $1.89 or so. Enough for goodies.
Once everything was clean and parts were replaced we were ready to see if they truly worked. We made sure we stayed at home for the first loads to make sure nothing caught on fire. They look good don't you think!?!
Our next big adventure this week was the replace of our dear beloved ugly couch. We have had the good old thing for 5 years. We only paid $30 at D.I. for this couch that seemed brand new and has lasted wonderfully.
I figured it was time I deserved to have a real couch since we are moving to another new place.
This wonderful couch or sectional was about half off. I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. We were just planning on looking for future reference, but when we saw this one we figured now was as good as any to make a life time investment. So what do think, you like it?

Awesome First Date in Dayton OH!!

This was an awesome day. We had so much fun. I haven't been to an air show in years and Travis can't remember ever going to one. We saw a flyer right after we moved in so we decided to take action and go.

The Brazilian Smoke Squadron came to Dayton again. It was awesome to see an Air Force from another country.

Go Brazil!!
This was in one of the cargo planes that you can walk through. I am right inside the nose of the plane. You can see how truly huge this thing is.
This was one of Travis' favorite planes. Aw my handsome airman.
Just giving us an idea what he would look like in a flight suit.

This is a video of the Brazilian Smoke Squadron. They were awesome!!

Of course the main attraction, the Air Force Thunderbirds. They are phenomenal.

(we have so many more pictures but for lack of time I have included some of the main attractions)

Taking the next step...

So we have officially said goodbye to our apartment in West Des Moines Iowa. We are now in our new home in Miamisburg Ohio.

Its crazy to think that we are on our second leg of the med school journey. I can actually see light at the end of the tunnel now. Yes I know Travis has residency after graduation but at least then I will know we will be in one place for awhile.

We really enjoyed our home in West Des Moines. We had good friends and wonderful things to do only minutes from our house. We did have a few things we had problems with concerning the apartment management. Lets just say I would not recommend that complex to anyone just because of the management. As we were walking out the door for the very last time I couldn't help but take one last picture of what we lived in for 2 yrs. We have some great memories of this place.

It looks a lot bigger without our furniture in there. This was about 5 in the morning when we left.

Now in Ohio we are excited to find all the free adventures we can have. There are so many parks and hiking trails throughout the whole area. This is a look out of just one of those. I have to admit Ohio has a lot more hills and trees than Iowa. We loved being in Iowa though.

We will miss you all and will be back to visit soon.

Our Last Activity in Des Moines IA

This was one of our last activities in Des Moines. And what better friends to have it with. We were able to finally attend the West Des Moines 4th of July Parade. Even it was raining off and on throughout the entire parade it was tons of fun.

We absolutely love being with our little friends Alec and Elyssa Parkinson. I just loved how we taught Alec to say hi to everyone to get candy. It was adorable.

We had to take a picture of this bike. There was 7 people on one bike all pedaling at once. It was amazing that they were actually moving, and picking up speed. Crazy!!

The two Parkinson men watch for next fun vehicle to come down the street and throw candy in our direction. We loved Alec's cone head.

This was just hilarious. He had absolutely no idea why we were all laughing so hard.

So he decided to share it with his sister. Now that was really funny.

Thank you wonderful friends for making our last few days in Des Moines wonderful.

Wow how time Flies!!!

This year Travis and I celebrated our 5th year wedding anniversary. I really would like to know where all the time has gone. It really does feel like yesterday that we were flirting with each other and dating. I could not ask for a better eternal companion. He is absolutely perfect in every way. He is everything to me. There is no way I could have had as many adventures as I have if we had not been together. He truly brings out the best in me.

July 2, 2004 Oakland Temple, Oakland California.

July 2, 2009 West Des Moines Iowa.

You are wonderful sweetheart and I am so proud of all you do.

Thank you for choosing me.

And Vacation stop #4

PLACERVILLE, CA was our last stop before we started the long trek back to Des Moines. It had been a really long time since we had been to Placerville in the summer. It was so nice to see my family and see what my younger siblings are up to. Once again there isn't that many pictures. We were just so busy I never really got the chance to take them. We were more than happy to help with the projects my mom has going in her garden and to spend more time the pool with my brother and sister. One of the best parts of this visit at least for me was seeing my dad and visiting with him. The latest thing my brother Joshua is doing is fencing. We were able to watch two of his classes. He seems to enjoy it.

I don't know that much about fencing so it was interesting to watch.

One of the main reasons we wanted to make sure we made it out to California was for my brothers Eagle Court of Honor. However he was unable to get the paperwork back in time to have it while we were in town. We didn't care though, we still think he is awesome.

He is a super achiever. My brother is getting this badge way faster than most boys in the scouting. He just barely turned 14 and has been done with the project and eveything since Feb or March. The only thing that has been holding him back is the leaders and their paperwork THEY have to do. I am super proud of him. Now we actually found Travis' old scout uniform but it was Josh that wanted Trav is his AF blues for pictures. One of these days we will be able to visit more often than once a year. 

This was a crazy vacation. We were exhausted by the time we finally got home but it was all forth it.

Vacation stop #3

REXBURG, ID is where our journey took us next. I honestly never thought we would ever be back here. It is here where we were able to see my best friend from high school, Natalie, and my sister, Jessica. It was so nice to take a break from big groups and just to relax. We were able to meet Natalie's husband Mo and their beautiful daughter Zukiswa. It was so nice to feel like myself once again with the girls I love so much.

Us crazy girls after a very long day at the mall. Thanks Travis for hanging in there and being a good sport.

Yes she got all the height but aparently I am the sane one, just kidding.

Travis is so good with kids. Travis and Zuki were having so much fun with bubbles.

Such an angel!

I really didn't want to leave. I swear I left part of my heart with this little girl. I can't wait to see her again, and Natalie it can't be that long.

I am going to back soon to spoil her rotten.

Along with seeing Jess and Nat I also was able to see my pal from college. We were unsepartable during the 4 yrs of school. The horse here is her filly that was born the year we graduated. She has grown so much.

Yep she still loves me best!

We had to make sure we stopped by the Rexburg temple. It was not finished when we left so it was awesome to see and even better since we did a session.

Third tallest church building. Who would have thought that it would be in Rexburg, ID.

Don't worry guys we will back soon.

Vacation stop #2

LAVA HOT SPRINGS, ID is the location of the 2nd Sloan Family Reunion. This was a crazy weekend with kids and adults running a muck. What was crazy thing about this leg of the trip was as we were getting ready to leave Boulder Jim and Erin told us where their family reunion was going to be. Guess what...same place. Funny, who would have guessed it.
The Sloan family, yep that's right all 20 of us, stayed in the Schoolhouse Inn. It is a old Schoolhouse that was converted to a Inn with 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, kitchen, and gym. It was perfect for our crew. The weekend was spent at the Lava Hot Springs, fun and games at the Inn, and at Downata Hot Springs for another reunion.

This is from the outside of the Schoolhouse. Yes this was later that weekend, sorry.

A few of us relaxing in one half of the kitchen. Notice Travis' full beard. He didn't look half bad.

Some of the uncles playing with the neices and nephews in the gym that kept them occupied for hours.

Travis and his brothers preparing to jump the 40 + foot platform into the pool at Lava Hot Springs.

Yes he is completly nuts. I actually jumped from the platform 2 below his. I will never do it again.

This is the inside pool. The rock climbing wall was fun but tough to climb.

Ok there is an explanation to what you see here. This was our Redneck party that was also a surprise birthday party for a brother in law. Trav's older sister had everyone dress up. Yes as you can see the guys went all out. Trav was the only one with real facial hair.

I love my man!!

The whole Redneck Sloan clan.

They all said I looked too good as a redneck. I can't help it if it is part my heritage. I am proud if it!!

He really is a 28 yr old med student I promise. I have a hard time believing it too sometimes.

This was Father's Day before we all went our separet ways. All the kids sat on their dads laps and sang to them. Since we don't have kids Trav sat on his dads lap.

We had a ton of fun during this weekend. We can't wait for the next reunion in two years. I wonder how big are group will be by then.