Birthday: Part One!

For my birthday my hubby threw me a very nice birthday party at our home. We had cake, ice cream, pizza, games and great company! It was so nice having everyone over. There were friends that I've had for a long time, some new ones and of course, my family. There was great conversation and it was nice being with everyone. Thanks to all who gave me birthday wishes!

My actual birthday day is tomorrow, June 1st and my hubby is taking me out to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants: The Melting Pot. I will post the Birthday: Part Two after we go out!

I can't have a birthday go by without thanking my Mom. She is after all, the reason I am here. I mean that in every way. She not only gave me life, but she has helped me become the person I am today. She pushed me to be the best person I could be, taught me the lessons I need to know to make it through this life, and has been by my side for the ones that I have had to learn the hard way because well, some lessons you just can't be taught, you have to live. She is my best friend, my support, my rock, my mom. Thank you mommy, for giving me what I needed to stand on my own but staying right beside me to support me through it all! I love you!

Below are the pictures from the wonderful party my hubby had for me!

Grimes Point Hiking!

Today we had some free time and the weather was beautiful! We decided to grab our puppy and grab my sister and head on out to Grimes Point for a hike.


We put Halo on his harness and he was ready to go! Once he was ready we couldn't get out the door fast enough.



Dwayne did the driving....


Halo did the riding out the window....


Mellie did the riding and puppy guarding...


And I rode shot-gun and did the picture taking!


Welcome to Grimes Point!

Halo was on his way leading us along the trails!


It was great to get outdoors and enjoy the weather on a very nice nature hike.


Mellie and Halo taking the lead!



First we went on the trails that take you by the rocks with all the petroglyphs on them. When we finished that we decided to take the Overlook Trail.


The overlook trail was a two mile round trip hike up the mountain to look out over the desert and town. By the time we got to the top we were ready for a short breather. This was my "Rocky" pose for making it to the top!



This is Mellie's conquering pose!


Dwayne at the top reading all the fun stuff about the area.


Mellie and me on a rock along the trail.


Happy Summer travels, Love,
The Macie Family

Steven's Scholarship Awards Ceremony

My brother is a senior this year and graduates next week! Shortly before graduation all the seniors who have received scholarships are sent a letter letting them know they need to attend the award ceremony with their parents. My brother was one who got his letter in the mail!



So off we went to the high school gym to watch the scholarship awards ceremony.

He received the Knights of Columbus scholarship. This was pretty cool because both my sister Melanie and I also received this scholarship when we were seniors!

So we got to cheer for him as he accepted his scholarship and this is of him walking back to his seat.

This is Steven with his certificate and our mom after the ceremony! Congratulations and Yay Steven!

Survived!

(In nursing school we work with what are called "Nursing Diagnoses" the r/t stands for related to and the AEB stands for as evidenced by. I don't think there is a nursing student around that wouldn't agree with this diagnosis! )




Well, its official! I survived my first year of nursing school. With the help of my fellow classmates, the support of my hubby as well as those I work with, and the encouragement of my mommy and other family, I made it a very successful first year! I did well and am looking forward to having this summer off.


(This is the building we all go in to for classes. Although we are in the WNC nursing program, we have a nursing lab set up in one of the old hospital buildings)

Okay, I will sorta' have this summer off. I have signed up to do what is called a nurse apprenticeship. In a nurse apprenticeship you take all the skills you learned the first year of school and use them at a medical facility alongside a licensed nurse. It helps you fine tune what you know and build on everything you've been given during your first year.



Along with the apprenticeship our second year instructors loaded us down with some massive amounts of homework to be done over the summer and due the first day of class. Homework over the summer is kind of a bummer but at least it'll keep my mind in thinking mode.



I am happy to report that I have already read two and a half non-school books (we've been out a week)! I will of course work through the summer. I am taking a small girls trip away with my best friend but more on that to come later. We have plans to finish our back yard this summer and to finish up the last few little things on the inside of our home. But, most of all, and most importantly of all, I plan on catching up on SLEEP this summer!



We hope everyone has a safe and fun summer. Keep checking back to stay updated on all our summer activities!

'Tis the Season for...

...Graduations! We know several people graduating this year. We will have gone to four different graduations when it is all said and done with. The first graduation we went to was this past Friday, May 15th at UNR.

(We're waiting on the quad for the ceremony to start)

My best friend has been working on her Master's degree and finished this spring. She received her Master Degree of Special Education. Yay Erin!

(Erin walking in to find her seat)

(Waiting for her name to be called)

(Erin and me after the ceremony)

The second graduation we went to was this past Monday, May 18th at WNC, which actually was held at the Oats Park Performing Arts Center. My good friend Darcey just finished her Nursing degree this spring. Yay Darcey!

(Us waiting in our seats for it to start)

(Darcey walking to get her degree)

(Darcey and Me after the ceremony)

(Darcey with her degree and her head on a stick I used to cheer for her!)

The third graduation we will go to is my brother's. He will graduate high school on June 5th. The fourth graduation we will go to is my cousin Christopher. He lives in California and he will graduate from high school on June 7th. I will post updates and pictures from those graduations when we go!

My Handsome Brother

On Saturday May 2, it was time for Senior Ball. My brother took his girlfriend to his senior prom at Lattin Farms. The prom was outdoors and of course, it decided to rain. But, from what I hear he had a good time anyway. Mom brought him by our house so we could see him before he went off for the evening. He looked so very handsome!

I snapped a few shots of him out in the yard. They didn't turn out too bad.

Hard to believe he is a senior!

Steven and Mom

Halo Turns 3!

Let me start by saying, Yes. I am that person. I am that person who dresses their dog and throws them birthday parties. Point in case: Halo's Third Birthday.

Halo turned three on April 25 and yes, yes I did I threw him a birthday party. Not a big one but a little one.

Happy Birthday Halo!

Halo "blowing out his candles"

Halo opening his presents...he's really good at this!

My Sister the Artist

"Exaggerations" April 20-April 24, 2009

The week of April 20th - 24th was my sister's art exhibit at WNC. All semester long she has been working on several paintings to make her show. On Friday April 24, she had her closing reception. She put a lot of hard work and time into her endeavor and as a result her paintings turned out amazing.

There was a very nice spread of refreshments. Various people brought different things and it made for some very nice snacking.

Dwayne was even able to take a small break and come see what was going on.

Dwayne was on of the subjects that Mellie used for her paintings.

I was one of Mellie's subjects too. This picture is neat because to the left of Dwayne is his portrait and to the right of me is my portrait.

So Congratulations to my baby sister on a great show!

Yard: Phase 3

Little by little....we get more accomplished on the yard. The flower garden I planted practically bloomed overnight! That whole week I had lots and lots of pretty flowers to look at.

The front of the house had a bed of dirt in between the house and the beginning of the yard. The grass was looking great but the dirt just didn't jive with the rest of the yard. So we re-did the area! It was a lot of hard work and took a lot of different days. My brother Steven even got in on the hard work. Between Dwayne, Me and Steve, we got it to look fantastic!

Do you see how green the grass is? :)