Christmas Break!

It was so great to be back in AZ for 3 1/2 weeks with nothing to worry about, except having fun!

 Mike and I at the Curtis Family Christmas Party

 For the Curtis Christmas party Mike learned how to sign "Silent Night" - Mike and I signing while the family sang "Silent Night."  You did a great job Mike!

 

 Michelle holding Dylan at his baby blessing

 Mike and I took Mikey and Julia on the hay ride after the Curtis Family Puppet Show.

Christmas Eve I stole dad's truck and took it to Mike's house to put in a new bench.  We cleaned out dad's truck and replaced his bench....

 Look at the difference!

 Of course there was some tractor riding

 Mikey helping Uncle Mike set up the fence for the new pastures.

New Audiology Private Practice

Shannon, Shane and I went to one of our professor's open house for his brand new Audiology Private Practice in Edmond, OK!  It looks great and has all the new technology.  Great job Dr. Courouleau and good luck!

 You can't tell but Shannon, Shane and I are standing in front of the hearing booth.

Tools for cerumen management and hearing aid/mold

Walbom family visit OK

Mike, his parent's and Chris came to OK for the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity... and to visit me!

Walking around at the show... I wish I had a picture but people really go all out decorating their stalls!

Chris, Mom and Dad waiting for the competition to start

We are at the horse auction

Mike and I both have our computers out working on hw or studying while we watch the competition.

Also while they were here we drove to Ft. Worth, Texas to watch the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Futurity

On our way to Texas we stopped for breakfast. Mike and I shared this...I can't remember what it was called and when they brought it out I was skeptical... but it was actually really good!

At the NCHA futurity

They had a mechanical cutting horse to ride... This is me on my first cutting horse! Ye-Haw!

Lunch with Wade cousins

While I was in AZ for Thanksgiving Mike and I got together with the Wade cousins (Tori and Jeff couldn't come because they got sick).  But we had a great time eating and talking.

 Casey and Celeste Lawlar, Erica (Mike is taking the picture) Glover, Michelle and Mike.

New Pictures of OK Home

I was talking with Lynette the other day and she wanted to see what my house looks like after we were done moving in.  I will try to do as if you have arrived at my front door...

 View from the dinning area into the living room

Hallway to the bedrooms... the first door you come to on the left is a closet, the door on the right is the bathroom (Rachel's) and the door at the end is my bed room.

 At the end of the hallway there are both bedrooms.  Rachel's room is the door on the right and mine is the door and left.

 This is my room... When you first walk in you will see my desk where I do lots of studying.

 When Mom and Mike were here we went and bought me these shelves

 This is on the right side of the shelves... this is the bathroom of many doors.  the door straight ahead goes into my closet and the door on the left is where the toilet and shower are.

 

 

 This is a view of my family room from the hallway

 This is a view from the hallway as well...

And that is my house all moved in and unpacked.  I hope that you will all be able to come and visit and see it in person.

11.15.2011 - Car Accident

The only update I have this week is that I was in a car accident.  The interesting part of this is that it happened exactly one month since Rachel was in her accident (October 15th-see past post).  Luckily I drive sturdy truck!  I left my house at 7:10am to go to school.  There is a spot that traffic often slows on the Broadway Extension (I-235), when I get close I become extra cautious because there are lots of accidents in this area.  The cars in front of me came to an abrupt stop, luckily I give myself plenty of room so I stopped with no problem, however I heard tires squealing behind me and then I felt the impact of the car hitting my truck.  We pulled off on the side of the freeway to assess the damage and exchange information.  I have attached a few pictures of what happened to the truck.  There was very little damage to my truck.  But you should see the vehicle that hit me... it had some serious cosmetic damage and the radiator fluid had leaked out.  Once we exchanged information I got back road and made it to class with 1 minute spare (7:59am).  I leave my house 50min early just in case traffic is bad and to give me enough time to go over my notes from last class before class starts.  I am grateful that no one was hurt and that it wasn't any worst than what it was.

11.05-07.2011 - Earthquakes and Tornadoes

I do not have any pictures this week but I wanted to update you all on a few things that have happened over here in Oklahoma. On Saturday, November 5th around 2:30am Oklahoma had an earthquake that was a 4.7 magnitude.  I slept straight through this.  That night at about 10:50pm I was laying in bed just getting ready to fall asleep when all the sudden I hear this low roar and the house started shaking.  At first I didn't know what was going on but as soon as I did I rushed to the doorway (that is what you are supposed to do in an earthquake).  It lasted for quite some time... we found out that it was the largest earthquake ever recorded in Oklahoma.  It was a 5.7 magnitude and the epicenter was about 40 miles away from my house.  Nothing in my house broke, there were a few crocked pictures but that was about it.  There were two aftershocks around 3:00 Sunday morning, only a 3.0 and 2.2 magnitude. Again I did not feel that one because I was sound asleep.  Monday we had a severe storm roll in.  In the Morning a tornado touched down in Oklahoma, don't worry it was not near me but unfortunately 8 people were killed.  That night I was watching the "Sing off" - interesting tidbit, if there is a severe storm the commercials consist of a weather report keeping us informed - about 730pm there was a tornado warning that was for the Oklahoma City County (which I am part of) that would be in affect until 4am.  Mind you this was my first experience with this so I was a little concerned so I kept the news on until I went to bed at 11pm.  At about 8:30pm I was sitting on the couch in the living room when all the sudden there was a low rumble and then the house shook for about 15 seconds.  Mind you it is stormy outside with high winds speeds, lightening and thundering going on.  About 1 minute after it passed the news cast told us that yes indeed it was another aftershock, which was a magnitude of 4.7.  It was an exciting weekend and I am safe and well.

Short comings of the Smart car... No Spare Tire

On my way home from school on a Tuesday I was just getting on the 202 and after I hit about 65 mph I felt a wobble that quickly became a shake so I pulled over in rush hour traffic to find I had a flat tire. It was not very fun. I had my brother come and get me then I waited for traffic to die down and went back to put the car on our flat bed. Why didnt I just change the tire? Well smart cars dont have spares! This tire is only a few months old so I will get a new one for free but they are on back order from the factory so I wont be able to get one until December! so for now I have a loner tire that is one size too big.