You know you haven't blogged in awhile when you go on blogger and everything looks different! To those of you who blog often, (i.e. more than 3 times a year), when did this happen? It's really throwing me off today. :) Clearly, I have already failed at one of my new year's resolutions (Blogging once a month! Ha, who am I kidding?). So...let's see what I can do about updating the world on our life for the past 6 months:

February- We both went to school. I finished my surgery rotation and started my ER rotation and Ricardo studied anatomy, physiology, and other fun subjects. We went up to Orlando for the Florida Academy of Physician Assistant's semiannual conference and I got to compete in the student challenge bowl. We had lots of fun, but alas, we didn't win. Pictured below are my teammates and professor (wearing glasses).

March- I continued to work in the ER. Lots of crazy stories that I should probably write down at some point. Ricardo went to Brazil with his dad for 10 days!! This was his first trip back since childhood and they had a blast. I was super jealous that I couldn't go, but at least modern technology allowed us to talk via Skype. Still, the longest we've been apart since we were married. Trying not to repeat that. 

Ricardo's dad climbing a tree to retrieve fruit. This is a common theme on all Fontoura family vacations

 

They eat those giant rat-like animals in the water!! Whenever I see pictures of them I can't help but think   of the Princess Bride and the giant rats. I cannot say that I will imbibe whenever I go to Brazil someday.

   

Ricardo and his dad at the temple in Sao Paulo. 

     

The Brazil Fontouras. Ricardo's uncle and cousins.

                                                     

Good family friend who flies planes.

     

The strawberry pie I made for his homecoming! My eyes look a little creepy here. Focus on the pie. 

     

This is Minnie, our good friend's dog that we dog sit probably every other month or so. It's impossible to take a picture of her without her eyes looking creepy too! She is really cute in real life AND she is the best dog ever and we love having her over. Luckily it worked out that she stayed with me while Ricardo was in Brazil. It was nice to have someone to come home to!

April- School for Ricardo, Family Medicine rotation for me. And Easter! We dyed eggs and had dinner with some friends. They told us to bring meat for tacos. We showed up to the park with raw, marinated steak to BBQ, only to find that there were no grills there and everyone else had actually come prepared with their meat cooked. Luckily, they shared.

                           

Our beautiful eggs. I made the polka dot one. I was proud.

                                           

The requisite egg-holding picture.

May- More school for Ricardo, more family medicine for me. I took my very last exam of PA school. Just the boards left now (Sept. 6th!). Also, I went to Toronto for 5 days! Every year the American Academy of Physician Assistants has a conference (ironically in Canada this year) and I basically got to go on an all-expensive paid vacation to Toronto because I was on the challenge bowl team for my school. We had such a great time sightseeing, attending the conference, and competing (although once again, we lost). No trophy to bring back, but lots of great pictures!!

                                         

                                

The sign awaiting us when we landed in the Toronto airport. Yay for PAs! 

         
                                           

Driving into the city!

                                                   

The view from our hotel room.

I'm pretty sure I gained 5 lbs on the trip because the school allotted us so much money to eat! We  had a ton of delicious food throughout the five days. This was at one of our favorites, Earl's.

                                                     

         

Sightseeing around Toronto.

                                                                   

                                         

The main event, the annual challenge bowl!

                                   

Pre-competition excitement. It was literally like a sporting event. 

       

 Our professor that came to support us. He made this poster from pictures taken right when  we started school 2 years ago. When we told him that those weren't our best photos, we said, "I know, and I edited them already too." Ouch! Nothing like a Dr. to tell you the truth about yourself.

Niagra Falls!!!

                                                   

Getting crepes on our last night there.

                               

In the limo we took to the airport to go home. Not a bad trip, eh? 

Also in May was my little sister's high school graduation. We were able to go up to Orlando for a few days to spend time with all of my family and my grandmother. Lots of fun!!

                          

 Little Taeryn who we haven't seen she was 9 months old. So grown up now! 

                                       

Breanne, pro glow-in-the-dark golfer.

                                                     

The siblings and mom, minus me

                 

Cassidy receiving her diploma. Sorry for the blurriness, this is a picture of a giant screen. We were not very close.

                             

Ricardo and Breanne looking for Cass after the ceremony 

 

I love this picture mostly because of Breanne covering her face with her hat. We have a similar wedding picture with Ricardo's family and one of our nephews is wearing these crazy, huge sunglasses. Funny how these things slip by...

                            

The sun was pretty bright, but here we are, all Dr. Phillips H.S. alumni! 

                       

 Cassidy and Grandma. She is so awesome for coming to all of our graduations! 

                                       

                                         

 Breanne cheesing it up at the Cheesecake Factory.

                                                             

Love this little girl

                                                     
June- Ricardo graduated with his master's degree from Barry University! So excited for him and for dental school in August. I did cardiology and LOVED it. So much fun. We were able to go up to Orlando last weekend to see our good friends the Toolsons and the Villaloboses (?) I've never tried to make your name plural before, sorry guys if that's wrong. We had a great time catching up on life at a fun beach house near Orlando! Wish we could have stayed longer!

I think after that novel I am finally up to date on our life. We are heading out of Miami at the end of July for our new adventure in Philadelphia. We are sad to leave Florida, with its wonderful weather, not to mention our friends and family, but we're excited for what's ahead! I think it's safe to say I probably won't update our blog before then, but who knows? I think I've given you all plenty of reading material for now. :)