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Life in Cali

So we decided to change our lives completely and move to California... Definitely a big change. We are living in Fullerton, California. I guess it is considered a suburb of L.A. It has about 130,000 people and is a really nice area. We are about 20 min from the beach and 10 min from Disneyland. Las Palmas, where we now live is a really pretty place and the pool is only about 50 feet from our front door. Mike can drive to school in about 2 minutes (I think it takes him longer to get his motorcycle out of the garage than the actual drive). It was amazing that we fit everything we brought into our 1 bedroom apartment, but we did it and its even starting to look like a home! Since we've been here we have had both sets of parents come visit and had a great time with them. We have been to three different beaches and even saw some dolphins in the water one time. We are attempting to learn how to boogie board, but could use about 3 more years of practice :) We both want to learn to Surf while we are down here too, so I think we'll be at the beach often. All this fun in the sun has convinced me that I needed a "cooler look", sooo... I CUT MY HAIR!!!!!





We took Makenzie to Sea World and she had a great time!







We saw penguins, rays, polar bears, dolphins, whales, and of course Shamu! It was great. We even got to see some fireworks afterward!

Mike had a birthday and turned a quarter of a century old, 25!!! He wanted to relax before school started so we had a fun day at home and then went to Olive Garden, his favorite :)



I made him a quilt for his present out of all his t-shirts from high school and college. He was involved in so many things that I wanted a way for us to remember them :) I even crocheted I Love You on the back :) He was super excited!





Lets see what else... I finally found a job. I'm pretty excited about it. I will be tutoring a 10 yr old and his older 13 yr old brother. The family is great and even said that I could bring Makenzie with me. I start on the 26th so wish me luck! :)

Family keeps asking if we have meet anyone yet down here and the answer is YES! There are some really great couples that go to SCCO with Mike and most of them even live in our same aprtment complex. We have been to a brunch, several couples have made us goodies to welcome us and one even made us dinner. It's nice to have so many people going through the same thing we are right now.

Today was Mike's first day of class! Ahhhhhhh so there's no going back now :) His class has 102 people. 82 of them are from California and a whole whopping 2 are from Idaho. There are 60 Asians and only 32 Caucasians. The real crazy one is that 76 of them are women. So any of Mike's single friends that are reading this, I think you should consider optometry!! :) Makenize had a hard time when he left they have gotten really close these last few weeks so it's going to be a big adjustment for all of us. Through it all, it turns out that Idaho isn't as far away as we thought, we passed it on our way to Applebees tonight :)

What a week!

This week has been one crazy and sleep deprived adventure. We have gone from one college grad to two! We have gone from one apartment to two! We have gone from one baby girl to… one sick and unhappy baby girl. ;) She went to the doctor and we found out she had a double ear infection and we got some amoxicillin to take care of it. She’s almost back to her happy self! I was able to go the Bennion banquet and was the runner up for an award that I applied and interviewed for. It was pretty sweet, something to do with academics and athletics and being cool like that. Then at the end they announced 3 candidates for the athletic scholar award for the highest GPA among graduating athletes. I was very shocked to find out I was one of the 3 and that our finals would determine the winner. So I decided to study hard for my finals and they are all over now. SWEEET!!!!!!!!! I was also able to go to a pre-health accepted student’s lunch and get recognition for being accepted to a professional school. I felt pretty good about it. The next day we got to walk through the arch at ISU “into the world” how fitting. We got some good lunch there and I won a thermos for some pop quiz trivia about the history of ISU. We went to an athletic graduate’s dinner that same night (lots of free food) and all the grads got nice blankets that have our name and sport embroidered on them as well as a letter (like the letterman jackets). We had a bunch of family over including all my siblings and their significant others and little ones. I love being able to see my family. They all came to my graduation and I really appreciated their support. I got to sit next to a buddy and roommate of mine (Cody Fowers) and finally graduate!! It feels good to finally have something accomplished that I’ve put so much time into. I think the next one will feel even better to be completely finished with college, but this was a giant step in the right direction. We then had a little lunch after graduation and after that, my sister’s bridal shower. The next day we had a wonderful mother’s day, thank goodness for moms! I feel like we just had a year’s worth of events in one week. My head is still reeling from it, yet we survived and ready for one awesome summer with plenty of play and family bonding before we embark on one of the greatest adventures yet… California and Optometry school at SCCO! It finally feels real now that we have a place down there. We got into the coveted apartment complex that we had decided was our number one choice, Las Palmas. It wasn’t without sacrifice and some dedicated long distance calling, but as of May 7th we have a beautiful apartment in Fullerton about a half mile from the school. It is everything we could ever hope for and will make living so far away from home a little more bearable. Everything working out so well is just another reminder to me that we are on the right track and our Father in Heaven is ever watchful and concerned with his children. I love life and am so blessed to have such a wonderful wife and daughter who I love and appreciate so much!!!

If you haven’t noticed I’m not that great at keeping my blog updated sorry :) So if time and Makenzie will allow I will try real quick to fill ya in on the last two months of our crazy lives.
My niece Alexis had her Birthday party at Deleta’s Skating ring here in Pocatello. Mike and I haven’t been on skates for years so after we practiced we took Makenzie out with us in her stroller. She loved the music and watching all the people, she even fell asleep. We had a great time and I didn’t even fall.


This is us at Raymond’s fair well party. Lexi is our big helper Makenzie is always excited to see her.



Sometimes I get board and because I’m about as cheap as they come I try and take pictures of Makenzie instead of taking her to get them done professionally. Usually they don’t turn out that great but this one I fell in love with. She stuck her little hand up there just like she knew she was supposed to model for the camera.



Makenzie went swimming for the first time and LOVED it! Her daddy helps her take a bath at night as part of her bedtime routine so she is a huge fan of water and if she hears the tub turn on ya better hold onto her tight cuz she will do everything she can to get in the water.




I recently started to watch my cousins little girl a few days a week. She is almost three and her and Makenzie have been having a blast hanging out for the last month. I usually try to have a bunch of different things for KyLee to do when she comes and this day we were throwing bean bags into that dinosaur’s mouth. As you can see Makenzie couldn’t just watch from my lap she had to try too :) and to my surprise she did a great job at getting them in there.


Yes she can go and get whatever she wants now! ahhhhhhhh



For Mike’s spring break we flew down to Fullerton CA to look for an apartment for us to live in. The plane ride went a lot better than I expected. The only problem we had was trying to keep Makenzie from climbing over the seats. :) There was a little boy sitting behind us and as soon as Makenzie discovered him she did everything she could to get to him. It was pretty fun :) We did find some places that we wouldn’t mind living in. Our favorite is called Las Palmas.


Everything is so so expensive down there! But it sure is beautiful and warm we even went swimming in our hotels pool. It made me get excited for summer here in Idaho I can’t wait to take Makenzie boating! :) What do ya think….to early so start her waterskiing?

Valentine’s Weekend

So this time I (Mike) get a chance to share what has been happening in the life of the Tuckers! We had a great weekend. I had a meet in Montana on Friday where I ran a personal best in the mile of 4:21. I didn’t get back until Saturday in the afternoon, but I managed to grab some flowers for my amazing wife and snuck them on the table with some orange sticks.



Rachelle had a good night of rest while at her parents because Makenzie decided to sleep through the night (sweet!). Saturday we went to our favorite restaurant and grabbed a chick flick called “All about Steve”. It had Sandra Bullock in it, so I allowed it  On Sunday we went to church and sang “Love One Another” with the ward choir. We then visited my parents for a bit and discovered that we had successfully recorded Heroes season 4 and had nearly all the episodes there... we’re thinking of moving in for a few weeks :P Then on Monday I was awoken to a very wonderful surprise. My wife had baked me a giant heart shaped chocolate chip cookie!!! I also got a box of chocolates (pretty much she’s the best!)




Makenzie enjoyed her 1st Valentine’s Day with a special friend whom she loves. His name is Maxx and they enjoy cuddling and playing kissing tag. They get a real kick out of each other and spend most of their time together laughing!

Date Night Wahooo

One of our new year resolutions was to have one night every week that we get to go on a date by ourselves. We picked Thursdays just because the weekends are always crazy with track and my concerts, Monday if FHE, Tuesday I have band practice, and Wednesday Mike works late. So Thursday it is! :)
Tonight we decided to go to the Idaho Falls Temple on our date. I'm really excited it's been hard to go as often as we use to with Makenzie, but now that she can eat solid food my wonderful mother can watch her for us :) whaoooo
You may or may not know that the IF temple was Mike and I meeting place when we were dating. It was our half way point where we started and ended just about every date we went on. :) Even our first kiss and where he purposed to me! Cool I love going there it brings back all kinds of great memories!

Looking for some spice :)

If I could only use one word to describe my day the word would be, long. I got a lot done I showered, did the laundry, washed the dishes, picked up the baby room, fed makenzie, read her every story we own, we worked on crawling, and saying mama (both unsuccessful) made dinner, read a chapter in my book, put makenzie to bed, and now probably going to watch hero's with my hubby. The crazy thing about it all is that I get to get up in the morning and do it all over again! ahhhhhhh Any ideas I need a little spice to my day? :)

February Fantasy

So tonight is the big night. I am singing with my band Kyd-j. I finally decided on what I'm going to wear so that makes this day a little less stressful :) Mike is going to watch our little girl for me, he's my favorite! She just got her 6 month shots today so I'm praying that everything will go okay with them tonight.
ohhh Mike found out that he is running at 11:30 AM tomorrow at the Holt. So if you're in town you should definitely come! He will attempt to do the impossible, or it would seem that way to me, and PR in the mile I think the time he is shooting for is 4:20! Man that's fast :) It will be a good race so let us know if you can make it.

Just another day

Mike's first class got canceled today :) so we got to sleep in! Wahooo which was well needed after a late night playing Settlers of Catan with one of Mike's old missionary buddies. We ate breakfast and even had time to watch an episode of Hero. haha We are only on season three so don't tell us what happens. Makenzie just took a bath which she is a big fan of, and now we are on our way to go out to lunch with my friend Heidi :) The plan for to night is to go Latin dancing! I'm really really excited its been a long time since I've been Latin dancing. So that's what were up to. See ya later.

Events coming up this weekend!

I am going to be singing at the Red Lion Hotel for February Fantasy! I think you already have to have tickets to go, but check with me and we'll see if we can't open a back door or something :)

Mike is going to be racing in the Mountain States Invitational at Holt Arena on Saturday. We'll post a time when we know!