Christmas 2008 - Charleston, SC

Britton and I spent Christmas eve opening presents at his mom's house. Two traditions were maintained: 1) Britton and I gave his Grandmother a framed picture of our wedding to add to the collection of grandchildren's wedding photos on her piano, and 2) I received the Golden Eagle Ten dollar coin pendant, which has been traditionally given to each woman in the Rodwell family (Grandmama's family) to be worn during holiday celebrations. Originally the coins were given to all the grandchildren by Grandmama and Britton's late grandfather. Britton gave me his coin (how sweet...), and Ann gave me a beautiful gold necklace to carry the pendent. Carter was the only kid in the house and definitely took home some loot of his own!
On Christmas day, Billy, Kathy and Grandmama came over for lunch at Ann's house.

Later that day, the Rodwell family gathered at Grandmama's house for even more food. Tommy went around videotaping everyone (his new toy) and we enjoyed the musical productions of Carter Call and Zalynn Rodwell, future rock stars, no doubt.

We caught an ADORABLE picture of Zalynn whose personality is really starting to show this Christmas as she turns from cute baby to beautiful girl just like her older sisters.

Also captured: a precious moment with Bryan and Keah.

This was a great first married Christmas for us even though I've had study for several hours every day. We are both enjoying each other, our families and the season!

Done with interviewing!

At the end of the week, we went down to Tampa, Florida for the last of ten residency interviews. Britton really liked the city and the program and the hospital is beautiful (almost makes you want to get sick?).

Friday night we had dinner with my grandparents and my Aunt Helen in Clearwater, which neighbors Tampa, and we forgot to take pictures again!

Now we are back in Columbia...studying. Britton has a test tomorrow for his surgery rotation and I am studying for the PT boards (scheduled for Jan. 7). Before we left for Tampa, I had an interview at a great job opportunity for me (working for a newly opening pelvic floor physical therapy program at Lexington hospital). They accepted the fact that I would be in Ecuador in Feb. and would be relocating in June and they still want me to start in Jan! I'm very excited about it, additional motivation to study for the boards.

Graduation - Dr. Lauren Crigler

On Saturday, my parents came up for their first visit to Columbia since helping me move here in the summer of 2005. I guess they figured they'd wait until I gave them a good reason to come back.

On Sunday night, Bill and Pat Crigler came over for dinner and then later some of our friends came for dessert and some pre-celebration festivities. The parents went off to bed and the young'un's had a little too much fun (no such thing!).

Monday Dec. 15th was the big day! It feels great to be done! I am going to deeply miss my friends that have struggled through this degree with me, the memories will last a lifetime. I can't wait to find out where everyone winds up!

Our visit to VA

Dec. 6-8th, we went to Virginia to visit my sister-in-law, Julieann, and her family and to have a residency interview in Norfolk. Our visit with Julieann, Sam, and Caleb was very nice and Julieann was a truly a gracious host. We are kicking ourselves for not using our camera, darn it!

The next stop was Norfolk for the interview and then home. Britton also interviewed in Gainesville, FL later in the week and really liked my alma mater.