BIRTHDAY PARTIES & MUSIC IN THE PARK

One thing we have thoroughly enjoyed while living in Rochester is being so close to family(photo is Scott's bro. and sis. in-law and kids Caleb and Ivie). We are so lucky to have family, brothers and sisters who are our best friends and love us no matter what! A few months ago Lorinda and I decided that we should throw a 1/2 B-day party for Wes who has a birthday in December.... well, not thinking, we wrote it on the calendar wrong. So, yesterday we had a party for Wes on his almost 1/2 birthday. Despite the numerical error, it was a lot of fun. As always, great food and great company. Will loves playing with his cousins, he's always so happy at their house, and he loved the lime chicken Uncle Wes grilled. I made cupcakes to honor the occasion and we even got to sing "Happy Birthday" (I think this is Ivie's -Scott's niece- favorite part, she loves to sing happy birthday to anyone and everyone all through the year) and have Wes blow out his candles. Happy Birthday Wes, we love you!

We also enjoyed "Music in the Park" right behind our apt. Rochester sponsers a free evening of music every Sunday. Yesterday it was dedicated to families, so we wanted to go and show our support. They have an orchestra and a choir that sang and played Disney songs, patriotic songs, broadway hits, etc. Will loves music and he was in heaven having grass to run around on, stopping every few steps to lead the music and give us a little booty shake. We love when the community offers events like these and try to support them, it is a great way to spend time as a family.

NO RESERVATIONS

Last night Scott and I went on a date while Lorinda babysat Will. We got a pizza to go from a cafe right by our apt. and wrapped it in tinfoil so we could sneak it in to the movie. It tasted great, but it smelled up the whole theater! Hahaha, that made it taste even better. We saw "No Reservations" - I totally recommend it. It was a fun, romantic comedy with absolutely no swearing, no sex, and a touching story line, great soundtrack, just an overall good movie. So, if anyone is looking for a good movie, keep in mind "No Reservations."

HOUSEKEEPING

One thing I love about being a mom is watching your child do things you seen 100's of kids do.... like wave bye-bye, make animal sounds, start walking, act they are talking on the phone to the remote, playing in the dirt without a care in the world.... etc. But, I love that I love it just because it is MY kid and it is something new to me!

Will makes me laugh everyday and I love it, he's my bud and we have lots of good laughs together. This week must be housekeeping week because Will is obsessed with vacuums.... or what HE thinks are vacuums. At the moment, Will is walking around with our snow/window scraper calling it a vacuum and pushing it around the carpet like he's cleaning. If he hears any sort of appliance he excitedly says "vacuum?!" And goes looking for it. The funny thing is if it is a real vacuum, he gets really nervous and wants me to hold him. He still wants to be close and see it but he wants to be safely held.

One of his latest tricks also includes running from us when he knows he's not supposed to be doing something. He LOVES little bottles, perfume, chapstick, lotion, and pens. Anything that has a lid he can open or something he can take on and off. When he occasionally finds these things, he looks at me, turns his back, and watches over his shoulder to see if I notice. As soon as I say "Will?" He takes off running! What a nut, very curious, hopefully not mischievous...... oh dear.

"OVIE"

Before our trip to Nauvoo, Will had no idea that our car had a DVD player. What excitement when we stuck in his favorite Baby Einstein! Before our trip, he would watch Baby Einstein occasionally, when I needed to sit down and relax with him. Now, everytime we get in the car he says "ovie?" - meaning movie, and everytime I say "we can't watch a movie right now, we aren't going very far, maybe when we get home." So, now he gets in the car and shakes his head no while saying "ovie" since he knows I'm going to say no. The whole way to our destination, usually Target, he's saying to himself, while shaking his head no "ovie...ovie...ovie" It is so funny, and he's so cute I just can't help laughing.

However, he gets so excited about watching "ovie's" that sometimes he just goes and sits in front of the TV and says "ovie" until I either turn it on or distract him with something else. It's pretty cute, I just hope he doesn't turn into a couch potato! Whenever I put a movie on for him, I try to watch with him so stays pretty interactive. He dances (to mozart?), and repeats everything he's seeing: "cow, baby, kitty, duck, ball...." so hopefully his brain cells aren't dying this young!!

FAMILY TIME

We had such a fun weekend. On Friday, Scott enjoyed a round of golf, while Will and I went for a nice long walk/run along the river by our apt. and swimming. After Will was in bed, Scott and I had our usual FRIDAY NIGHT MOVIE and rootbeer floats - this week's feature film: Dreamgirls. It was pretty good!

Saturday was the highlight of our weekend. We went for a run and then we went to the Rochester Farmers Market. The market is FULL of veggies and fresh flowers, it is so pretty. The vendors really take pride in making their stands look good, and the vegetables are organized perfectly according to colors, shapes and sizes. You can also find cheese, meats, eggs, and honey vendors.... pretty cool. We came away with fresh basil, green beans, and zuchini. Will was never a baby food fan (I can't blame him - food that shouldn't be mooshed, gross), but he will chow down on any fresh fruit or vegetable! I guess it goes to show that fresh really is best! After the market we went to lunch with our friends the McBrides. Amanda McBride is expecting their first baby any day now - she's an adorable pregnant girl, but we can't wait to see their baby boy! Saturday afternoon, Scott, Will and I went for a hike at Oxbow park. I LOVE the greeness of Minnesota, it is so lush and pretty. Saturday night we played 12 rounds of Chicken Foot ( a dominoes game) with the McBrides - in which I came out champion - thank you very much. My super competitive husband tried to be happy for me - it was a great game night.

Sunday was pretty routine - church, a great dinner - roast, and all our fresh veggies and then dessert and hanging out with Wes and Lorinda (Scott's brother). I love weekends, and I love spending time together as a family, it makes the long weekdays worth it!

SCOTT'S MAYO EXPERIENCE

After finding pictures on Scott's computer, I thought I would add some to our blog. Just to give you an idea of what Mayo clinic is, I'll give you some facts. Logan Regional Hospital has about 150 beds, LDS hospital in SLC has about 450 beds, the two hospitals that compromise Mayo total about 2000 beds. Mayo has labs, surgery centers, clinics, basically it is it's own medical opus. Mayo was founded by the Mayo brothers for practice, education, and research. So, with that said, here's a few pictures taken by Scott and his intern classmate Kirsten having fun with their Mayo experience.

This is Scott next to a lego model of the Plummer building - this building is incredible, and so is the model... I am positive that somewhere nearby there is a sign that says, in big block letters "DO NOT TOUCH THE MODEL" - Scott, still a kid at heart!If you can't see what they are pointing at.... it's a bottle of Mayonaise.... go figure. There is a little museum set up at one of the buildings that has all sorts of information about Mayo and it's founders. I have no idea how Mayonaise factors into healthcare - maybe Scott will have a course on that? - Medical mysteriesDon't look too hard - this man is naked. He is portraying Adam, Mayo does have some religion - thanks for keeping yourself fully clothed Scott.The Mayo brothers:

HOME SWEET HOME

I know I've been promising pictures when we get back to Minneapolis, but Scott happened to have a picture of our apt. on his laptop. So, for your viewing enjoyment, here is a picture taken from the MAYO building. The building on the right is where Scott's office is - the building on the left is Methodist Hospital, and then the huge, tall, white building is our apt. We live on the 20th floor. There are perks about city style apt. living. We have a maid who cleans once a week (or more if we want), continental breakfast every morning, and we are right down town. So, there are lots of fun places to eat, shop, and take walks. Scott just walks across the street to work and gets to come home for lunch. I'm sure one day we'll be saying "wasn't it great when it only took you 5 minutes to get home...."

Even though the benefits outweight the disadvantages, there are still disadvantages. Because we live downtown, we have to park in a lot about 3-4 blocks away. Now, you are probably saying "Kara, get over it, it is good excersize." I agree, it is great excersize when your trip to the grocery store goes like this:

1. Chase Will around until you can get him to hold still to put on shoes

2. Wrestle Will into his stroller and tell him he gets to push the buttons on the elevator so he'll stop screaming

3. Don't forget the oversized canvas bag to carry groceries, Will's sippy cup, and some type of treat for an emergency

4. Walk the 4 blocks to your car

5. Load Will in the car, then load the stroller, and drive to the store

6. Get the minimum amount possible of groceries while making sure Will doesn't pull everything off the shelves

7. Load back in the car and drive home, park, load Will back in the stroller (this is usually when I need the treats)

8. Load the groceries in the canvas bag.... putting the heavy stuff in the basket of the stroller - if it fits

9. Try to act like the bag isn't heavy while I tote it, and push the stroller four blocks to the apt.

10. Get on the elevator, relieved that I made another successful trip... then do it all again in a few days

Things could be harder, I know that. I should be happy I have food and a nice place to stay, right? I am, really. This has been a great opportunity for Scott, and Will and I have had a lot of fun learning to do things in a different way.

NAUVOO

This past weekend, we took a little family vacation. It was SO fun. Nauvoo is about a 5 hour drive from Rochester, so we packed up and drove down on Thursday. We arrived in Nauvoo just as the sun was setting and the temple looked amazing. It was breathtaking. Hands down, it is by far the most beautiful temple I have ever seen. It is so unique and has such a history and spirit about it. We checked into our hotel, let Will run loose and unwind a little after our long car ride - he did amazing, by the way, thanks to our car DVD player - and then went to bed.

On Friday, I woke up and went to a very busy 8am temple session while Will and Scott went for a walk and then napped. After I was done at the temple, we "toured" Nauvoo, the visitors center, and main street. Then Scott went to a session and Will and I had fun playing at "Pioneer Pastimes" where they have all sorts of games, dress ups, and toys for young kids. Even though it was really hot outside, Will LOVED it. He was such a trooper. Friday night was opening night for the Nauvoo Pageant. We enjoyed the pre-show activities and then enjoyed most of the show. We had to leave a little early for bedtime's sake.... the pageant didn't even start until 8:45pm.

Saturday was spent at Carthage (wow - what a special place) and then back in Nauvoo watching the Joseph Smith movie and seeing more of Nauvoo. We also enjoyed stuffing ourselves at the buffet at Hotel Nauvoo, it was so worth it.

Sunday we went to church with an enormous crowd of people - bigger than any stake conference I've ever seen. Then drove home. We had such a fun trip, there is such a special spirit in Nauvoo, remembering our ancestors, and what they have done for us. Both of our testimonies were strengthened and we are so much more appreciative of the simple things in life... especially each other. It was great to get away just our little family and enjoy spending time together in such a unique place. We can't wait to go back! I'll post pictures as soon as we are back in Minneapolis!