Rochester! (Wednesday)

Julia, Steph and I used to live just a few blocks from each other.  I now realize how rare it is to live within walking distance of two of your most prized friends.  I don't know how many times Julia or I would quickly call the other saying, "Want to walk in 15 minutes??" and the other one would drop what she was doing, leash up a dog or two, and head out the door to meet at the corner.  We had a very specific 3 mile route that we always walked.  A 3 mile walk always proved to be the perfect length to wear out some dogs (except for Khaki), dish up some nursing stories (Julia was a nurse at Mayo too), and essentially solve most of the world's problems -- or at least the day's.  I simply loved this neighborhood route.  Green, hilly, quiet, safe, picturesque and familiar.  It was home.  Walked and talked with Julia, with Steph, with Mikel, with family....  A rich place for my heart indeed.

On Wednesday of our visit, we got to walk it together again!  This was one of my favorite "events" of our whole trip.  And Kamber made it even sweeter by joining us - putting up with our incessant, random observations of what has changed along the route.  Thank you for coming, Kamber!!

These photos are probably dull to anyone else, but these ladies and Mikel will know their significance.  My stomach flips a little just looking at them now.  Thankful for having called such a sweet place 'home'.

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The walk started in front of our old house, as so many of Julia's and my walks did!  The owners obviously weren't home, so I snuck a little peek through the front porch window.  They still haven't replaced the carpet. (gag)

The kids were bundled and ready to roll!

Nolan, Reed (Julia), McKinley (Kamber)

On a clear day, we had a lovely view of Mayo from our street, but the clouds obscured it this time.

And we're off down Memory Lane --- literally.

The fall colors, clouds and crisp air were a wonderful change of scenery from AZ

Kamber & Julia

I always loved this stretch of the walk for its older homes and mature trees.

Rounding the corner onto 3rd street and before the big hills, Julia and I snagged a photo under the firey orange trees.  Love this girl.  So blessed by her gentle spirit and faithful friendship.

Judd Hill - the best sledding hill in town

Hangin' tough!

George and Sally's house -- AKA, Khaki and Scarlett's watering hole.

This elderly couple (who owned an equally elderly dachshund named Hildy who Khaki revered) always left a plastic dish by their watering spigot, and my pups would stop for a swig about 75% of walks.

Manor Park got fancy with its new name tag

Manor Park where we played with the pups so many times and made them sit on bases. 

Oh those beautiful trees.

Hi, Kara!

Almost on the home stretch

We got back to my old house, and since the kids were still keeping it together, we took the short walk to see Steph and Julia's old houses.

Reed switched it up and landed in the Ergo.  Look at that sweet little smile!

Steph's house.  Took all I had not to walk right up, open the door and yell, "Oh, hi!"
I'll always know that garage code.  15533!

Julia's cul-de-sac...  (Khaki and Drew's usual greeting spot)

and Julia's house!

A wonderful, meaningful morning.

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A little play time with the Sviggum kiddos followed --

Pantsless Thor sporting my tennis shoes!

...while Nolan tried to play Capture the Headband with poor defenseless Brita.

Then we hopped over to Kerri's house for dinner, where Nicole was also staying -- 

So many littles -- I love it.

Evelyn, Annie, Nolan, Claire

Nicole and brilliant and "allowed" the bigger kids to play with her hair.  I tried to steal them away for mine, but they quickly deemed it too short to bother with.  Rats.

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That night, Rachel graciously hosted a fondue girls' night.  It was SO GREAT to sit down and have intentional conversation without the distractions and interruptions (as beloved as they are) of a ton of kiddos.  Kerri got the ball rolling by having each girl voice their "high" and "low" of life right now -- a brilliant idea, as it gave us each a chance to pour in and encourage and update and brainstorm...  the conversation was so natural.  I miss you, friends.

Beth, me, Rachel, Kamber, Kerri, Julia, Nicole

and Steph!

 Nolan was supposed to be asleep, but I guess he didn't want to miss the party. 

Kind Beth was happy to oblige his request for interaction.

Lucky for Nolan, Reed played the same card.  These two buds were so adorable in their matching stripes, just quietly playing with Duplos together while the ladies talked.

Sweet friends, just like their mamas.