Rochester, Part 4

Lastly came Thursday, our final day in Roch, but a day filled with treats.
We all woke up, devoured breakfast and made the short walk to a nearby park.

Treat #1: This view of a giant MN sky from Rachel's beautiful street!

(Nolan again with the sand...)

Treat #2: More outsideness.  :)

Rachel, you are really amazing!

Sadly, even while at a park, there sometimes has to be a time-out...

...or two.

Kaia and a friend.  What sweet girls!

Treat #3 came after Nolan's nap and it was a big one: We paid a visit to the Saski Seven!
Let me see...... How to describe Karmen?.......... Karmen is --- well -- indescribable.  She's a musical guru, an organizational wizard, a mom of FIVE GIRLS YES YOU READ THAT RIGHT, a homeschooling super mom, and an all incredible woman.  She has a sense of humor (obviously.) and a faith and discipline I have always admired.  Karmen, I miss you!!  I miss Calvary, I miss choir, I miss being jealous of the altos....  I just miss you.

Maria has always been sooo sweet with Nolan - ever since he was itty bitty.

This visit was especially sweet because Nolan and I got to meet Chelley and Naika, for whom our family was among legions of prayer warriors.  When we moved last summer, the Saskis were neck-deep in their adoption proceedings, and they were joyfully able to bring these girls home just a few months later.  It was so wonderful to see them in person and get to talk with them!

Chelley has a million dollar smile, doesn't she?

And sweet little Naika

Annika and Chelley showing us their bike riding skills.

I feel like I could devote a whole blog post to Olivia and Naika.  So stinking cute.

Oh, Karmen, your hands are so much fuller than I even realized!

HA!!  I die!

Nolan made himself right at home.

Tragically, this is the most up-close photo I got of Annika -- what a shame!  Annika, I'm going to have to pay you another visit just so I can take your pretty picture.  :)  There was just too much going on to keep up with it all, I guess!  

Saskis, thank you so much for letting us swing by.  Like I said: A treat!!

Treat #4 was a completely unannounced stop at Trista's house.  Trista is a friend from good old Station 4-4.  Since I didn't get time to go by the floor, and since Karmen lives about 5 minutes from Trista, I couldn't resist knocking on her door.  Sadly for me, her little Asher was fast asleep having gotten his shots that morning -- but at least I got to peek at him in his crib.  I'll squeeze him next time!
I love friends like this who you see once in a blue moon but then you don't skip a beat.

And Treat #5.  I know you didn't think I could come to Rochester and not have me some Flapdoodles salted caramel ice cream.

They have a drive through (which was the best and worst thing about them when I lived there), so it made it easy to pick some up and take enough for the whole crew at Rachel's.

Hans is as much of a fan as I am, and I wasn't about to let his post-lawnmowing stinkiness keep me from diving in alongside...  Hans, this was not treat #6.

*****

Finally, it was time to dash to the airport.

Ladies, this was epic.  So wonderful.  You are all too much for me.

Rachel, thank you especially once more for all that you did.  You are the best ever hostess!

*****
Nolan did great on the flights and slept super hard in his big bed.  The next morning at his first peep, a couple of someones dashed in to greet him.  Do you think he was missed???

Can't wait for our next reunion!!

Rochester, Part 3

Wednesday morning was great.  Rachel was much too generous and bought a few of us passes to the RAC, the gym that we used to all attend and work out together in all the time.  They have The. Best. childcare workers and we even got to attend one of our favorite classes taught by a favorite instructor.  So fun!

We were of course hot and sweaty and yucky, so there are no pics of this.....  except for a screenshot that I took of Nicole's crazy ab workout plan that she was totally rocking at day 21.  I tried to do crunches with her and she creamed me.

After quick showers, we headed to a nearby park.  The drive to the park was so beautiful -- it's tucked in a manicured neighborhood -- and I relished the lush, colorful MN sights.  

This still looks like home to me.

More pics of the same kids and moms doing more of the same.  

I can't help it.  I love these kids.  And their moms.

Wait for meeee!

Picnics are the way to go.

I love Ben.  As this thing rocked and rolled all around, his little voice could be heard over the others' giggles going, "Whoa, guys!  Whoooaaa, guys!  Guys - guys - Whoa!"  ha!

Addison, Thor, Kaia, Ben

Classic.

Owen and Bethany

Rachel and Nicole.  Two beauties.

Ben

The cutest little mini couple, Nolan and Evelyn.

Wonderful, wonderful.

After everyone was sufficiently fed and sandy, we dispersed for kids' naps.  Nolan and I headed back to Rachel's house where we said See You Later to Steph.  See You Laters aren't as bad as Goodbyes, but they still stink.
We looove you, Steph!!  There is no other you in all the land.

Definitely nap time!

*****
After naps, Rachel had to take her big kids to their swimming lesson, which meant the little babes got free reign over the toys, including the trampoline --- and boy, did Nolan take advantage!

I think he was in there for almost 30 mins, jumping, falling and cracking himself up.

Baby Brita couldn't even tempt him out with a dump truck!

Hans arrived home from work and joined in the fun.

Nolan's first t-ball lesson

Coach Hans says it's a great thing to be a left-handed batter.

Rachel is honestly the most gracious hostess.  Here she is loading the dishwasher for the sixteen millionth time!

Little Brita has the most! legit! sounding! fake cry EVER.  I wish you could hear it.  It's raspy and gargly and you would think instantly that she was suffering mightily.  You hear it and can't help but rush over and scoop her up --- which is exactly what she wants.  Well played, Brita, you little actress!

I'm not their mom, so I didn't have to tell them to get down.  I just took their pic.  :)

Again with the park-like yard.  Amazing.

After dinner, Hans started a game of tag followed by relay races with the kids.  Brilliant!

In addition to loving these friends, we were just loving all of this outdoor time.  Ahhhhh....

As you can tell, Nicole and her crew stayed at Rachel's house that night which was music to my ears because it meant that immediately after being roommates with Steph, I got to turn around and be roommates with Nicole!!!  We REALLY stayed up too late talking in the dark.  Our conversation nourished my soul and is one of the first things my mind goes to when I think of this trip.  Thank you, Nicole!  I'm sorry I didn't then get up psycho early to run with you either.

These are some jam packed days!