Rochester! (Tuesday)

Just when you thought the ol' gal had flatlined, I whipped out my blog CPR and revived her.  If you still check this.....  Enjoy :)

**************************

Oh the task of trying to capture our trip to Rochester from a few (okay, several.) weeks back... It's been so daunting, I've been afraid to attempt it...  Thanks, Steph, for nagging me a little.  Sometimes I need it.  For some silly reason, this blog thing is for me no small undertaking...

Here's how it came to be that we all materialized in Rochester Oct 14-18: 

Nicole (in TN) called to say she and her kiddos were planning a 10-day visit to Rochester so that her husband Kevin could study for boards, and did I want to come for part of it?  I ran it by Mikel who was maybe a little bit not totally understanding why I might want to do that 100% - or at least he didn't jump up and down saying "yes" yet.  Then Julia (in WA) got wind of the plan and started scheming how she could be there too.  Then I had the epic Bawl Uncontrollably Into My Spaghetti Plate incident, and the next day, Mikel said, "So, did you want to go to Rochester??"  Julia's plans fell into place for the same dates as me.  Kamber, Beth and Rachel were ALL in town with time and willingness to host and entertain us.  The stars aligned.  And lo and behold, it magically happened.

I KNOW.  I lived it, and I can't believe it either. 

Seriously, I am so thankful to Mikel for letting Nolan and me go. The trip came at the perfect time for me...  It was immeasurably refreshing to be reunited with these soul sisters.  To watch them hold and play with Nolan - for me to get to hold and love on their kids and see how much they've changed in only 4 short months - to share meaningful conversation over food and wine - to hug them (I realized I was hug-starved!)  It was all simply wonderful.  Only thing missing was Steph and her crew.  I was needing this encouragement -- but I was also surprisingly ready to return to Phoenix when the time came.

Or course, as I write that.... I can only think how I could really use a repeat. 

*sigh*

I got to stay with Rachel and Hans Sviggum who are THE BEST hosts.  Their kids are hilarious and darling, their home is beautiful and cozy, they have all the baby equipment/supplies/clothes one could ever need, and Nolan and I were soo blessed by their laid back hospitality. 

Sviggum family, THANK YOU!

********************************

Nolan and I arrived in Rochester Monday evening.  He did great on the plane!  Even caught a cat nap in the Ergo.

  

************************************

Tuesday morning, Kamber kindly had all of the gals and our babes over for a wild and crazy Super Playdate in honor of McKinley and Claire's first birthdays.  On the friend exposure scale, I felt like I went from 0 to 90!  And how great it was.

Beth, Evelyn and part of the gang

                       

Ben, Cayden, Addison

McKinley, Benjamin

  

Morgan who has no idea she isn't 4.

Reed, Annie
 

Nolan, McKinley, Reed, Claire

Doesn't Nicole look pretty??

Addison, Ben

and Cayden

We missed you, Charlie!

these three...

Reed

Chow Time!

Ben, Cayden, Claire

1 year old!  Happy birthday, McKinley!

                      

Another birthday girl, Claire!  with little teeny Evelyn

(It was a lot of booster seats!)

                      

Ben, Cayden

Kaia, Addison

Kamber and Nicole

Proof that I was there :)  With Reed and Julia

Happy to have friends!!!  Especially when you poop through your shirt and Reed is there to lend you one...

                             

Warmed my heart to have my friends love on my kid again...

The Sviggum girls -- Brita and Kaia

plus Thor!

It was a wild, crazy and wonderful party!  Thank you, Kamber, for having us all!

********************************

That evening, Nolan and I got to pay a little visit to the one and only Mr. David and Ms. Marion.

 As per the usual, Mr. David did what he does best and played with Nolan like a champ while I got the treat of truly catching up with Marion.  I told Mr. David - it was the longest I had (A) sat down and (B) carried on a real conversation while Nolan was awake in I don't know when!

Such darling people, those two.  We love you guys.

*****************************

Then it was back to the Sviggums where there's never a dull moment!

Nolan's signature face for the week: absorbing the action.  :)

Thor kills me.  As in, he looks at me with those blue eyes and his little man haircut, and I can't help giving in, no matter the request.

The Sviggum girls are darling!!  Kaia is such a little mama - always loving on Brita and jumping to entertain Nolan.  

Oh, Brita - the most laid-back gem of a baby on Earth.

Had to include this shot of Rachel.  What a rock star mom who keeps a beautiful house, nurses the babe, and works out like a champ - but always seems to have time to get down on the floor with her kids.  You are a great role model and inspiration!

A full-heart kind of day.  ...And it was only day 1!