Utah! Part 1

I figured I better blog about our recent trip to Utah, where we spent Thanksgiving, before Christmas gets here. This post will also be in lieu of SOS for November, since I missed that too! A quick update: Things around here have been so busy, as Stryder has RSV, which is like a bad cold that babies can get, and an ear infection on top of that. We have to give him breathing treatments through a nebulizer machine a few times everyday to open his little lungs, have him sleep with a vaporizer, and feed him lots of fluids. But, thankfully today, he finally started feeling better! His appetite has increased, he is smiling more than ever, and he is no longer raspy or wheezy :-) I am so happy! It is hard to tell when he is not feeling well, since he is a just such a jovial little guy anyway, but today, he was most definitely back to his all-the-way cheerful self. It was not a severe case of RSV, but just enough for me to worry, of course.

We took a great trip out to Utah for Thanksgiving! We had a wonderful holiday at Keith's dad's (Papa) home, and the food was delicious. I miss the get-togethers with his family. It is always great fun and they are an extremely caring family. (Once again, they DO NOT read my blog, so I am NOT just saying that!) We gave Stryder the turkey drumstick, which he LOVED! He had so much fun with it. Unfortunately, I had to miss out on our traditional movie after Thanksgiving feast, because I got the worst headache ever that night. So Keith and his dad went instead, which was good for them. Here is a video and some pics of our Thanksgiving:

We also went to Hogle Zoo, on free zoo day, with Stephanie (my sis-in-law) and her kids. It was lots of fun too! I think the last time I had been there was when Keith took me for my birthday a few years ago. Stryder loved the animals and I love seeing him around his cousins. (Sidenote: I REALLY wish my side of the family would get working on producing some cousins, too! Keith's side now has 7 total grandkids.....)

Here is Steph and her cuties, Benja and Lizzie.....

We love the penguins! And I love this picture that Keith took....it is so sweet.

Daddy and Stryder trying to see the bear........I think?!

Onto the amazing TEMPLE SQUARE!!!! I love temple square.....the beauty, the lights, the spirit, the excitement......I could go on and on! It has always been a tradition of Keith and mine to visit Temple Square when they have the lights up. We began this tradition the month we started dating actually.....it is my favorite tradition that we have and we haven't missed a year yet, and this year makes 5 years! Enough of the exclamation points and more of the pictures:

Papa with Keith and Stryder

We met up with our med school friends, Adrian and Diana; it was great to see them again.

Stryder was a trooper; he loves riding on Dadda's shoulders!

Finally a few photos of the scenery:

Beautiful

Stunning

Humbling

Majestic

Inspiring

Loving

Stay tuned for the continuation of Utah: Part II coming soon........

HOLY SNOW!

For those of you who don't know much about Wisconsin winters....you're in for a little lesson!  This picture above is the snow from one night and one night only!  It equals out to about 17 inches of snow.  You can see from the picture above that the snow is almost reaching the top of the trampoline in our backyard.  It also covered every square inch of the patio furniture.  I'm no longer dreaming of a White Christmas. 

This picture above is of our mailbox.  Can you spot it???  It is circled in the picture, but it still is barely visible.  We had to dig it out to receive our mail....and I bet you are wondering how those little wussy mail trucks get around these snowbound parts?!  Well, they trade in their little mail trucks for four-wheel drive jeeps and get our mail to us that way!  The picture below is our basketball hoop, frozen solid and packed full with snow. 

My wonderful helpful husband got right up in the morning and went to shovel the snow in his pajama pants and mismatched gloves.  We don't have any of his snow gear out here, to my dismay, he stayed out for THREE HOURS snowblowing and shoveling in just his pajama pants.  I couldn't believe it!  Both my parents went out and shoveled, too, and it really did take the three of them THREE FULL HOURS of snowblowing, shoveling, heaving and ho-ing to clear just our driveway and our walks.

 Here is my handsome husband hard at work....

Stryder watched Daddy from the warmth and comfort of the inside the home...

Stryder was looking outside so intently that I decided to take him outside to play in the snow.  We even have the cutest snowsuit for him.  He really didn't know what to think of the snow, though.  But he really did end up liking it.

I also had to get pictures of all the snow-removal personnel with Stryder.....

Here is Grandpa and Stryder:

Here is Grandma and Stryder:

Here is Daddy (with his eyes closed) and Stryder:

Finally, me and my son:

I am also going to tell you a bit on how bitterly cold it is here!  The wind is literally bone-chilling.  I have never felt anything like it in my life.  I don't remember it being like this when I grew up here, but maybe I just didn't have anything to compare it to.  Utah winters are mild compared to Wisconsin.  Oh, how I long for "just a chance of flurries" instead of "expect 17 inches by morning."  But, you gotta love whatever experiences life dumps on you overnight! 

Janesville It Is!

We got the phone call last week, that Keith has been accepted in to the clinical program in Janesville, Wisconsin!  This is great news for us, since we currently live here, I grew up here, my parents live here, we have great friends here, and we are well-established in Wisconsin!  (I plan to get a picture of Keith wearing a cheesehead in due time....) We also are good friends with many of the residents in the Janesville program.  They are so down-to-earth and their wives are extremely friendly, too, which is something I welcome with open arms.  It definately helps to have friendly and positive people around us at this time.....it really does make everything a little less stressful and a little more fun! 
     Keith will start at the end of December and his first rotation is OB.  He is very excited and I can't wait for his to begin this next step!  I know he will absolutely love it, as he is one of the most friendly and personable people I know.  That is why he will make a great doctor. 

     We drove to the Mercy hospital the other day in Janesville and took some pics....this one below actually makes the hospital look smaller than it really is, so you'll just have to take my word for it, that it's huge and kinda intimidating!  There are also many different clinics and departments around the main hospital that he will complete his electives and other rotations at.  He actually has his complete schedule for the next year already!  It is truly a wonderful blessing in our lives, one of many lately :-) 

      

P.S.-We are also very excited for Matt and Leigh to join us very soon!  I'll have to give them some tips for surviving the frigid Wisconsin winters.....

"You Scored WHAT???!!!"

That is what I said verbatim when I saw his score as we found out this morning that my wonderfully brilliant husband passed USMLE Step 1 Exam!  I am so happy and proud of Keith.  All the hours hold up in the deep dark basement studying, the weeks apart, the noticeable absence at the dinner table, and the countless late nights are far behind us now!  (Well, at least until clinicals start, but who can blame a wife for dreaming?!)  Keith was very happy with his score, too, as you can see from the above pic! Here's to you, Keith....

FOR HE'S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW,

FOR HE'S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW,

FOR HE'S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW,

THAT NOBODY CAN DENY!