GOING TO THE CHAPEL

Uncle M and Miss J were married this weekend! The day was absolutely beautiful ... amazing weather, one gorgeous bride, one handsome groom, and love all around!

Although JP was a perfect ring bearer for Uncle J's wedding in July, I tried to emphasize to Uncle M and Miss J that JP's execution of the ring bearer role may not turn out the same way. This time, JP was the bigger kid ... and he was in charge of pulling AA in a wagon! To be completely honest, I was predicting nothing but disaster on the wedding day. Lil' AA doesn't ever want to sit still ... especially when it comes to wagons. She's always trying to crawl out when we go for wagon rides at home. I decided to keep my mouth shut and go along with Miss J's vision to have the ring bearer pull the little flower girl down the aisle.
I was pleasantly surprised on the night of the wedding rehearsal. JP took the wagon and did exactly as he was told. Fast. FAST. REALLY FAST. While the rest of the wedding party was chuckling, I was terrified. Although AA sat perfectly still while being pulled, I was so worried she would fall out and knock her head from the speed of JP's ride. JP practiced his role a few times (and learned how to SLOW down) and then the kids retired early.

(Well, first AA had to hear a pep talk from Grandma K about being a good little flower girl.)

AA woke up early in our hotel room full of smiles.

A's parents were with us all weekend to help with the kids while A and I were busy with our own bridesmaid/groomsman festivities. I am forever grateful for their dedication to my kids during this wedding! Grandma S and Grandpa J managed to keep the kids on a relatively normal napping and eating schedule while living out of a hotel room! They transported the kids all over and helped get them dressed in their adorable wedding outfits. And ... they successfully coaxed them to walk down the aisle! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to actually see what transpired (since I was already in the front of the church), but I witnessed everyone's expressions. When it was time, Grandma S placed AA in he wagon, and off JP went ... he made it about one third of the way down the aisle and decided to turn around. At that point I saw Grandma S wave JP down again. Grandpa A stepped out of the church pew and motioned for JP to walk towards the front. That must have worked ... the next thing I could see was everyone leaning towards the center aisle and smiling. The congregation oohed and aahed ... and the pastor actually gave permission for everyone to clap once the kids made it to the front. AA didn't fall out! I was so proud! I hope someone was able to capture this on video (or at least with photos ... I barely had my camera with me all day!).

AA just loves being with her mommy and daddy!

What a beautiful couple!

Miss J officially became Aunt J! We couldn't be happier!

JP and AA love Aunt K too!

AA babbled to Great Grandma H:

And it's over. We've had such a busy year with these two weddings. I'm so lucky to have two amazing brothers with new amazing wives. My kids are blessed to have so many loving aunts and uncles. I'm hopeful that in a small little part of JP's brain, he'll be able to remember being a ring bearer this year!

TEN MONTHS

Baby AA
turned

10 months old

today!

BIRTHDAY PARTY

On Sunday we travelled north for cousin E's 5th birthday party. JP hasn't attended too many parties for other kids. He's used to sitting on the birthday person's lap and still being the center of attention.
JP did really well. He patiently waited for cousin E to open all of his presents and share his birthday cake.

JP was in heaven with all of the boy toys! There were bikes, cars, motorcycles, and trucks everywhere!

Even AA kept herself entertained with all of the boy toys!

This party was good practice for JP ... in just a few months (yikes!) the little sister will have a big birthday bash!

FALL

We met Grandpa T at a nearby apple orchard for a fun filled fall day. We rode on the "tractor trailer"
and we picked deliciously sweet honey crisp apples.

We ate many apples

and a few finally made it into our bag!

After our own tummies were full of apples, we fed some to the goats.

JP led the way through the corn maze.

(okay, so maybe he had a little help from Grandpa T!)

AA preferred the pumpkin patch.

BOO!

WILL AND CHARLIE

Any book, pamphlet, handout, lecture, or tour dealing with Mayo Clinic begins with a brief history. Normally, it's something like this (taken from the Mayo Clinic website) :

Mayo Clinic developed gradually from the medical practice of a pioneer doctor, Dr. William Mayo, who settled in Rochester, MN in 1863. His dedication to medicine became a family tradition when his sons, Dr. William and Dr. Charles Mayo joined his practice in the late 1800's. From the beginning, innovation was their standard and they shared a pioneering zeal for medicine. As the demand for their services increased, they asked other doctors and basic science researchers to join them in the world's first private integrated group practice. Although the Mayo doctors were initially viewed as unconventional for practicing medicine through this teamwork approach, the benefits of a private group practice were undeniable.

Perhaps the most recognized display of Mayo Clinic history are the bronzed statues of Dr. William and Dr. Charles Mayo at the center of our downtown campus. We locals simply refer to them as "Will and Charlie." They are in the background of every department photo. They are the meeting spot when connecting with a friend for lunch. The statues are always surrounded by pristine landscaping and exude courageousness, dedication, and commitment.

Today JP and AA met Will and Charlie.
They weren't as impressed as I had hoped.

I plan to make our meeting an annual tradition ...

and perhaps someday my kids will appreciate the heritage of our city!

FIRST WORDS

AA is becoming quite the little chatterbox. She's proficient in adding an "a" to most consonants when she starts babbling (i.e. gaga, yaya, lala, baba). I've heard her rattle off "mamma" several times ... but, sadly, she doesn't say it on command. (Okay, so I'm not even confident she knows it is the word to be used only when referring to the woman who has been at her crib side throughout all hours of the night; the lady who carried her in womb for nearly ten months; the person who has doted on her every move ... I'm not bitter or anything!).

The one word she does say on command, and with intentional meaning ... is Dadda! (I think this was JP's first word too!) Her sweet, high pitched "Dadda" directed right at A is about the cutest sound I've ever heard.

And her second word? JP typically instigates this one ... he'll shout, "Addie, say uh-oh!" And she quickly responds "Uh-oh!" while clapping her hands! Big brothers can be so influential!

HOME DEPOSIT

Who knew that the shopping carts at Home Depot were so much fun?!?!