Road Trip

Wow it has been a crazy week! On Wednesday we began our long trip back to Utah. It seemed like we packed almost everything we own--our car was completely packed! Our first stop was South Bend, Indiana where Ryan had an interview with a residency program. We had a lot of fun there and they have an amazing program. Ryan spent most of the day Thursday interviewing and the kids and I were able to spend the day with Emilee Wells and the girls. We had so much fun visiting with them. We got a driving tour of South Bend--it is beautiful! We drove by Notre Dame's campus and passed the football practice field and I couldn't resist getting a picture for Ryan (not a bad picture for sticking my camera through the blacked out fence). After Ryan finished interviewing we were back on the road--next stop Omaha, Nebraska.

We got to Omaha around mid-night and stayed with Grammie and Grandpa--Elder and Sister Slater. We got to spend all of Friday with them. We had so much fun visiting and seeing the sites of their mission. It was so much fun to visit the Winter Quarters and the Council Bluffs visitors centers along with the tours that go with them. There is such an amazing spirit there and gives such a great perspective on life and what is important. They also took us to museum where they had these amazing trains. We got there a little late and weren't able to go in the trains but Jack was still in heaven just being able to see these amazing trains. We had so much fun and are going to miss Marv and Sue while we are in Utah but are so grateful for their hard work and service.

We left Omaha around 9:15am on Saturday morning and headed to our final stop--Highland, Utah! This was the day I was dreading. Traveling over 900 miles and 14 hours with 2 kids---talk about crazy!Well actually the kids were angels, they were perfect--way better than I could have asked for! Jack had his leap pad with a new Thomas game and movies to entertain him and Macie--sweet Macie did not have one crying spell, not one! She was happy to look around at all the big trucks, listen to me read her stories and sleep--she was SO good! We had some good stops in the middle of no where and saw more cows than people--Nebraska and Wyoming are exciting places. We pushed through and finally made it to my Mom and Dad's house around 1am and Ryan and I were ready for some good sleep.

What a road trip---long but not as bad as I expected. All I can say is that it is good to be in Utah--I have missed the mountains!

9 months

I know I am a little late and I didn't post Macie's 8 month pictures but I guess it is better late than never right (this first picture is of her at 8 months). Macie turned 9 months old on the 17th. At her 9 month appointment she weighed in at 20lbs 9oz---she has dropped to the 75th percentile so we are happy with that. It is crazy that she is already that old. I can't imagine our family with out her. She is such a fun and happy baby. She is so close to walking--she can take up to 6 steps already--she pulls herself up on everything! She has her own language which is so fun to hear. She still only has the one tooth so eating is still a bit of a challenge for her--obviously by her size it's not that big of a problem. She has no problem making friends where ever we go--she stares people down until they look at her and then she gives them her famous smile and they are immediately hooked. I know I am biased but she is getting cuter and cuter all the time--We love Macie!

Chicago

Last week we went to Chicago so I could take the clinical skills portion of my boards. As far as the test goes, all I can say is someone is making a bundle of money off of all the medical students and foreign medical grads in the country. I think the test went fine.
We originally planned to go a few days early and stay with one of Candace's cousins so we could get the real Chicago experience. Neither Candace nor I had ever been to Chicago, and Jack was very excited to go to "the Big City."
But a few days before we were to leave, my eyes started feeling a little itchy, and they looked awful. I seriously looked like I had been awake for a week doing nothing but smoking weed. I've been told to not get in a habit of diagnosing myself, so I went to the opthalmologist who confirmed what I suspected. I had viral conjunctivitis - cursed Adenovirus!!! The good news was that my eyes didn't bother me too much. The bad news is that I was very contagious. In fact, the opthalmologist restricted me from having any patient contact until after my test. I didn't protest. Unfortunately, it also meant we wouldn't be able to stay with Candace's cousin and his family. We figured giving them all red eyes would not be a great way to thank them for their hospitality.
To make a short story long, we left for Chicago the day before my test and got there with enough time to go downtown a see a few things. Jack was absolutely thrilled to take the train into the city from our hotel. We went to Memorial Park and walked around a little and took in the skyline. We didn't have a whole lot of time, but we enjoyed the time we had.

We knew that we had to have deep-dish pizza for dinner, and we went to Giordano's for that. I have to say I was a little nervous that I would be disappointed. Everyone says how incredible deep-dish pizza is, and well...THEY'RE RIGHT! Absolutely unbelievable! My mouth waters just thinking about it.

The next day I took my test, and Candace decided to venture out on her own with Jack and Macie. I had tried telling her that no one would think any less of her if she just hung out around our hotel until I got finished. Anyone who's tried to talk Candace out of something when she's already made up her mind can likely guess how that conversation went. She was determined to make the most of this Chicago visit, and I can't really blame her for that since it was my fault we had to cut it short. Anyway, they rode the train for about an hour back into town, had some difficulty with the stroller at their stop, which didn't have an elevator, and headed for the Lincoln Park Zoo. They weren't able to stay for very long before they had to make the journey back to meet me so we could get on our way back home. Jack and Macie were very pleasant and just seemed to enjoy being out and seeing some new things. I know it was not easy for Candace, but I have to hand it to her - she's a lot tougher than I am. Macie was exhausted when they all finally met up with me, and I was just glad they all made it back safe. I'm kind of a worrier like that (thanks, Mom).
Unfortunately, that's all we had time for because I had to get back for work the next morning. There are probably at least a hundred things we didn't do in Chicago. So we decided we have to go back someday and spend some more time - and get more pizza! Hopefully I won't spoil that trip with some infectious disease.

1st Tooth

Macie's first tooth finally broke through on Tuesday. I swear she has been teething for 4 months! I don't remember it being this bad with Jack--it seemed to just pop through with out too much of a problem. Macie on the other hand has had swollen, red and very sore gums. I just hope that it gets better with the next one.

Apple Picking

Yesterday our ward had a FHE activity to go to McQueen's Orchard and pick apples. It was so much fun! We have lived here in Toledo for over 3 years and this was our first time going to pick apples. Jack was so excited--he was talking about it all day! When we got to the trees Jack took off running looking for apples to pick. It was so fun to watch him get so excited over something so simple--I guess we don't get out enough. I feel like I have been trapped inside for the last two weeks because the kids have been sick so it was really nice to be outside and enjoy the wonderful fall weather. Macie did really well and was more interested in eating the leaves than picking the apples. Actually these days she is willing to put just about anything in her mouth (she is working on her first tooth). Here are a few of the pictures from our fun night out as a family.

It is nearly impossible to get a good picture of both Jack and Macie at the same time--but Jack did his best to hold Macie and smile while sitting on pumpkins--Not bad.
Check out this face! Is he cute or what!? He was so proud of himself when he picked his first apple. Jack and Ryan climbing up the ladder to get the apples. I think Jack was a little excited--look at the cheese on his face.Macie loves being outside. She is such a fun, sweet baby--but she is definitely a mama's girl.
Here we are in front of the giant ladder that we climb to get the apples. It's a good thing that none of us are afraid of heights.

Jack was showing us how strong he is by lifting the bag of apples. We actually only took home half of that thanks to the Felts. There is no way we would be able to get through that amount of apples. Ryan has been hinting for days that he wants apple pie--I guess I don't have an excuse not to make one now that we have plenty of apples.