MINNESOTA- Park, Lanesboro, Mayo

Almost 5 years ago, Rob Hartzler opened up his Match Day letter and looked up and said "Mayo."

For some reason I can still hear how he said it.

Well, it was no surprise to all of us. 

Rob is a smart one and very determined.

 

 

(UTSW girls, I had so much fun looking back on our Match Day pics... I might have to do a "throw back" post... such a fun day!)

 

Well, almost 5 years ago, we told the Hartzlers we would come visit them in Rochester, MN.

We were starting to run out of time, seeing that they will leave in June. And the spring will be crazy for all of us.

So we took advantage of Tom having some time off after working nights and it worked with Rob's schedule, too.

 

2 weeks ago, Tom got home at 6:30 am, we packed up the car, and left Texas at 8:30.

It's a 15 hour drive to Rochester. Pretty much I35 all the way. Tom and I traded off driving so he could get some sleep.

 

We made it to Des Moines, Iowa by 11ish and spent the night there. 

(Couple of pit stops... one involved Tom locking the keys in the car in Kansas... which turned out good for the kids to be out of the car for a long period of time. Who knew jumping off tables at a rest stop could be so fun??!)

 

 

 

 

Kids did well in the car. 

Although Simon wasn't perfect, he was much improved from our trip to DC. :)

 

Thursday morning, we checked out the children's science museum in Des Moines.

Highlight of the museum- kids made and launched rockets.

 Camera was dead :(

 

After lunch, we drove another 3 hours and made it to Rochester by 4.

 

 

It was so great to get familiar with the place our dear friends have called home for the last 4 1/2 years.

 

 

After making ourselves at home, we took our 1st outing to a nearby park... 



 

 Although A LOT colder than Texas, it wasn't too bad.

 

So good to see dear Helen again. She's gotten so much older from when we saw them in DC.

Henry and Margaret Gray both noted "Helen's walking!!"

 

 

 Kids really had fun being together again! Witt and Helen are super sweet.

 

 

Rob got home, we enjoyed dinner together, got the kids in bed, and had some quality adult time.

 

 

The next day, we headed out to Lanesboro, MN... a quaint, little town about 30 mins away.



Yes, all 9 of us rode in 1 car.

Checking out the antique shops

 



 

Tom bought the BEST pickles made by some Amish folks. 

Found a local park

 



Walking down the main street

Lunch

 





Nothing like propping up your new camera on a fallen tree while its drizzling...  so worth the risk :)

Someone fell in the mud

 

 

After naps and dinner, we headed up to Rob's 2nd home... the Mayo Clinic.

 



Rob had the brilliant idea of us "touring" after hours... the kids were a little wacko.

 



Chihuly!

 



Famous Brass Doors... only closed on historical events.

 



Orthopedic Area

Patient room... we jokingly told Henry and Margaret they were going to get "pokes" (shots). Henry cried for the next 10 minutes...

 



There's our little Simon ;)

 

Enjoyed getting to learn some history of this incredible medical center.

 

So that was the 1st part of our trip. Pumpkin Farm and Apple Orchard are next...

 

 

Tom's time off

Last month, Tom was working nights.

It's super stinky when he's at work (6p to 6a) but on the bright side, he gets some extra time off.

 

The kids enjoyed having him around.

 

 

Hallelujah it was his LAST month to work nights!!

We were both EXHAUSTED... but that didn't stop us from packing up the car and driving to Minnesota following his last shift....