October review.

I cannot believe that the end of October is upon us.  October is my very favorite month (after September -the month in which we were married that will forever hold the softest, warmest place in my heart).  The leaves are to die for.  Every autumn I think "how could we ever dream of moving away from here?"  It is staggeringly beautiful.  So beautiful that as I look around on a drive to or from the hospital, or even just around town, a huge smile breaks out on my face. The beauty of this earth, it's truly something. (at this point I'd say 80% of our trees look like this one.  AMAZING!)

Anyway- October is nearing it's end. & it's time I throw an update on ze blog.

Along with this update I'd like to offer a blanket apology to friends, family and neighbors who have been neglected over the past two months.  I know I should call, visit, text, etc. but my life is consumed.  Nursing school has me barely keeping my head above water day in and day out.  Otherwise I'd be a better housekeeper, cook, friend, & wife.  Thank you. & thank you for blogging because it pathetically keeps up some level of connection.

I'd also like to apologize to any family members who read my blog and were cheerleaders at one point in their life.  My Mom told me that I am offensive because I don't like cheerleaders (in reference to last post) in general and some read my blog.  So sorry.  I like you.  Just not the choices you make (hehe).

Update-

We are good.  Keeping busy, keeping healthy.

We spent last weekend in Chicago with Mckay's brother Jared and our good friends Danika & Kevin (& their three adorable girls).  We went to the Notre Dame v BYU game, which was a blast.  BYU was ahead and it was quite exciting, but then they lost it (shocker).  It was sad.  We explored Chicago on Friday and had a wonderful night out to dinner with D&K.  I came home on Sunday and Mckay stayed for one more "man day" with his brother (NFL game, Ditkas steakhouse, shopping... only manly shopping of course.)

Mckay left for SF this morning for a meeting he has to go to tomorrow.  It's only for two days and I miss him.  I don't think I'd love if his job required a lot of travel.  Home seems really empty and lonely without him in it.  But he likes to get out of the office & do something different. 

The air is getting colder and the leaves are starting to fall, which is bitter-sweet.  As much as I love autumn, the frozen mornings and massive snow falls are my least favorite time of year.

Cannot believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and then Christmas after that! 

This semester of nursing school has been a big one for me.  The heaviest work load I've yet to encounter but I've learned so much.  I did my first catheter and trach tube suction, which were two very big deals.  Nearly cause for celebration.  Except Mckay has a rule that I don't talk about gross nursing school stuff at home.  So I only celebrate inside, or with  my Mom! :)

That's about all the update I have.  Here are a few Chicago pictures...

The Dunn clan at the game.  It was cold.

A cold but magnificent day in Chicago.  This is a little beach at the end of the Magnificent Mile.  

The BEAN!

Beachy.

They love BYU football.

Mckay and Kevin (they grew up in the same ward and have always been great friends) and the sweet little Hannah baby. 

The girls were so excited that there was a real life Dr. staying at their house (that would be Jared).  The first thing we heard in the morning was, "Is the Doctor awake?!"  But even a finance guy will do for playing pretend with little Leah.

the weekend of football

We went on a little trip South last weekend- to beautiful Virginia.  Mckay went to college at Southern Virginia University after two years at BYU & absolutely loved it.  He played football there and every year since I have known him he goes back down in September for Homecoming.  This year it wasn't Homecoming but the 5 year anniversary of the 2007 (his last year of football) football team's winning season (one and only).  So we left Thursday night to make our way to Buena Vista (& the people there pronounce is Bu-nah, which is funny to me).  

 Craven love!  

We stopped in Baltimore Thursday night for the Raven's game.  My first pro football game (his 2nd) & it was pretty neat.  We went for a couple of reasons.  #1 because I love Ray Lewis.  Mostly because he gets emotional during the National Anthem and then when he's done he's back to looking like the scariest man alive.  But he's obviously a sweetheart.  #2 because I am married to a Dunn, the Dunn men love football.  #3 We didn't want to drive the full 7 hours in one night (that wasn't really a reason). 

 The annual golf tournament in BV.

 What I did during the annual golf tournament.  Hid out in SVU' stuck-in-the-70's quiet room of the tiny library.  It served me all too well for five hours of COPD & acute respiratory distress syndrome.  

 The Banquet.  Too many speakers, and lacking a highlight film, but still lovely.  He played with some really great, stand-up guys.  It was fun to meet new ones, and spend time with friends.  Mckay and I had very different college experiences-- as in, he is super enthusiastic and loyal to his.  There's a lot of camaraderie and devotion to their school & the team.  

 The lovely Jill Lund who Mckay absolutely adores.  He was good friends with her daughter while he was at school and was always hanging out with all the other guys at their house.  She makes his favorite cake ever (besides anything I make, of course) Molly Cake and every time we go she has it waiting for him.  It's the sweetest thing. 

 The 2007 team was honored during half time.  Don't know why I wasted picture space on the cheerleaders (barf) when I could have captured more of the team.  Oh well.  They gave a little highlight on each player-  my proud wife moment of the weekend.  Mckay holds all the WR records at that school.  I didn't even know.  

& our weekend wouldn't have been the same with out the Whetstone's (Chelsea is the Lund's daughter) and their hospitality.  I had grits for the first time -they were made with cream cheese and... other fattening things, and they were dangerously tasty.  Chelsea cooked us a wonderful breakfast and their daughter Maggie provided us with hours on entertainment.  She is probably the happiest baby I've ever met, even though she doesn't look it in the picture!  So content to just do whatever the adults were doing.  

Go knights!