Sixty-eight Degrees

Today is the most beautiful November day in the history of November days.

68 degrees. Sunny.

So, why not ride bikes to the beach?

And play frisbee?

And eat ice cream for lunch?

Hoping you've enjoyed some time outside today, too!

LJ+JB

The Weekend

Back to the work week after a crazy, but fun, weekend!

Saturday morning we woke up way before the sun and crabbily made our way to the Brown line. We headed to Grant Park for the start of the Hot Chocolate 5K! I ran the race with my mom, Uncle Eddie, and cousin Bekah; Dad bested us all and ran the 15K. We warmed up quickly and enjoyed the morning view of the skyline as we ran along the lake.

And the finish line greeted us with delicious chocolate fondue and hot chocolate!

Afterward John and I enjoyed a cup of coffee with Mom and Dad and a sneak peak of the Macy's Christmas tree! We just happened to show up during the lighting ceremony...very cool.

After enjoying a nap that afternoon, we headed to the south side to visit Gram and Gramps Hoekstra. Our evening was complete with Aurelios, games, ice cream, and great company. Thanks, G&G!

And on Sunday: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!

Mom and I enjoyed a relaxing pedicure together and then a delicious dinner with the whole fam at Cafe De Luca. YUM. I am so thankful for you, Mom. You are a huge blessing in my life.

And now back to the not-so-fun stuff. School work this morning and work in the ER tonight!

A Halloween Surprise

I came home last night at 11:30pm to cobwebs on the door and a rock star of a husband. I worked all weekend and missed Halloween...or so I thought.

So, we ate candy and caramel apples. And we watched ELF. Until 1am. Because we're young and hip. Right?

Happy November.

LJB

Good Morning

Just taking a few minutes this morning to watch some HGTV and enjoy a cup of coffee with Peppermint Mocha creamer. Shhh...don't tell Halloween and Thanksgiving. It just couldn't be helped!

Here's to a happy Thursday!

Jonamac Pumpkin Patch

And then we selected the hugest, orangest, perfectest ones.

And then this plane flew over us and dropped candy!

And now I am watching Elf in October because John is gone and I am lonely and Elf is funny.

Happy Weekend, everyone!

-LJB-

October

This and that from this past week:

I spent most of this past week studying for my two exams: Internal Medicine and Surgery. Both have now been completed and passed!

Saturday we spent the day hiking at Starved Rock State Park. It was a bit crowded for our liking, but still nice to be outside on a lovely day!

This morning was Dad's 6th consecutive Chicago Marathon! It was another hot day (87 degrees!), but he persisted and finished with all body parts still intact.

Dad and Annette

Ruby and the vuvuzela

The faithful spectators.

It's a bro thing.

Aaron, Rae, Jody, and Me

Jody and goat.

Mom, Uncle Eddie, and some weirdo.

Auntie Cindy, Aaron, and Old Style.
Giordano's afterward! YUM.

Trying to figure out why he just made his old body do that.

And off into another week. Have a good one.

LJ

3 down...

What a blur the past 6 weeks have been! I have been working in General Surgery at two nearby hospitals, and it has been wonderful! The days have been so long [and so EARLY], but somehow the weeks have flown by.

And I have fallen in love with surgery.

I will not miss the 4:30am wake-up call.

BUT, I am sad to know that I will not be in the OR again until...

Well, until who knows when. Maybe until I get a job as a surgery PA.

So, I have 3 rotations down and 5 to go...next, I'm off to the ER!

And I just found out that I will graduate on June 3rd...come quickly, June.

Other news:

I am wearing a sweater and I had hot chocolate today. Lovely.

John is growing his hair out. That just means his hairdresser has been busy.

We rode our bikes to the store today and I carried the oatmeal home on my rack and then it fell off. I ditched my bike and ran to its rescue just before it rolled onto Foster Avenue.

Two good, cool things:

1. My dad, Tim Hoekstra, is running the Chicago marathon on 10.10.10 [this Sunday]. Check out his fundraising website for the Hall Steps Running and Mentoring Club. It's exciting stuff, people. http://www.crowdrise.com/timhoekstrasteps

2. Our dear friends, Jim and Emily, are pursuing adoption from Ethiopia. Check out their adoption blog and fundraising projects! There are some really cool t-shirts that would look really good on you!! http://andiamyours.blogspot.com/

Enjoy the crunch of the leaves beneath your feet this week. Happy Fall.

LJ