The Big "D- Day"

JonDavid survived "D-Day"! His Dissertation Defense and passed with flying colors. I think I was more nervous than he was. It was so intense especially when the audience was able to ask questions. There were lots of super smart people there and my fingers were crossed hoping JonDavid could give a good answer to their questions. I felt so proud of him even though I can honestly say I didn't understand one thing in his 1 hr presentation. I was however able to understand when he mentioned my name as a thanks for encouraging him through out school. Then my ears really perked up. After the commitee met and questioned him some more they then signed their lives away on his disseration to announced he passed. It was the best day. Rocco and I went over and decorated his desk and our house to celebrate the big day. We had a great lunch at applebees and stroll at the park. I guess living with JonDavid I know first hand the hard work he has put forth over the last 5 yrs. Not only at school but at home. He is always willing to help out with Rocco and especially with our night owls awakenings that occurred in Rocco's first 18 months of life. Once again, Congrats to JonDavid.

Go Diego Go!

Happy Halloween!! Rocco finally decided he could be Diego this year for Halloween. If Diego only knew what a real privilege it is for him that Rocco was ok to dress up as the adventurer. He refused all the other costumes we brought home. He was very content with our home made costume with the odds and ends from the toy box. We had a a chance to celebrate a little early at the church trunk or treat... since we will be basking in the sun in Florida on Halloween!

Mega Post!!

Holy Cow! I finally feel caught up. I've been talking about this for months and this post is a smile box overload from the summer. Smile Boxes are the most efficient way for me to post because then I have them for my scrapbook. Sorry if you think they are annoying.

I can't believe how fast time is going. We move 2 weeks from today. We have been having a great time taking in our last days in Iowa. I keep getting choked up everytime I drive up Hawkins Drive onto campus. Ridiculous. We went to Indy househunting and left Rocco with some of our super kind friends. The most I have ever been away from Rocco was once or twice time for like 4 hours and he has only been baby sat a handful of times. He's really my sidekick! I was so sad to leave him behind and last minute I thought oh lets just take him. I'm so glad we didn't... it would have been disastrous. We looked at about 45 homes for 2 1/2 days straight. House overload!! We have decided to rent for 6 months to figure out where we really want to be! Best of all we got back and all parties survived. I think Rocco was confused he started calling the swensons mom and dad. I'm glad he felt at home.

The last month or so was also packed full with a visit from Mom. I only have one picture because my camera is broke. We had lots of fun stamping,touring the local sites, and eating plenty of pastries and take out. My moms specialties, which I love.

Last but not least we have been soaking in as many hawkeye festivites as we can before we head out of hawkeye country. We went to a Pep Rally the night before the first game. I can't believe the looks we got for having Rocco there. People were in Awe. Have they never seen a 2 yr old.... Rocco and the other 3 kids out of the thousands of student loved every second of it dancing and being crazy! Last week we also went to the Hawkeye Homecoming Parade. Rocco is in love with the Bands and Herky! And much to my surprise and pocketbook JonDavid surprised me with tickets to the Iowa Vs Michigan football game. It was rockin! Lets just say the score was too close for comfort but a victory nonetheless. GO HAWKS! 6-0

JonDavids defense in on Monday!!! His 150+ dissertation hit the press last week.Yeah Dr. JD.. He can almost see the light. What an accomplishment!

Rocco is such a cool kid. Everyday he says the funniest things. Lately he is into saying,"My Mommy...My Daddy...My etc..." over and over. It's not annoying at all. He is doing so many great things. He jumped over a cone(kind of)m put on his velcro shoes on the right feet,and now can successfully turn on the TV to watch his favorite shows. He loves going to kiderecise and running around like an animal. He is a boy full full of energy.

Labor day was well spent in Minnesota with the Family. We will miss our little road trips.


We headed up north to MN for the 4th too. It was very eventful and the perfect 4th of July!

Celebrations back home in Utah. I miss my family and can't wait for Christmas.


I love these girls.. and so many of them are gone!!! BOO HOO!! Some of these pictures are dated over the 5 1/2 years in Iowa but I wanted to capture the pictures I had all together. I miss them all dearly. Friends are so great because I feel like I had special bonds in different ways with all these girls. They truly have been my family away from family. We have seen many friends come and go and here we still sit. Our days here are about over but the people we have became so close to will always be in our hearts. So I'll get my small talk all ready for meeting new girls in Indiana..watch out girls here I come.

A way belated birthday post for Rocco!

Well Rocco has been 2 yrs old since May... so I'm once again way behind. I don't know why I insist on trying to catch up. I guess if you go off his due date in Augsut than I'm not really that far off. We gave Rocco a cozy coupe for his big day and 3 months later it is still a hit. He takes great pride in his ride and trys his best to shine it up with wet wipes, t-shirts, and rags! He kind of has a love/hate relationship with it because at times when he gets stuck in a jam he gets so fired up at it! We took Rocco to the Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska for his birthday. I think JD and I enjoyed ourselves just as much as he did. I remember going to this zoo when I was a school girl and seeing Big Ben the bear. We also toured the church history sites in Winters Quarters and Rocco for some reason thinks grass hills are slides. He insists on sitting on his bottom and trys to slide down. He is not one bit concerned about his grass stains he gets. Maybe I should get him an iceblock to sit on and he would have better luck:) For Rocco's birthday breakfast we took him to Mcdonalds and he was in heaven. We ordered him the Big Breakfast deluxe and he really chowed down. I still feel bad for not making him a birthday cake but luckily JonDavid scored a sweet homemade dome baseball cake a few weeks later. It was a fun trip and a great break. This was also a sad weekend because some of my bestest Iowa friends packed up and left me but that's a post for another day! Well Summer is now over and JD is busy a busy bee. Yesterday he went to school from 6:00 am-5:00 and then hit the books from 7:30-midnight. What a worker! Rocco graduated from his PACIFIER! I can't believe it. So long...farewell the big green soothie. We decided it was a natural transition to get rid of it when Rocco bit the top off!

Where we are headed to next!

BE SURE TO WATCH ROCCO MAKE A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT...He'S learning big words every day!

WoW! I can't believe the decision has been made. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would settle down in Indianapolis, Indiana. After all I reallythink I was born to be a midwesterner! We feel really excited about our decision and think it will be a wonderful place for JonDavid to develop into a "workin man" and to raise up little Rocco! JonDavid will be working as a biostaticstian at Eli Lilly which is an enormous pharmaceutical company.yikes! He willl be more specifically working in the neurology division. He's as excited as JD gets about working. He is mostly excited to catch some Jazz/pacer games, broncos/colts,hit the links at the golf courses, attend the indy 500, and join the lily softball team. We are planning on moving to the northern suburbs in hamilton county. Which actually was just voted in 2008 "the best place to raise a family in the USA." according to forbes magazine and now according to Grandma Wheeler it will even be a better place because we are there!:)hahaha! She does a great job at boosting the ol'self esteem! I actaully don't feel scared or nervous at all. We do know for sure that down in hoosier country we will forever be loyal to our Hawkeye Football team, but may give there basketball programs a cheer! We will look forward to coming back to Iowa City for a fall football game,touring the east coast, and getting acquainted with indiana~our future home! But between now and then we have lots to get accomplished! While Rocco and I enjoy our final fall days in Iowa City... which I really do love! JD will be hitting the dissertation double time as well as improving his chalkboard skills teaching a stats course this fall. Lots and Lots lays ahead in such a small window of time.

Camping with the Family 2009!

While in Utah we went on the annual camping trip with the family. I was a little nervous to go since Rocco had yet another ear infection and was on round two of meds. I get so stressed when he's under the weather and worry about the rest he gets. Looking back I'm so glad we went. We love every opportunity we can get to be with the family. Rocco loves his cousins and is still talking about Uncle Zach's Boat. He sure went on a wild ride. Kallie toted Rocco around on his "leash" and grandpa and grandma were kind of enough to share the trailor with us. We camped in Heber. As always The boys went on a foggy golf outing bright and early while we slaved away in the kitchen and attended to the children! :)

Now that we are back at home Rocco will get in his coupe and we have this exact same conversation at least three times a day
Rocco gets in his coupe and says, "bye!"
I say," Where are you going?"
He is very to sure answer,"goin campin!"
I say," Fun, who with?
He says everytime , "Daddy and Uncle Harold!" Those two obviously must have been his favorite camping mates so much for the rest of us!

Time is just flying by. I have recovered from last nights bachelorette finale. I'm not at all crazy about her pick. I live for my monday nights! We have been soaking the rays at the pool,getting the house organized, and collecting lots of rocks from every where. This kids has a great eye for "Rocks" maybe its in his name. JD has been super busy interviewing for jobs and working double time at school to finish up his dissertation. We have exciting news coming your way very soon! Off to start the day!

Coolest Little Hawkeye On the Block!

I don't think anyone would argue with me when I say this kid is by far the coolest kid on the block. You can't get much cooler than wearing black socks with brown velcro shoes accompanied with blue swim googles and some snug athletic shorts. This litte Hawkeye wears his IOWA clothes very proudly!. What a great sense of style. Needless to say my 2 year old has outgrown his 0-6month hawkeye clothes. We better plan a trip to the Hawk shop before football season starts.