Posted at: 09/28/2012 3:36 PM
Updated at: 09/28/2012 3:49 PM
By: Gordon Severson

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Families Celebrate Fertility Program at Mayo Clinic

(ABC 6 News) -- Children have a funny way of bringing out the best in people. Spreading joy, laughter and love to anyone they touch.

For many couples, conceiving a baby becomes a long and emotional journey. A journey that often brings them to the Infertility Program at Mayo Clinic.

Watching 2-year-old Ryllan and 7-year-old Bryson testing their strength with a hammer, you'd never know how miraculous their brotherhood really is.

"We didn't meet and get married until we were in our mid 30's. Then there were a few years we were able to have Bryson naturally," says father Rod Bonesteel.

After Bryson came along, Rod and his wife Laurie wanted a second a child. A brother for Bryson to play with. After years of trying, they were told the likelihood having another child was next to nothing.

"We thought we weren't going to be successful and were ready to give up a couple times. They said no, no, just be patient," Bonesteel says.

It was at that time when the couple heard about the fertility program at Mayo Clinic. So they packed their bags and started making monthly trips all the way from Eau Claire Wisconsin.

"It's really been wonderful to watch this program grow," Dr. Charles Coddington says.

The family’s fertility doctor Charles Coddington, has helped thousands of couples just like them during his 7 year fertility career at Mayo Clinic.

After trying several methods he and the Bonesteels finally found the answer they were looking for. And Ryllan was born.

"It symbolizes the fact that we were given a gift we wouldn't have had," Bonesteel says.

Three years later, the boys run from game to game having a good time. Celebrating the 3rd Annual "Birth Day" party at Assisi Heights.

"We're celebrating really the birth of the children," Boddington says.

"The best part is when people bring the babies back into the clinic or this event and we actually get to see the families that we helped create," says Mayo Clinic Fertility Fellow Phoebe Leonard.

They’re families now whole thanks to the work from a handful of doctors who never gave up hope.

"This one here is a result of that," Bonesteel chuckles as he holds up his son Ryllan’s arm.

The Bonesteels are just one of a few hundred couples who came to this year’s “Birth Day Party.”

At the end of the party they all got together for their annual group photo. The photo features hundreds of kids who were born thanks to the Mayo Clinic Infertility Program.