Z Branch.

We got to spend a little time with my mom's sister's family when we were in Wisconsin Dells. Here's some pics from our time with the Zander side of the family tree.

We went bowling, in honor of Grandpa Ray.

My Dad looks like quite the bowling shark here. I broke 100 so I felt pretty darn awesome.

Carson is quite the character. He kept saying "Come here baby!" and giving big hugs. 

Buffalo Phil's... Greg feels like Phil is the reason he got sick. Will not recommend. 

Just a few presents ended up looking like this!

Ava is satisfied with box. 

The cousin cousins. Again, Carson is all about the hugging. 

And Eli had enough. 

The "girl" cousins! 

Good times with the fam-damily!

-Heather

You Guys.

We are in "you guys" territory. How are you guys doing? You guys have a nice stay? What do you guys want to do?

It doesn't flow as nicely as ya'll, does it?

But it's homey to me nonetheless. Today I heard the best Norwegian accents coming from the two older ladies in the booth next to us. "Well, we better go." (and you know that "o" lasted a good bit). I just miss overhearing this familiarity when out and about.

And yes, all you mid-westerners just read out and about exactly like I meant it there.

Ya, u betcha.

Anywho, we had a great flight to MN. I heart direct flights. We had a great Christmas. I love our family. We had a fun time at the water park capital of the world. Well, Greg didn't so much love the end of the trip. He's sickish now. Darn this Lippert flu.

-Heather

Okay, you wanted photos, eh? Here you go. 

The three cousins:

Merry First Christmas.

Merry Christmas from Greg, Heather and Eli.

Here area few of the shots that made our Christmas card this year...

 

And if you want to see a few more, go to our friend Michelle's site here. These were taken when Eli was exactly seven months old. You'll notice the "M" ornament, that's for Maelee since she isn't here to take photos with us.

-Heather 

Enjoy These Photos.

I wanted to post a few great photos from our time with Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Amy and Uncle Andrew. We did have great fun in our few days together!

 Loved. 

 Carbles (you've never heard of it, it's a MN thing). Ladies vs Men. Played 6 times, we lost every game. Ugh.

Adored. 

Godparents!

Three Generations!

 Finally got to wear the sweater made by Gwen. 

 Bears photo!

A Christmas Tree footprint craft! So fun!

We are on our way to Charlotte to fly up to MN! I'm so excited about our direct flight! Hopefully we won't have any issues. 

I wore sandals and a t-shirt out to CVS this morning. I know there's not much snow in MN but I'm hoping for a little cool weather at least!

Happy Travels!

-Heather

Chloe and Mercy!

Eli's friends are here!

Jonathan and Rachel, our dear friends, have been on this adoption road for awhile now. After three failed adoptions this past year, it's been a heart wrenching process. We've grieved and hoped and prayed with them.

And we are so excited to share that the Lord has graciously given them two adorable daughters. Chloe Justice and Mercy Dawn were born on Monday, December 19th and J & R brought them home yesterday! Chloe was 6 pounds, 13.7 ounces and 19 inches. Mercy was 6 pounds, 8 ounces and 18.5 inches. Two really healthy girls! What a great Christmas gift!

When asked what we should tell folks about them, they said "the cutest twins ever born and they have sweet curly hair!" We went to meet them last night...

 Chloe

 Mercy

Eli wore his Twins shirt to meet his new friends!

Unca Jonathan is one of Eli's favs. 

And my heart is so joyful when I look at these two photos... they are precious! 

We didn't get to hold them (yet) because these girls really need to bond with their mommy and daddy for these first few hours. But soon we will be loving on these two!

I'm coordinating meals for them so let me know if you'd like to help. And if you happen to have a lot of diapers or formula or twin things laying around you want to give to them, Chloe and Mercy could put it to good use! We'll have a shower for them on Sunday, January 8th as well.

Congratulations friends!

-Heather

Micah 6:8 "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness [mercy], and to walk humbly with your God..."

Beware.

I got a new camera for Christmas. From Greg. Excessive. Awesome.

You thought there was a lot of photos of Eli before. But just you wait.

Uff-da.

This morning I sent our family off in two rental vehicles, one to Florida and one to North Carolina. Sigh. It's always such a bummer to say good-bye, don't you think? But I am thankful that is the case. Being bummed they are leaving means we actually like our family. You can't beat good family time.

How about some photos of our Kasowski Pre-Christmas? These are before aforementioned new camera.

I love that they are WAY more excited than Eli!

R2-D2!

He looks excited about the gift, but he just wanted to eat the paper.

Greg got a sweet jersey just like Amy has. It's their dad's number from his days with the Bears. 

You will see many photos of Eli in this sweet Bears-colors, Back-to-the-Future like vest. It's so awesome. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa K for all the awesome gifts!

And of course I was thrilled to give Eli his new elephant toy. He, however, was not. He just wanted to go to bed.

So grateful for this time with these four family members and for getting to celebrate Christmas with them, too. What fun was had! More photos to follow...

And now to the mountains of laundry...

-Heather

Happy.

We have had much fun! Today is the last day with Grandma and Grandpa K and Auntie Amy and Uncle Andrew. Eli has been spoiled. Many great photos to follow...

-Heather

One Suprise-Filled Graduation Day.

The secret is out!

Greg's sister, Amy, and her husband Andrew decided to come surprise Greg for graduation! Isn't that awesome? And what's crazy is I didn't spill the beans even though I knew for a few weeks! Whew!

Greg's parents got here yesterday (finally) after an unplanned stay in Chicago. Amy and Andrew got here RIGHT before graduation today, after an unplanned stay in Charlotte last night. They were supposed to fly into Columbia but couldn't get here before graduation so we had them fly into Charlotte and our great friend Jonathan went and picked them up this morning. As Greg lined up to the stage, he looked over and saw his sister peeking out of the crowd! He had no idea!

It was a special day and in a few minutes our friends will show up to celebrate Greg by eating some cookies. Nom. Nom.

Amy and Andrew didn't have their suitcases in case you were wondering about the jeans. It makes it THAT much more awesome that they made it right when graduation started!

Sidenote: the smarter you get (degree-wise) the funnier you look. Greg has a hood now.

Oh and we gave Eli and honorary degree of "cutest baby ever", hence he got a hat.

-Heather