Document.

I like to document life with photos. I think we've established that. Instead of posting way more than one blog can handle, I'm going to link to my facebook albums so if you really want, you can check those for many (too many) photos of our trip. Click here for the ND leg of our trip and click here for the MN part.

But I won't leave you hanging. Here are a few highlights...

Eli and Uncle Chris looking quite dapper!

Grandparent Love!

A Princess and Her Daddy!

All spiffed up.

The reason we went to ND in the first place was to see these two lovebirds get married!

Making music with the MN cousins.

Can you tell they are related?

Fun with my sister and Ali and Ava on Mother's Day 2012. 

-Heather

New Family Photo.

-Heather

Buffalo Days.

I take way too many photos. Way.Too.Many.

Okay, now that I've voiced this... let's get on to photos from one of my favorite places on God's green earth: Buffalo.

North Dakota, that is. Not New York or Minnesota or any other Buffalo's out there.

Buffalo was the second leg on our trip and it's always a heart-happy time. Great Grandma & Grandpa K are there and Maelee's grave is there. So it feels like home.

Getting in some walking time with Grandma.

I love how Lilli is just carefree and enjoying every moment!

Family fun!

That's my MIL and her new venture: Just Coasting... if you are in need of coasters, I can hook you up.

Where my FIL went to High School... they are renovating/re-purposing the building and doing a great job.

We heart Buffalo.

Twins Gear with Great Grandma!

Eli does not like grass... really, he hates it so that's why he's upset. But it seems fitting somehow.

I love this photo! The look of determination on Grandma's face and the Miss Priss look on Lilli's face is just priceless!

Eli had lots of fun on Great Grandma's piano. Another musician in the making?!

-Heather

Where Are They?

Eli: "Um, Mom, where all the people?"

Me: "What people?"

Eli: "You know, the people that would wave back at me, smile at me, hold me all the time, and have fun with me... where are those people?!"

Me: "We are back home now, Eli. It's just you and me during the day."

Eli: "Nooooooo!" Whine. Pout. Scream. "I want my always-captive audience back!"

This is the conversation Eli and I will be having most of the day. We made it back to Columbia yesterday. Our luggage didn't make it, but it was sitting on our porch this morning so no major hassle. When we stepped out of the elevator in Charlotte, Greg was right there waiting. Eli had a "um, you left me" sort of look for the first minute, then he was all smiles and giggles for his Daddy. Eight days without Greg makes for one happy reunion!

Now onto the unpacking and getting to the things I've neglected for 16 days. I have only checked my email a handful of times, facebook twice, haven't read any blogs or pinned a thing. I'm feeling a bit out of the loop... but honestly, my life was very full without much computer time these last weeks. It's more fun connecting with people in person than over a screen, eh? 

I'll post photos of those people as I get to it this week. Now I must go start laundry and continue to wipe the snot running from my kid's nose. My guess is the dry air made Eli stuffed up for a few weeks and when we hit the humidity yesterday, it all loosened up and is coming out. Good theory, eh? I bet that's more info than you wanted to know about snot today.

Off to unpack and work on my southern accent again!

-Heather

Happy Birthday Dad K!

In no time, he can make a sad, sad boy...

Into a really happy kid!

He is goofy and fun...

And one of our favorite people!

We are blessed, so blessed to have this guy as our grandpa, father-in-law, and dad. He's a rock. He doesn't want us to make a big to-do about him (and is really not into gifts for him, he'd much rather give) but today we just have to share how great he is and how much we love him!

Happy Birthday Dad!

-The SC crew

Nap.

I took a nap today. I'm not a big napper. I just don't nap well. I am jealous of those that can fall asleep anytime, anywhere. If you can do that, enjoy it. Today, however, I was so exhausted that I fell asleep on the couch with Eli playing his cousins' noisy toys and doing his happy screams. All this traveling and going and people and fun has wore me out! Or maybe it's worn Eli out and he's worn me out?!

We made it to my sister's in MN and this is the last "leg" of our trip so here's to hoping for a little rest. Those that know my two nieces may be laughing at that statement... not sure if rest is going to happen until they become lazy teenagers. 

I had great intentions of sharing photos of our trip as we go... but all the going and lack of internet connection prevented that from happening. I'm a sucker for order, however, so I'm going to start from the beginning of our trip which was our time in the great town of Bismarck:

Eli loved spending time with his cousin Lilliana and his Uncle Chris.

Uncle Chris gave Eli this awesome guitar for his birthday... it's seriously one cute toy! Many hours of fun have already been had with this dog-itar.

We saw the Peterson crew for a quick time celebrating Rebecca's birthday. Notice Eli checking out that awesome red hair:)

Eli thinks Zoey is most fun when in a cage and not able to lick his face!

And the Weisbecks came for dinner! Eli was not so sure about Ben... he gave some very concerned looks!

Sweet Aunt Nancy!

We loved Amy & Andrew's new house! Yippee!

 

The Browns - some of our favorite people!

-Heather

Tie and Hat.

We are having a blast up here! Loads of fun, seeing lots of good family and friends. Greg left today, however, so that's a bummer. Here's Eli in his outfit he wore to the wedding we went to yesterday (congrats Jerod and Jenn!)... he has had just a few photos taken of him lately. Just a few.

I'll share some of those here...soon.

-Heather

Ah.

Beauty! Took these on Monday during our drive, just stuck the camera out of the car window... these clouds are just gorgeous. Sky for miles and miles. Love it. 

Zoey Brown and Lilli!

-Heather