Minnesota Trip Photos, Part 2

On our second day in Blue Earth, we were very fortunate to meet another branch of our expanding family tree. Jennifer has very recently reconnected with her own birth mom, Susan. Susan, her husband Tom, and two of her four children, Joseph and Carl, drove down to see Jen, meet Barb and Jay, as well as us and Zach. They're super sweet and kind, and we feel so blessed to be able to meet them. It was Joseph's birthday, and the fact that he made the trip to meet us all on a day when any kid has a right to feel like they deserve some, if not all of the attention, is just, well, pretty darn cool.

Zach getting a good grip on Grandpa Jay's head


It's so difficult to tell how Zach is feeling basedon his facial expressions. Best. Smile. Ever.


Jennifer reading Zach a naptime story


Joseph taking a picture of his parents, right before he blew out thecandles on his football birthday cake.


Zach is showing off his ride to Carl


Carl gives his approval and Zach shows his appreciation


Barb, Jen and Susan


Susan, Carl, Tom and Joseph. Susan and Tom have two daughterswho weren't able to make the trip to Blue Earth. We hope to meetthem some day soon. Carl and Jay have a lot in common (see last photo of the post, below)


Jen, Zach, Susan and Amy


Hey, who's that goofy guy in the back?

What you've all been waiting for ... Minnesota Trip Photos! Part 1

A little over a month ago, we traveled to Blue Earth, MN, to meet Jennifer's grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins. We were welcomed with such warmth and caring, we immediately felt like we were part of the family. And in truth, we are. Not too long ago, Amy and I recognized that open adoption can in a lot of ways be like a marriage, in that Zach's birthfamily is like another set of in-laws to us. And I mean that in the best of possible ways.

Seriously, in-laws = good in our world. When Amy and I first got married, we considered ourselves blessed because our families actually like each other and get along. Well, now we're all exponentially blessed because all of our families have meshed and expanded, and we all seem to get along so well! Of course, we're joined by a common thread, our love for Zachary. Whom I'm sure you want to see pictures of. I mean that's why you're here, right? Not to read my blathering.

So without further ado, Day 1 of our trip to Blue Earth, MN, wherein Zach doesn't quite ride a tricycle, plays with some fall leaves, rides in a John Deere wagon, rides a truck across the floor, stacks blocks, goes to the town library and plays on a computer, meets Great-grandparents Harold and Lorraine, and has a curious encounter with some pretty interesting cats.

Zach was a little too small for the trike. We had to put it awaybecause it ended up just frustrating him.


Zach liked playing with the fall leaves.






Taking his first ride in the John Deere wagon.


A perfect fit!


Hey, where am I?


Who is that? it's Great-grandpa Harold (Grandma B's dad)!


Amy and Zach playing with the kiddy computer at the town library,where Great-grandma Lorraine (Grandma B's mom) works.






Zach loved this truck when we were in Jackson for his first birthday.He loved it even more this time around.


And now he doesn't just knock blocks down He actually stacks them up, too.


Such a cutie ...


... and he knows it!


Playing at Harold and Lorraine's with some of Jennifer's old toys.


Snuggling with Jennifer and the kitties. More of the kitties later ...


Zach and Great-grandma Lorraine eating a little ice cream.


Jennifer, Lorraine, Barbara, Zach (and Kitty), Harold and Jay.

Zach loved - LOVED - these toy kitties at Harold and  Lorraine's.

The one he's holding is supposed to be a cat trapped in a burlap sack.

 The other is a normal enough looking cat. Watch the video below

to see why Zach couldn't get enough of them:

more fun Zach pics ...

this was actually from early september. they painted everyone's face at Zach's daycare. not sure if there was a reason. Just to have fun, i suppose.





A few days later, Zach found mommy's sunglasses and decided to try them on:

Breakfast with Enzo!

Pat & Kathie visited in early September. We went to the neighborhood center on Saturday morning to listen to a children's musician, Enzo Garcia. I think I've posted about him before. We go semi-regularly and have taken Jen with us when she's visited.

It took Zach a little while to warm up, but once he did ...


... he had a great time!




That night, Papa read him a story ...






... and Grammy did, too ... btw, Zach is making the sign for "frog"



Night-night, everyone!