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: