Family

Aaron goes back to work full-time tomorrow.  What a BLESSING to have him home for a little over 3 weeks.  We had saved up some vacation time, and I'm so grateful we did.  Last week we did some fun events with our staff team.  The picture below was taken at the Como Zoo in St. Paul - a small zoo and perfect for small kids.  It was exactly 2 weeks since we brought Tate home and our FIRST family picture with all 4 of us!  So glad it has a brass gorillas in it too...  Oh well.





On Friday we got to spend the day with Aaron's parents, and a friend graciously took some family pictures of us.  I don't know what we would've done without grandma and grandpa behind the camera to get the kids' attention - it was a lifesaver!  So we'll post some of those when we get them.  I think Tate is recognizing the granparents a little more.

Then yesterday we drove to Wisconsin Dells to meet my family - we dropped Liv off so she could go to my parents for a couple days.  My grandpa and brother and sister-n-law came too so they could meet Tate.  I was so glad we could get together cause I don't think we'd see them until Thanksgiving otherwise. 

We got some really good pictures! (I love my camera.)  Here's one with my grandpa and all the grandkids.  He's 94 and sharp as a tack.  He's a walking history book.  I try to ask him questions because he's a wealth of knowledge and experience.  He gets a kick out of Liv and now Tate, and it's fun to watch him watch them. 

We actually managed to get a picture of all of us!  A nice woman from the park just snapped a few, and they turned out great!

Liv is always quick to chatter and laugh (and take anything with a little "sparkle" that I have on me).  I think this one is a kick.

LOVE this picture of the sassy Minnick women :).  and LIV TOOK IT!  She really does manage to aim and shoot fairly well - but this one is a treasure.   

We stopped in Tomah with Little Man for some Chinese food - kid can down some rice.  He got so excited when they brought it to the table.  I was just so happy and grateful for my family as we drove home.  God has so richly blessed us - and there was this sunset to cap off the day (the picture just doesn't do it justice...).

And family can look a little different as well - this picture is for the foster family.  They sent these lovely pajamas home for Tate.  They're soft and white with little blue teddy bears on them.  I thought a post-bath picture in his new pj's was a must.  Who can resist a wet-haired, little-one smelling like baby wash with clean pajamas on...