Trip to Kansas

Liana and I traveled to Kansas a few weekends ago to visit Rebecca, Bryan, Ava, and Olivia. The drive was definitely worth it, and I spent most of the time relaxing in the front seat. The weather was perfect-- sunny and 60'. Coming off of a cold, snowy winter in Madison, it was quite a treat to be able to play outside with Ava.



Rebecca, Bryan, and Ava were excellent hosts. Rebecca and Liana even had time to sneak out for a lunch by ourselves while Bryan watched the kids and me. Ava is a wonderful big sister. She loves Olivia a lot already, and Ava is very helpful whenever Rebecca and Bryan need an extra pair of hands.



Here Ava is helping me fill up my "fun ball" with dog food. Amazing how kids and dogs are both endlessly entertained by filling/emptying that thing!



Ava and I became fast friends, and Rebecca was kind to let me sit on her new couches. (Maybe Rebecca was just too tired to discuss it.) Ava is very grown up now. She speaks in complete sentences and thoughts. For example, while Ava and Liana walked around the neighborhood, she told her something like, "Let's go home. I miss my mommy. I love her very much." Ava also enjoys playing pretend. Here she is relaxing and catching up on her reading. Ava spotted Elmo in the pages, and kept flipping back and forth to find him again.



Olivia was only five weeks old at the time of our visit, so she spent most of the weekend asleep. Here Bryan and Olivia cuddle while I follow Ava around the house. Click on the picture to enlarge it and see Ava's crazy hair-do.



This is my favorite image from the trip. Rebecca looks great, and Ava and I are sort of looking at the camera. It's hard to believe that Rebecca and Bryan are responsible for TWO children now. They are loving, patient parents and they function very well on very little sleep.



In the first picture, Olivia snuggles with me on Liana's lap while I rest on Liana's ankles. In the second picture, Ava giggles while I tickle her. I could get used to this life!





Rebecca treated us to a campfire with hot dogs and 'smores.



It reminded me of backyard parties at their house in Madison. We spent many, many great evenings on that porch! Of course I miss being able to drop in unannounced, but we picked up right where we left off the instant that I arrived in Kansas.

Celebrating Jeff & Simone's upcoming marriage

We all feel very excited that Simone is joining our family. I can see why Jeff chose Simone; she's smart, sensitive, and a wonderful companion. Their actual wedding vows will occur later this year, and it will be a very small ceremony. (Scott and I are hopeful that we'll make the cut and get invited!) My mom cooked a lot of meals to host our family and special friends for a weekend-long celebration, and the big event was a dinner at an Irish pub. The whole weekend turned out perfectly!

Coca and my cousin Cathy became fast friends. Both Cathy and Coca are important additions to our family.



Ron and Cathy's sons Aaron and Zach also spent a lot of time playing with Coca.



Scott caught Jeff, Simone, and Uncle Larry laughing. Someone must have told a great joke; my guess is that it was Uncle Larry! I think Aunt Yvette's is just to the left of the frame.



This is a great picture with everyone as we prepared to go to Jeff and Simone's party:



My mom and dad opened the evening with toasts. Jeff and Simone requested that guest give to two charities meaningful to them instead of giving them gifts. Mrs. Salassie explained the hospital that Leelie is working to set up in Ethiopia, and Prof. Gotteil explained the memorial fund honoring their son Josh and providing fellowships for nurses. Here Jeff and Simone describe how they met and fell in love.



It's very special that Mike and Jeanine came all the way from Green Bay to celebrate with us.



Uncle Larry, Aunt Yvette, Judd, and Nina came all the way from New Jersey. They faced snow, airplane delays, and a mysteriously cancelled flight.





Uncle Paul and Aunt Sue also drove all the way from their vacation in Florida.

Opening gifts at the Lamonts

After a brief return home, we headed down to visit my parents and celebrate Jeff and Simone's engagement.

First, we opened gifts. I knitted Simone a pair of mittens and added a fleece liner. Continuing a long tradition, Jeff received a penguin-related gift.



Also continuing a long tradition, we gave my mom a soft night-gown from her favorite brand Lanz of Salzburg.



Jeff and Simone found a European power company with the abbreviated name EBL. As my dad's middle name is Burgess, his initials are also EBL. Very cool gift!



Jeff and Simone gave me a beautiful scarf and chopsticks that they found on their around-the-world journey. I love the scarf, and it will make an appearance later in the blog at their party...



Brad spent some quality time with Coca.

More Christmas in Green Bay

Fortunately, this is the first year that Scott didn't have to work Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Here are some additional photos from our trip to Green Bay to compliment Scott's earlier post. This is a great picture of Chris and Jen:


In addition to seeing Scott's family, we also attended the biannual pancake breakfast with Scott's friends from grade school and high school. This first image shows Martinez, Kate, 3-beers-Weirs, Heather, Leondra, and an extreme close-up of Dave's head.

This photo shows the other side of Leondra, Dave, James, Carrie, Mia (at her first pancake breakfast!), Paul, Martinez, and Kate.


As always, the food was delicious, and Haucks hosted a great celebration.

One more thanksgiving photo

Here's one more photo from Thanksgiving that was on my mom's camera. You can see that we practice strict discipline with Coca... I like the way that my mom, dad, and Coca are all cuddling on our little couch.