In Loving Memory

We are so grateful that we were able to see Q's cousin, Jeffrey...one last time. Since birth, he has always had special needs, but his parents (Aunt Patty and Uncle Harlen)made sure he had the best life possible. He recently became very ill and passed away a little over a week after we all saw him and gathered around his bed to take this picture. We love you, Jeffrey...we miss you.
Praise God that Jeffrey is with Him and he finally has a perfect body and an eternal health.
Our deepest sympathy and prayers to Patty and Harlen, Mike and Brian.



We are also grateful to have spent time with Q's birth-father, Mike Cook (above), and the whole Cook side of the family. It had been about 5 years since the last time we saw them, but once we were all together it was like we just picked up where we left off. It was so fun to catch up with Q's cousins and aunts and uncles. The kids really enjoyed spending time with Grampa Cook and Great Grandma Besson. Thank you to Aunt Jenny and Uncle Jim for hosting a great get-together and for all the wonderful food.

American Girl Place

While we were in Minnesota, I took Eden and her cousin, Haley (my brother's daughter) to American Girl Place at the Mall of America. We had such a fun girl's day out. The girls brought their dolls with us of course, and Eden's doll, Elizabeth, even got her hair done. It was so fun to watch and to see all the fun stuff you can do and buy for the dolls.

Just the 5 of Us

We've been living out of suitcases for two months and staying with family and friends. It's been a busy time with all the holidays and catching up with family in Wisconsin and old friends and family in Minnesota, and on top of it all...planning and preparing for our move overseas. It seemed like we needed some concentrated just-our-family family time. So Q surprised us with an overnight stay at an indoor water park in Wisconsin Dells. We stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge and just enjoyed being together as a family just the 5 of us! The kids loved it! It was a great little escape for our family to reconnect just for a couple days.
Thank you so much, Daddy, for planning that for us!
Love,
B E T & b

Snow much fun at Gramma's

We were living in Lancaster, PA for four years, and the winters in South Central Pennsylvania are the perfect balance of no snow and no sub-zero temps! It would snow a couple times a winter but the snow didn't last. Needless to say, we got pretty used to it and really enjoyed the 60 degree days in January!
Kids always love snow though...so, Eden Truman and Briar had fun playing outside at Gramma Bonnie's house...while I watched from the window with my cocoa and slippers.

OH NINE

We celebrated the New Year with my family here in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Our family tradition is to fondue! We did cheese fondue and appetizers and then chocolate fondue for dessert! We were just here at my parent's house hangin' out and talking...but it's New Year's Eve I love any excuse to get all dressed up!
and that's one of many things my little sister and I have in common!


This is me and my little sister, Brook
Our kiss for a happy 2009...Happy New Year, Honey

The Best Wedding EVER!

The day after Christmas we flew from Madison back to Lancaster to be a part of a very special wedding. Our dear friends Lauren Hess and Jimmy Herr got married on December 27th. We arrived on Friday afternoon in time for the Rehearsal. Q was the officiant, Eden was junior bridesmaid, Truman was the Ring Bearer and Briar was the Flower Girl.
It was the most beautiful perfect wedding I've ever been to.Eden and the beautiful bride, sweet Lauren

This was my favorite part of the ceremony...the attendants gathered around the bride and groom and prayed for them...so moving


Eden, Truman and Briar looked so cute we were so proud of them...they did a great job!


It was such a beautiful reception. Everything was perfect...

this was such a fun day for our whole family. So fun to get all dressed up.

Me and my "groom"...Weddings always make me fall in love all over again

awwwww...Daddy and Briar dancing

Truman had some sweet dance moves!

Briar had almost as much fun dancing as I did!

Christmas 2008

Christmas Card Photoshoot '08

for our Christmas Card this year we went to a barn just around the corner from my parents' house. My younger sister Brook took the pictures. It's nice to have a professional photographer in the family.
thanks again, Brookie for doing this for us! You're amazing!