Showers of Blessing!

Gosh, it's been two weeks already since Pat, Jane, Sandy and I put on a baby shower for Jenna. We had a wonderful turnout at Jane's, and the food was MARVELOUS thanks to Pat. Sandy made the punch which really hit the spot,Jane made the bars and put out the fruit, and I contributed the diaper cake which nobody ate:)

Just looking at the table makes me hungry for that spinach salad of Pat's and the chicken salad leftovers were great at school last week.

Jenna is practicing already. Only about 3 weeks left now!


Here we are just before the guests arrived - we are ready!

I had to get a picture of Jane and I since neither of us got in any of the pictures from Easter.

Here are some of the gals looking at baby Jenna's scrapbook. I think it goes from birth to two years old, then skips right to prom. She was really a cutie.

Can you believe we ate outside on the deck on April 11? It was a beautiful day. You can read more about it on Jane's blog - check out the beautiful quilts Jane and Sandy made. That baby will never be cold - two quilts and a gorgeous soft green hand knit afghan from Pat. Those gals are sure crafty. I'll stick to making diaper cakes!

Easter Mania

What a gorgeous day we had to celebrate God's love for us on Easter Sunday! We had a wonderful morning with our Waterbrooke Fellowship family and then headed to Cannon
Falls to hang out with the Catlins, Brackens, and Helds. The weather cooperated beautifully, and we enjoyed the ride. Taking Jenna and Andy's dog Crosby for a walk was an adventure through the neighborhood and the nearby cemetery.

Soon we can add one more to this little family - aren't they cute? Just a month, and we'll see how jealous Crosby gets when there is a baby to compete for his time:)


Paul and Chuck spent hours on their wardrobes to get all dolled up for Easter.



Here's the "big boys" enjoying the feast at the "kid's" table.


Matthew and Maddox were the center of attention as the day progressed. Maddox was sure his squeezy light up ball was green until we showed him the proof on the digital camera. Modern technology saved us from a tantrum!


Now we all assemble for the traditional Easter egg hunt. Paul and Andy had grand stand seats.

Don't give them too many hints, Grandpa!

No, Jenna, you and Crosby CANNOT hunt for eggs. It's just for the little kids.


Matthew and Maddox were so cute about helping each other find the right eggs. Matthew's were polka dotted, and Maddox had plain ones.

"Here's one for you, Matthew!" "Thank you, Maddox."


The big rock was just as much fun as the hunt!

Then, Batman and Superhyena had to check out their loot. We missed the Illinois connection, Phebe down in Florida, and Angie at home sick. Jane and I WERE there, I just missed getting pictures of us. I'll make sure to get us at the big baby shower on Sunday. The next Casey event will be on Memorial Day , so stay tuned for future posts for all the family updates.

A blessed Easter to all!

Trollhaugen Ski Trip

We headed out from Waterbrooke on Friday evening in a school bus this year! One of our church members drives one in Chaska, and we were able to rent it for the weekend - it was great to be able to have all the kids together. James (one of our youth leaders) even slept in the bus Saturday night to save the kids from his snoring - what a guy!
We stayed at Skonewood retreat Center near St. Croix Falls. This little chapel is on the grounds - there are only 4 little pews inside. It looks a lot bigger from far away.

I got up early Saturday morning and went for a walk down to the lake. It was a beautiful day for skiing - we didn't even need to zip up the jacket!


We played crazy feet games - The Fabulous Foot Frenzy! The theme was "Walk the Talk" and all the games had something to do with feet, socks, shoes ... yep, even some stinky, smelly ones.


We watched some crazy DVDs, like America's Dumbest Criminals, Tim Conway in Dorf, Princess Bride, some goofy BBC Car show, and Mask. I mostly dozed, except Tim Conway as a really short guy teaching golf.
We slept on the floor - some of the inflatable mattresses are really something these days. I used one of the foamy green pads.

It's a good thing she didn't have a nightmare and sit up in her sleep!

Some of us skied, and some snowboarded - for the first time!

Evan tried to emulate Shaun White in the half pipe.


Can you fix my binding?


A great group of kids, a great time on the slopes, and a great weekend developing relationships with each other and the Lord!

Christmas Extended

Well, since the Caseys and Catlins were too wimpy to drive to Cannon Falls on Christmas Day, we rescheduled for Sunday, January 10 instead. We headed down after church, and brought the traditional spinach balls for an appetizer. Kyle and Teddy devoured them quite quickly once we finally arrived.

We had plenty of fun watching the boys and football at the same time.

Jane and Jenna spent their time checking out baby car seats online. I couldn't believe there were that many options! Of course, Jane also spent plenty of time in the kitchen making a great meal of Italian pork loin and pasta. We all contributed a variety of other goodies, and enjoyed it immensely!

The big boys and the little boys suited up and headed out to the neighbor's hill for some sledding.

They had a little trouble walking with all those clothes on. Luckily, Corey and Teddy had longer legs. I watched from the deck and took pictures through the glass - forgot my boots, darn!

They started a snowball fight after several runs down the hill. Watch out, Matthew!

Talk about rosey cheeks! Aren't they cute?

We let the boys open presents first, and there was something for Baby Held as well. Then we had fun with the dice game and white elephant gifts for the rest of us. There were a few things that were constantly trading owners, but in the end, a good time was had by all.

Matthew and Maddox thought we were all pretty crazy.

Thanks, cousin!
Who needs a TV when you have little boys to entertain you?
They may entertain us, but we definitely have to find ways to keep them busy. Good idea, Teddy, but it won't last for long. Soon someone else will take a turn playing with them up in Phebe's room.

Now here's a great concept - start him out early! The form looks good already. Maybe some lessons next summer? Watch out, Paul, Maddox will soon be taking you on!

A Very Merry Casey Christmas

We were excited to host a wonderful Casey gathering on Wednesday the 23rd at our palatial estate. I wasn't sure we could fit everyone in, but Alison assured me it could be done, so the invites went out.


See? We did it! Everyone hung out upstairs where the appetizers were ...










... and then headed downstairs for the main course.

There was one more card table, so all 18 fit in one room.

Drew provided dinner music and after dinner music and before dinner music and ... more. Beautifully done, Drew!

After dinner we hung out, played some carrom and Wii - a 100 year old game and our hi tech new game - both super fun. Tessa, Christie and Brenner caught up on what's happening in their lives these days.


The cousins enjoy each others company - Drew and Callen.


Brothers and wives.
Getting ready for the annual white elephant gift exchange.

Anna hands out the numbers in Santa's hat.

Roger and Elaine get the guest of honor chairs - right by the Christmas tree.

Ok, Bob - will you keep it or trade?

I'm sure you want to keep that, right Roger? No? You'd rather have the leopard seat cushions?


Downstairs Leslee, Callen and Brenner check out the Christmas lights while I get Wii lessons in bowling. STRIKE on my first turn!
We always take a girl cousins picture on Christmas.

We missed Annie, Ryan and our newest Casey - Scarlet - who is only two weeks old, and a bit small to travel in the Winter Wonderland we had this year. We missed Tyler, too, who had to work late and then the roads were just a mess by the time he got off. Casey and Dian were in California, and more cousins, Sue and Bob ...?

We pray for a wonderful New Year for all who read this - look for our New Year's letter coming soon to a mail box near you!