Go KU!!!! Mark and Stacey's visit!

Mark and Stacey visited this afternoon. They are out here for the Insight Bowl.....go KU! Although their schedule was packed with activities, they managed to get away for a couple of hours to visit the "Arizona Relatives"! We hit all three houses on a whirlwind tour!

Mike, Holly, Stacey, Carter and Mark

Stacey and Mark at Jeff and Allison's house...

Stacey and Mark stop by to visit

Stacey and Mark are in town for the KU football game and are making the rounds riding with Dad and Mom, visiting each of us this afternoon and evening. Thanks to both of you for taking time out of your day to stop by! I know there's a lot of Kansas fan group activities going on during these couple of days, but it was great to see you both!!

Visiting Carter

Dad, Mom, and I went up to visit Carter this afternoon during the off and on rain moving through the area. I snapped a few pictures and videos.

Mike singing for American Idol on the Wii

Carter making a few faces after some prompting

Raining on Christmas Day

Merry Christmas!

We just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! I spent several days with Allison and her family in Illinois (and many more Christmas celebrations in the years to come) and wanted to pass along just a couple pictures.

Allison and her brother (Jeff) playing the piano

The HUGE Christmas tree

A nice warm fire during the cold weather

Unfortunately, Allison has a cold, but she still put on a smile for the camera

On this Christmas Eve Eve...

Carter Kansas Gross would like to say Ho, Ho, Ho!!! Merry Christmas, Girls and Boys!!! Can't wait to meet all of you someday soon. Mom and Dad have been spoiling me lately (along with Gamma, Papa, Gpa, and Gma) but I'm sure enjoying all of the hugs and kisses... Love to all!

Carter

Happy Christmas Week!

Mike, Holly and Carter came to Grandpa and Grandma G's house on Sunday for some mashed potatoes and chicken noodle soup (no Carter didn't have any, but just give him time!) Of course, any visit would not be complete without pictures so here you go! We would like to say HI to Jeff, Allison and all of Allison's family in Illinois.....we know they are having a wonderful Christmas visit! Merry Christmas!!!!!

Mom, Dad and Carter

Daddy and Carter taking a little nap!

What a cutie!

Grandpa, Grandma and Carter

Merry Christmas from the Gross Family!!!!

We all got together on December 14th for a little early Christmas celebrating.....lots of good food and good company!

Our Family!


Carter, Holly, Mike, Allison and Jeff


Carter, Mike and Holly

Jack, Sandy, Jeff and Allison

Stan and Lee


Shirley


Teri and Bill


And of course, Grandpa and Grandma had to go visit Carter on Tuesday.....he's really "checking out" Grandpa!


Grandpa, Grandma and Carter

Family Christmas exchange game

We had a small family Christmas get-together and gift exchange game this evening over at Dad and Mom's. There were LOTS of pictures taken by others, so I just snapped a few when Dad was reading the "official" game rules. I'm sure more pictures will soon follow.

Our New Addition!

Well, it's actually Mike and Holly's new addition, but we are claiming him too! Please welcome Carter Kansas Gross
Born 12-11-08 at 3:08 p.m.
6 lbs. 12 oz. - 20 1/2 inches
Mom and baby are doing great and will be out of the hospital on Saturday.....more news and pictures will follow!

Carter Kansas Gross


Carter smiling at Grandma Carol


Carter in Daddy's arms


We will remember this angelic picture when he throws things down the toilet! Sorry Mike and Holly, but it's just a fact of life......things like that are going to happen and 20 years down the road, you'll laugh!

Good Luck, Amanda!

I realize this is a family blog, but when you grow-up in small-town Kansas, classmates are pretty much family. That said, I would like to say GOOD LUCK to my friend, Amanda Shafer, who ships out to Afghanistan shortly. She's an intensive care nurse for the Air Force and will be taking excellent care of our wounded soldiers. Check out the link below for more on her story... Again, we all wish her the best of luck and a safe return from her tour!

http://voiceofthevogts.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/air-force-capt-amanda-shafer-inspires/

Tempe Festival of the Arts

After Allison's music therapy Christmas recital this afternoon, we headed straight down to Tempe to do some browsing at the Tempe Festival of the Arts. With it being another gorgeous day, it was PACKED, but it was a nice place to see just about any kind of photography, art, and unique designs from around the country.

Happy Birthday to Holly

Happy Birthday, Holly! We all went over to Dad and Mom's last night for some pizza, cake, and ice cream to celebrate. Mike brought the appropriate cake.

Kansas Thanksgiving

I had a great trip back to Kansas over the Thanksgiving holiday even if there were snow flurries and it was cold! We had a really nice Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday. Here are a few pictures of the festivities!

Diana and Tim


Wayne and Raymond

Shane and Grandpa


Nate

Grandma and Grandpa


Diana, Sheri and Lynn


The clean-up crew: Carol, Diana, Kim and Valerie

Shannon and Andrew

Kansas Marshmallows!

What can I say??? They grow 'em big in Kansas! How about a cup of hot chocolate?