November 2018 - Fall has past and Winter has arrived!

Wow, that was fast.  It has been a few months since my last post - and a lot has happened.  Weekends have been busy, and *snap* just like that fall weather is done and the snow has arrived!

I can't really remember the last time that we had two significant snows in November.  But we sure did!  Last night we even had "Blizzard Warnings" on the TV.  School was even cancelled this morning.

Lovey learning to catch snowflakes on her tongue!

This was the next day, Baber loves tromping around in the snow with his big sister.

But wait - lets rewind a bit.  Because we did get fall weather for a bit.  And fall weather is awesome!

A couple of the days were nice enough for bike riding :)  Baber is getting so big, and The Kid has become a proficient bike rider. No training wheels needed!

We took one Saturday to head out to the pumpkin patch.  Fun surprise, Tanners has their Apple Dumplings again :D  Delicious.  Lovey was especially enamored with the barrel and hayrides.

Even on the cool days we try to get outside and stretch our legs.  The view on Grandview drive was as grand as one would expect with the changing colors of Fall.  The latter two pictures were a recent trip out to Bass Pro Shop.  We really try to find ways to make the most out of the weather here.

I can't forget to post updates from Jones' wedding.  After all, after the bachelor party photos some sort of closure is warranted.  You'll notice I didn't post any pictures of the Bride and Groom - that is on purpose as they have their own pictures and will likely want to decide what is shown.  But the groomsmen?  Fair game.  It was a beautiful ceremony and a fun party after.

We had our annual Halloween party at Aunt Jills - these are all of the Great-Grand-Grogg kiddos.  Well, not all, but many/most.

From left to right we have Hill Billy as Daniel Tiger, Baber as himself, Lovey as a "Hoppy" and The Kid as a Fox!  Special thank you to Chinch for crafting the latter two costumes.

Obligatory Lovey pictures because she is so friggin' adorable.  She's definitely in her "terrible 2's" but you wouldn't know it looking at these photos. 

Here is The Kid Genius himself showing off his newest talents.  He is a prodigious reader, having mastered the Berenstain Bears (and obsessing with collecting them all) as well as having started on the Piano.  He has a natural talent and ear that is for sure.

Check out these partners in crime!  Lovey got the Halloween candy down when she wasn't supposed to - and managed to silence her only witness/co-conspirator with a sucker.  Baber, you were so easily bought.  Should have negotiated for a milky way.

Baber continues to develop and pursue his fashions.  Acorns and trees on this one... he loves that vacuum!

Christmas Photos!

Snuggles are THE BEST.

This one made me chuckle. Lovey and her friend Charley-Boy.  The look like an old married couple 😆

Fall also means fun with friends!  Neighbor Mark had quite a few evening fires.  Would have been nice if we had a few more cool nights before it turned freezing.  We also managed to grill out, and invited Wes, Sarge, Neighbor Mark and his son Daniel over.  Everyone ate and drank to their fill.  Fun!

We also had the guys down to Peoria for our semi-annual RP event wherein we reunite the "original" party.  We had a blast, and gamed for most of the weekend... though we did take a break to head over to the Hibachi Grill next door!

The very next weekend I went for the Annual "Extra Life" RP event in Champaign.  We raised (I believe) over $2500 for charity!

Brother Sol swung by for a visit on his way to our Thanksgiving Day event in Monticello.  We had a great time, grabbing dinner, lunch, and the highest-scoring Monday Night Football game of all time!  Beers with my bro - priceless.

And Thanksgiving was marked by not one, not two, but THREE of my wife's amazing homemade pies.  Dang Chinch makes a great pie.

Baber got to spend some time with Aunt Sarah 😍

And I got to see Big Bey, my oldest younger sibling.  

All in all it has been a great, if short, fall.  We are truly blessed.

"The LORD bless you and keep you;

The LORD make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you.

The LORD lift up His countenance on you,

And give you peace."

Numbers 6:24-26

September 2018 - End of Summer.

Summer has ended.   September 21st is upon us.  I am another year older, another year wiser, a rock and roll star, king, czar, and a kaiser!  Well, maybe not quite.  But I am older at least.  The last month has been busy and fun - as most of them are these days.  Take a look!

Mandi has it in her mind that we need some new trees in our back yard. Our older trees are a little run down and ragged since the Ameren did some trimming around the wires.  We packed up the kiddos and headed to the nursery.  They seemed to have a good time.

It sure is fun to see them playing nicely together.  Baber is learning quickly from his siblings.

The Kid and I packed it up to head to a gathering of my X-Box buddies.  Quasi, Duke, Myself, Mark, Huwe, and X-Man all present.  We were asked to raise our hands if we thought JoeC52 sucks.  Its unanimous! The gathering was a blast - a big thanks to Quasi for putting it all together.

We finally got our flying ship kite into the air!  Fun!

Labor day brought a visit from Mandi's sister, and a trip to the family farm for the big party.  So busy with all these kiddos this year.

Lovey and I took a trip to Schnucks one windy day and I couldn't resist snapping these pictures.  She is my best Lovey that is for sure.

We took a trip to Monticello to see my Grandparents, and had a lovely trip to Nick's Park.  Monticello refinished the part a few years ago and the kids love it!

Our little Baber turned 1 year old this month!  We won't be able to call him "Baber" for much longer.  I think I'll probably settle in on calling him "Porkchop" or for the sake of symmetry "The Boy!".  He is such a happy little dude.

As the weather starts to turn, it means finding our fun inside.  Lovey and I had a tea party 😚

The end of Summer also means closing down the cabin.  This year we timed closing to coincide with the bachelor party of my good friend and business partner Nick.  We crammed 5 adult men into our minivan and made the trek. Our weather was fantastic (see above) - with warm air, cool waters, and sunny skies.  We made the most of it, and while the trip was busy - I still managed a few moments of quiet contemplation alone.

No trip with the boys is complete without a "More-than-you-can-eat" Pancake Breakfast at Grandma's house.  Mike may never want to eat pancakes again.

Nothing beats swimming off the end of the dock after chores and D&D!

The water was a bit choppy - and Ol' Red was riding a little low - but that weather had to be enjoyed.

Steven knows how to enjoy it right - lounge and breath in that fresh Northwoods air.

Steven and Mike both taking in the sights of Whitefish.  All in all it was a great trip.  The chores all got done, and the boys all had fun.  Our D&D session went well, everyone lived (darn it!).

That is all for now, Stay healthy!

"The LORD bless you and keep you;

The LORD make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you.

The LORD lift up His countenance on you,

And give you peace."

Numbers 6:24-26