Wow. Just... wow. 2020 has been a very different kind of year. Our family has only been more and more busy since my last update. I understand this is just an excuse, but between the holidays, COVID19 madness, and the naturally increase in activity of a growing family of five I have totally slipped on updating this blog. And of course the longer one waits between updates - the more one hesitates to do the extra work to catch up.
But here I am. Catching up!
Let's take a look shall we?
This was a great day. Its a rare treat when the Mahomet boys (+Wes) can get together. It was made even better by having all the kiddos present as well. The first picture is fun (thank you Rachel for arranging the shirts!) but the second picture has a special place in my heart. Everyone is smiling. Everyone is happy. Squeege especially (second from the left). To get him smiling like that... that is priceless. I plan on getting this picture framed at some point. It is one of the greats!
Keeping it with the friends theme I have to brag for a second. This is a picture of some of my D&D Regulars these days. We are only missing Markus and Neighbor Gary (Gare-Bear). I sure do have the best looking D&D group around thats for sure - and my players are great. Even through the Pandemic we have been playing almost every week (thanks to Roll20!). Its a great crew and a great time.
Had a great opportunity as well to gather with some of my college buddies for another session of Weird Wars! I play an Irish Priest/Medic with true faith. Not exactly a stretch for me, but a great time none the less.
It was earlier in this year that Titan Games decide to part ways with our business partner and friend Dan Crawford. Given the business climate in Peoria, we decided it was best for all parties if Dan went it alone. Given Markus and I's history we felt it was the right thing to do. In the end the remaining Titan owners are happy, Dan is happy, and we wish him well. Above are myself, Steven, and Dan at one of our last in person meetings before the split.
I really do love our neighborhood. Here I am with my friend and neighbor Nick. Nick and I decided that this year we were going to be the Christmas Light Kings of the Cul-De-Sac! He helped me hang lights on my house, we both hung lights for our neighbors Linda and Larry (who are unfortunately unable) and Nick did an awesome job on his place. Our whole Cul-De-Sac was lit up!
We were blessed with a relatively mild fall - which meant that fires at Mark's were able to be had well into December. I believe this was one of the lasts, and it was a masterpiece!
Moving on to Family :)
It is always a joy when "Gampa Gegg" gets to stop by. Lovey Loo is all hugs and kisses for this guy. He seems OK with it.
We also managed a trip out to Springfield before the weather got too cold to see Grandma Polly :)
We managed a trip to Monticello for Thanksgiving - and got to see Grandma, Paw Paw, and Aunt Chip (among others).
This was right before the Pandemic hit - Dad has been working in Taylorville, and so we both drove to Lincoln to have Arby's together. Why Arby's? Why else but Spite! My brother Sol hates Arby's and thinks it gross. We did it for the LOL's.
This precious Goblin turned FOUR! Oh my gosh. Lovey Loo you are growing up too fast. She got just what she wanted for her birffday, a Mermaid Balloon and a Unicorn Balloon. Lovey, may you always be so easy to please.
Christmas came and went. There were presents to be had, family to enjoy, and memories made. This little home sure has been great for us.
One of the fun traditions we were enjoying before the Pandemic was "Dad Date". As a reward for good behavior and good habits, the kids could earn a meal out with yours truly. Lovey loves her some breakfast at Le Peep, and the Kid Wonder picked a dinner at Chili's. As Aunt Bey likes to say, "Chili's is life".
Cold days mean more time inside - but no worries. These goblins stay busy!
In early February I had a trip up to Duluth for business. It was a nice time, though never fun to be away from the family. I managed to catch sunrise over Lake Superior, and it did not disappoint. The winters in Duluth are long and deep - but I don't know that I have been to a place that calls to me more.
Jonathan won Grandma Grogg's heart for sure!
I often talk about how blessed my family is. And those blessings were doubly true this Spring. We had been planning a trip to Florida to visit Grandma - and then Coronavirus came. Thankfully we beat it by a few days. We had a wonderful trip, everyone stayed healthy, and we were able to Grandma back up North before Florida became a hot spot. We had an amazing trip. Fun with Grandma Polly, Fun at the Beach. Fun on the boat!
So here is some backstory on these last two pictures. You see, when Lovey was younger she had this giraffe - and we have a video of her (the first picture is a still from that video) where she loves that giraffe more than anything else in the world. She squeezes it so hard she grimaces 😂. Well, Gerald the Giraffe, like many toys fell out of favor and was eventually donated away. But when I rediscovered that video I couldn't let it go. With some clever sleuthing I was able to track Gerald down (or a copy anyway) and return him to Lovey, who now cherishes him more than ever.
Speaking of Lovey... oh Lovey Loo... she had her tonsils out this spring. We had it done the week we got back from FL. She was one of the last "elective" surgeries before COVID-19 hit Peoria and elective procedures were cancelled. She had a tough go of it. Pain for the full 10 days, and a post-operative bleed. But in the end she is breathing so much better, sleeping soundly, and growing so fast now!
And just like that... Spring arrived. The winter has passed us and we are on to warmer weather. That means beers in the cul-de-sac, day fires, evening fires, and green spaces once again. Life is good here. We are truly blessed!
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
