January 2022 - How Has a Year Gone By?!

Dear Readers, I am ashamed it has been so long since my last update.  Wow.  Almost an entire year.  In fact, between some of my last post's pictures and pictures from this post over a year has passed.  Truly, I am sorry I haven't been better with updates.  Life has been moving so very very quickly. 2021 absolutely flew past me. Anyways, here is my best wrap of up 2021, with an eye towards 2022!

Spring sprang in the Cul-de-Sac!  I can definitely say that this year we made the most of our CDS living.  We truly have the greatest friends and neighbors.  Beers in good weather, trips out to eat in bad - we made the most of it.  Cheers!  To the Cul-de-Sac!

We took our (now traditional) trip down to Florida in March - and had a lovely time.  Visiting with Grandma Polly, Aunts YayYay and Bey, as well as Cousin Ava was a blast!

This year we even hiked on over to the Atlantic coast to see Bampa Butch and Grandma Janet!  I couldn't resist getting a picture of my dad with his favorite breakfast - "Shredded Meat" with Whole Milk (he was out of half and half), powdered donettes, and Cake!  Delicious!  He and Lovey spent some quality time washing his car too.

We never stop around here - taking advantage of the cooler Spring weather to game, and take trips out.  Our Texas Roadhouse trip was the first time I had taken out all three Donks by myself, the Chinch was on a trip to Tennessee with her Mom  to see the Ark!

My foray into Warhammer 40k continues apace - I have made some great friends in Mitch and Austin - both wonderful fellas who have taught me both how to be a better player, and a better sport.

I got to see some of my all-time favorites, Chip and Monkey!

Trips to the nursery to pick out plant-babies for the year :)

Breakfast out with Daddy also became a tradition this year.  We often try to make time for walks or mini-adventures after.  Spring was glorious this year - with many triumphs. I got into the swing of my Hospitalist position, converted to Catholicism, and our family kept on the move.  Lovey has really taken to the violin!

Before we knew it Spring was gone and Summer was upon us!  It is truly our favorite season - and in 2021, pandemic be darned, we made the most of it.

First thing is first, Steven and I trekked up to open the cabin!  It was just the two of us and we had a great time - Steven is a truly wonderful friend who stepped up when I really needed a hand.

We partied with friends and neighbors in the street, by the fire or wherever we could find space.

And of course - there was a lot of time at the lake. My schedule this year accommodated two three-week stretches, making 2021 the year with the most time at the Lake ever.

We learned how to smoke some delicious meat.

We played in the lake!

Tried some new moves 😂

Had breakfast with "Gamma Powwy and Glamma Glogg" 😆

We had a couple of awesome trips to Amnicon Falls,

And generally made the most of every sunny day.

In case anyone wonders what the charm of lake life is for a parent, look no further. Hours of watching the kids run and play in the sun and water is absolute heaven.

As always time with Grandma is precious.  I love being up there to go with her on her weekly trips.

We also had some fun with new/old friends.  My buddy Buck recently moved North - his place is only  a few miles down the road from ours - and its on a gorgeous creek!

My colleage, Dr. Save stopped by on his way up to Duluth - and was so glad he did.  Save is a bit of a city boy, and being this far out in the country was a bit of a shock for him - but a pleasant one for sure.

We made a trip up to Two Harbors, and the boys and I braved the breakwater.

We took a trip to Hayward with Poppi and Gigi, I don't know what these two did to land them in trouble with the law... but it all worked out.

Check out The Kid!  Right into chilly Lake Superior!

Lovey Girl wins the prize for best pictures taken during our trip.  Above is a moment when she just had to stop and pick some daisies along the side of the road.  That moment was so quintessential Lovey that I had to capture it.

We got to see so many people this year thanks to the amount of time we had.  Look at those two peas in the pod!

But, even long and lovely trips have to end.  And so we headed back to Illinois, and to reality.

Not one, but TWO of my siblings were married this year - the first wedding (Monkey & Eddie) was in Tennessee, it was a gorgeous affair, and we had a very nice time.

Probably seems a little more reasonable now why I haven't posted - there was a lot going on.  Summer was a blast, and a blitz. But before we knew it, the cool breezes of fall were here, and flannel weather had arrived.

Which of course means the best snuggles!

Trips to Tanner's Orchard...

Peppermink pink milkshakes at Chik-Fil-A 😊

And of course the yearly trip North to close - this year Nate, Tom, Ethan, Steve, Brent, and Mark all made it up - it was one of our best trips ever.

It also meant home-schooling ramped up into full gear once again.

Then, in early December, my brother Solly got married, and lucky for us it was in Sunny Santa Barbara - the weather was a lot cooler than we would have liked, but it was still a lovely trip.  Our highlights were gaining a new sister (Rose), the ceremony, the best two tacos I've ever eaten, some 5-Star dining experiences, and the best Indian food I'd ever had.

Last but not least for the year was Christmas!  We went a little overboard this year - and I think next year we are going to pare it back some.  But the kids certainly had fun.

Cheers to 2021, here's to an even better 2022!

...

So, there was a lot here I wish I had pictures of, but either I don't have any or they didn't make the cut.  There were great times with friends, trips to the farm, wonderful dates out on the town, The Kid starting Rec Class and turning 9, Baber turning 4, and Lovey turning 6.  There were days with Gwamma Polly, Gwampa Gweg, Bampa Butcha and Gwamma Janet. There were trips to Monticello, fun in the Dells... and more.

And our biggest news yet - is that this year we are finally making the move up North, for good.  Chinch and I, with heavy but excited hearts, have come to realize that our time in Peoria is done. This place, this home - they have been very good to us.  The Cul-de-Sac is the only home Baber and Lovey have ever known.  We have truly amazing friends and neighbors.  It feels redundant to say that because our neighbors ARE friends.  Some of the best we have ever had.  And our hearts are breaking some to be leaving all of these wonderful people behind here in Illinois.  It also hurts to take our children away from the only home that they have really ever known (The Kid still remembers Monticello some).  Kathy, Mark, Wes, Nick, LeeAnn, Karlee, Emilee, Oliver, Gary, Danielle, Ashley, Bobby, Dhaval, Austin, Mitch, Dakota, Sean, Suzanna, Dana, Sarge, and Haylee... we are going to miss you more than you can imagine.  And we are excited for when you come to visit us, and for the times we make it back to visit you.

But as Frank Sinatra says: "That's Life".  We have faith that we are being called to great purpose, and to a different path.  While we are leaving friends and community - we trust that we will forge new friendships, and new community wherever we roam.  We have faith that our friends will visit us, and us them - and keep in touch as we are able.  Love doesn't fail - friendships built on love don't fail either, distance is relative.

  Check back here for more news - because it is coming.  There are big things, and even bigger changes on the horizon for our family!

That is it 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