The traditional gathering of the Grochow family occurred this Sunday the 19th and we were blessed with hosting this year! Steve volunteered shortly after Em & Mitch hosted last year so that gave me time to hit all the post Christmas sales in an attempt to put our vision into play affordably. It paid off, opening up the Christmas totes this year was so much fun and seeing all the fruits of our shopping labor payoff. I highly recommend braving the crazed stores to take advantage of their 70% plus sales if you foresee any entertaining in the next year. This year everyone was in attendance, the only regret, and it's a huge one, is that my camera didn't once leave it's case. The photo opportunities missed just make my heart ache but hopefully the memories remain clear, it was so much fun seeing everyone. Steve converted the garage into a "fun house" of sorts for the kids. A heater was set up making it toasty in there, Brienna and I stayed up till 11am Friday night putting up a Christmas tree, tables were set, their own special punch concoction made, toys galore and my kids' favorite, a WII. The noise level reached new highs and kids were everywhere, what a fun scene to behold, all the cousin's playing here and there.
The food was amazing and although it felt like I never left the kitchen, a lot of laughter and great conversations were a plenty. Babies oh babies to hold, little Abbott and Adley were just precious and cuddle time with both of them were sought by all. Family, what a wonderful word, the most precious out there and it's importance to us had us both smiling as our heads finally hit the pillow later that night. We feel truly blessed to be a part of such amazing families, thanks to everyone who brought such delicious fare to share and hopefully plans that were made to get-together in the New Year come to fruition.....
Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!!!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Brienna & Conner - Real Life
So today was just one of those mornings that just make you giggle and shake your head at the same time. Brienna began by requesting help in creating an outfit that included every color represented in each of the schools Knights of Honor code (Safety, Honesty, Respect, Citizenship, etc...) aka all the colors of the rainbow! Presenting Brie's rendition and tribute to that code!
Conner's turn, he came running in as proud as can be to show us his first loose tooth! He is so excited and yet nervous about eating something that might dislodge and cause him to swallow it! He's in a constant state of wiggles, look out tooth fairy here comes a very light sleeper. You'll have to use all your magic tricks to pull this tooth out from underneath his pillow without waking him!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Super Hero Conner!
Okay, we'll have to come up with a better, more catchy name but after hearing a report from the Seattle Washington area, I am convinced Conner's career path is set. Apparently there is a band of vigilantes who are roaming the city, dressed in their own makeshift superhero costumes fighting crime. They've assisting with robberies in progress, and purse snatchers to name a few, police are concerned for their safety and it's been reported that one in particular suffered a minor stab wound during a recent altercation. When asked about the danger involved their response what to the effect that no one else is doing anything about crime on the streets. So I guess my little boy's dream of one day being a superhero and saving the world is within the realm of possibilities. He's also indicated a desire to be a dentist, whichever he chooses we'll be there to cheer him on! In the meantime I'll start plans on designing a fire, bullet, and knife proof superhero suit! Wish Edna Mode was real, I could use her help!
Monday, November 8, 2010
The amazing Heather & her photographic magic!
We are extremely blessed to have such an amazing friend who just happens to be crazy good at photography and capturing the essence of her subjects. Below are the results of a photo session the kids had with her, enjoy!
We had prints made for the wall and when Brie saw them she instantly pulled this photo (I made a 11x14 print of it) she said with astonishment, "I look beautiful in this one Mommy!" Yes, you do peanut, you are beautiful inside and out! 
Oh Conner, you just make my heart sing, I absolutely adore this one!
What you don't see is Mommy standing behind the camera whipping sticks, rocks, old pieces of shingles, near Conner to get him to look in the right direction. Whoever said taking pictures of 5 year-olds is easy obviously hasn't met mine.
Our thanks go out to Heather for listening to that little voice that whispered, then roared in her ear years ago that this would be a great idea, you are truly gifted!
Oh and I don't get paid for this, she is the best, send her an email and you can benefit from her magic too!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Brienna the Hunter??????
This year Stephen did some research and learned that Brienna could deer hunt along side him so he spent lots of time talking with her and showing her the safe way to handle a gun along with any words of wisdom he could impart. She was very excited to say the least and the only worried one was Mommy. Little bro Conner was wishing he could go with on this adventure. He even tested out her shooting skills while on a visit to our dear friends home up in North Branch. To our surprise her first shot, while not a bulls eye, was definitely on target and within the circle that Daddy drew. The smile on her face after that first firing was a surprise (only to Mommy of course). I thought for sure she'd not like the recoil, even as little as it was (410 doesn't give much kick). The second shot however, was dead on and a true bulls eye. The pride in Daddy's eyes made even Mommy smile. I actually was excited but deep down thought it might just be beginners luck. My daughter a sharp shooter, Naaaaa!
As time drew near and it appeared that this was really going to happen, the whole family made a trip to outfit little Brie for her hunting debut. Next thing we knew, it was Friday night. In just mere hours my amazing hubby, beautiful little girl, and precious papa were going to suit up and walk out, IN THE DARK, on uneven terrain, CARRYING GUNS, and climb up into their respective deer stands. Yep, Mommy didn't sleep a wink. All kinds of terrible scenarios rang through my mind, but morning came and the alarm went off. I helped get her get dressed, and took these shots as the hunters departed with smiles on their faces.
I went back to bed, no sleep however as Conner was up for the day and ready to watch Saturday morning cartoons. I talked him into just laying with Mommy for a while cuddling and talked about our busy but exciting day we had in store and anything else I could think of.
Conner and I spent some really fun time with Olivia, Becca, Evie and Grandma, out for "brunch" for their b-days which turned into actual lunch by the time we got around to it. While walking through Target with Olivia getting some last minute items I received a very exciting call from Steve. A doe and yearling came running by their deer stand. He tells me since Brie wasn't ready he took aim at the doe and dropped her right away since he could tell they weren't stopping. The yearling stopped immediately,Steve instructed Brie to shoot! She pulled up took aim and fired. The yearling jumped and took off. Steve said she missed but that he was happy she was able to get a shot off. Brienna gets on the phone and is extremely excited and said "I shot at it Mommy but I missed." I asked if she had fun and she gave me a resounding "YES."
Off the phone to field dress the doe, Conner and I wrap up at Target and are on the way to pick up pizza's for the evening pizza party at the Schueler's when I see another call coming in from Steve. This time it's Brienna, she's frantic and of course my heart sinks thinking one of my nightmares came true. I tried to understand her ramblings and in my mind I am only thinking "hang up and call 911." Well I finally deciphered what she was saying and to my surprise it was "Mommy I told you I shot it, I shot it!" She relays the story that while the guys were working on the doe, she kept insisting that she shot it. She ended up arguing with her Daddy about just where the yearling was standing when she took the shot, apparently she walked over to where she though it was and yells "here is where it was and look there's blood!" The blood trail was barely 25 feet and then just stopped. So they splintered off in search for it,sometime passed when Papa exclaims that he found it again and looks yonder only to see, sure enough, Brienna shot her first deer, the shot was true and perfectly executed (unlike her Daddy's which needed a second). She told me "Mommy my heart is just racing but it only does that when we're running our miles." I don't know why I felt a little sting of tears in my eyes but I did and just told her that her heart is racing from adrenaline and excitement, she was just beyond thrilled about this whole process. Not having any of the post preparation however, yep, that's my girl.
Pride just soars through us as we admire what an accomplishment that is for our little girl who happens to be one of the most soft spoken, tender hearted, cuddly, truly wouldn't hurt a fly (largely because she'd be afraid of it) type of person. Awe is still present just recanting the tale and thus this rather lengthy posting.
We're so extremely proud of you pumpkin!
Brienna with her very first deer taken down with the 3rd shot of her life!
As time drew near and it appeared that this was really going to happen, the whole family made a trip to outfit little Brie for her hunting debut. Next thing we knew, it was Friday night. In just mere hours my amazing hubby, beautiful little girl, and precious papa were going to suit up and walk out, IN THE DARK, on uneven terrain, CARRYING GUNS, and climb up into their respective deer stands. Yep, Mommy didn't sleep a wink. All kinds of terrible scenarios rang through my mind, but morning came and the alarm went off. I helped get her get dressed, and took these shots as the hunters departed with smiles on their faces.
I went back to bed, no sleep however as Conner was up for the day and ready to watch Saturday morning cartoons. I talked him into just laying with Mommy for a while cuddling and talked about our busy but exciting day we had in store and anything else I could think of.
Conner and I spent some really fun time with Olivia, Becca, Evie and Grandma, out for "brunch" for their b-days which turned into actual lunch by the time we got around to it. While walking through Target with Olivia getting some last minute items I received a very exciting call from Steve. A doe and yearling came running by their deer stand. He tells me since Brie wasn't ready he took aim at the doe and dropped her right away since he could tell they weren't stopping. The yearling stopped immediately,Steve instructed Brie to shoot! She pulled up took aim and fired. The yearling jumped and took off. Steve said she missed but that he was happy she was able to get a shot off. Brienna gets on the phone and is extremely excited and said "I shot at it Mommy but I missed." I asked if she had fun and she gave me a resounding "YES."
Off the phone to field dress the doe, Conner and I wrap up at Target and are on the way to pick up pizza's for the evening pizza party at the Schueler's when I see another call coming in from Steve. This time it's Brienna, she's frantic and of course my heart sinks thinking one of my nightmares came true. I tried to understand her ramblings and in my mind I am only thinking "hang up and call 911." Well I finally deciphered what she was saying and to my surprise it was "Mommy I told you I shot it, I shot it!" She relays the story that while the guys were working on the doe, she kept insisting that she shot it. She ended up arguing with her Daddy about just where the yearling was standing when she took the shot, apparently she walked over to where she though it was and yells "here is where it was and look there's blood!" The blood trail was barely 25 feet and then just stopped. So they splintered off in search for it,sometime passed when Papa exclaims that he found it again and looks yonder only to see, sure enough, Brienna shot her first deer, the shot was true and perfectly executed (unlike her Daddy's which needed a second). She told me "Mommy my heart is just racing but it only does that when we're running our miles." I don't know why I felt a little sting of tears in my eyes but I did and just told her that her heart is racing from adrenaline and excitement, she was just beyond thrilled about this whole process. Not having any of the post preparation however, yep, that's my girl.
Pride just soars through us as we admire what an accomplishment that is for our little girl who happens to be one of the most soft spoken, tender hearted, cuddly, truly wouldn't hurt a fly (largely because she'd be afraid of it) type of person. Awe is still present just recanting the tale and thus this rather lengthy posting.
We're so extremely proud of you pumpkin!
Great shot of the crew, the next day they filled out taking a larger 4 point buck as well
Brienna with her very first deer taken down with the 3rd shot of her life!Sunday, October 31, 2010
A scared scarecrow?
Our beautiful Brie aka Scarecrow!
What a handsome fireman!
Conner you were such a trooper this year, almost made it all the way around the loop before his little legs gave up trying to keep up with his sister....
Team Reese!
Happy Halloween!
Our trick-or-treaters are finally home, PJ's on and candy all sorted. The weather was perfect and with a robot (Colin) pea pod (Hudson) and spider (Ethan) joining us this year it was one for the record books. Now we're sitting back cheering on the Rangers and fighting over the full size candy bars the kids were so lucky to get!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Soccer Schedule
Here is the schedule:
September 19th Sunday 2pm in Minnetonka
September 25th Saturday 9am in Golden Valley
September 26th Sunday 2pm in Eden Prairie
October 2nd Saturday 1pm final game @ HOME!
Last weekend was an eye opener for sure, the girls played Buffalo and lost 3-1 on Saturday and were matched up against the "redwoods" of Minnetonka (reference to tall timbers was due to the fact that all the Tonka girls were taller than Steve and in no way looked like 10 year-olds) on Sunday. Those timbers however, were no match for the fancy footwork and lightening speed of our STMA girls. They won 2-1, the "trees" as we call them were also a little misinformed that this is traveling soccer and not the NFL, one player came barrelling accross the field, and with both hands out front and arms completely extended pushed one of our rushing players so hard she flew (completely airborne) off the field and into some Tonka parents sitting in chairs. Yep, this Mama was nervous with Brie out there just havning had surgery but she held her own and even outran 3 defenders at one point to get the ball down field. Took a shot but missed the goal by about a foot and half, look forward to the rematch this weekend!
September 19th Sunday 2pm in Minnetonka
September 25th Saturday 9am in Golden Valley
September 26th Sunday 2pm in Eden Prairie
October 2nd Saturday 1pm final game @ HOME!
Last weekend was an eye opener for sure, the girls played Buffalo and lost 3-1 on Saturday and were matched up against the "redwoods" of Minnetonka (reference to tall timbers was due to the fact that all the Tonka girls were taller than Steve and in no way looked like 10 year-olds) on Sunday. Those timbers however, were no match for the fancy footwork and lightening speed of our STMA girls. They won 2-1, the "trees" as we call them were also a little misinformed that this is traveling soccer and not the NFL, one player came barrelling accross the field, and with both hands out front and arms completely extended pushed one of our rushing players so hard she flew (completely airborne) off the field and into some Tonka parents sitting in chairs. Yep, this Mama was nervous with Brie out there just havning had surgery but she held her own and even outran 3 defenders at one point to get the ball down field. Took a shot but missed the goal by about a foot and half, look forward to the rematch this weekend!
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