Christmas Eve with Grandma Reese

Traditionally Stephen grew up spending Christmas Eve in Winthrop MN with his grandparents. They'd attend church with them and come back to the most amazing meals with aunts, uncles, and cousins. Steam pudding, lutefisk, etc.... Well times have changed and Grandpa is in the glorious grasp of our heavenly father and Grandma Reese is in the most amazing independent living home in Gaylord MN. We traveled there today and the usual joy in her face greeted us. Now only the aunts and uncles gather with a spattering of cousins here and there. Today we were treated with seeing Steve's cousin Tiffany and her two boys, McCoy and Brody. The shock of seeing how big they've grown wore off quickly, and I'm telling you that McCoy must definitely be the best of athletes for he certainly has the height. We walked in to organ playing and I cheerily said, "who's playing?" All responded with "Brody," entering Grandma's room to lay our coats on the bed confirmed that, yes, Brody was playing and a funny hello followed. What a treat he is, an extremely good humored and caring man he is becoming. Aunt Mary even slaved over the stove with steam pudding, yep, it was all good! We had a great time visiting, Brie played Upwords with Betty and Conner shot some pool with Mary. We made Grandma our favorite soup for supper and left with happy hearts. What a wonderful day!

Last year the four of us had the pleasure of mini-golfing at the MOA, it ended with Steve and Brie both getting a hole in one at the end. Yep, that meant two more free rounds, well we sort of forgot about the slips until now and decided today would be a great day for an adventure. Mommy, Brie & Conner took off early to get that coveted up front parking at what we expected to be a very busy mall day. What an adventure, so much laughter, our sides hurt! Mini golf, Santa, Candy shop, and Lego land, an amazing day!

The shot of the day, Brienna smashed this ball on hole#10 over the wall and hitting the rock bottom ride on it's way down until it landed in it's resting place just below the ride. Laughing hysterically at this point. Thankfully the nice man let her grab another ball!

They've really switched up the courses at this place, every hole seemed to have bigger and more complicated obstacles.

Mini golfing this year was way better, Conner didn't need any help and man the giggles were just rolling as Brie ended up with some serious air swings, and I thought Conner would need help!

A quick shot with Woody!

Snuck in some Lego land time, Conner was certain he could live there as the games were so much fun and then put trays of Lego's nearby too, just heaven for this little boy...... I believe him when he says he could spend all day there!

As adventures go, we can't just make it all about the mini-golfing. Mommy had ulterior motives in getting the kids in front of Santa as well. Needless to say, I was very impressed!

Sitting with Santa, he was so fun, Conner was just amazed that he had time to sit and chat with all the kids in line, he thought Santa would be busy wrapping all those toys.

Conner's favorite movie of 2009, The Polar Express, was depicted so beautifully on the pathway to Santa, quick stop for a photo op...

Have to say, the MOA really out does themselves, they make even standing in line to see Santa an adventure, they have an area with tables and crayons for kids waiting as well, so glad we got there right away in the morning, lines were pretty long by the time we left.

So fun to see the elves from our favorite traditional Christmas movies.

A quick stop for breakfast, yep, cinamini's from McDonald's, I know it's not the breakfast of champions, but on an adventure it's all about the kids......

Breakfast by a transformer Lego, Conner, who isn't a speed eater to start with took extra time this morning as staring at the larger than life giant robot was WAY more fun.....

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Annual Grochow Family Christmas!

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!!!!!!

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!

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!

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!

heatherbartaphoto@gmail.com

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!

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!