Me again. Matt's moniker for me is the Baroness of Treebling. Don't know if that's a promotion or demotion. The B of Treebling

OOPS. We thought we had it down. Now we really do. This is perhaps a fitting photo for the first attempt at getting a photo on this blog. This is Brogan, of course, looking very cute which he manages to do 95% of the time. The other 5% he looks like an ass. (after he's knocked down a sapling tree, for example, or won't let himself be caught).

The D. of Treebling

Hey, Gang, Yipee. Steve just showed me how to get a photo on the blog. Now, will I remember this next week? We've had a good holiday season. The time in Omaha was priceless, and then I spent Christmas Eve with Dee's sister's family and all of that side of the family. Next, Steve, Dee and Rowan came down to spend some time with me. Needless to say, they are here now. We're having a great time. Rowan is becoming ingenious at communication sans words. His phonetics and little sounds are very insightful. We've been eating and eating. So good. So much immediate gratification (I'm taking lessons from Rowan). It's cold here, and it snowed in Pville last night! It melted immediately, but hey. Love to all of you. The Duchess of Treebling (how my Xmas card from Matt was addressed).

Hi Everyone, and happy holidays!

In an effort to do be environmentally responsible (read: do things on the cheap) we're posting our holiday letter on-line. Dee and I composed this the other night, but I have lots more stuff that I'd like to put on here (eventually) including some pix from the reunion and such.

It’s been a busy year for us, with many changes. Perhaps first and most importantly, we’ve moved from our beloved Santa Cruz. Steven got a coveted job working for the University of California, as the new Environmental Horticulture Advisor for Marin and Sonoma Counties. Now we’ve got just enough dosh that Dee can stay home for a year or two with Rowan. So while things have been challenging with moving to a new town, starting a new job, and raising a new family, we’re all doing fine.

Dee is adjusting well to motherhood, and spends her days playing and exploring with Rowan. She has some design jobs that she's managed to fit in, but for the most part she spends her days entertaining Rowan with hikes to the nearby parks, daily visits to the neighborhood horses and cows, and playing in the sandbox.

Rowan's up and running around, and has several words. He likes to tease his parents by almost never using them, though with a few, he's chosen to change one word he had learned (e.g.: cow pronounced "coh") for a new onomatopoetic version (e.g.: "moo"). He's also mastering more complex tasks, such as getting into the magnetically locked kitchen cabinets and stacking boxes to climb on Dad's desk to turn on his printer. Sooo much fun!

Rowan has traveled a lot in his first year, including trips to Point Reyes National Seashore, Muir Woods National Monument and to the Bailey cabin in the Eastern Sierras. His first plane ride took him to attend a family reunion in Red River, New Mexico. He seems very adaptable to new experiences, places and people. His greatest joy is meeting young people who are about his size with whom he will greet with high pitched squeals of delight!

Best Wishes, Rowan, Deirdre, & Steven

P.S.: Sorry about the image quality. I'll use direct source next time, instead of copying from a word document. I think the word data is screwing with the .html code.

Surrogate Colonel

Just had to take a family photo, and since we had three out of the four Grove sibs, we decided that it should be an even four.......so.....the elf (with the glass in his hand) in the center of the photo is Russ or, to be more exact, his proxy. You're a good looking guy, Russ!

Family Get-together

Well, Katie was having a doggone good time, anyway........Here she is, with her party hat and beverage......and the rest of us ha a good time, too. Julia was in Omaha, visiting Sandy, and we were lucky enough to be a part of the festivities. Hally, (and Hally's friend, Judy), Shelly, Sam, Vince, Sandy, Julia, and I all had a WONDERFUL dinner and also fun playing a game.

Wish all of you could have been here with us......looking forward to hearing from all of yon on your holiday plans!

A Boy and His Dragon

Julia asked about good reading. Tough call. One man's epic is another man's outhouse paper. I am not in the habit of reading sci-fi fantasy stuff unless it is on a par with something like Lord Of The Rings. Recently we traveled to Cincinnati for Thanksgiving with Cathy's fun loving family. On the way we listened to an audiobook Cathy selected from the library. She chose three and let me choose which one to hear first. I selected Eragon. I had no idea that it contained 14 CD's. I was amazed to discover that it was written by a 15 year old. I really enjoyed it but of course fantasy stuff like that appeals to small segment of readers. Lastly do not bother renting the movie Eragon. Hollowood simply saw a way to make a quick buck on a version so bastardized that it was awful. Cheerio!

Dear Family, Wow, Vince. Does this family attract crazies along with our own loonies? I'm sorry to hear that you were involved with this fiasco with Karen. Thank you for the photo of Uncle Eddie. You look a lot like each other. It was good to see a photo of him. I've always been so fond of him, and of Ray. Ray is 95? Fantastic. I'm coming to Omaha on the 14th to see Sandy's and Vince and Cathy's new digs. I'm really looking forward to it. I'll be taking the train there, and have ordered a sleeping car. It's going to be fun. I'll be flying back. Too much time to take the train both ways. I've loaded up on a few books which have been recommended to me. Anybody have any other suggestions for good reading? Rowan said "Nai Nai' the other day. He seldom speaks, but he obviously knows the words. Has anybody heard from Wendy? How is she doing? "Familiar acts are beautiful through love." Shelley Love, Julia

Daah

Guess i'd better proof read my blogs b4 blogging

21st Century, here I come!

Well, I no longer have an excuse for putting off sending Shel the spinach artichoke dip recipe as I am the proud new owner of my very first computer (well, technically second). Uncle Sandy was so kind as to give me a computer she acquired from a coworker, which I promptly replaced with a laptop thanks to a tip on a $348. laptop from Walmart that JoDee shared with me (in case you're thinking of looding for one, it was only a 3 day sale). Anyhow I am able to connect to the web for free with my wi-fi this way so it should pay 4 itself in no time! Not much to report otherwise but wanted to post something so folks know I am now blogging. This is my first time so bear with me as hopefully the entries will grow less dorky...on second thought, not much chance of that. Shel, be looking for the recipe soon, meanwhile I'll prepare for the inevitable crow eating session that is sure to come with my all knowing nephew. Sam out.

Saint Winky

I had no idea that this was going on until Dr. K told me about it. Guess I missed the e-mail at r.grove@etc. I am up on e-mail all day at work and it is so daunting to do it at home because I have about a thousand new messages that I need to either delete or open and answer. I need to get better about that, and will get up on this blog soon. Am in LV, fly back to Loovul today.

Vince, you are a real trooper to offer to move Krazy Karen across the country. I had no idea she was that batty; last time I saw her she seemed pretty normal, although she did laugh at a lot of things that were not funny to anyone else but Jean. Also very commendable that you stay in touch with Uncle Eddie.

Sam's victorious pumpkin was obviously a self portrait.

Now let's see if there is a constellation named Rufus. You never know.

Russ
"Rotate your tires every eight thousand miles." B.F. Goodrich

I Dodged a Bullet

So I heard Dad say "Karen has a Social Security hearing on the sixth of November and she should be ready to leave for Phoenix SOON after that. We just want her out of here." Therefore I purchased a REFUNDABLE airline ticket for the return trip to lincoln for the 15 of Nov. and let Dad know I was planning on leaving Nov. 12.

I called Dad to see if things were falling into place. He informed me that (A) She wouldn't be ready to go untill getting her disability check from Social Security and (B) She had a seizure the night before I called and was in at Nebraska Medical Center which was where they put "those people". Evidently she was discovered rearranging furniture because of all the children in the house. When asked where the kids were she said in the back bedroom which was of course empty. Is that a seizure or a day in the life of grandma Fischer?

I had visions of driving in the middle of New Mexico, 84 mile from the nearest hospital, and she wigs out grabbing the steering wheel and screaming "MY BABIES!" Dad said she may never be well enough to leave Omaha and that I should cancel the plane reservation. I am considering going a step further and cancelling my phone service.

A Clan Update

Hello All,

As always things are busy around here. Quyn recieved an A/B honor roll ribbon for the first quarter of 4th grade! We are convinced that if he could remember to bring home all his work he would get an all A honor roll, but we're still proud of him. Shane and I have decided that this is his "age of accountability" year. He was placed in a accelerated group and typically has 3 to 5 more pages of work per subject per day! Quyn is totally unaware that he has more work and we have no plans to inform him! He has stepped up to the plate and is doing well! Our little kindergartner, Eli, is doing very well! He has had a "green smiley face" day every day! He also made the "One Hundred" club; he was so excited he called everyone he could! (they have to be able to count to one hundred by the end of kinder) Our four year old Noah is still challenging every boundary anyone establishes. He has learned his birth date and how to spell his name and manages to wear his glasses most of the time!

Shane and I have been attempting to build a brick and stone patio for about 4 weekends! It's a wonder I'm here typing and not buried underneath it! It's been a challenge to say the least! I'll post a picture when it's complete if it is picture worthy!

The boys will have to fend for themselves for 4 whole days! I'm flying to Florida later this week! I leave this Thurs and return Monday am! Just in time to really feel the holidays approaching at UPS!

I hope all is well with every ones perspective families! Please don't forget to pray for Wendy, Doug, Savannah and Isaac along with all of our other soldiers and their families as well! Love to you all!

PS Does anyone have a trivia question for Quyn?

Emily and the McGouyrk Clan

Lunch with Uncle Eddie and Aunt Jane

We drove to Nebraska City yesterday and had lunch with Uncle Eddie and Aunt Jane. They are such a lively couple! Eddie celebrated his 80th birthday this past summer -- he and Jane went on an Alaskan cruise in September in honor of the occasion. Eddie says that he and his brother, Ray, are the last two surviving siblings -- and Ray is now 95.

H. James has asked Vince to drive Karen to Phoenix -- apparently, she is moving there. So, it appears that if all goes according to plan, Vince and Karen will be in a U-Haul of some kind around November 12, heading toward Phoenix. Vince will then fly back, courtesy of H. James. Should be an interesting drive -- please keep Vince in your thoughts (and prayers, if you are so inclined).

I guess that is about all the news that is fit to print right at the moment!

Pumpkin Carving Contest!

We held our second annual pumpkin carving contest last night -- Started off with some Cincinnati chili for dinner, had our contest, and then capped things off with "s'more's" outside on our patio.

The contest competitors were Sam, JoDee (his girlfriend), Erin, Jason (her boyfriend), Vince, a couple of our neighbors, and me. We had a lot of fun and ended up with eight very different results.

Our 13 year-old neighbor boy was the judge, and he selected Sam's entry as the winner. So, here are some pictorial results. The pumpkin with the scary, glowing face is Sam's prizewinner.

Dog days

Here is a brief video of Erin working with our dog, Fergus. She is trying to train him to "recognize" his toys but Fergus is more interested in training her to give him treats!

Hey, Everybody. OK, now. Let's all think it together.....Glacier Park in two years. Holidays, Shel? Whoo. I'm still trying to celebrate Halloween. I went to a Halloween party this past weekend and was distressed. Everyone there was into the ghoulish part of Halloween. There were people who just attached strings of bandages onto themselves, and put black and white makeup on. They all seemed to be members of a group of extras on a bad horror film. Does this bother anyone beside me? I remember parties where people came as personalities or animals, or carrots, or queens, or you name it. Anyway, I was disappointed. I stayed about ten minutes and came home. (I went as a Victorian lady. Needless to say, I doubt I was even noticed. Perhaps if I had blood flowing down my back.) This past week held a big change. I gave Zip away. He is now a lesson horse at the Cedar Springs riding academy. He had done so much damage to the barn with his one fatal flaw (kicking the !@&*? out of the barn) that it took a handyman half the day to repair the barn this weekend. So now I have one horse, a mini-donkey and an intact barn. And yes, the people at the academy know all about it. He is being housed in a paddock with a shelter, but no official barn. Oh, these little silly concerns must seem ridiculous to one who is over in Baghdad right now. Rowan is now one year, and he is so cute. He is walking by himself, and is a very affectionate kid. We took him to a performance of "The Birdhouse Factory" which is a cute confection of a program where people do amazing physical feats. Kind of a cross between Cirque de Soleil and Monty Python. He loved it. He was so well behaved, and it was extra fun to watch him. He was just agog. That's all for now. Shel, good taste in books. Hal, let me know what you think of the book. For everyone else, we've been reading a book called Eat, Pray, Love. It's a chick book, but guys could learn a whole lot from it, too. Love, Julia

Thanks

Vince and Cathy,
I never did tell you how much I appreciate you're getting this blog up and running. I love the opening picture. It makes me want to plan for the next reunion!
M. Fulcrum

Yippee!! I did it!

I am now a formal member of the Grove Family Weblog. I am so excited! For those of you who don't have my new contact information, it is:
SSS (Single Sandy Smiley)
7191 N 82nd Plaza
Omaha, NE 68122
402-763-4648 (home) -- still figuring how to use my new phone
402-415-1996 (cell) -- this I know how to use, but sometimes forget to charge it

I love my new house. I will send pictures. I just now starting to put things away so I can find them instead of sorting through boxes. I have waaaaay too much stuff. Looks like another garage sale coming up. This morning, I figured how to turn on the heat -- good thing.

I'm looking forward to having folks visit!!
Love,
M. Fulcrum

Yeah, where is everyone?

I don't think they're too busy. Just scared. It's only a blog, people. If I can do it, anyone can! Hopefully Mom (aka Sandy) will post here in a few with her new digits and whatnot so we can keep track of her ; )

So I'm getting holiday talk started. I know, no one's ready, but I want to plan a trip up to the big O (it's SO far) and would love to see as many of you peeps as possible. Of course I'm speaking mostly to you folks around these parts--unless Aunty Julia needs a snow fix? Let me know if you guys will be around, and of any big parties you'd like to invite me to ; )

Love,
Shel

Are we dull or just busy?

Hey! I keep checking the Grove family weblog to see if any brave souls will post anything new. I guess we are all too busy. We can't be that dull (can we? )

The early Oct. weather in Lincoln has been hot, humid and crappy. Makes me want to move another blanket or two north. Outdoor projects require sweat bands and lots of water just for moderate activity. I should feel guilty complaining about heat with Wendy in Iraq enjoying the balmy weather in the "cradle of civilization".

I thought Wendy might post something by now but she must be too busy. I should mention that about 3 weeks or so ago Wendy's room mate was injured in a rocket attack and lost her foot. A very sobering event.

We watched Sam play a very rough game of rugby yesterday. No broken bones or severe lacerations but plenty of bruises. It seems to be a game where the players are grateful for any injury that allows a brief break in the action to catch their breath. It is amazing how many older guys they get to play. You can tell the older ones, they are the ones whos muscles cramp up so bad that they can barely walk after the game. Sam's team lost by one goal but gave their opponents a tough go. Pip pip and all that bloody rot eh?

Sandy has moved in to her new digs this weekend. Looking forward to getting up to O town to help her fix a few items.

Retirement is very busy. I spend many hours a week with volunteer work on church related duties. it is becoming more rewarding as I figure out what I am doing.

OK somebody comment on this post so we can tell you all are alive. Bye now.

Hi, Everyone, This is a great idea. Having recently acquired a new scanner, and being determined to get past the technoputz stage, I hope to be sharing some pictures and such in the near future. The fall change is in the air. We got some rain today!. What a gift. The next few weeks will be about fall planting, and finishing up some redecorating. Someday I'll have a social life again. But then, "Beauty is an ecstasy; it is as simple as hunger." W. Somerset Maugham. At least, that's my excuse. Julia

Sorry, Sam!

Luckily, used to being wrong quite a bit, I've already done my dishes, so we can start fresh next time. I'll study up, for sure.

Thanks for getting this started, Cathy—what a great idea. I will check often. Hope all is well with all of you.

Quynten was RIGHT!! There IS a constellation named "Hercules" -- see the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hercules_(constellation).

While I wasn't around for the original debate, apparently discussion ensued on the existence of the constellation, Hercules. Quynten supported its existence, as I believe did Deirdre (sorry if I left another supporter out!!!). Anyway, we did some checking and Q. knows his stars -- so, good job, Quynten -- the rest of us will need to do some star chart studying before our next reunion!!!

Thanks for getting us started!

Vince and Cathy,

Great job by you cyber-newbies! I'll use this as an opportunity to share a quick photo of our newest family addition - Ethan Carl Sweet. He joined Jenn, Tim and Eli on July 17.

Karen

Howdy!

I am darn near as cyber illiterate as they come. My sincere hope is that this process is so easy and painless that you folks will enjoy participating and not look upon it as a "family duty".

So I am learning as I go with this first post. I just finished setting up the "Google account" with my user name and password. So far so good. If I can figure this out it should be a piece of cake for anyone else.

The nice thing about this as I see it is that it is sort of like a bulletin board where we can quickly scan whats up with the family and either post or comment if so desired. Or do nothing of course and just catch up.

Being retired (still trying to get used to it) I have plenty of time for things like this. I know the rest of you are surely pinched for time. So give this a try and let us know what you think!

Welcome to the Grove Weblog!

Here is our number one post, and hopefully, there will be many more! We're looking forward to hearing news and updates from each of you, and of course, we would love to see photos, videos, etc.