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