Berger Blog: November 2006

October Visit Back to Ohio, Part 4

While Daddy was out at a friend's wedding, Jackson, Mamie, Heather, and Mr. Berger went out to some sort of old-timey farm. Or something. Look, I wasn't there, I just have the pictures to work from! So lets see what they tell us.

Here it seems that they were in some sort of wood-type building, whose light waves were too intense for people over the age of one:

It seems that Momma was looking for a new old-fashioned way of giving the baby a bath. Saves time with the washing of the clothes!

Apparently keeping the ol' stove running was a common chore for 7 month olds back in those days:

Here we find that Jackson has slain the mighty Cowch! Raaahhh!

It seems that Heather was sent back a few grades...

Jackson is elated at the thought of fresh-ground sausage! Mmm! Pork!

Finally, Grandpa worked to get the baby to learn how to turn over. As you see far below this, he was successful, but apparently it was an exhausting effort!

OMG JOEL'S GETTING MARRIED?!?! Part 1, The Trip and the Ceremony

Another reason for the Great Trek back to Ohio was so that I could attend my friend Joel's wedding. In Georgia. Stick with me, my story makes sense later. The Ohio contingent of friends all chipped in and rented a van to take the 10 hour drive down to Helen, GA, a tiny mountain town known for its Octoberfest. Here we see Christie, Paul, and Chase crammed into the van's rear seat:

One of the fun things for me about travel is finding all those regional oddities: strange names for strange things. Like Chester Fried Chicken! Chase, Mike, and Paul pay tribute to its majesty.

Once we made the long, long, oh so long drive, we ended up at the Edelweiss German inn. Several people had a cabin here. It was pretty swank. I was late in getting accommodations, so Brockman, Ellery and I were stuck at a Days Inn, and not this place:

Still, upon arriving Friday evening, we met Joel's family for a cocktail hour. Here's the crew! From left: Paul, Mike, Scotty, myself, Joel, Brockman, Chase, and Christie.

Dinner was following. I had an amazing piece of Horseradish-encrusted prime rib. Mmmm...slab of cow....

Jon and Ellery were fascinated by this place, as you can tell:

Damn, we can't possibly look any prettier. Lets get to the wedding quick before we are all snatched up by a modeling agency and made international jet-setters!

It seems that EVERYONE brought a camera, and we were taking pictures constantly. What I have posted here is but a small portion of the photos. Below we have Ellery and Chase taking a photo of me taking a photo of Brockman taking a photo of Joel:

Here's Joel and Mike (his Best Man) with the judge. I think he was asking for directions to Mexico, but I may be mistaken...

The wedding was held at a small church in a private resort. It was a very beautiful place, and the weather was nigh-perfect.

We tensely await that which we can only assume will bring on Armageddon.

Did I mention we were crazy with the cameras?

Joel and Mike: ready for anything.

And here are Joel and Kacey! Most of my ceremony pictures were crap, since the inside of the church was somewhat dark for my camera, but this one is pretty good.

May I present Mr. and Mrs. Joel and Kacey Spontak!

Next: ALCOHOL!

OMG JOEL'S GETTING MARRIED?!?!, Part 2: The Reception and Beyond

Now that Joel was unable to escape, we might as well party, yes? We drove into Helen, GA, which was in the middle of its nationally known Octoberfest. There was a lot of traffic and people. The reception was in a room in a German Inn/Bar.

Joel has the COOLEST GROOM'S CAKE KNOWN TO MAN! It combines his two great loves: Star Wars, and Sugar:

Brockman got the garter. AGAIN. He's up to, what, three of these things? Ellery, though, is unimpressed.

Joel and Kacey cut the more traditional cake. They were far to well behaived when it came to feeding each other. Ah well.

So, um, there was a LOT of champagne there. A LOT. Which we took as a challenge, consuming I think about 12 bottles in our table alone. Ellery does his part:

Then out to the balcony for some fine smokables and even more champagne.

After this part, we said farewell to the happy couple, and suitably blizted, immediately came upon an incredible idea! PIRATE MINI GOLF!!! It was RIGHT NEXT STORE! Here, Chase shows Jon proper club handling technique:

Attention Valor Guild Members! This is the Picture I was supposed to send out months ago! I am sorry! Please stop Ganking me now!

Yar!

Climbing Mount Gonnagetthrownouttatheplace, Brockman had a little Captain in him. Well, more than a little:

We ended the evening in a pizza and beer joint, watching us some football. From the left: Scotty, Ellery, Mike, Paul, Christie, Chase. Not seen 'cause he's passed out under the table: Brockman.

It was a long drive back the next morning, but then again, it was a long drive down. We still managed to find amusing local oddities to entertain ourselves with. Here, Ellery enjoys an intense, refreshing Climax (TM)!!

But once we saw the Big Butter Jesus, we knew that we were close to home! Hooray!

October Visit Back to Ohio, Part III

One of the main reasons for our visit was that Grandpa had a Birthday! Yay! He's, um, 37? ....YAY!

Grandma Monigan also came out for the weekend to see Regan dance in a feis, an Irish dance competition. She was unaware that Heather, Jackson, and I were in Ohio, and was pleasantly surprised. Here she is with John, Heather, Michele, and Neve:

Jackson listens to some business advice from Uncle Bob:

Note: The number of candles on the cake do not accurately represent the number of years in my Dad, for Fire Code reasons. You understand.

It was good to have the family there for the Birthday.

Grandpa's favorite gift:

October Visit Back to Ohio, Part II

Going to the Ren Faire was hard work! First, a Power nap!

Next, it was off to Young's Jeresy Dairy, a farm, ice-cream joint, and fine midwestern eatery all rolled into one! We saw Regan and Neve, Jackson's cousins, and Aunt Michelle.

This is Regan:

And this is Neve! She's getting so old!

Next it was out to the playground, which was composed mainly of old farm equipment. Mom and Dad had more fun than baby.

Heather wanted this picture posted for a co-worker:

We also fed the animals: mostly goats, some chickens and stinky stinky cows.

We had a lot of fun with the family!

October Visit Back To Ohio, Part 1

In the middle of October, Heather, Jackson, and Michael went back to Ohio to see family and friends! One of the first things we did was visit the Ohio Renaissance Festival. Jackson and Heather had fun right away: