Happy 25th Jenn!!!

We wanted a pic of all of us standing around Brooks sitting on the giant chicken, but we were freezing our a....well, it was very cold, so I just got a shot of the sign. That said, the freezing cold and nasty drizzle wasn't going to kill tradition. We were going to Babe's in Sanger for Jenn's b-day come heck or high water. The big 25. Happy birthday Jenn

Wow, What a Christmas!

Brooks' first Christmas was a great one indeed. We spent the better part of the day Christmas eve in Denison at Bradley's parent's. Granny and papa, gramma and papa, David & Garrett, Caryn and Chad and all of their crew were there. Then we headed to Mineral Wells to hang out with Father Jeff and attend Midnight Mass. Brooks was very alert and very pleasant, as he always is (so far) during mass. Just like when he hears papa (Bradley's dad) during mass in Denison, his eyes lit up every time he heard FJ's voice through the mic, it was pretty funny. After mass we spent the night with FJ, woke up and headed to Mimi's in Ft. Worth for more Christmas fun. As you can see in the pictures, Brooks made out like a bandit, receiving a lot of "loot", and even more attention on Christmas eve and Christmas day. Thanks for all the goodies folks, and especially the hospitality.

The Piano Man!!!

Bradley once told me that "you haven't heard the piano sound the way God intended until you've heard Billy Joel play it in person". Unlike Bradley, last night was my first time to have that priviledge, and Billy was quite amazing. He can do anything he wants with that wood box of ivory keys; fast paced rock and roll to classical and everything in between. (He played several classical and Christmas interludes between his incredible songs) The piano was so loud and crisp it just gave you goosebumps to hear it. Unlike anything you'll ever hear from a piano. Thanks Gramma V for babysitting!

WOW, 60 Years!!!

Granny and Papa celebrated their 60th anniversary Sunday. We filled the back room at Garcia's and had us a grand old time. Needless to say they mean the world to all of us, and we couldn't be happier that they are such a big part of all of our lives. We love you Granny and Papa! (We now have over 120 years of marital bliss between Granny and Papa and Grandma and Grandpa Vogel)

God's Country

You could argue that there's a more beautiful campus than the University of Notre Dame, but you'd be wrong...so don't bother. From EASILY the most famous of all campus landmarks, The Golden Dome to the Famous Grotto and Library (Touchdown Jesus), walking on the campus gives a person chills every time they're lucky enough to do it. We had a die-hard Ohio State friend with us that stated several times that ND was unlike anything they had ever seen, and that seeing the campus on tv doesn't come close to doing the beauty of it all justice. ND is a large campus with about a 1/4 of the students of most major universities, so it's very peaceful, except on Saturdays of course. Couple that with the greatest band in the land practicing at any given time on football weekends, from Rakes of Mallow to the greatest of all university fight songs "The Notre Dame Victory March" and I gotta figure it's as close to heaven on earth as you can come. What would you expect from a school named after Jesus' mother...The beautiful lady on the Dome. I'm a little tardy w/this post. We actually went up there for the Navy weekend. Yes we witnessed the longest streak in history of one team over another end. Tough year for the boys, very young. Even with the tough season you'd have thought we were 8-0 with all of the usual enthusiam from the ND faithful.Had to throw this in. Brook's (and Garrett's too I believe) very first Irish jersey. Future Domers of course

More ND

To Serve...Not Be Served

The Book of Matthew states, "just as The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as ransom for many"...well in that beautiful scripture is the Catholic deacon's "motto" to serve...not be served. 25 years ago, after 5 years of Diaconal formation, dad (or Deacon Vogel as many know him) was ordained to the permanent diaconate in the Catholic Church. Well, like many other family members, friends and fellow parishioners, I could write a book on just how gracious and Christ-like this man is, but I'll spare you, and just state in short...He is easily the most generous, unselfish human being that I know personally. Throughout his 25 years, he's been an example of Christ's love and service to all that have known him. Praying with the sick and dying; preparing and helping couples with the sacrament of Holy Matrimony; Baptising new christians; he's done so much more than a blog can hold. Most of all he is a teacher of God's work and love, through his words and his actions. If only the world had more people like him...and not for just Jenn and I, I speak for all friends and family when I say thank you deacon. We love you and look forward to celebrating your 50th anniversary into the diaconate. There was a big party celebrating his wonderful 25th anniversary after the 11:30 mass Sunday. Dad's ordination: November 6th, 1982The Vogel guys before dad married Caryn & Chad: April 17, 1999 Baptising his first grandchild, Brendan: Fall 2001

With mom and the grand kids (Pre- Jack and Brooks): Easter 2006

Had to throw this one in. Dallas Cowboy and Super Bowl Champion, and good family friend, (Roger Staubach's hand warmer) starting center Dave Manders at dad's party.

"...anointed by the Holy Spirit; a new adopted son of God"

Sunday October 14th, Brooks was baptised into Christ's death and resurrection at the 5:00 mass at Immaculate Conception. Our great friend Fr. Jeff came in to celebrate the mass, and dad performed the baptismal rites. We're extremely blessed to have clergy in the family in the form of my old man, who coincidently celebrates his 25th year of serving in the diaconate next month. He has proudly baptised all 6 (many more to follow, God willing) of his grandkids. Due to the genorosity of Jenn's and my parents, we took the sacramental celebration to El Guapo's afterward for some fajitas and fun.

We love you FJ Extremely proud grandparents of six beautiful kiddo's, 4 of which are Caryn and Chad's. Brooks will get to share his "1st Christmas" with Jack, who was born May 16th of this year. Wow, slow down Chad and Caryn, we have some catching up to do.

Proud grandparents and great-grandparent Mimi

...more proud great-grandparents, granny & papa, & "super-aunt" Shirley.
...Brooks' other great-grandparents, Grandma & Grandpa Vogel wanted to be there, but were on a cruise celebrating grandma's 8oth b-day. Happy birthday gigi!

We were honored to have the worlds greatest "baby-doctor" and his wonderful family celebrate this special day with us. He also delivered Caryn & Chad's last kiddo. As you can see Dr. Mcdonald is also very blessed. His wife Michelle is one of the most outgoing, fun-loving people you could ever have the pleasure of knowing...and she's beautiful too! He also has 5 of the most polite, enjoyable kids I've ever been around. (Must take after their mother)

Victory!!!

Brooks shares a winning moment with his exhausted, yet victorious daddy. Bradley played in the annual (3rd year) Raytheon tournament (Frisco) with his very good, long time friend Kyle. Their other team members were his buddy Tyler, and another co-worker of Kyle's, and new friend of Bradley's...another Kyle. According to Bradley, he, Tyler Kyle & Kyle played so well it really wasn't fair for the other 11 teams...And no surprise here, for the 3rd straight year, Bradley won the long drive contest. Way to go Daddy!

Happy B-Day Grandma!

Saturday, Brooks and I met up with Mom, Dad & Matt to enjoy The Great Pumpkin Festival at the Dallas Arboretum to celebrate mom's birthday. Brooks was fascinated with all the pretty fall colors, and was especially partial to the wide variety of pumpkins & gourds. Brooks was obviously once again the center of attention, and he's getting quite comfortable in being so. He missed his daddy (Bradley was playing in a golf tournament in Frisco), but he certainly had a blast with all the excitement. Happy Birthday Grandma.

Great Concert Year!

One of my favorite forms of entertainment is a great live concert (Jenn's too) It has been a great concert year. The Police (backstage), Stevie Nicks, The Fray (stood in the pit in front of stage), Pretenders/Don Henley, Rush (in the pit again, Neil Peart is easily the king of all-time drummers), Foreigner/Def Leppard. Next year The Eagles and JT will be the top concert priority. Can't wait
Neil Peart & Geddy Lee

Future Domer!!!

Through the generosity of Grandma & Grandpa Vogel, The Notre Dame fund has officially been started for our little slugger/quarterback. Brooks is great-grandchild #21 for proud Grandma (aka "Gigi" to the great-grandkids) & Grandpa Vogel. Grandma already has him pumping his fist as she cries "Go Irish". He's got no chance...He's a Domer.

Trip to Denison

We headed to Granny and Papa's to introduce them to their newest great-grandchild. They were ecstatic, and Brooks was very happy to finally meet them. Brad and I think the world of granny and papa, and the fact that we enjoyed their famous "chicken and rice caserole" was just icing on the cake. We miss getting to spend all Sunday afternoon with them and the rest of the crew...We love you granny and papa!

Happy Birthday Mimi!!!

After taking some "baby-time" off, Brad went back to work Friday, and mom and I took Brooks to Ft. Worth to have lunch with Mimi to celebrate her 89th birthday. Mimi's friend Jeni-Lou joined us, and we had a real big time. Brad said his poor little slugger was unfairly outnumbered (of course, throw in the big labrador, and I'm outnumbered 3-1 every day in my own house) and felt sorry for him spending the day at the "hen-party". Brooks didn't seem to mind. Actually, I think he rather enjoyed all the non-stop attention.

My Precious Sluggers

Proud daddy and "super husband" Bradley Michael holds our little future star Brooks Michael in front of the center-piece of the nursery...a 16x20 portrait of Brooks' namesake. This autographed beauty was actually a gift from Brooks Robinson himself. The auto reads "Brooks Robinson, 16 Gold Gloves"...and fittingly, (much to Bradley's, and his brothers delight) Mr. Robinson was named as the 3rd baseman for Rawlings All-Century Gold Glove team, the very day our little Brooks was brought into this world (I know this only because his brother pointed it out to us less than an hour after Brooks' birth).

Brooks Michael Vogel

Almighty God blessed the Vogel family with a 7lb 8oz bundle of joy Wednesday August, 22. Needless to say we are happier than words can describe, and would like to thank everyone for their continued thoughts and prayers during the pregnancy, birth and beyond. Jenn is a natural. All the horror stories I've heard about pregnancy and childbirth, (and what it can temporarily turn your lovely spouse into) were innacurate with Jenn. She's MUCH tougher than her husband, that's a certainty. There's obviously many many pics, and I'm just posting a few for now. More to follow, of course. Figured I'd start the pics with the grandparents and Dr. Mcdonald (D-Mac)

Can Brooks come out and play???

The Very Best...EVER!

What a show! No backstage this time, but still phenomenal seats, for an extraordinary show. Of course, we Eagles/Henley junkies have come to expect nothing less. Don shares this blog title with Jenn, who at 9 months pregnant made sure Baby Brooks got to see (hear, I guess) the greatest voice in music history. Jenn says despite the lack of space he was dancing right along, and that like his old man, he was especially partial to Hotel Califonia and The Boys of Summer. I wanted to get a shot of Jenn and junior after the show, but by the time I figured out how to work this new camera getting pics of Don...my batteries were shot. Could Jenn have been right?..Maybe I SHOULD have read the instructions...nah