Celebrating in Grafton

This weekend, we headed back up to our my favorite winery in Grafton with the Bates'. The weather was a little chilly when we first arrived, but it warmed up nicely for the afternoon. The funny thing about going with the Bates to Grafton is that Renee and I like the Grafton Winery and the boys like Piasa Winery which is conveniently right across the street. But it works out well for us.
Todd has always been curious to try the Piasa Challenge (which is to eat their Ultimate Bacon Cheeseburger times three in less than an hour) and decided this was the weekend! If you eat the burger in less than an hour, you get your name on the wall. If you eat the burger in less than 30 minutes, you get a free t-shirt and if you can eat it in less than 15 minutes, it's free. Well, he got all three! Matt was his official time keeper and he did it in 12 minutes and 40 seconds. I think I am supposed to be proud? Personally, I feel it's kinda gross-maybe it's a guy thing. But hey, the burger was free and he got his name on the wall and a free tshirt. So, he was happy and here are the pictures to prove it. U

After the winery, we ate dinner in St. Charles and had a little fun at Ameristar. Renee was able to get a free room at the Crowne Plaza Hotel for the night. It was a fun way to celebrate 9 years of being married with our best friends. (They are celebrating 18 years of wedded bliss this year!)