Kids, What Kids?

Just about every post is dedicated to family events which means the kids. Pictures of our kids doing anything and everything. Every once in awhile there are a few pictures of Michael and the kids, one of me and the kids, but never one of just the two of us. So this blog entry is dedicated to every picture taken this year of just the two us......it won't take you long to check them out.....there's only four!

Jacob took this lovely (yuck) photo of Mom's first day of the new school year. It was followed up with 100 more of Jacob and Olivia starting their school years too.

Michael had to go to Prague on business and I decided to go along.

Still in Prague (it was one of the only days Michael had time to sightsee with me) we are in front of the Charles Bridge with the castle and cathedral in the background.

Here we were one night out to dinner!

Halloween Festivities

Halloween isn't just a day around here it is a month long celebration! It starts with picking out costumes and wraps up with tired kids falling asleep making sure their candy bags are close by. This year Jacob decided to stick with his Star Wars obsession and be Commander Fox. Olivia is equally obsessed with Disney Princesses and chose Cinderella. They were excited to wear their costumes to the Jamacha Fall Carnival, again at the annual Ranta Family Halloween/Pumpkin Carving party, and finally on Halloween night. In between we found time to visit the local pumpkin patch. Sadly we didn't make it out to Bates Nut Farm this year and we really missed that tradition. Between baseball games and all the fun there just wasn't a full day that we could make the long drive. Maybe next year! We wrapped up our Halloween festivities with all the family coming for dinner and then trick or treating around the neighborhood. Now bring on the next fun get together, Thanksgiving!

Playing games at the school carnival

Enjoying some cotton candy

Jacob and his first grade friends, Kai and Jack.

The big kids had fun and the little ones did too!

Dad at the pumpkin patch with Olivia and Jacob.

Olivia

Jacob

Mom and the kids!

Getting ready for the Ranta Halloween party

Kirk took a great family shot!

Pumpkin carving time

The Ranta family invited Fiona to do a little face painting.

Jacob got a ghost, bat, and spider web!

Spooky

Olivia has a pumpkin on her cheek and beautiful fairy eyes.

Olivia and Dad

Halloween is finally here!

Leaving a house with their treats!

Trick or treat!

Deep Sea Fishing - Oct. 2009

On Saturday, October 17th, we went out on a full day deep sea fishing trip. Thanks to Jessica's dad, who chartered the boat, we were able to fish with just our family. Grandpa Larry, Grandma Vickie, Great Uncle Rod, Great Uncle Mike, Cousin Jason, Auntie Brandie, Uncle Sean, and all four of us met at 5:30 AM at H & M Sportfishing and boarded the Daiwa Pacific. Thanks to Nick the cook, Shooter, Scott, and Captain Ken we all had a great time fishing! Sorry to Michael and Grandpa Larry we somehow didn't get any pictures of them with their fish. We all managed to catch something even if it wasn't a fish, Uncle Mike caught a bird and the bottom but still had fun! Olivia had a great time just hanging out and coloring or watching movies in the galley. It seemed like one of the crew was always with her coloring or playing! It is pretty funny to find the Captain and 2 crew members sitting at the tabel coloring in the Fairy Coloring book. It would have made a great picture. It was a great day for everybody!

Great Aunt Carol and Cousin Leah waving us off at the dock! They spent the day shopping and sightseeing around San Diego.

Jacob and Olivia ready to go! Olivia wanted to know why it was still night out.

Auntie Brandie, Grandpa Larry, Great Uncle Mike, and Grandma Vickie

Cousin Jason and Uncle Rod checking their rods.

Jacob stealing some bacon from the cook.

Jacob helping with pick up bait at the bait tanks.

Sea lions are cute when they aren't stealing your fish!

Waiting for breakfast in the galley

Uncle Rod got the first one!

He landed a nice sized bonito.

Jacob getting some help from Shooter

Jacob caught two rock fish.

Grandma Vickie with her two rock fish.

Jacob reeled in this bonito. He wonders why his arm is sore today.

Here's Jessica with two of her four fish!

Auntie Brandie with three of her fish!

Uncle Sean with 4 of his fish!

Uncle Rod got another one.

Here's Jason bringing in a bonito.

Proud fisherman

Too much coloring can wear a girl out.

Sean caught a bass.

Jacob got to sit above the bait tanks on the way back.

Jessica loves her nature photographs.

An octopus that came out of one of the fish.

Sean won the jackpot with this bonito!

Squid

Uncle Rod was worn out!

Relaxing in the galley on the ride back.

Uncle Mike and Grandpa Larry

Close encounter with a cruise ship

Within minutes it was swallowed up by the fog.

Heading back to the dock

The whole gang and the crew

Jacob became an honorary crew member!

Here's the boat we were on!