September 30, 2007

On the brink of teendom

IMG_3377 Rae 12 collage.jpg


The twelve denotes not only her age, but also the minimum number of years before Rachel can date and the minimum number of satisfactory references that any prospective suitor must provide.

 

Posted by Erin at 10:57 PM | Comments (0)

September 16, 2007

Ninety is Nifty

IMG_3216 nifty 90.JPGThis weekend we celebrated the upcoming 90th birthdays for Grampa Paul and Gramma Mary.  Extended family and friends medicated them with smiles, hugs and laughter . . . . . . . . . gooood medicine.
Posted by Erin at 9:57 PM | Comments (1)

September 15, 2007

Signs of the seasons

IMG_3180 boat lift foot.jpg
Posted by Erin at 2:22 PM | Comments (1)

September 12, 2007

Yep, it's a GIRLS' team

IMG_3181 suitcasevb.jpg
Posted by Erin at 11:18 PM | Comments (1)

Factoid

In case you missed this comment in the blog:

"As of Sept. 9, your family log is the first thing to show up from a Google Image search for "reddi whip."

 

 

Thanks, Austin...........whoever you are, but tonight we have been demoted to #2.

Posted by Erin at 8:24 PM | Comments (0)

September 10, 2007

Sarah's latest interest (and it's NOT a boy!)

lcavb.jpgAs a 6th grader, Rachel may not make the sports page, but she is also getting her digs, spikes and aces on the Sacred Heart volleyball team.

Posted by Erin at 9:38 PM | Comments (0)

September 8, 2007

Drippy Tippy

The annual Cancer Gala included the annual black tie cruise. Just moments after we picked up Buzz and Jane, we felt a few raindrops. We didn't even have time to leave the pier before we were showered and soaking wet. Thanks to Steve for covering the cockpit while the rest of us ran for cover.


IMG_3170 Gala.JPG

Posted by Erin at 8:43 PM | Comments (0)

September 4, 2007

Nate is Great

The first time we met Tracy's fiance, Nate, was at Eric's graduation from law school last May. We were impressed by his quiet, gentle nature and the way he took Steve aside to profess that his intentions toward Tracy were honorable. We were a little worried though, that he was a little too quiet to join such an outspoken, opinionated and frequently ostentatious family.

Worry no more. Nate has proven that he can hold his own and that we will still love and respect him when he's gone back to Georgia!

Nate's Labor Day weekend challenge began with a tour of Tippy in the Boston Whaler. The look on his face as they departed was a little uncertain, but with Captain Rachel at the helm, Sarah as First Mate and scurvy dog Shadow just along for the joy ride, somehow, he managed to return without turning green.

IMG_2853n.JPG

Next stop: Lake Tippecanoe Country Club for a round of golf. No photos available, but Eric retreated to the men's bar after only a few holes to watch football instead. Nate lost (???) the lead on the 18th hole to let his future father-in-law win. Tracy says Nate is quite the competitor, so the next match might be a bit different.

Then for the REAL challenge: coming home to a deck full of "family."

Not only did Nate have to meet the parents, but also the grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and a few extras. We even had 8 Minnesotans. (Senator Mike and Vicki, Josh and Sarah, Aubrey and her fiance Eric, Ariel and Caleb) In all, we had a quaint group of 21 for dinner the first night and the crowd just kept revolving for the rest of the weekend.

j07a.jpg

We also tubed and ate and played Nintendo Wii and ate and went to "boat church" and ate and Jet Skied and ate and even gave Nate a hair cut.

haircut3.JPG

. . . and of course there were just a few photos taken.

Thumbnail image for IMG_2981josh.JPG

This is one of my favorite snapshots.

IMG_2913all5.JPG

Josh, however, "Jungbauered" all of us (even my father) by proving to have the biggest toy in his backpack!
(Click thumbnail below)

IMG_2984tool.JPG

 

 

Nate and the rest of the clan even formed their own cheerblock for the seaon finale of The Lake City Skiers. (It probably seemed a little hokey to a landlubber like Nate, but it was best for him to see all sides of his future in-laws before he says "I do.")

Obviously, Nate is to be commended for enduring so much in just 3 days. He was thrown into the midst of our family feet first and quickly learned to swim, but he really won my heart when he learned to barefoot too!

I told Nate that I could teach him to barefoot on the first try if he could just do two things: #1) Sit in a chair (What man isn't already a pro at that?!?) and #2) Listen (Ohhhhh.......not so easy!)

Well, Nate was up and barefooting on the first attempt and if he hadn't already endeared himself into my heart already, that sealed the deal!

hurts so good.jpg


Nate was not the only competitor in the crowd. Bubby took the gold at sunrise.


goldfoot.jpg
Josh also glowed with the sunrise.

IMG_2978ajosh.jpg

IMG_2861vtn.JPG

.....but nothing compares to the glow on Tracy's face.


Welcome to the family Nate.


IMG_2995headsup.JPG

Posted by Erin at 1:25 PM | Comments (4)

September 2, 2007

Pirateology

pirateology.jpg The Lake City Skiers had their final show of the season over Labor Day weekend before an overflowing crowd. Here are some highlights of the National Championship show.

 

In the exhibition "junior show" before the main event, Sarah decided to jump. She had tried it 3 times, so why not?

IMG_2947jumpsarah.JPG

 

slingshot.jpg   major gen.jpg


IMG_2763jacksp.jpg


ddgIMG_2159jump.jpg


IMG_2651swivel.JPG


jjDSC_0030jbp.jpg


IMG_2788dt.jpg


jjDSC_0037wakesky.jpg


IMG_2770ballet.jpg


IMG_2635bluebell.JPG


ddgIMG_2178mollyr.jpg

(Hey, we're a low budget club . . . so I don't get to quit my day job!)


IMG_2810pyramid.jpg


 

jjDSC_0044tada.jpg

Posted by Erin at 10:18 PM | Comments (1)