GO FISH!!!

We decided after spending days in the house eating and lounging around in our sweats, it was important to get out and blow the stench off ourselves. Speaking of stench, today we had family fun day at Nimbus Fish Hatchery. This is a great place to entertain the children for almost FREE!!! For five cents the kids could feed the fish. I figured they were worth such lavish spending. We spent a good two hours out there and I would highly recommend this excursion to all you other cheapskates out there.

Posing by the fish ladder... I am already an embarrassment to my children : )

Jack and Macy soaking up knowledge in the educational center.

Something is fishy about this picture. Oh, yeah - Macy is actually looking at the camera.

Jack intently feeding the fish

Macy LOVED this and probably would have stayed all day if given the chance. Alas, The Old Spaghetti Factory was calling!

I wonder how many of these cheesy tourist pictures I can take in the coming years? Another must have for the family albums!!!

A Boy and his Cat

Here is an evening ritual... Jack and Humo "sharing" a bed. Actually, it turns out that the cat gets the majority of the bed and Jack gets what is left. I believe Jack wouldn't have it any other way!

Halloween 2008

Although Halloween was a bit soggy this year, the rain did not dampen our spirits. I love the fact that the Jack and Macy really are not into trick or treating and really just like dressing up. We use Halloween as an excuse to visit friends and family. Traditionally, we visit Faye, one of the secretaries at Bob's old job. I LOVE her because she reminds me of my mom. This year she was wearing her Halloween vest and earrings as well as the matching socks! Now if that is not reminiscent of Judy Pearson, I don't know what is!!! After a nice visit with Faye, we trick or treated our neighbors the Houseworths. Their youngest child just joined the Army so I think as empty nesters they enjoy seeing the Little kids. Next we stopped by the Coggins house. Sue and Carl are long time friends of my family and it seems that life just gets going too fast and we seldom touch base. Halloween is a perfect excuse for a visit. To end our night, we drove to Papa and Grandma's for cupcakes. Yep, that's it - only four houses, but my kids seem content with it (thank the lord)... Enjoy the hodgepodge of Halloween pics!!!

On Halloween, our daycare provider allows the children to wear their costumes. With six children under the age of three in her care, this decision to dress up makes her certifiably insane. You may notice Macy wearing her costume from last year. She woke up and was adamant to wear her 2 sizes too small Care Bear suit... whatever it wasn't the battle to fight that morning. Here she is with her buddy Wrenna the monkey.

Nichelle dropping off her girls at the bus stop (her mission: to embarrass her third and first grade daughters... I think she's awesome). Seeing her in her Butterball gown has become a tradition for me. Oh yeah, that's her husband in the background. I prefer to call him the Turkey Pimp.

Theresa, Samantha, and Jack heading home from a wild day at school. Crazy Hair day wipes them out every time! Good thing it was a minimum day.

Jester Jack and Super Girl gearing up for a night on the town.

GENETICS

BOO!

The adults were out last night partaking in some Halloween fun!! There were some great costumes and many seemed even better after Lemon Drops and Jello Shots. You be the judge..

Getting ready for a groovy night out. Bob really knows how to pull off a polyester ensemble! Can you guess who I am yet?

Perhaps a head to toe shot will help you out....

As you can tell, I am part of a trio. Here I am signing autographs for our awaiting fans!!

Charlie's Angels! Carmen (Jaclyn Smith), Kim (Kate Jackson), and Sue (Farrah Fawcett). I must share that these sparkling jumpsuits are the most comfortable outfits. I am crossing my fingers that this fashion trend makes a comeback.

Our dates for the evening... Crazy Larry the Polyester King (Bob), Magnum P.I. (Jake), and the Terminator (Steven)

My vote for best costume was the Gilligan's Island crew. Here is the Skipper and Gilligan enjoying a well deserved drink after a prolonged three hour tour. Mary Ann, Ginger, the Professor, and the Howells were getting down on the dance floor.

The scariest costumes went to Sarah Palin and Sarah Palin

Crazy Larry posing with the Maverick...

It was a GREAT party. Now we can actually concentrate on Halloween for the children!

Good-bye Summer, Hello Fall

I completely forgot I took these first pictures over a month ago during an evening at Sly Park. The Morfords so kindly invited us out for dinner on their boat as the Aquarius has spent the summer in our garage. Oh well there is always next year!!! Who would have known that this outing would be our last taste of summer?

Macy wading in the lake. I am sure it is no secret that I suck at doing my daughter's hair. I call this look the Whale Spout. Look for this hairdo to become a major trend on the catwalk next summer!

Jack back on board after a swim

Needless to say Macy thinks that Greg is the bees knees

Captain Jack steered us safely back to the dock.

Fast forward to the present (and 40 degrees cooler)... Saturday excitement consists of going to Jack's soccer games and cheering on The Thunder. This is Jack's first year playing and I have found it does not pay to raise a kind and polite child when it comes to competitive sports. Bob is also the assistant coach and has discovered his patience level runs thin with 8 and 9 year old boys who would rather be dorks than listen. Despite these learning curves, Jack and Bob seem to be enjoying the experience.

While the first few weeks of the season Jack froze when the ball came to him, he has developed a new technique. As shown in this picture, Jack now opts to kick the ball out of bounds before other players can get close. Note he is also number 1. This by no means reflects his athletic prowess (although I think he believes this is the case). It cracks me up when he say sat the end of the game "I was aggressive today". I must remember to look up aggressive in the dictionary as this term doesn't come to mind when I watch him play.

Jack's favorite position to play is Poser

Just kidding, he can be quite the defender when the occasion arises

Hurray! It was another fun game! The Thunder came in second : ) In this way, they are always very consistent

This happy girl likes to cheer on her brother!

Escape to Squaw

Over the weekend Bob and I went to Squaw Valley for some well deserved rejuvenation. We parked in Tahoe City and biked the few miles to Squaw just to take in the perfect weather and beautiful surroundings. The best part was meeting the Gimpel clan for Oktoberfest in the village. I really enjoyed the people watching... believe me there were some interesting people to watch. Before riding back the next day (with headaches in tow), Bob and I treated ourselves to a morning at the spa. If only I took a picture of Bob getting his facial with "the hot chick" as he so excitedly put it. Anyway enjoy these few pictures. Alison -many shots will look familiar as I did some one click shopping off your blog (THANKS : ) )

Cheesy poses by the Truckee River

Bob by his meadow of childhood memories. Living here with his Mom, he explored every inch of this area. It is definitely the one place he feels closest to Lisa.

Let the games begin!! Bob had a grand time at Oktoberfest... this also could account for his headache the next day

Even Ayla got into the festivities!!! I fully appreciate that Ross understands what is developmentally appropriate for his child.

The girls and I solving all the problems in the world

A final shot before going home to our lovely children, fabulous jobs, and responsibilities

Mr.and Mrs. Uncle Don

Tonight my Uncle Don married his long time girlfriend Chris. Ever since I met her a couple years ago, I knew they were meant to be. The wedding was at The Seasons Bed and Breakfast in Placerville and was the perfect setting for their union. It was wonderful to share this special night with them. Congratulations to them both!!!

A first dance as husband and wife

Macy and my cousin Abbey

The Smart Ass Gene runs in the family

Macy posing with the bouquet