Another White Sox Game

This past Saturday, Scott took the boys to Oakland to watch the White Sox play the A's. The boys were so excited, and they had a great time, even though the White Sox lost. When I asked the boys what their favorite part of the day was, Daniel answered: "riding the train, eating cotton candy, getting autographs, eating chicken nuggets at McDonalds, and (oh, yeah) the game!) The boys are all decked out and ready to go!

Riding the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) from Pleasanton to Oakland -- this was the boys' first time on a train and probably their favorite part of the day!

At the stadium (to Blake H.: Scott wanted to point out the lack of championships on the Raiders' banner)

At the game

The kids got autographs from Scott Linebrink, Gavin Floyd, and Omar Vizquel (pictured here with the boys). Scott said he was really nice, not bad for someone as great as him with 11 gold gloves in his career.

What fun!

A Few More Vacation Pictures

On the last day, we realized we didn't take any pictures of Grandma and Grandpa with all their grand kids, so we took some by Chris' house. One of Scott's dad's neighbors is a fireman, and he offered to take the kids to the fire station to show them how everything worked. I forgot my camera, so Scott used his cell phone to take these pics and they're not the best quality, but you can still get an idea of how much fun the kids had at the fire station.

We Love Fireworks!

I just have to post a few more vacation pics. While we were at the cottage, we enjoyed lots of fireworks, sparklers, snappers, and bonfires, all things little boys LOVE. Since our firstborn is enthralled with all things related to fire, I thought I'd share some photos showing this fascination. Love 'em... hate 'em (the noise, that is) Hanging out at the fire pit

Daniel and James (Scott's cousin's son) found a shared passion

Whoa... it doesn't get much better than this!

Little boys playing with fire

This was quite a unique experience. One of Scott's cousins had gotten this hot-air balloon lantern thing. How it worked was you lit the hockey puck thing on the bottom on fire, the hot air filled the "balloon" up and then you let it go, watching this lantern float away. As you can see, everyone was fascinated with this. (I was just hoping it wouldn't float near any trees and set the whole place on fire!)

Kostelyk Family Reunion

Before I even begin, I'll just say that you'll want to read this blog entry at your own risk... I just couldn't limit the number of pictures posted here to a reasonable amount (say 10 or 12), which would be an OK number of pictures to look at of OTHER people's vacations. Anyway, here they are, a representation of our week at the cottage with 60 other Kostelyk family members from Portland to Pennsylvania and everywhere in between. We had such a marvelous time -- we reminisced about past visits to the cottage, discussed where we are on our journeys of life, formed precious new memories, and (don't forget!) ate lots of GREAT food! Thanks to all the folks who helped to put this together... it was a week none of us will quickly forget! This is where it all begins... the cottage.

Hello from Norah and cousin Micah (just so you know, Norah practices her wave -- if you could see her in action, which she does several times a day, you might be reminded of a little beauty queen riding on the back of a convertible in the local parade)

The names of all the folks who have cottages on the peninsula at Shavehead Lake. Can you see the Kostelyk name?

A successful turtle hunting expedition to the channel

Norah is checking out the turtle

I had to include a sampling of some of the excellent food we enjoyed. If there is one thing the Kostelyks do very well, it's good food!

Dinnertime

Uncle Nathan and Auntie Lori are catching some minnows for the kids

Calvin tubing with cousin Blake

The kids had a lot of fun this year paddling around in the paddle boat -- I think they're trying to assert their autonomy!

Great job, Daniel!

Daniel loved to organize races from the top of the hill at the cottage down to the beach.

He also loved "driving" the boat.

Silly Norah

And here we all are

Scott's Gram -- enjoying the stories everyone shared

The group getting together around the campfire to share stories

Dinnertime (again)

Norah has completely figured out (all on her own) how to pump on the swings and loves it!

Cousin conspiracy

Happy girl at the lake

Happy boy catching fireflies

Happy boy playing in the water

Fun playing by the raft

Norah found some nail polish that matched Grandma's shirt and was proud as a peacock to paint her nails for her.

Homeward bound!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Today is our 12th anniversary. I don't know why but somehow the fact that we've now been married for 12 years seems like a long time (MUCH longer than 11!) Last night, Scott and I went out to Tommy's, a great restaurant in Visalia, and we were reminiscing about the past 12 years. I thought I'd share some of the things we discussed:

Things that we planned for/hoped for 12 years ago:
* that we still love each other very much and have a growing marriage
* that we have 3 beautiful, healthy children
* that Scott has a job he thoroughly enjoys
* that we have great relationships with our families

Things we wouldn't have expected 12 years ago:
* that we'd still be living in CA (yikes!)
* that Scott would be selling insurance (mostly to a bunch of dairymen) and would know as much as he does about the dairy industry
* (this one may be news to some of you) -- that we'd be about to start homeschooling, despite the fact that there is a wonderful Christian school that we both still love dearly less than a mile from our house

I guess as we look back, we are so thankful that God has been with us all along our journey of married life. There are still lots of things we need to learn (as we all do!), lots of things we hope to do, and I'm sure there will be lots of unexpected turns along the way too. Thanks to all our friends and family for all your love and support over these past 12 years. We love you all!!!

Summer Vacation -- First 2 Days

Well, we have arrived back home, safe and sound from a marvelous family summer vacation. I have to say, as the kids get older, it IS getting easier to travel... this was probably the best the kids have traveled in years -- yes, there is hope!!! Anyway, we left 2 weeks ago for the Chicago area and spent the first 2 days catching up with the Vissers (Scott's mom's side of the family), who we haven't seen a few years, and going to a White Sox game. I think I'll continue with the next stage of our trip on another blog entry... The kids waiting at the parking garage by LAX

Norah finally took a short nap at the end of our flight into Chicago.

Norah is tickled pink that she get to hold own can of Pepsi.

Daniel is a little hard to see in this picture, but he is having a heyday in his ultimate sneak-and-attack mode during a water fight at the Visser get-together.

Hanging out with the Vissers

The kids found some old micro-machines and loved playing with them. Daniel and Calvin actually got to take Scott's old set home.

Go White Sox -- here are Daniel, Faith, and Blake

Grandpa and Grandma with Calvin and Micah

Me and Norah

The Kostelyk family at the game

It was mustache night at the game and Calvin thought it was lots of fun to try one on.

After the game, there was a great fireworks show, which everyone really enjoyed. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for such a great time at the game!