Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Grandma visits and fall fun around the house

Have to love the autumn weather in Indiana. Although I'm hating the cold winters more and more every year, I have to admit that I would miss the autumn months if we lived elsewhere. There's something about the warm sunshine on a cool day with the dry leaves rustling in the breeze that is hard to beat.

Jacob enjoys playing with the "bubble shooter" and making TONS of bubbles

Grandma Sikorski and Derek go for a morning stroll down the driveway to get the Sunday newspaper.




Jacob models this year's Halloween costume (Yoda) for Grandma Sikorski



Does this guy look like trouble or what?

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Our Football Players

Aaron and Derek enjoyed another fun year of junior football. Aaron moved up with the big boys this year (5th/6th grade league) and played for the Broncos. They finished the season at 1-6 but played pretty close to most of the teams. I coached Derek's flag football team, Indiana (UGH! Purdue wasn't available!) and our team went 5-7 and had a nice run to finish in the final 4 of the league tournament.


Aaron (#27 with the white helmet) guards the opposing receiver


Aaron (with the white long sleeves) helps put a hard tackle on the ball carrier



Derek on defense, running towards the opponent

Monday, September 15, 2008

Duck farmers go Duckpin Bowling

Duckpin bowling is a funny little game that, I guess, has been around a loooong time. Indianapolis is lucky enough to have a refurbished duckpin bowling alley, and it's perfect for the kids. The ball is wooden and much smaller than a regular bowling ball. It also has no holes in it, so you just grab it and roll it. The pins are also much smaller than regular bowling. You get 3 tries per frame too. And did I mention that it's VERY hard to get a high score?

It's a really cool atmosphere though, down on Fountain Square just southeast of downtown Indy, and we enjoyed the bowling and the night.


Kristie (who can't bowl well at all, by the way) instructs Jacob how to look like you meant to throw that gutter ball.


Derek doesn't throw the ball fast. More of a strategist, that boy. So, once he figures out what angle and such he wants to take, he has to squat there as his ball rolls agonizingly towards the center pin.



Aaron is all about the competition. He wants to throw the ball faster than everyone else, he wants to score higher than everyone else. What's that?! Derek has a higher score!? Uh oh, this is not going to go over well....


Now that she's seen Jacob knock down some good pin numbers, Kristie is no longer instructing, she's taking notes.


Thursday, August 28, 2008

The Cowboy Sleeps Tonight


Playing is hard work! This cowboy needs to give his guns a rest for a while

Monday, August 25, 2008

First Day of School 2008

Another year for East Elementary's finest! Derek will be beginning 2nd grade this year (Mrs. Oliver) and Aaron will move up to the 5th grade and the 5/6 REACH class (Mrs. Hutton)


Monday, August 18, 2008

Visit to the Pennsylvania Bevards

We finally got a chance to head east to Indiana, PA to visit my old roommate Nathan Bevard and his family. We had a great time hanging out with Nathan, Cheryl, Augie, Mikayla, and Aleah. While we were out there, we took a short trip to Idlewild Amusement Park.


The two old farts relive glory days...


Jacob and Aleah take in a ride at Idlewild


Aaron, Derek and Augie try out some moves on the trampoline


Cheryl and Kristie take a moment to reflect on the greatness of Bob and Nathan

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

It's like Florida on Lake Michigan!

We love the beach in New Buffalo, Michigan. Ok, it's no Daytona Beach or Fort Myers, but the sand is nice, the waves can be good, and best of all, it's only 3 1/2 hours from home, and 15 minutes from Grandma's house!! We took Grandma Sikorski to the beach for the day, and also hit the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago during our visit.



The tricky part of this one was getting all three to hold still long enough to snap the photo



Jacob still enjoys the sand more than the water!



Aaron and Derek brave the wicked surf coming across from Illinois



Kristie, Grandma Sikorski and Jacob enjoy the beach while dad and the boys play in the water



Another beautiful day as we head into the Shedd Aquarium