Why is it so hard to keep blogging?

Oh, I know! Because it takes TIME. And when, at 1am, you happen to find the time to devote to the blog, there's that nagging suspicion that the only person that will ever read said blog is your mom, and only then if you're lucky! So maybe I should just pretend this is my diary, and that i leave it on a bench in a public park, available to any random person to happen across and read when they're bored. Okay, that works for me.

Today the Kaitlin, Emma and I went on an adventure while Becky was in her all-day anatomy class. I heard about this cool place nearby that had waterfalls, so I decided to pack the kids up with some snacks and go check it out. The destination was Uvas Canyon County Park, here's a few pics, click here for the entire gallery!

Look at those goofy facial expressions! Pure Schmauch!

Beautiful autumn leaves

I love the color & texture in this one

Gettin' back to your roots

Sisterly love, only minorly enforced

Must be breeding season for ladybugs - never seen the likes of this before!

Too tempting to pass up!

A lucky handheld shot of this neat little waterfall

Playing in Sink and Making S'mores in New Fire Pit

Emma loves water. She loves the bath, the shower, the water hose, puddles, streams, and especially the bathroom sink. It's accessible via the toilet/stool and she can close the door and play for at least five minutes before any of us notices.

We also finally bought one of those nifty backyard fire pits which we've wanted for a long time. Our neighbors, the Sheets, bought one so of course that prompted us to just do it. Gotta keep up, if you know what i mean :) The fire pit is really nifty, with stars and moons cut out of the sides which looks really cool at night. We've made s'mores three nights in a row now and all my sweatshirts smell like I've been camping. But oh, how tasty dessert has been. Here's a few pics from the larger gallery.


This pic needs vampire fangs.

We don't let our kids drink milk or juice. They must go directly to the source.


Wha? Four kids?!?!? AAAhhhh!!!

Beer Bottle Beach in Aptos with Neighbor Nicole

So today we decided to make an impromptu trip over the hill to our favorite beach-laden area of Santa Cruz, or more specifically, Aptos. We like to frequent "Beer Bottle Beach," although we're not sure that's an official name. My wife, Becky, being a Santa Cruz native, assures me people will know the beach by this name. Anyways, we brought our 9-year-old neighbor Nicole who gets along great with the kids to join in the fun. The cool thing about going to the beach with little kids is you only have to go for two hours before everyone is exhausted and ready to go home! Enjoy the pics, and click here for the full gallery.

Emma shows us that she needs a nap!

Now we're all good. Rockin' the rockstar glasses.

Nicole and Kaitlin tread down the hidden entrance to beer bottle beach.


That water is COLD!





Sandy butt.


You'd think she'd only put sand in her mouth once and realize how disgusting it is... but noooo, Emma likey sandy very much! And then you can grind it in your teeth...oh, lord.

Hanging out at home, cleaning, painting, playing, broken sprinklers

It seems like so long since we've just been at home, no where to go. Did we just sit around on the couch and watch TV? Oh no, life is one adventure after another when you've got a two and four year old running [around] the house. Becky did some spring cleaning while I tried to make sure the kids didn't injure themselves, the pets or each other. I was mostly successful. Check out the outtakes and commentary below, or click here for the full gallery.


Emma needs the water to be running at all time. You turn your back on her and that puppy is on full blast (with her giggling to the cacophony, no less). Here it looks like she's waiting for that one last drip to come out.

Emma has a love/hate relationship with the vaccuum cleaner. When it's off, she's all friendly and gives it kisses. When it's on, however, there is no greater sheer terror as she runs away screaming. In the photo above, Emma sees Becky preparing to vaccuum.

"Daddy, my diaper's full"

Emma runs from the room as the vaccuum turns on.

Our dog Rose was spayed on monday (five days ago) and for the life of us we couldn't keep her stupid cone thing on. There were about 10 things the vet told her she couldn't do, and I believe we successfully violated all but one.

Kaitlin's always ready to pose for the cam.

Nothing can shake the love two sisters have for each other. Nothing. Except, maybe, a toy. Or candy.

This is how Becky rolls when it comes to housework. Just straddle it and tackle it!!


Proud, majestic, 8" high dog.

Cool perspective from upstairs, nice bokeh w/ my 70-200 lens.


Emma "trespassing" in Kaitlin's room. I'm spying.

Sharing a secret?

"Why does everyone get to go outside except me??"


There's Emma with the giant water bottle again. Becky checks her landscaping work.

"Can I get a push y'all? Anyone?"

Cheesy grin? Check.


Remember that list the vet gave us? Yup, getting wet (or staying dry) was #4 on the list. Rose looks dejected.

It's funny, the power went out a few days ago, so as a result all the people who didn't reset their lawn sprinkler time had their sprinklers go off mid-morning. Good thing too because we discovered why our water bill has been so high! Check out the neighbor's yard - he's got a busted sprinkler too! What a dork!

Prancing? Dancing? I don't know...

I'm playing hide and seek with Kaitlin...she sees me in the mirror right as I take this pic.

Emma found a good hiding spot!

Rose looks guilty - she found a giant grasshopper and has been playing with it. Of course it was fatally maimed, and she looked bad about it. Or maybe she was bummed because it wouldn't play with her anymore. When she first brought it into the house I thought she had one of the kid's toys. When I had Kaitlin go take it from her she freaked out, of course!

Emma and Kaitlin crouch and watch Rose play with the poor grasshopper.

Time for a garage sale!!

Simon is so done.

Emma mimics her daddy.