The Schmauch Family (Chris, Becky, Kaitlin & Emma + Simon the Cat and Rose the Dog)

Why is it so hard to keep blogging?

2008-12-06T22:34:00.000-08:00

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

2008-04-27T19:00:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-27T18:00:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-26T20:00:00.000-07:00

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.

KEEEEYYAAAAHH!

2008-04-25T20:00:00.000-07:00

Today was Kaitlin's first day of sparring at American Taekwondo Company in Morgan Hill. She's got her yellow belt (one up from white) but we haven't invested in the protective gear yet. What's this mean? Well she gets to kick the heck out of some "protected" kid without suffering any consequences. To be fair, though, she's still pretty mild with her kicks. Her bark is definitely louder than her bite. Enjoy the photos, the rest of the gallery is here.

Becky, proud mama bear, looks on as her eldest performs

Wiggle those hips!

Diego, one of the instructors/owners of ATC (the other is Kirk). These guys are young, like 20 or something, and they totally have their scheist together. They are great teachers, and obviously love what they do.

Ok, so Kaitlin has a ways to go in the flexibility department...but ya gotta start somewhere and this is WAY better than before!

Baskin Robbins is right next door, so inevitably a "treat" must be had...

Emma doesn't have much of an attention span for her sister's martial art training. So Becky usually gets to chase her around outside. Lately Emma has been fascinated by large water bottles.

That's a 10-4 on "KEEYYAAAHHHH!!!"

what a cute bunch of kids...

Kaitlin practices her kicks and changing stance

Beck gives me the classic "are you kidding me?" expression. I love this shot!

Kaitlin gets to beat up a kid. He seemed pretty durable, though.

The classic Kaitlin "squint eye"

Jump, Play, Cook. Good times with Dad.

2008-04-24T23:48:00.001-07:00

Kaitlin, Emma and I had a good time playing tonight. First, hanging out in Kaitlin's colorful room. We read books, jumped on the bed, just had fun. Then we walked to the park where Emma climbed "the ladder" for the first time. Its very existence freaks us [as parents] out because there's at least 144 ways your child can break his or her neck on the thing. But what can you do aside from stand very close, and of course get some great pictures while you're at it... Oh, as always, click here for the rest of the pics.

Emma reading Kaitlin's favorite dinosaur book

Nice mid-air capture of Kaitlin...her head looks a little distorted from the wide-angle lens.

This actually ended without bloodshed or tears!

That's me Emma is leaning on.

Kaitlin dutifully drinking some cold milk after the hard play.

Time to color! I drew the heart with all our initials on it. Emma colored it.

Emma climbing the dreaded ladder. Just one slip of the foot and you get a broken....something.

I see you!

Grabbing the camera lens while swinging...hilarious!

Emma collecting static energy... I won't let her get close to touching my highly electronic camera!

Kaitlin helps me cook dinner. No she's not in danger of immersing herself in boiling water.

Drop Mom Off at Yoga, Explore Los Gatos

2008-04-21T18:00:00.000-07:00

So after our visit with the Hargreaves, we dropped Becky off at Yoga Source in Los Gatos (I've taken pictures there once or twice before). While she sweated out the day the girls and I walked around downtown Los Gatos. We played at the park for a while, then grabbed a healthy dinner at Pizza My Heart. Of course we had to follow up the pizza with a trip to Powell's Sweet Shoppe, which I forced the kids to walk through and pick out one item for purchase.

Below are some of the pics from our walkaround. Check the whole gallery here.

Kaitlin comforts her tired, crying sister.

Emma is, well, comforted. Awwww.

And....she's out.

Kaitlin, resident artist, is never far from her doodle. We take turns drawing things for each other, her favorite subjects being dinosaurs of any variety. Although T-Rex and "Longnecks" are her current faves.

Emma strolls around the fountain at the park in DT Los Gatos. This is where the farmers market is held on saturdays.

We had some beautiful natural light, Kaitlin enjoys the rather brisk afternoon air.

Emma looks like a toddler model in macy's fall collection...wearing her big sister's warm sweater.

I love this shot of Emma, she's so sweet.

Kaitlin patiently awaits her slice of cheese pizza at Pizza My Heart.

Jumping Off the Couch is WAY Underrated.

2008-04-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

The girls LOVE to jump off the couch, especially when mom isn't around and dad is "supervising/playing." Sure, someone almost always ends up hurt but oh, the joy we share.

This morning I was testing my new high-speed camera that is great in low-light/indoor situations. It did a superb job freezing the action, as you can see. Full gallery here.

Hangin' with the Hargreaves

2008-04-20T19:00:00.000-07:00

We had the pleasure of visiting my coworker friend Bill Hargreaves and his family at their house in Santa Clara today. They have a little one-year-old girl, Zoe, who loves to play with Kaitlin (4 1/2) and Emma (2). Here's a few outtakes from our play date. Click here for the full gallery.

Zoe is unsure of us when we first arrive...

But doesn't take long to warm up...storytime!

Let the tumbling begin. Emma looks like she's doing the "downward dog" yoga pose!

Zoe always has a laugh for daddy.

Kaitlin tests her strength

Emma finds Zoe's ticklish spot.

And stretch! Someone shut off that exercise video!

Now stick to your own pile of snacks girls!

A few moments after this photo Emma decided to dump a bunch of sand on Zoe's head. Zoe didn't really seem to care, but Becky and I were mortified. We're raising a little monster!!

30th Birthday Present...Too Extravagant?

2007-05-22T16:57:00.000-07:00

Well, I turn 30 on May 28, so this is my early birthday present to myself. I know, it's a little extravagant, but what the heck, you only live once. Plus, it's a dream to load it up with the girls, put the top down, and cruise around the lake and feel the wind in your hair...

The specs: 2007 Ford Mustang GT (V8) - California Special Edition. It's loaded with over 300 horsepower and really moves...and it's a stick, of course :)

henry coe fire

2007-09-09T12:32:00.000-07:00

here's a view of the smoke from the record-setting fire burning away in henry coe state park. This is photo is taken from my car driving east on cochrane ave in morgan hill, ca.

Four Hours Without Mom

2007-09-09T13:32:00.000-07:00

Well the kids and I are officially kicked out of the house for a few hours while becky runs the open house...let's see what kind of trouble we can get into :)

"Henry Coe Fire 95 Percent Contained"

2007-09-09T16:15:00.000-07:00

I just spoke with the kind CDF guys manning the roadblock leading up to lake anderson / henry coe park - they told me the fire was 95 pct contained, which is great news! They said trees were exploding like firecracker, which sounds like a cool youtube vid!

My Wife's Pom Poms

2007-09-10T21:40:00.000-07:00

Still enjoying the niners game. Look at my wife's pompoms! Sweet!

Barnes n Noble, my Favorite Babysitter

2007-09-15T16:09:00.000-07:00

I love the kid's section at the good ol' local B'N, my kids can run around, cause a little havoc, and I don't have to scream at them 30 seconds. Cheers to the parental oasis.

Schmauch Family Shapes Up

2007-09-15T18:26:00.000-07:00

we are off for a family run on the coyote creek trail with our newly purchased double jogging stroller. If we're not back in an hour call my mommy!

Nothin like Grilled Cheese after a 40 min Run

2007-09-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

Well we made it back from our run on the trail, 40 solid minutes! Becky pushed the jogger on the way out, I got it on the way back (with the tailwind, hehe).