Kool Kid

Kool Kid
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

While we were in Florida Michael acquired most of the final pieces to his "Kool Kid" costume. Yes, you read correctly, instead of buying something off the rack or imitating someone else's hero, Michael is going as his own creation for Halloween. I guess you could say he is proud of it. Since he has shared the material with his classmates they will be able to identify him, but heaven help those people on Halloween night; they had a hard enough time with Han Solo and Chewbacca last year!
RAP (10.30.2007)

Cockpit

Cockpit
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

By the time you get these postcards you have already seen the pictures, and have been able to infer what is going on in them. So, my purpose in sending these is to be Paul Harvey and share "the rest of the story." As we left Florida the crew of the plane did something I had not seen in a long time; they allowed Michael and Alex all the way in the cockpit to hang out with pilots. I did not think they allowed this since Sept. 11th, but I am glad that they did, because the boys loved it.
RAP (10.29.2007)

Hanging Out

Hanging Out
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

A side effect of having a cell phone seems to be that, occasionally, I am forgetting to take the camera with me. It weighs about the same and also goes on my belt, so subconsciously I think I have it, but when I want to use it, it is not there. Case in point, recently we went to Lincoln Ave in South Beach for dinner. We always have a great time there getting dinner, sorbet and visiting a particular bookstore. This visit the kids had a great time running around on a grass island with a gaggle of kids running between two bases, playing tag with huge smiles on their faces; I wish I could have captured it with a picture.
RAP (10.26.2007)

Beach Boys

Beach Boys
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Our trip to Fort Lauderdale went well. We visited the old ladies each day, but also had time for recreation. Alex vomited each day, but then felt immediately better. We thought it was food poisoning or motion sickness, but as we landed in Columbus (at 2am in the morning) Michael vomited. We kept him away from the elderly as a precaution, keeping him outside or even in the corner whenever we visited and now that Michael caught it I am glad that we did. Despite their sickness the boys had a great time. RAP (10.25.2007)

Blow Out the Candles

Blow Out the Candles
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Michael is now 10; I have been calling him a two digit midget, but he prefers the term "pre-teen." I think everything about his birthday went very well; the party, the cookies at school and the opening of present birthday morning all were perfect. One funny thing is, he was worried about being too grateful, because admitting that he wanted "x" makes him greedy. I told him it was OK, but it is nice to have such a good boy! RAP (10.22.2007)

Center of Attention

Center of Attention
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Michael's birthday party was a success this year. We took him and his friends to Dave and Busters in Hilliard; it ended up costing more than we would have guessed, because every single child invited came. In fact two sets of them are in boy scouts, and their dads were the troupe leaders, but they came (their dads could not because they were leading the rest of the troupe). This is a great indicator of Michael's social growth, and as such we were happy to cover it the additional cost.
RAP (10.18.2007)

Alicia & Ed

Choice 3
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Thank you for inviting us and making us part of your wedding; we had a wonderful time and enjoyed all of your wonderful friends. In particular we loved Candace, and were very impressed with Walter's toast. With a guest list as large as yours you would expect it to be filled with extras, but all your friends seem to have star power. Alcia, as cliched as it sounds, you appeared to be queen for a day; regal in every way. It was truly your day. Thank you for having us, and congratulations on a wondeful start to your new lives!
RAP (10.17.2007)

Breakfast Of Champions

Breakfast Of Champions
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

While we were in L.A. for Alicia's wedding this past weekend Billy, Wendy and Jake watched Michael and Alex. Bill's car broke down on the way to Columbus Friday, but it was repaired by the time he returned Monday. We did not get to see Wendy, but Jens and I enjoyed Bill's and Jake's company early Monday. He was a happy boy and in good spirits; you can always count of Jake for a nice smiley picture. :)
RAP(10.17.2007)

Scene Stealer

Scene Stealer
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Since we were part of the ceremony, Jens and I sat in the staging area off to the left and did not have the best view of the wedding; people frequently walked in front of us and the angle was awkward. However, the silver lining to these seats is we had a wonderful view of Vinnie's escapades. I don't know if you could witness it from where you were, but like any 1 year old, he thought he owned the place. He would walk in front of the ceremony, the walk back. Maybe have a seat, maybe take a nap. It was great. To be young and carefree!
RAP (10.17.2007)

Patton, Alex Patton

Patton, Alex Patton
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Alex has been much more physically active lately. In addition to his football games, he likes to race the bus in the morning; there is one that goes down our street before Michael and Alex's arrives. Alex sprints down the street, racing it all the way. One morning his bus arrived while he was racing the other and so he had to sprint all the way back! On a goofier note, we were walking through Whole Foods and Alexander dipped his fingers in the wine chiller. He pulled his hand out and used the water to bless himself. RAP (10.11.2007)

Veni Vici Vidi

Veni Vici Vidi
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Sunday we made our annual trip to Lynds' Fruit Farm. Due to the atypical weather in the spring, the apples throughout Ohio were not their typical quality. However, the pumpkin crop, we have been told, was the best it had been in years. For being the third weekend of picking, the pumpkins were amazing; there were great ones no matter where your eyes gazed. We arrived before noon to avoid the heat, but it was still really hot, so we did not stay as long as we usually do. We were there long enough to get our pumpkins, Jenny got her gourds and hay, and the boys say that food comes from the ground as opposed to the supermarket. RAP (10.10.2007)

Rock And Roll

Rock And Roll
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Saturday night was the annual Eli Pinney Elementary Fall Festival; this year it was held at a farm about 10 miles north of our house. The drive was pleasant and it took us through the small hamlet of Ostrander. I had never seen it before, and it had some charm. At the festival there were many activities that the boys enjoyed: pedal carts, zip lines, corn mazes, animals and the barrel roll. The fun was in the early evening so we missed the ending of the Texas Oklahoma game, but we made it home by 8 to witness the Buckeye domination of the Boilermakers.
RAP (10.9.2007)

Tie Guys

Tie Guys
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Jenny took a lot of pictures in New Orleans, and in most of the images Joey looks like Joey. However, there was one, in which he was in a white polo feeding Molly, where he strongly resembled Joe. I should bolstere that argument by having that photo on this postcard, but I like this shot so much better. Plus, it illustrates half my argument; the half where I say Joey looks like ... well, Joey, most of the time. RAP (10.8.2007)

Goodbye

Goodbye
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

I sent Kressi several things for her birthday, among them a candle set, so nothing you give her will hold a candle to my gifts! Furthermore, it appears that she has started collecting candles (I guess it is replacing spoons), because she refuses to light them because it will ruin them. So, for now on, each gift giving occasion I suggest we should find a new candle for her collection. Soon, she could be the Candle Queen of Colorado. RAP (10.8.2007)

Gigglepuss

Gigglepuss
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

I am sorry it took so long for me to get the pictures of your trip downloaded. We were busy with Alex's movie and my project. They were good pictures and most of them were of Jake. I think I have more pictures of him this year than Bill does; we have been seeing the little guy about once a month.

Jake continues to grow and continues to be a happy child. He did well as always. In his world he is the center of universe, and it will be interesting to see how he handles his sharing some of that attention with his little sister.

RAP (10.5.2007)

Molly

Molly
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Jenny adored seeing Molly in New Orleans; she really charmed her. Looking at her, and the boys, it is clear that Joe Gorman's hair genes are particularly dominant, as all his grandkids seem to have his hair. As she gets older it will be interesting to see what other features of hers that we can trace. When Skybus opened up their Gulfport route we jumped on it; soon the boys and I will see her hair for ourselves. RAP (10.5.2007)

Gameboy

Gameboy
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Alex has been football crazy lately. He has been taking his nerf football to school and plays a pickup game during recess almost every day. During Michael's soccer game, he had me throw him passes the entire time and would run for a touchdown each catch. All this effort from a kid who is supposedly lazy. Next year, we will move our August trip to July so that Alex can try the real thing.
RAP (10.2.2007)
[WRONG PICTURE]