Jack and Cate Update -- June, 2008

Saturday, May 31, 2008

I was with my Dad when he died on May 29th -- Lisa, Jack, and Cate flew to Minneapolis two days later. This meant that we were all able to attend Courtney and Pat's wedding reception in Golden Valley. It was a big deal (Scott and Peggy hosted it at their house and they'd taken two weeks off to prepare for the event), and not even golf ball sized hail could spoil the party. Amazingly, Jack and Cate went to the garage and happily watched the wind blow and the hail fall. Not everyone was so happy, however, with all the damage to their cars including Scott's old Miata. While walking to school together in Dallas the day before, Jack told Lisa: "I can't wait to see Dad tomorrow." They were both sad and wanted us to all be together in Minnesota.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

By the time we got to the lake, it was late Saturday night. In fact, it was too late to (gasp) have dinner at Fischer's Corner Bar in Elysian. The next morning, I found Jack and Cate looking over the lake deep in conversation. Perhaps not surprisingly, I didn't take many photos during our time in Minnesota. We were busy making phone calls, planning the visitation, and getting ready for the funeral. Throughout it all, Jack and Cate were troopers.

Monday, June 9, 2008

The photo isn't so great, but I thought it succinctly captured our transition from BEA to Oracle. This is the Oracle sales kick-off for North America, and it was held in an arena in Las Vegas. It was even bigger than it looks here (I couldn't capture the upper deck), and I heard that somewhere between 8,000 and 10,000 people attended. For better or worse, we're now in a freakin' huge comapny.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Just one last example of bad iPhone photography... There are apparently benefits to working for a freakin' huge company. Elvis Costello played a long set at the Mandalay Bay "Beach" (trust me, it's Elvis Costello). It was great -- we took off our shoes, waded into the pool, and listened to the band. Modern "I can't believe we're still together" English played on a second stage. By the way, my Oracle pen from kick-off broke the first time I tried to use it. I'm trying hard not to read too much into it.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

In a special treat, Cate and Starbuck left the paddock for the first time and were allowed to roam the field.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

It was also the first time that Cate's instructor, Miss Sharon, rode during her lesson. To drive the point home, she's cleverly not shown in the photo.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Cate is quite comfortable while riding, and she's still working on her technique. When she's pulling on the reigns with all her might (or at least as strong as she dares), Starbuck sometimes still pays more attention to Sharon than Cate.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Moving into the field introduced new hazards and challenges. I'm pretty sure Starbuck wouldn't walk into a tree, but I'm pretty sure Cate doesn't know that.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Lesson completed. She seemed to enjoy it a bit, so I suppose she'll want to come back again...

Friday, June 27, 2008

At the kids' seventh birthday, Jack and Cole engaged in deep, philosophical debate. Heaven knows what they're talking about...

Friday, June 27, 2008

While Lisa and Grandma Mary Kay were getting everything ready outside for the birthday party, Jack put a note in the mailbox asking them to "Hold it down out there." Thanks for your input.

Friday, June 27, 2008

As we did last year, we rented a giaganto-water-slide for the party. Jack is always a known quantity -- he's going to fling himself down the slide a few hundred times until he's completely worn out (or we deflate the slide). Cate is always on the fence, but this year she was much more enthusiastic about the slide. Olivia, on the other hand, was less sure about the whole endeavor.

Friday, June 27, 2008

During the party, Cate explained to Grandma Irene that we didn't need a birthday cake because we had cupcakes and "all the kids will be sugared-up anyway." She's wise beyond her years.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Feet firmly on the ground, everyone is much happier. You may notice that Cate's tongue is doing a frightfully clever impersonation of a tooth.

Friday, June 27, 2008

After sitting still for a photo, I told the girls they could make funny faces to relieve any pent-up tension. You know you have two cute girls when these are the funniest faces they can make.

Friday, June 27, 2008

I hung around a bit longer to see if I could catch them in casual conversation. There are two chances to catch Cate unaware of a nearby camera: slim and none. I did much better with Miss Olivia.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Jack (with Ford and his little brother Cash) doing what he does best: talking. It's got to be the Leuchtmann in him. It was getting pretty dark, so I like that the slow shutter speed reduced his wildly gesticulating hands into a complete blur.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Turn out the lights, the party's over. They say that all good things must end. Left to right: Cole, Jack, Ford, and Cash.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Jack was anxious to show Cousin Johnny how he can ride like the wind. To join the fun, Johnny daringly used my bicycle which is obviously a couple sizes too big. I was so concerned about the bike's size that it wasn't until much later that I realized he was riding without a helmet. Now there's clearly no chance Aunt Linda will send him to Dallas and once again subject him to my "adult supervision."

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Jack and Johnny raced from the top of the street. To even their chances, Johnny stayed in the lowest gear. Not only did he lose, he was peddling so fast that I thought he might bust a gasket. Jack was so proud.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

We let Johhny shift up one gear for each race. By the third race, he was able to beat Jack to the finish line. That's when I taught Johnny how to give your defeated opponent a really thorough taunting. Good times...

Sunday, June 29, 2008

While the boys raced, Cate grabbed me and insisted I take a photo of her with her new Littlest Pet Shop Digital. Today's child apprently finds it terribly inconvenient to have their virtual pets tied to a desktop computer, so they need a mobile version for their internet-disconnected needs. With additional R&D and a commitment to innovation, experts believe kids won't need actual friends by 2012.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Johnny and the kids went to a birthday party at Pump It Up. As we left our wedding reception ten years ago, we were surprised that Big John was soaking wet, and we were convinced throughout our honeymoon that he'd fallen in one of the Dallas World Aquarium exhibits. Upon our return, it was explained that he's simply really, really sweaty. Well, I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

After a few days with Johnny, an hour of inflatable slides, and a complete lack of naps, this is the result.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

If Jack is a little low-energy, Johnny takes matters into his own hands. Literally.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

With Johnny's help, Jack executes a perfect (temporary) rebound. As a special treat, the boys and I drove the Porsche to the party.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

After the Pump It Up party, we spent the rest of the afternoon swimming at Tietze Park. (Note to self: what in the world were we thinking?!?) After a long swim with me and Johnny, Jack got elbow-deep in a bag of chips.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Leave it to a seven-year-old girl to make a new best friend within minutes of arriving. Even more impressive, she can do it with a serious case of goggle-eyes.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Johnny Schurwan, picking up chicks.