Fall Fun

While Vince attended a conference in Switzerland, Oscar and I enjoyed the fall weather in Minnesota.

Here are a few highlights from our trip.

Little Pumpkin (courtesy of Grandma Gayle)

Maddie, Scarlett, Oscar, and Birk

raced down the streets of Minneapolis.

Oscar and Scarlett were quite cozy.

We even caught them holding hands ;)

Oscar basked in grandparent love the entire trip.

(Grandpa Jeff put up a swing for O on his back porch)

Oma taught Oscar how to drive her John Deere tractor.

Riding behind a much larger tractor with both grandmas at

Pine Tree Apple Orchard.

"Look at the size of those tractor wheels!"

Playing in the leaves with Oma.

A Trip to Santa Cruz

A month ago, Vince gave me the best birthday present, a future trip to Santa Cruz (home to some of my favorite surf spots). We decided to go this past weekend and we had an awesome time. We stayed at the Dream Inn located right on Cowell's beach (where the crowded surf line-up looks a bit like a seal rookery).

Oscar loved the beach and the ocean. He squealed with delight every time a wave rushed over his toes.

Vince and O had a fun time walking on the beach, flying kites, and building sand castles.

I think this little grom may grow up to be quite a waterman! The waves were perfect that day. After not surfing for over a year, it was great to be back in the ocean. A sea otter popped up about five feet from me and I watched him snack on a clam.

O holds on tight as mom runs through the waves.

Listening to the sea lions bark under the pier.

O played in the sand for hours.

On our drive home, we stopped at our favorite BBQ joint.

Gorilla BBQ was recently featured on Food Network's

Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.

A Day at the Beach

The weather has been amazing in SF this past week.

The sun has been shining for days! We decided to take a trip to the beach. Oscar enjoyed the sand, the water, and views of the Golden Gate Bridge. In fact, he liked the sand so much he decided to taste some while I took this photo.

Lil' Oscar

Lil' Oscar is not so little anymore. Our big man is 9 months old today!

The Best of the Midwest

(Oscar enjoyed the sunset at Uncle Tom and Auntie Roxie's lake cabin)

I just realized it has been nearly a month since we posted any photos. We have been too busy enjoying these endless summer days. We spent the last few weeks visiting family and friends in Minnesota and Wisconsin. We are still downloading all of the photos from the trip and will post a slideshow when we are done.

Crawling

Oscar is learning to crawl!

Hats in July? San Francisco summers are chilly and foggy.

Blueberry Mustache

Oscar enjoyed his first blueberries from the farmer's market.

His mom now understands why you can't find blueberry baby food in stores.

Relaxin' in the Hammock

On the 4th of July, Oscar relaxed in a hammock

in Justin & Lauren's back yard.

Happy 35th Birthday Vince!

Oscar surprised his dad with a giant

oatmeal & golden raisin birthday cookie.

Like any good baker, O wanted to taste his work.

To his disappointment, cookies are not a first food for babies.

Dad hypocritically explained that "cookies are a sometimes food"

(Cookie Monster Video)

Havin' as swingin' time

Our "little" man is growing up so fast.

Here are few new things he loves to do...

sticking out his tongue,

clapping,

swinging while sticking out his tongue and clapping.

Watching the tropical fish at the California Academy of Sciences.

We have a membership and live only 4 blocks away, so we visit the ocean creatures frequently.

We also went swimming for the first time at a local public pool.

(Sorry, not allowed to take photos at the pool)

He loves the water and playfully flirts with the little girls.

Oscar's TV face

Here's Oscar watching some old-school Sesame Street.  We think he's left his Dennis Franz phase and is now entering an Archie Bunker phase....

Bette's and the Beach

To celebrate Father's Day, Oscar took his dad out for breakfast at his favorite diner in Berkeley. Bette's Oceanview Diner

Later that day, the Voelz boys dipped their feet in the ocean and played in the sand at Baker Beach.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day Vince!

Oscar is lucky to have such a wonderful papa.

7 months ago you became a dad. It has been so fun watching you two.

O and I love you very much. -K

sans bib

Oscar likes his sweet potato.

Macky The Cat

Oscar alternates between picking the grass and picking on Macky (Auntie Barbie's cat).