Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Santa's Workshop
Sorry, but we're all a little busy here in Santa's workshop getting ready for the Holidays. I'm putting together the now annual "year in review" picture show and it's taking up a great deal of time....what little I have. So, picture updates are few and far between.
We had a great visit from Grandma and Grandpa Cleghorn just before Thanksgiving...has it been that long already? We're looking forward to the Cheek family reunion this week where we heat the pool and defrost all the poor cold bodies from the great white north. It's quite a sight.
The boys are as excited as ever this year. They've watched Polar Express three times and rode the "Pole Ex" at Sea World with Jen's Mom and Dad. A great day that ended with a ride on the Journey to Atlantis, yes a water ride, flume or log ride to be exact. And although it's a balmy 80 here today, it was not a degree above 60 when we shot down the ramp and gallons of water spilled in our car that day. Needless to say, we didn't stop to see our picture on the way out. And doesn't it figure, the boys stayed fairly dry and Grandma got the brunt of the wave! Sorry Grandma.
The boys final hockey practice for the season is Friday. Brayden will continue with Hockey in January while Alex heads back to soccer. Don't worry, he's already informed me that he wants to get back on the ice as soon as soccer is over. Dad is encouraging this as the indoor, air conditioned skating rink (that also serves beer) is far better than the soccer field in July!
Take care and Merry Christmas to all.
We had a great visit from Grandma and Grandpa Cleghorn just before Thanksgiving...has it been that long already? We're looking forward to the Cheek family reunion this week where we heat the pool and defrost all the poor cold bodies from the great white north. It's quite a sight.
The boys are as excited as ever this year. They've watched Polar Express three times and rode the "Pole Ex" at Sea World with Jen's Mom and Dad. A great day that ended with a ride on the Journey to Atlantis, yes a water ride, flume or log ride to be exact. And although it's a balmy 80 here today, it was not a degree above 60 when we shot down the ramp and gallons of water spilled in our car that day. Needless to say, we didn't stop to see our picture on the way out. And doesn't it figure, the boys stayed fairly dry and Grandma got the brunt of the wave! Sorry Grandma.
The boys final hockey practice for the season is Friday. Brayden will continue with Hockey in January while Alex heads back to soccer. Don't worry, he's already informed me that he wants to get back on the ice as soon as soccer is over. Dad is encouraging this as the indoor, air conditioned skating rink (that also serves beer) is far better than the soccer field in July!
Take care and Merry Christmas to all.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Pictures won't be necessary
Last winter Greg and I decided that we had spent enough time on boats watching others catch sailfish. It should be out turn. So with that we studied the fish and took to the seas. Unfortunately, like any new undertaking there's much to learn, and we found ourselves empty handed at the end of the winter.....
Many people in Florida are remiss this time of year as the leaves in the NE turn and the wind turns crisp and cool. Others of us have found a replacement for leaves cool Canadian air as we eagerly anticipate the schools of mullet traveling down Florida coast. It means the Sailfish are close behind. After hearing good reports from the fleet last weekend, we made our seasons first trip on Saturday equipped with lessons from last year and determined this would be the day. We fished out of Ponce Inlet on "My Escape" a twin engine, 266 Sailfish with my good friend Greg and our buddy Cpt Fricke. The day began with high expectations as flyers were darting everywhere and birds were diving. The bite was slow, but we managed three skipjack tuna before we found our fish. They were circling a spot that gave no indication of gathering outside of a lonely bird circling overhead. No temperature changes, bait flying, weeds or color changes. Just one lonely bird. I was lucky to be on the reel for the first knockdown as it turned out to be the only hookup of the day. It wasn't much of a fight as the fish wrapped the line around his bill and made quick work of getting free. She jumped at least three times before we lost her and another two after the line broke as if to say, "nice try, rookie!". We fished that spot for another 2 hours with 6 knockdowns, but no more hookups. You read this and may think we experienced a huge disappointment. For those that wonder why anyone would spend hours trolling the open sea, reading magazines, practicing knots and rigging ballyhoo (often with little to show) those 15 seconds made up for as many trips as it took to get us to that point. For the brief moment when you get to tangle with the spindlebeak, when you set the drag, rear back and feel that fish, you find humility. You remember exactly what it is that drives you to come back again. That moment you'll have forever imprinted as a memory as fond as any others you'll share. I can only imagine what it will be like when the fish is alongside the boat and I'm holding the bill, watching the color return to the fish as it finds it's strength and swims away. I'll have a camera at the ready on that day. But for now, pictures won't be necessary.
Many people in Florida are remiss this time of year as the leaves in the NE turn and the wind turns crisp and cool. Others of us have found a replacement for leaves cool Canadian air as we eagerly anticipate the schools of mullet traveling down Florida coast. It means the Sailfish are close behind. After hearing good reports from the fleet last weekend, we made our seasons first trip on Saturday equipped with lessons from last year and determined this would be the day. We fished out of Ponce Inlet on "My Escape" a twin engine, 266 Sailfish with my good friend Greg and our buddy Cpt Fricke. The day began with high expectations as flyers were darting everywhere and birds were diving. The bite was slow, but we managed three skipjack tuna before we found our fish. They were circling a spot that gave no indication of gathering outside of a lonely bird circling overhead. No temperature changes, bait flying, weeds or color changes. Just one lonely bird. I was lucky to be on the reel for the first knockdown as it turned out to be the only hookup of the day. It wasn't much of a fight as the fish wrapped the line around his bill and made quick work of getting free. She jumped at least three times before we lost her and another two after the line broke as if to say, "nice try, rookie!". We fished that spot for another 2 hours with 6 knockdowns, but no more hookups. You read this and may think we experienced a huge disappointment. For those that wonder why anyone would spend hours trolling the open sea, reading magazines, practicing knots and rigging ballyhoo (often with little to show) those 15 seconds made up for as many trips as it took to get us to that point. For the brief moment when you get to tangle with the spindlebeak, when you set the drag, rear back and feel that fish, you find humility. You remember exactly what it is that drives you to come back again. That moment you'll have forever imprinted as a memory as fond as any others you'll share. I can only imagine what it will be like when the fish is alongside the boat and I'm holding the bill, watching the color return to the fish as it finds it's strength and swims away. I'll have a camera at the ready on that day. But for now, pictures won't be necessary.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Monday, September 08, 2008
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Hockey!
Here we go! I'll work on getting some video up later this week. It was quite a day at the rink. The boys are well on their way to becoming superstars!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
First Day of School.....again
Well, both of the boys ride the bus. It's a new phase of life here in the Cheek house. We fought hard (even took an extra week off due to a little water piling up down here), but time moves on and drags you along with it. It hasn't taken long for Brayden to get the lay of the land with older brother Alex showing him around. All in all, week one (part II) was a success.
Keep your eyes out toward the middle of the month as the boys gear up for their first Hockey practice! Yes, Florida surfer boys lace up the skates and start firing pucks starting next Friday.....if you are looking for a little comedic relief, this should fit the bill.
That's all for now.
Keep your eyes out toward the middle of the month as the boys gear up for their first Hockey practice! Yes, Florida surfer boys lace up the skates and start firing pucks starting next Friday.....if you are looking for a little comedic relief, this should fit the bill.
That's all for now.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Fay Who???
It's been a bit wet here in Brevard. At least the kids are loving it. No school for 3 days. Nice way to start the year. We'll be hating that later in the season when we have to make those days up.
Hopefully it will stop soon, the water's a bit higher than we'd like to see it. I guess when you have fish swimming down the road that a sign things are getting a little out of hand. Patrick Air Base is about 3 miles from the house and I believe they are reporting 22" in the last 24hours. WOW.
Hopefully it will stop soon, the water's a bit higher than we'd like to see it. I guess when you have fish swimming down the road that a sign things are getting a little out of hand. Patrick Air Base is about 3 miles from the house and I believe they are reporting 22" in the last 24hours. WOW.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Monday, August 04, 2008
Shamu Rocks!
Even after 3 hours of intense rain, we still managed to have a good time watching Shamu rain55 degree saltwater on everyone in the Splash Zone. Alway a good time at Sea World.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Christmas in July
We won't miss a thing in the Olympics this year. Not one grain of sand in beach volleyball......or anything else ;)
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Father's Day (actually...the day before)
Thanks to my buddy Greg for letting me fill the boat with neighbors Rich and Dick on Sat before Father's day. Great trip and a great day. Boat records set for Red Snapper, Grouper and Trigger Fish and Barracuda..not bad.
NOTE: 1/2 of a 25# Red Snapper will feed 7 adults and 2 children with a little left over...what a pig. And for those of you out there that like to cook, don't miss the cheek meat on these large fish. You can carve a medallion out from under that eye. Best tasting fish you've ever eaten!
NOTE: 1/2 of a 25# Red Snapper will feed 7 adults and 2 children with a little left over...what a pig. And for those of you out there that like to cook, don't miss the cheek meat on these large fish. You can carve a medallion out from under that eye. Best tasting fish you've ever eaten!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Soccer Finale
Another season in the books. I think this will mark my last as a coach. The role has evolved from babysitting to actually teaching the kids something about soccer. I am no longer qualified! Alex had many improvements over the season and is excited about playing again in the fall. Of course, that was after the pizza party and trophy presentation, by far the part of the season Alex like best!
Ahhh The night life. Melbounre has it all...
Worked hard to get a decent pic of the pool at night. I'm not camera savvy and moving off of the "auto" setting is a challenge. Regardless, we're enjoying the view.
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