Rocket Launch (2)

Thanks for our B-day presents last year! We put them together this winter and the spring winds finally slowed enough for a good launch. We can't wait for our next adventure!

Rocket Launch

I want my Mahi!

Back on the Bike....

Delivery of the new Trek 2.1 on Tuesday next week. Psyched.....

The Cheeks Invade Hogwarts

Alex's first Trip Offshore

Special thanks to Cpt. Brian for giving Alex a spot on the boat Saturday. Everyone will be happy to know that we practiced safety first with Alex's new self inflating life vest

Alex took over at the helm, attentively watching the depth finder to locate the fish that Dad couldn't find (no shocker there!)
Alex meets his goal of catching his first shark
The Shark wasn't ready to give up the fight...
The shark was happy to swim away to fight another day and Alex slept all the way home.

Cheek Family Video 2010

Christmas

Great week in Ft. Wayne with the family.

Mickey's Magical Christmas

Yes, we even needed winter coats! What a great night.

Back in the Saddle

Note to my boys....Dad's fish eat your fish for bait and after a long hot summer, we're back in action. Don't let those little trout and redfish go to your head! This 35# wahoo was dinner less than 4 hours after being pulled from the ocean. Great Columbus Day on the water with Brian and Greg.

Brayden's Catch

After using some strong coercion to get Brayden on the boat with us yesterday, he managed to reel in the catch of the day. The boys and I enjoyed a "Fall" day on the IRL. To us that means a slight chill in the air as we get up to speed on the boat at sunrise, a sun at midday that doesn't force you into the water for relief, enjoying the beauty of the first light on the river without getting up at 3am, and active fish that are eager to eat. To those that can't live without apple picking and colorful trees, we concede, your "Fall" has is moments, but we're very happy to borrow your sweaters and bushel baskets when we visit.....we know what's coming.

Visit to "Sam's Island"

We missed the island's namesake as the Cheek family headed out on the boat for our fall excursion to spend the day on the spoil islands in the IRL. Everyone enjoyed the day once we found a "bug-free" spot to enjoy lunch and swim. Maybe we'll get Samantha back next summer and we can visit with everyone again.

Coastal Charities Fishing Tournament

Great Year again! We increased participation in a year when most tournaments are down, we gave away thousands of dollars in prizes and food including two new kayaks from Hobie and Malibu. We netted over $7,000 for the charity and we're planning to run a week long paddle and fishing day camp in the summer of 2011 to introduce kids to kayaking and the Indian River Lagoon. Special thanks to all our followers that supported us again in 2010. Phew....now I can get back to work on planning for 2011.

Spinning

The weeks before the Coastal Charities Kayak tournament were fairly work intensive, leaving the boys to fend for themselves on many Saturday mornings....They discovered Dizziness....

Frog Log Dominance

Since the first week of school, Brayden has been talking about his "Frog Log" and how he gets to keep the Frog Log if he reads the most in his class. The boy sets his mind to something and it's game over.

Each little frog sticker is an hour of reading.....I imagine there are some choice words being shared at lunch over strawberry milk and fruit roll-ups about "that Brayden kid". The kid just loves books...thanks Aunt Lauren. Way to go Brayden! By the way...that's just 2 full weeks of Frog Logging if you're doing the math.

You should have seen the one that got away!

Yet again, Alex outfishes Dad. We missed a particularly large Snook in the early am that would have completed the slam today. I did account for a solid 18" in trout, but Alex took the prize as he hooked the Snook and the Red. He fought the Snook like a champ, but the fish won the day. By the size of that fish, it wasn't his first rodeo, unfortunately for Alex, it was his. This nice fat redfish will be blackened for the dinner table tonight.

Surf Fishing

The boys and I spent 7 hours a the beach yesterday! Perfect day with a nice sea breeze keeping everything cool. We started the day fishing and ended playing in the surf with some great friends. Alex caught his first Jack Crevalle, a tough fighting fish that can grow to well over 40lbs. Don't overlook this little one's size, JCs are some of the hardest fighting fish in the ocean. A larger one kept me on my kayak for well over an hour one day before I could bring him to the boat. This one took a live white bait (ocean minnow, so to speak). There's a little finesse in casting light tackle in the surf, and while Alex didn't cast this time, he did bait the hook, set the hook and fight the fish back to shore. Enjoy...

First Day of School

G&G Cheek's Visit to Melbourne

Visit to Cold Stone Creamery....


Sunrise over the Shuttle Assembly Building with Grandpa, Alex and Dad
Chuck-E-Cheese with Grandma
Pool Volleyball, "Grandparent-style"

Alex wins again.....

Great day on the water with Dad and Alex....of course Alex get's the winning fish. No help from me on this one. He's baiting the hook, casting the lure, setting the hook and bringing the fish to the boat. In this case, the last of those tasks was the most difficult as this particular gaff-top was not the least bit interested in the seeing the inside of the boat. The kid's got a knack for it!