Climing a tree outside of our Hotel California

We'll miss you.

Photo from Jan. 29, 2006. Erik, Grandpa and Grant. We always provided a concert to our grandfather. May he rest in peace. We'll miss you.

School Concert solo

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Playing "Joy To The World" at Christmas Eve Service

Watch and hear Erik, Grant, Phillip, Tess and Marina (left to right) at Christmas Eve service, December 2006.

Kevin Matthews - KevHead.Com University of Stupidity

Today I introduced my 9 year old to Kevin Mathews. He just turned 9 and is now of age to understand the humor, I hope. And, Erik has AM swim practices on many days and is taken to school by my wife. So, in the mornings, Grant and I are home alone. Now we'll be in the habit of being with Kevin and Jim Shorts and the weather from Michigan. Kevin Matthews - KevHead.Com University of Stupidity Fat Ass Looses Her Dog


Posting a lost puppy sign.

I wish Kevin had some podcasts. Oh well. We can listen to the live stream.

Coaches

Thumbs up... Swim practice at Carlynton High School.

This is a test of the new web writting software.

Hope it works well.

Ta.

Swimming is such a clean sport. G and a buddie from NA's team. They guys hang together, a bit, at meets in the summer and here at South Fayette.

Ohio River looking upstream under the West End Bridge to the Golden Triangle,

Before the 2.5 mile swim. Grant is in the middle of a pack of girls.

These are hard days. Grandpa's health isn't doing that well. We all worry, call, and send cards. We hope you get well soon Grandpa. We're thinking of you.

Peek a boo.

Thumb up.

Ready for a story from Ryan as we went on a five-star camping and canoe trip for three days and two nights.

Feet deep in fast water...

Sunset in Canada -- Grant and Mark

Just getting my photos in order and this one said -- post me next! The sunsets in Canada's Camp Chikopi were fantastic.

Behind the Waterfall

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Waterfall in Canada, and Grant comes out from the air pocket behind the water.

Grant swims to the end of 2.5 mile open water race

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In the water at the 2.5 mile swim.

Grant: Holder of TWO team records at Crafton

Grant is the holder of the 25 fly and the 25 breast team records for Crafton!

Team Record Holder, Grant Rauterkus, 8 & under 25 Fly = 20.78

Team Record Holder, Grant Rauterkus, 8 & under 25 Breast, 25.04

Froggy Frollics is tonight. It is a fun time at the swim pool for the swim team. These guys will be there to collect their milkshakes.

Road trip expected

Grant and Pop Pop.

Cool Stuff Being Made: How Baseball Bats Are Made

Cool Stuff Being Made: How Baseball Bats Are Made

In a hotel swim pool in Hong Kong, 6-6-2004.

Erik and Grant going to PNC Park to see the Langley High School Mustangs win the City League Baseball Championship game, May, 2006. Dad was happy as there was free parking that afternoon.

Grant's class went to Heinz Hall on a field trip to hear the Pgh Symphony. I went too. Then that night there was a violin lesson -- as with most Tuesdays with Jennifer, our violin instructor. She also teaches the son of the Symphony's conductor. The photo was NOT from the field trip -- but of a Christmas Concert at PPG's Winter Garden before Christmas.

In Maine.

Skating at RMU's Island Sports Center on New Year's Eve.

Grandparents get to watch our violin concert.

Halloween Party at Phillips with classmate.

I can ruffle feathers with the best of them.

Ocean Park Hangout

  

Grant learned a good bit about swimming while at the Carnegie Library of Homestead pool. 

Flashback quiz: Not a rat. Not a racoon. What is it? 

Guess where we are. Hint: We are watching a sporting event.

My dad took this photo and took us to this place.
Flashback: Mark Rauterkus took the photo. Question: Where are we? 

That's James in the middle.

The Cabela's store was massive. An elephant was in this scene. We took a break from the car to visit -- and didn't buy a thing. 

Surfers

Jim and Grant in Maine's beach -- after surfing.

First day of school -- 2005-06

First day of school in our last "gravy year." Grant is headed to 2nd grade and Erik to 5th. Both go to the SAME School, Phillips Elem. on the South Side.

In Maine. August 24, 2005. We learned to surf today.

Erik and Grant on a floating pad at the Somerset swim pool. We learned to surf on real surf boards this summer -- but didn't get to do that with two people on the same board. 

Pitt Captains Darryl Washington and Jason Miller with Erik and Grant

Jason Miller, (Green Tree's coach in the summer of 2005), Darryl Washington, Grant and Erik after finals at the USA Swimming Championships.  

At the swim pool in Yorba Linda, Calif. Dennis took us to his parents' home. 

Ding Dong and Grant

This is my friend, Ding Dong. We visited the Panda Reserve together.