Due to recent pool problems and class cancelations, my parents’ dream of being certified by the time they head to Hawaii was in jeopardy!  Thankfully, Dad’s cousin Jim was nice enough to allow my parents and Mike to his beautiful SALTWATER pool for a class.  When I heard of this news, I hopped in the car and headed over there for some photos.  It was so worth it!  Here’s a recap of that class…..

Gearing up!  We were watching the weather closely because there were scattered storms tonight and diving isn’t allowed during lightening.

Mom getting ready with that mask.

Rich, Mike, and Denise in the pool and ready to start the lesson.

This is how you are supposed to get into the water from the back of a boat.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

There was some more playing with the mask

Getting regulated….

And then THIS was all that I saw for 45 minutes!

Jim lit a fire in their awesome natural gas fire pit.

The gas burns below this shiny blue glass, SO COOL!

I did get to see them swim around a little, but mostly they were at the bottom of the pool practicing emergency situations.  When you are deep underwater, that oxygen tank is your lifeline.

Mom taking a break.  “Breathing is hard work” she says.

After the dive, everyone was having a great time.  This is Dad’s face when he is really having fun and enjoying himself.  Makes me smile to see this!

Rich, Denise, and Instructor Mike

Then this party crasher (its ok, he lives here) jumped into things.  I think Mike was doing some recruiting for future divers.

I love that left foot in this photo.

Finally, some heavy and wet gear.

It was really fun to watch my parents do this.  Luckily, I was also taken to dinner for my photographic efforts.  Have fun in Hawaii, Mom and Dad!

Next we crashed the Paull’s picnic and hung out late into the night. Erin Paull, so pretty.

We had such a great time and I got to meet some of her family including Elizabeth (right) who is in Erin’s wedding.

After sunset. This is JP on the right.

Happy fireworks!

Grandma in her apartment on May 23, 2009, age 91.

Me (Rainbow Brite…”Rainbow Randi”), Bill Dembski, Mary Dembski, and Nicki (chubby skeleton) at Halloween 1985.

We will miss you.

Shopping at UNIQLO

Waiting for Jenn Pazdon in the street

Paz on the phone.

This radio belongs to Jenn’s new roommate, Marshall. Its an awesome Lasonic shoulder-style old school boombox….except it hold an ipod instead of a cassette tape. Neat.

Jenn checking her phone in some bar. It was super dark.

Jenn and I in a bathroom in a bar after we met Janna. Fun.

Thanks to Erin for letting me come on her trip and Nina for putting me up! And Kent, Stephanie, and Josh for lunch. And Jenn for nighttime fun!

Here we are in the car on our drive here.

Nina is kind enough to host us at her apartment. Here is the view from her living room (same view from our guest room).

Self portrait after dinner while Erin and Nina were philosophizing over the laptops.

More philosophizing among Hirschfeld…”margaritas, margaritas”

See you tomorrow…

Krissy made this beautiful cake

We played the TP wedding dress game. Check out this hotness.

And the winner is everyone! ….Alice, Leigh Ann, Sara, Liz, and Randi. I look more giant than usual. Leigh Ann’s wedding is August 1, 2009 and I bet her dress looks just like this.

Sara was so much fun when she was opening her gifts.

Cheryl toasting her daughter

Johanna, Alice, Cheryl, and Sara

Sara and Randi-yay!

What a great end to a great weekend!

Sara thought she was going on a run with Catriona and Krissy, but the Shannon, Jamie, and Kelly also arrived. Note that Sara is airborne–this will happen a lot today.

Sara said “Oh this is so cool, we should have made t-shirts.” Just then, Catriona pulled out the “TEAM SARA” t-shirts. So happy!

Krissy and Sara walking before the run.

The first of many high-fives that will happen today.

Sara and the flying-V crossing the finish line after a 3-mile run.

Yay! My favorite shot of the morning. I love everyone in the background with very happy faces.

Sara reading her finish-line love letter from Nigel. Nigel is in Wales right now visiting family and having a “stag-do” (aka bachelor party).

Sara and Team Sara after the run. Kelly and I had a team Sara rest-on-the-bench while the other ladies went for a run. Someone had to handle the finish line!

Our next adventure started at 11am! We surprised Sara with a limo!!! The limo came to Sara’s house to take us away for wine tasting at a Hillsborough. Catriona bought Sara this awesome cowboy hat and a box of fun.

Bride-to-be glass

Everyone is already having a great time with Miss Piggy.

Here is Hillsborough. I took an image VERY SIMILAR to this one 3 years ago. Really, its almost the same image, but different weather.

Our picnic lunch. Obviously, we are having a really rough day.

Sara and Johanna. Best friends since age 3.

Group shot (with Baby Noah) by our limo driver, JC. There were a lot of guest photographers today.

Now we are at a Notaviva. The owner, Steve, is telling us how he and his wife visited a vineyard on a Friday and bought a farm 9 days later. Living the dream!

Krissy, Sara, and Randi

Krissy is the GOAT (Greatest of All Time)

Still the greatest….

Dancing. There was music, but not really the kind of music that could inspire these awesome moves.

The compass. The theme/symbol for Sara and Nigel’s wedding.

Group shot at Notaviva.

Now its party time! We headed back to Krissy’s for Fulton Fajitas (prepared by Jon Fulton–yay Jon)!

Nice.

Classy.

How did I do this?

This may replace the shot of Sara running as my favorite of the day. Johanna’s hair is awesome. Please note that Johanna is the mother of two wonderful girls.

Microphones.

Seriously, it WAS this much fun!

Best.day.ever.
We love you, Sara!!!!!

Notice the pink and blue t-shirts with the awesome design by Nicki.

Nice socks!

Jacked up.

Jacked up again.

Uncle Ray on the run

Sweet D scores

Guido’s injury

My touchdown catch (even though its out of focus)

Have you guys considered modeling?

Sisters hug!

Happy Easter!

Ryan said “Rich, what would you do if the pain-medicine-machine beeped, but it was a placebo, and nothing came out.” Dad said “I’d be pissed.” He’s funny when he’s drugged!

Here is part of that magic machine.

Hopefully he’ll be home soon.

Here’s our spread. I had to photograph it because we live in Pittsburgh and that is what we do.

MMMMmmmm spinach and artichoke tortellini salad.

Here is a profile view of mom-to-be, Carla. I like how her belly contrasts with the damask chair.

Everyone at the party made a small ornament for Carla’s new baby.

I made this one!

Jennifer Schafer

Rebecca Mizikar

And Goodnight!

Ryan in the park.

It might look kinda sad, but I like it. I didn’t feel sad at all. I love the sharpness of my eyes.

The end of the game!

Big League Chew Victory!

LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
Six-burgh….

Randi and Nicki:

SB Team visits the Waterfront. Here we are at Macy’s (no shirts left at Dick’s Sporting Goods) wearing our Super Bowl XLIII Champion Tshirts. This is the second Tshirt that everyone in Pittsburgh Owns – the first shirt is the Super Bowl XL Champion Tshirts.

Above: Teresa, Nicki, Ryan, Denise, Mark, Randi, Richbr /WOOOOHHOOOOWOWOWOWOOOOOO!!!

Not only a talented stylist, Bonnie is a children’s photographer. You can visit her site, Raspberry Photography here. Raspberry Photography

Photo credits for this session belong to Ryan Voss. Here he is.