Thursday, December 31, 2009

Icy New Years Eve


Woke up to a bunch of ice on the trees, cars and road this morning. It's all better now but made for some lovely ice laden trees. The kids are off again today so I stayed home and worked while the boys spend hours on the Wii and Xbox. Probably too much time but I had things to do to close out the year. I think it's time to take them out and buy them some new bikes.
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Friday, December 25, 2009

Favre and Harvin


Favre and Harvin
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The boys got new Vikings jerseys and track suits to really get their
inner purple power going. We all had a nice Christmas day with a bunch
of new snow and a trip back to the sledding hill. The boys said they
heard Santa last night. They are already planning on what they want
from him next year.

Merry Christmas


Did the crazed present opening session with these four last night and then santa showed up so the boys had more to open this morning. It's still snowing this morning and is suppose to snow all day. That won't stop us from going to the sledding hill a little bit later. Should be some good powder.
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Thursday, December 24, 2009

Sledding Fun


Sledding Fun
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Got out to the big hill today for two hours. It was 32 degrees and
snowing the whole time. Very pretty and not at all cold. Christmas
cheer now, then the child present ripping apart will begin.

Twas the day before Xmas


Twas the day before Xmas
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

And the first six of some twenty inches of snow has fallen on a decent
base of the white stuff to begin with. Off to sled at Orono Golf
Course before the heavy stuff starts coming down.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Snowapallooza 2009


Tons of snow but we are all shoveled out and waiting for the plows. Here are some pictures from the last couple days.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157622913012017/
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That's Some Snow


More shoveling on tap today. Did the driveway twice yesterday and I'm sure we have another 4 or 5 inches on it again. No snow plow yet and I imagine, it will be a while.
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Saturday, December 19, 2009

The Weatherman didn't disapoint


I don't think we will be in the catastrophic 20 inch range but it's already 8 or 9 with some hours left of this storm. Time to get outside and throw some snowballs as the boys.
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Friday, December 18, 2009

The Eighth Night


Burning all the candles before the big snow. I have a whole slew of lego contraptions to assemble this weekend from the eight nights of presents and goodies. They will be getting tons more stuff in just a few days when old St. Nick comes a callin but it looks like the bikes we are getting them will have to wait till the snow melts. Which, probably won't be that long.
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This looks even more promising


If not a little scary. We could be snowed in for days if the 14-22 line moves a few miles north. Virginia doesn't have enough snow plows. I've got firewood, movies, cheese puffs and wine. Let it snow.
This looks Promising


It looks like the plan to go out and get the boys new bikes for Christmaka will be on hold this weekend. Shoveling and fire staring will be on the agenda it appears. This is all suppose to fall by Saturday night so hopefully, not getting in the way of Christmas travel plans. DC has not had this much snow in many years, the kids were less than one the last time we had as much as they are predicting. Should be fun.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Cast Free


Cast Free
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Sam got his cast off today but was very upset to learn he can't play
basketball for two more weeks. He cried most of the way home and also
came to the realization that he really shouldn't go to the gym during
after school care either. Dylan piped up at that point and said, "I
won't go to the gym either, I love you Sam, more than the gym". It's
nice to have the cast off but I guess the doctor wants to ease back
into the full contact 7 year life style. He'll be ready for sleding
next week.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Happy Hanukah

The first of 8 crazy nights. I got me some sweet Viking pajama bottoms and I'm not even Jewish. I heart pajamas and the whole casual pants catagory.
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National Yule Log

Driving in to work this week like usual, brings me past Presidents Park, which is right behind the White house. This is the home of the vary large and gaudy National Christmas Tree and the yes, you guessed it, the National Yule Log. It's really just a big fire pit with some rather large logs burning 24x7 for most of December that the Park Service added to the National Christmas Tree area in Presidents Park in the recent past. The problem I'm having is that when I get to that spot on 15th street where I get a big whiff of the burning wood, I want to turn around and light a fire in my fireplace instead of continuing on to work.

It's pretty cold in these parts today and I will head home in a few hour and get that fireplace blazing. I wonder if I can get one installed in my office?

Monday, December 07, 2009

New Fairfax County Cemetery Database

For those of you that have been to our house, this cemetery is right behind us and the one below is a little three stone plot right off Telegraph road. I really didn't have the full story on either but now with the new database, I have most of the story.

ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH - SHARON CHAPEL


The first church was built here in 1848 as a mission of the Virginia Theological Seminary. That building burned in 1864, the same year that SAMUEL and THOMAS PULMAN became the first members buried in the cemetery. The third building was erected in 1903 and used until the congregation was combined with St. Marks Episcopal Church and the church closed in 1955. In 1959 Sharon Chapel reopened as a mission of the Diocese of Virginia. The current church was built in 1961. The congregation became a Parish in 1974 and the current name adopted.



Pullman/Struder Family Cemetery

5918 Telegraph Rd., Franconia, Va.

This small cemetery is on a triangular shaped lot and contains an undetermined number of burials. A 10' x 20' brick border has been installed around the three existing headstones and one marble corner marker. Daffodils and annuals have been planted inside the border. All three headstones have been broken in half. The cemetery is clean and well maintained.


(1)
IN LOVING REMEMBRANCE OF OUR
DEAR MOTHER
ADELIA STRUDER
BORN
JUNE 22, 1842
DIED DEC. 17, 1911
May she rest in peace.
f.s. "A. S."

(2)
....
SEPT. 8, ----
DIED FEB. 28, 1906
May he rest in peace.
f.s. "V. S."

(Top half of stone missing)

(3)
MARTHA ROSEANNA
DAUGHTER OF
VICTOR & ADELIA
STRUDER
BORN AUG. 8, 1860
DIED APRIL 2, 1899
At rest
f.s.

Saturday, December 05, 2009

First Basketball Game


First Basketball Game
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Getting warmed up for some basketball action. This is a little painful
to watch.

Got the tree


Got the tree
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Went out this morning as the cold rain was turning to a wet snow and
picked out our 2009 Christmas tree. Going to let it dry in the
screened porch while we go to the boys first basketball game. Yes, the
7 year old terrepins are taking in some other team in the first rugby/
basketball game of the season.

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Terra Cotta Warriors


Terra Cotta Warriors
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The whole wso staff went next store to the National Geographic to see
the Terra Cotta army. It is worth a trip if your in town in the next
few months. It's not a huge exhibit but tells a great story of china
more than 2000 years ago and has a couple dozen warriors from the
excavation pits in xig.

Check it out online here.
www.nationalgeographic.com/terracottawarriors/

Monday, November 30, 2009

Thanksgiving Photo's and Recap


We really did have a good time in New York last week, even with the 7 hour trip home. We packed a ton of stuff into five days and they boys didn't want to leave on Saturday morning. I didn't get any pictures but the boys went to the samurai exhibit at the MET on Tuesday and then we walked the Brooklyn Bridge before Nicole and I saw Finian's Rainbow with Adam and Emmy while the boys and grandparents went to the Incredible Mr. Fox. On Wednesday we saw Shrek the Musical, which the boys loved. Thursday morning we went up to the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx where we saw the holiday train display. The US Botanic Garden has a holiday train display with DC buildings that we have visited a couple times over the years but this one was all New York buildings.

On Friday we took the boys to the Intrepid Aircraft Carrier Museum on the Hudson. We went there back when the boys were about 3 but they had forgotten completely that they had been there before. We also decorated Adam's first ever Christmas Tree which was fun. It was also nice to hang out with Linda, Gil, Adam, Elaine and Emmy. Not to mention Emmy's dog Cinnamon, with whom Sam really bonded. Well, it was either the dog or Emmy herself that kept Sam begging to take the dog out for walks. I think he had a crush on the girl, not the dog.

Two weeks till Hanukkah and four weeks till Christmas. It's a busy time of year.

Don't forget to click on the links above to see the many pictures, many of which were taken by Sam and Dylan. I've started giving them the small cameras while I focus on taking movies.
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Saturday, November 28, 2009

Back from New York


Back from New York
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Had a long trip back home today thanks to a burning semi on the new
jersey turnpike. Not a great way to end a fun 5 days on the city.
Adams place is fantastic but the one thing it lacks is a fireplace. I
have a big blaze going right now and I'm trying to melt the stress
away before getting in my own bed and sleeping for a good while.

In this picture they are looking tough in the grand central terminal
subway station. I think it looks like their first album cover.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Rock Star Hair


Rock Star Hair
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Dylan taking after uncle Adam after our chilly trip to the Intrepid
Aircraft Carrier museum on the Hudson. We are now back at the boys
favorite restaurant just off Washington Square. Adam is having a post
thanksgiving party tonight then back to dc tomorrow.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

New York Botanical Garden


New York Botanical Garden
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The boys took a ton of pictures of the trains and NY buildings built
out of plant material. The garden is a really nice park in the middle
of the Bronx. We need to visit again when we have more time to
explore. I will post a Flickr gallery later with all the cool photos.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Subway Home


Subway Home
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The play was really good. We ended up going backstage to meet the
actors and check put the amazing set. This was the boys favorite show
to date and while their are not a lot of memorable songs, the
production was fantastic.

Lots of cooking going on tonight. I will be doing a lot of wine
drinking.

Ready for shrek


Ready for shrek
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Look to the Rainbow


Look to the Rainbow
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Saw a nice production of Finians Rainbow last night with Nicole, Adam
and Emmy. Not a musical I knew very well but it had a few numbers I'd
heard before like Devils Moon and that rainbow song. Off to see Shrek
the musical with the boys and the entire Duritz crew in a couple
hours. A contrast of old broadway and new in less than 24 hours.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Safe in NYC


Safe in NYC
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Well, safely here, now uncle Adam is going for a sack in the kitchen.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Purple Belts

The boys got purple belts on Saturday and are that much closer to black. Getting ready for Thanksgiving the rest of the weekend. This year has gone fast.
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Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Happy Birthday Mae


Hope you get lots of good stuff....

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

It's beginning to look a lot like...

It's beginning to look a lot like...
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Found this on the way home from school tonight. A little early in my
book.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Another Bone Bites the Dust


Another Bone Bites the Dust
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Sams right arm this time. He didn't want to be out done by his brother.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Winding down the weekend


Winding down the weekend
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

A couple of fires, 4 movies, a cancelled birthday party and a likely
broken arm for Sam as the weekend ends with some reading. Sam did
something to his arm at school on Friday and while we iced it and
wrapped it in a bandage all weekend, the swelling is still there and
it obviously hurts a fair amount. We will take him for an xray
tomorrow and hope he doesn't need a cast for 6 weeks.

Nicole left the house a number of times to run, take the kids to the
air and space museum and hang out with the girls but I never left the
compond. It felt good to stay at home for a couple days. We have a
busy few weeks ahead so a lot of nothing this weekend was good stuff.
Oh yeah, the vikes won again. Nice.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Birthday Party Photos


The Tae Kwon Do studio is not the best place for pictures, something about the lighting in that place but I found a bunch of pictures that show the crazy fun of a karate birthday party. All that kid energy is better released on a place with mats and tough walls than our house. It's been a rainy week of work and school but the Nor'easter is pulling away now and 70 degrees is back in the forecast for Sunday. I do plan on doing a whole lot of nothing this weekend. Need to relax before the Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Years sprint. It's a fast time of the year.
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Sunday, November 08, 2009

Nice Fall Hike

Great day for a stroll in the woods. I think we are getting a last few days of warm weather before winter starts showing its face around these parts. Busy weekend with all the boys birthday festivities but they seemed to have a great time eating lots of cake and getting a lot of loot. The toys are everywhere and now it's just a matter of trying to find a place to put them all. The boys loved having the grandparents and Aunt Elaine around all weekend but it's back to school and work tomorrow and I guess more toys over the christmakka holiday.

Lots of hike pictures here. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157622764663296/
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Woodmarsh Trail


Map your trip with EveryTrail

Saturday, November 07, 2009

Hi YA!

Having a kick at the birthday party.
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Happy Birthday Boys


Should have posted this yesterday but was tired after all the birthday fun. The kid party is tonight but fortunately, it's at the Tae Kwon Do studio and not in the house like last year. The boys are pretty hyped up but I guess you only turn 7 once.

Sunday, November 01, 2009

Arlington Cemetery Hike

We boys all got our hair cut on Saturday morning downtown and on the way back we decided that a stop at Arlington National Cemetery would be just right for a kind of a misty, rainy day. It really is a beautiful cemetery and something the boys had never seen which was a shame due to the fact that we live about 5 miles from it. Living with a cemetery in the our backyard makes the whole thought of buried people pretty normal to them but they were very impressed with the fact that some many of the people buried there served their country and were in some of the wars they know about.

They really liked the tomb of the unknown soldier where we saw a wreath laying with a bugler playing taps and all that stuff. The rest of the weekend was pretty low key with a bunch more rain, some trick of treating, a couple of fires and a Viking victory over the Packers. Good times...

Pictures are on flickr. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157622714271946/
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