Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Weekend Reflections

I'm a self admitted cool weather lover and am looking forward to building that first fire sometime in October or November. I've been obsessing over the empty wood rack next to the shed but know I can't get anyone to deliver wood this time of year. All that said, I have been enjoying this summer weather with the kids quite a bit lately. We washed the cars and played star wars in the yard last weekend. We went to the pool both days and it felt good just floating\splashing around in the cool water on a hot, humid day.

It's been a cooler than usual summer this year but I've felt more able to stand even the hotter days for some reason. I'm more patient with it this year. Maybe age is causing my blood to run thinner or I'm finally, after 18 years, getting used to Washington DC in the summer.

The boys are getting bigger every day and I'm starting to imagine what they will look like when they are teenagers. It will be harder to throw them around in the pool when they weight 150 pounds so I better get my swimming time in while I can. While I will enjoy leaves falling, pumpkin patches, fires and cool early hikes in the woods. I will probably miss the outdoor swimming in the summer heat when it ends.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Dylan Jean


Dylan Jean
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Here's Dylan practicing some dance moves with the Micheal Jackson
video Billie Jean. He can really work it when he wants to. This is
great entertainment while I'm getting a ride in on the bike.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Professor Sam


Professor Sam
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I got some reading glasses recenty and really haven't used them much
but Sam obviously pulls off the look much better than I do.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Minnesota Vacation


The week flew by but I'm heading back to work tomorrow and have a fair amount to do before the summer national meeting in mid August, then I can take a little more time off and hang with Nicole and the boys. Had a great trip to the great north woods and I'm looking forward to the winter trip back there later this year. Summer in Minnesota always feels like September in DC with the highs in the 70's and low humidity. I was particularly cool this year but beautiful all the same. Took a ton of pictures again and
posted over 90. Rachel took a few, including this one from the stage at the Basilica Block party with downtown Minneapolis behind us. Pretty good shot even with the Elvis glasses. Enjoy. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157621585881965/
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Saturday, July 18, 2009

Buzz Brothers


Buzz Brothers
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Nicole and Patrick decided to go with the buzz cut today. Not sure I
like them looking so military.

Football Boys


Football Boys
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The boys all dressed up for their haircut as Adrian Peterson and Javid
Best. Football season is right around the corner.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Sunset on Lake Sylvan


Sunset on Lake Sylvan
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

A Really Big Chair

We took another bike trip this morning to a neighboring resort and grabed some coffee for the adults and icecream for the boys. Yes, icecream at 10:30am. What the heck, it's vacation, right. Got some pool time in after the ride but some really strong storms have been rolling across the lake for the last couple hours which are fun to watch but not good for outdoor activities. It is really pretty to watch the storm cascade over the lake and it is soothing to listen to the rain come down. We have lost power a couple times now so our entertainment is old mother nature.
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Morning Ice Cream


Morning Ice Cream
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Ice cream at 10:30am. What vacation is all about. At least we rode a
few miles on the bikes to get it.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Duck Race


Duck Race
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Need I say more

After the Morning Ride


After the Morning Ride
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Did an 8 mile bike trip to the gull lake dam early this morning. Did
some swimming after that and I thought lake minnetonka was cold. It's
colder up here a 150 miles north of Minnetonka.

Bicycle built for four


Bicycle built for four
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

We may try this tomorrow.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Crows Triplets


Crows Triplets
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Found this shot from last night as I'm siping wine in a cool Minnesota
evening. The sun is going down so the Mosquitos will be out soon.

The boys loved watching the show last night from the stage and did
some monitor jumping with Adam during Hanginaround. Rock stars in the
making.

Dinner on Gull Lake


Dinner on Gull Lake
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Long trip up with the interstate being shut down due to an accident.
It added 90 minutes to the trip. Good to be up in the great north woods.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Rockin the tour bus


Rockin the tour bus
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Pre show movie since it's the only thing that will keep three 7 year
olds quiet.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Timberwolves


Timberwolves
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The boys are excited to be back in Minnesota. The flight was on time
and I think it's actually warmer than dc for a change. Heading up into
the north woods on Sunday.

Sunday, July 05, 2009

A Happy 4th of July

Sam and Dylan really liked spending the day at Modean's in Catonsville. A bunch of kids from the neighborhood came by and they had water fights all day long. We had our own little pyrotechnic show in the backyard then watched the Catonsville version from the front porch. Today was perfect for sleeping late and watching a very good but disappointing men's final at Wimbledon. The pool was cold today but we had it all to ourselves. I did finally get in and felt nice and refreshed afterwords. Here are some pictures from yesterday. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157621013544960/
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Brrrrrrrr


Brrrrrrrr
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Air temp about 70, water temp probably 65. They are the only kids in
the pool. I may try it soon but that's not a given.

Saturday, July 04, 2009

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Gearing up for the Fourth

So I've been trying to get all caught up from being out all of last week here at work and looking forward to the three day weekend coming up. I'm going to play some golf, see some fireworks and get some pool time in. June kind of went by quickly and we are now in the second half of the year with the days getting shorter until December 21st. I like the shorter, colder parts of the year but have lots of good summer vacation plans set up before we start a new school year and get a fresh load of wood for the fireplace.

My blogging has been a little sparse the past month or so but I'm sure I will have lots of pictures of the boys and various locations in the coming months to fill this thing up again. Regardless of whether any of you get value from my postings, I'm getting a ton of value by being able to go back 4 years and see what I was doing each month. My memory is fading with age ya know.