New Years Golf

Sam and I played 9 holes this morning to kick off New Year's Eve. It was the first time playing with either kid and quite fun. Dylan was working and Sam has had more golf practice from his time with the ladies of the Drake Golf team. I hadn't played for 4 years or so but my problematic shoulders were not a problem at all. I need to play more, with the kids would be ideal.

Holidays

Multiple holidays at the same time.

It’s the season

Back Home

Got a picture of me and the boys in a big holiday snow globe at MSP. Easy flight and back in Virginia.

Snowy Minnesota

It snowed all four days while in Wayzata this trip. At times it snowed big flakes, small flakes and generally the entire time we were there. A few periods of sun allowed for some nice pictures.

The Sweater Says it All

Just Amazing

I bought five $100 seats in the rafters of US Bank Stadium for the Vikings vs Colts game on Saturday. The boys hadn't seen an NFL game live before and we got lucky with the Viking in town during our annual December visit. The Vikings were down 33-0 at half time and got booed off the field by a stadium of disappointed fans. Half of our row of 20 some seats left before the third quarter and I was feeling like I over paid for tickets by about $99.

The third quarter started slowly but the Vikings started scoring and it didn't stop until the last seconds of overtime with a field goal to give the home team a 39-36 win and the NFC North title. It was bedlam in the building as we witnessed the largest comeback in NFL history and a very memorable first game for Dylan and Sam, a first Vikings game in that stadium for Finn and just a fun day for Nicole and I.

It turns those tickets were priceless.

Minnesota

Lots of snow with this visit. We all made it here yesterday and have been enjoying the snow but not the driving so much.

Little Sammy

Sam looks sorta small compared with he's throwing buddy from Wales. He looks good anyway.

Cold and Bright

Almost the longest day of the year and feeling like winter.

More Lights

I added 100 lights per tree this year for a total of 300. They are still young trees but growing up, not so much out. They will be lighting up the yard for the next few months.

First Meet

Sam wasn't thrilled with his first NCAA track meet at Iowa State today but it was his first time throwing the 35 pound weight indoors. He only started throwing that thing a couple months ago and he was doing it on a taped up ankle from an injury last week. Nice job Sammy. Many more meets to come.

Number 16

Nicole ran her 16th marathon this morning in Rehoboth Beach. It was rainy here and there but she got it done. Her friend in the picture ran her first half marathon.

Christmas Dinosaurs

Christmas tree gathering should always include dinosaur feet.

Holiday Season

I nice Thanksgiving with Linda, Gil, Elaine and Sam in town and now the beginning of the month of lights. One of my office windows looks across 16th street at the Jefferson Hotel. It's the first thing I see each morning when I get there at 7am, three days a week anyway.

Sunday Bay Bridge Run

I was not part of this but it was much colder today and probably really windy a couple hundred feet above the Chesapeake.

Saturday Walk

70 degree walk in the woods.

Friday Dinner

Had dinner with Kate and Larry on Friday. They came down from Boston to visit the old hood and catch up with their Virginia friends.

South of the border

While Dylan was in Colorado for his birthday, Sam visited our neighbor to the south…south of Forest Avenue anyway.

Buffs

Dylan and Wyatt at the Colorado vs Oregon game. Nice day for football.

Chasing the Sun

Dylan is on his way to Denver to hang out with his friend Wyatt in Boulder this weekend. He sent this from 36,000 feet above Des Moines.

Pumpkin Time

Soon to be squirrel food

More Autumn

We are nearing peak color if we haven't gotten there already.

Fall Walks

Our two or three weekly walks together now feature crunching leaves at out feet and a spectacular canopy of color to breath in. Not to mention great Halloween displays on every block.

First Fire

The chimney was cleaned, wood delivered and the temperature dropped. Doesn't look like the temp is going cooperate this coming week but we did get the first blaze going in October.

The Beaver

For reasons unknown, this beaver was acquired by Sam and his roommates from some sorority house last year. It was stolen back from them earlier this year and seems to have returned this week. I don't believe the saga the beaver is over.

Sea Cave Kayaking

We didn't actually go in the caves because the swells were rough and we would have been crushed against the rocks but it was fun.

Not Des Moines

Stepped on a plane Des Moines yesterday morning and stepped off in a totally different environment. La Jolla is our final stop on our cross country journey. We hiked down the cliffs to the Pacific and back up to have a questionable dinner in the village last night. Got some business and fun lined up the next few days.

Pizza Night

Grabbed some Za and met Robbie an Carolyn in Urbandale for dinner. The sisters just got back from a 7 day eastern Iowa adventure. A bonus for our Drake parents weekend trip.

Grays Lake

Many trips around the lake this morning. Crisp 45 degrees in Des Moines.

It’s the season

The spookiness is starting to show up in the neighborhood.

Throwing Squad

This is the track throwing team. The guy in the middle is Sam's golf buddy.

Holiday Bush

There is a bush not too far from home that get decorated as the seasons and holidays change. We passed it today on a walk and it's reflecting Fall but not Halloween yet. I don't know who decorates it but it changes often. Great day for walk btw, nice crisp Autumn weekend. First time we've had the ac off and windows open in months.

Milk Love

Media days get a little weird.

Too Cool

I think this is the guy sam golfs with.

Guard Kitty

The nieghbors cat loves to come over and lounge on our front walk. I hadn't seen him in a few weeks and figured the fox got him, but there he was last weekend.

Iowa Golf

Sam's been playing some golf this fall in Iowa. Getting some good pictures too. Look out for the corn on the left. Tough to hit out of the corn.

Bulldog

Sammy's 2022 football picture.

Target Dog

The game was a fantastic edition to a quick visit to Minnesota. It was great seeing my family and Adam while enjoying the state fair and crows concert. All and all good times and both of our flights were on time.

Section 110

Last minute ticket buy but it doesn't appear there's a bad seat in the house.

Minnesota United

Caught a soccer game at the super nice, brand new Loon stadium. They beat Houston 2-1 to boot.

Band at Work

Nearly 11,000 people tonight.

Missing Sammy

Just needed one more person in this photo from the concert.

Family

A big bunch of family backstage pre show.

Rainbow

Quick shower before the show.

Sound Check

The band getting ready for the show later in the day. Us, taking a break from all the food on sticks.

Big Paul

Three lumber jacks.

Swine Barn

First stop, the cavernous animal barns at the Minnesota State Fair.

Driver

The boys used to sit in the front of this car rental shuttle train and pretend they were driving many years ago. We made Dylan do it again on our visit to MSP this week.

Roomies

Sam, CJ, Sam