Meet the Orioles

Irish Open

Irish Open
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Modean, the new Irish Open champ. I didn't play well but we had fun.

Monticello


The boys had a game this morning and got spanked 13-2 in 6 innings. Sam had a couple hits and a cool double play where he caught a line drive then threw to 1st to catch the runner off the bag. Dylan continues to struggle at the plate and went 0-3. The rest of the team didn't do much better. Anyway, I just put the pictures up from last weeks visit to Monticello. We got a few good ones.

Reactions

The boys spend the day with me yesterday, learning about how to make things explode and creating slime. ACS really does a good job with the Bring Your Kids To Work Day. I would say they learned more here yesterday than they would have at school. Roughly 9 hands on experiments and another 3 or 4 demonstrations. We had fun and they behaved for the most part. My staff were taking pictures during the day and produced a photo show by the closing of the event at 3pm. www.acs.org/kids2work Pretty fast turnaround and the kids loved seeing themselves on the big screen. The flickr photo set are a bunch of the Sam and Dylan pictures taken by a bunch of roving cameras. Enjoy Jr. Chemists

She blinded me with science

She blinded me with science
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Table #4 in the 7 table science adventure.

Kids to work day

Kids to work day
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The boys getting ready to do some science experiments today at ACS.

Appomattox Pictures


Got the first set of pictures up in flickr. Here they are http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157626587124366/

Pictures Coming

Pictures Coming
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The boys had camera's during our quick trip last weekend so I have even more photo's to sort through. I should be able to get the Appomattox pictures up tonight and the Monticello pictures up later in the week. The boys had a tough ball game last night, losing 10-2 to the Phillies. Sam was 2 for 3 with a couple singles and Dylan was 1-3 with a much needed single up the middle. The whole team was a little off with very few hits all the way around. Sam and Dylan both had some nice defensive plays and showed that they learned something at baseball camp last week.

Boar's Head Inn

Boar's Head Inn
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

We had a real nice little overnight getaway to southern Virginia on Saturday and Sunday as a end to the Spring Break weekend. Appomattox Court House was nice with a very well done tour, The Boar's Head Inn was a good choice with dinner and breakfast in the dining room both being fantastic. It was also great to see the new visitors center at Monticello and see the house in a really engaging way with the Children and Families tour. It's back to work now and a full baseball schedule for the next 6 weeks or so. The baseball camp the boys attended last week was only so-so and it will be interesting to see if they made any improvements in tonights game. I would not send them back to the camp. I will have a bunch of pictures of the trip up this week sometime.

Monticello

Monticello
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Had a great family tour of the house with just one other family. The eight of us got a hands on, sitting on the floor from a fantastic tour guide. If you're coming here with kids, do the family tour.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The bunny found the boys down here in Charlottesville.

You're in the Army Now

You're in the Army Now a video by homerclees on Flickr.

Appomattox Court House

Appomattox Court House
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The boys are now in the Army of the Potomac. We are doing our Easter history march today and tomorrow. Appomattox today, Monticello tomorrow.

Back Splash

Back Splash
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The final phase of the project is under way. The back splash is around a bunch of the kitchen but not yet mortared. It looks good.

Wineo

Wineo
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

So the wine fridge showed up today and I finally found a prep sink faucet that works for the space. The fridge fits 46 bottles of happiness.

The glass back splash install has started and should be on this wall tomorrow.

Imagination Stage

Imagination Stage
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

We are back at Imagination Stage for the production of When John Henry Came to School. Perseus Bayou was really good a month ago so hopefully this will be entertaining as well. The boys are going to buy us Linner at Rustico after the show with a gift certificate Grandma Carolyn sent them a couple weeks ago.

2001 Posts and Going Strong

It's been over 6 years and now over 2000 posts but the homerclees blog is still going strong. This isn't my picture but just seems to fit the occasion. I guess I'm surprised as this little critter that I'm still at it. I do hope that at least some of you enjoy this little sliver of the web. I suppose you wouldn't be reading this if you didn't find something entertaining on these pages. Now to start working on the next 2000 posts.

School Pictures

Dylan in the spring of 2011. Learning how to smile naturally at 8 years old.

School Pictures

Sam in the Spring of 2011. An 8 year old little man.

Game Ball

Game Ball
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Dylan showing off the game ball after stopping three shots to second and connecting with first for a third out of the inning with bases loaded. It was quite exciting.

Tough Win

Tough Win
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Sam had two doubles, a single and a k in a tough 9-6 win over the Red Sox. Dylan struggled at the plate with just a single but made some impressive defensive plays at second to stop a comeback rally and seal the game. He got the game ball for it as well.

Fresh Floor

Fresh Floor
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The floor was sanded down yesterday and stained and sealed today. One more sealing coat tomorrow and we will be done with that phase. This looking in from the dining room. The new wine fridge and prep sink will go in to the left, where the laundry closet used to be. The work crew decided that the fridge should occupy the passway between the family room and kitchen to make it nearly possible to get in and out if that room. Not a great idea. Hopefully it will be back in place tomorrow in the new space that will fit the much larger fridge I ordered last week.

Counter tops, backsplash and painting should happen early next week Little by little, it's all getting done.

Croc Problems

Croc Problems
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

National Geographic has a huge crocodile in their courtyard. Hope it doesn't terrorize the entire neighborhood.

Big Win

The little Orioles built up a 9-0 lead going into the bottom of the 6th and watched as the A's hammered in 8 runs before they were stopped and the game ended. It was quite tense in that last inning. Sam had a K, single, double with 2 RBI's. Dylan had two K's but didn't give up and had what turned out to be the winning RBI with a single in top of the 6th. The little O's are 2-1 now on the season and starting to get their bats going. They still need some work on defense.

I'm exhausted and need sleep after that heart stopper.

Sent from my iPad

Getting There

Getting There
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

So we have most of the cabinets in and some if the appliances back but we still have a bunch of stuff that needs to be done. I ordered the new, much bigger fridge and the 50 bottle wine fridge this weekend and Bernardo has promised to finish the cabinets, redo the floor and finish the new laundry room in the basement this week. The countertops should be in in a couple weeks and we may be back up and running by May.

Scoring Duty

Scoring Duty
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

It's a cold morning for baseball but I'm keeping warm by keeping score. I have to do the book and the scoreboard.

Opening Day

Opening Day
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

It's a cold and slightly wet opening day here at Nationals Park and the Nats are already down 2-0. Sitting in a sky suite with a bunch of other tech geeks makes it much warmer.

Dylan Art

Dylan Art
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

A Dylan creation. Interesting new type of plane.

Sam Art

Sam Art
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

A little something Sam created and is hanging at school. It's good to be home.

Grand Californian

Grand Californian
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I've spent the last 6 days in Disneyland and haven't ridden a single ride. The hotel is beautiful, it mimics the great lodges built by the railroads up in yellowstone and glacier. I was arranging a car with the concierge this afternoon and someone came over and said the giant fireplace was broken. I was going to suggest they throw another log on, but remembered it's Disney, gas fireplace.

Another national meeting is almost over and I'm on a 6am flight out of LAX tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing the family and what I'm hoping is great progress on the new kitchen.

Meet the Orioles

Meet the Orioles
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The boys team this year is a local favorite. Opening ceremonies were yesterday and their first game is today. I'm going to miss the game but I'm sure I'll get a score to post later today.

Soho Snow

Soho Snow
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Woke up to a dusting of snow in New York. Got the Acela home and I'm at batting practice again.

Bar Reflections

Bar Reflections
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Listening to some cool Jazz at the Jazz Standard in NYC. It's still early.

Jazz Standard

Jazz Standard
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Great food and a little Jazz on East 27th street.

Batting Practice

Batting Practice
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

They had a birthday party from 1 to 3 at Shadowland, then batting practice from 4-5, now swimming from 6 to 7. Busy day shuttling kids around and doing some kitchen stuff shopping. We bought faucets, drawer pulls, dimmer switches and receptacles. The cabinets arrive on Tuesday and the big construction begins. We will probably be mostly kitchenless for 4 weeks. That should be fun.

Happy St. Patricks Day

Happy St. Patricks Day
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The boys gettin in the groove.

Mountain Retreat

We are back from the mountain retreat and smack dab in the middle of a busy week at work. Tomorrow is St. Patricks Day so that will give some relief but then all sorts of work activity till the 1st of April. The kitchen re-modeling project has begun by finishing of the utility room in the basement so we can put the washer and dryer down there. Bernardo is basically tiling the back room in the basement that we didn't tile a few years ago when we re-did main basement rooms and is getting all the plumbing, gas and electric put in to house the washer and dryer that are currently on the first floor. The new laundry room will allow us to utilize the space where we currently have the washer and dryer and put in a giant refrigerator, a wine fridge, a prep sink, more counter space and of course cabinets. I wasn't so sure of this strategy since we have to walk down an extra flight of stairs to do laundry but I will have a 50 bottle wine fridge on the first floor, thus saving me from walking downstairs as often to get wine out of the basement wine fridges. It should all work out.

Anyway, happy St. Patrick's Day everyone and I've posted a bunch of pictures from the weekend on my flickr account. Enjoy.

Peter Pan

IMG_5146
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The boys did some bungee ballet yesterday afternoon at the Big Top up here. No flips but Sam did his impression of Peter Pan.

Snow Machine

IMG_5163
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

We went on a nice twilight snowmobile tour last night, the boys first. They liked it but it went up and down some big hills and I think they were a little nervous hanging on back. It was a nice end to the weekend up here in the mountains. We head home to work and school today.

Here Comes the Sun

Here Comes the Sun
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

We stayed off the slopes today and tried some tubing and swimming. We also have a snowmobile tour in about an hour, which should be fun. The snow stopped and the sun came out this morning and starting the spring thaw again. Lots of relaxing fun.

Winter Soak

IMG_5122
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Great day of skiing at Snowshoe with fantastic snow all day long. It just kept coming and coming out there. The boys had a good time learning to snowboard and spent a little time with them as they fell down the hill. I believe I heard one of them say that they think skiing may be easier and what they should do next time. Watching the snowboarding lesson, I think skiing is easier too.

We got off slopes at 4pm and hit the outdoor hot tub to soak that sore knee. It's about 25 degrees, snowing with a 10mph wind out there. It was a tough run to the condo when we got out. All is well now and we are warming up by the fire before we head out to dinner.

Snow Bunny

Snow Bunny
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

We rode with the boys on their first chairlift ride, they both fell getting off. They seem to be having a great time in school and learning the basics anyway. The runs on the Mountain are in great shape and the lift lines are short. Nicole and I are taking a little noon break then we will get back on the slopes for a few more runs.

Snow Ninjas

Snow Ninjas
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Getting ready for some serious snow thrashing.

Check out my HipstaPrint

Check out my HipstaPrint
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Shot with my Hipstamatic for iPhone
Lens: Kaimal Mark II
Flash: Off
Film: Kodot XGrizzled

Snowshoe

Snowshoe
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

It's snowing like mad up here. It rained most of the drive then turned to snow as we went up the mountain. It's supposed to snow tonight and most of tomorrow. That should be good for skiing.

Shake for Two

Shake for Two
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

In Moorefield WV. Snowshoe here we come.

Baseball Begins

Baseball Begins
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

It gets cold when the sun goes down but the season has to begin. Three weeks till season opening and the boys are a little rough in the fielding department.

Sweet Messages

Sweet Messages
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Desert at Eve includes a little message for us. Nice touch.

End of Season Party

End of Season Party
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Big team party last night to celebrate a great season for the little Blue Devils. We came a basket short of the championship but nobody has the talent these kids had. They just needed a basket worth of luck. On to baseball.

Ten Years



It's been ten years since this photo was taken and I still pretty much recognize the people in this photo. I actually wore that suit until about a year ago when it pretty much fell apart. It's been a fun trip and we added a couple little miracle children to the mix a little more than 8 years ago that has made it even more fun. Here's to ten more.