Lee

We played and lost to our nearest rival tonight. We have a couple kids on our team that used to play for Lee District and our point guard and there point guard are best friends. Everyone kinda knows each other. It was a close game 51-45 but we were having trouble from the field and free throws were not falling. Sam had to play against a kid who was actually taller than him. That does not happen often but Sam showed him who the better big man was scoring 10 points and nabbing 12 rebounds. He had some really nice moves underneath. Dylan started for the second game in a row and played great defense. He was tentative to shot at first but worked his way out of it. He also had 4 rebounds. I was happy with the way they played and I think the team learned a thing or two as they prepare for Sunday's game.

Tree Lighting

We were able to pick up the tree and get it all set up on Sunday evening. The house smells like pine again and the it just makes me happy to look at the decorated bush. The boys helped decorate some but they are getting less interested in the whole concept. Maybe I'll make them take everything off the tree in January and them give them the option of decorating or de-decorating next year. Decorating is way easier.

Tree Time

Sam won't get in the reindeer sleigh but Dylan is a trooper. Got our tree at the usual place today and have it all lit up next to the fire.

NIT Basketball

We took in the championship game of the NIT tournament a the Barclays Arena in Brooklyn today. Villanova beat Georgia Tech pretty good but it was fun to see this newish stadium. It has a real nice, open feel to it.

Something Rotten

We saw Something Rotten at the St. James Theater on 44th street Yesterday afternoon. It was pretty funny and good for 13 year old boys. Not real complicated but fun. We are all stuffed from dinner tonight and laying around like overstuffed geese.

St. Marks

A busy St. Marks Place on Thanksgiving 2015.

Look to the Cookie

Sidewalk Art

As seen on 22nd and 9th Avenue, New York City.

Washington Square

We started the morning sorta late but had a nice walk through the village and up to the High Line for 10 blocks. We walked to Chelsea Pier and then stopped for something to drink before heading to Niketown for more shoes for the boys. Katz Deli for dinner and some Warriors basketball before I pass out.

Balthazar

We made great time this morning from DC to NY. A little over 4 hours with a stop for pizza. Had a nice dinner at Balthazar in Soho with everyone, now some rest.

First Game

The boys won their first regular season game tonight against Herndon. It took overtime but we won 47-39. Sam had a good day with 12 points and 21 rebounds. Dylan had to play with an ACE bandage because his wrist brace had metal in it and the refs didn't like it. He had a really nice steal and 3 rebounds.

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A/B Honor Students

Now, my school didn't have quarterly honor roll, or an A/B honor roll but I to ably wouldn't have made it anyway. I learned different things in school. I'm very proud of these two.

Tis the Season

Nice fall weekend.

Saturday Night Lights

Lucas, Scott and Melvin's team lost the championship game tonight but played well. It was a chilly game and I'm happy to be in front of the fire at home now.

Braceless

Sam got his braces off this morning. Dylan got his cast off on Wednesday. We are losing lots of medical devices this week.

Fancy Boys

We have successfully completed the third cotillion last night and we had our third dinner with the Lorenger's and Brody's. Those have been really fun too. It also turns out that the Brody's know and live near Pete Davidson, who was Jeff's best friend in high school. Small world.

Paul VI Tournament

We've played this tournament the last three years and didn't win a game the first year. We were 2-1 again this year but we only lost by a few points to an eighth grade division 3 team. It was the third game in five hours and the boys ran out of juice. Sam played 3 really good games with a ton of points, rebounds and blocks. I don't think I've seen him play as well as he did against Burke. They a truly classless team, kids and parents both. Dylan is still sporting a cast but gets it off in a few days. He's looking forward getting back n the game.

Late Cake

We've been so busy the last couple days we didn't make time for cake. We finally got that taken care of.

Birthday Boys

The last soccer game was a 5-0 win against the Red squad. Dylan and Sam played well and had a couple of wicked shots on goals but didn't put one in the net. Sam is going to play in and Dylan is going to watch 3 basketball game tomorrow.

Happy Birthday Boys

We took this crew to a movie and dinner for the boys birthday celebration tonight. The movie theater was nearly empty which was good for squirrelly kids and we had a whole hibachi table to ourselves which is preferable to sharing with strangers. Good times.

Fall Photo

Great Falls

It was raining early today but got nicer so we went on a fall foliage hike along the Potomac in Great Falls. We followed that up a late brunch and a trip to Lowe's for some planting and pruning supplies.

Huesos the Guard

All set for some trick or treaters but not expecting many or really any per previous years experience.

Grandmas in Town

Dinner at the Pub at Wegmans. Not a bad joint for a grocery store.

Morning Fog

We are just past the full moon and yesterday's rains have finally stopped. It's still very tropical feeling out there but a cold front is heading this way and it will be back in my comfort zone by Friday.

Pumpkin Steps

We went to the lorenger's annual Halloween party and pumpkin carving contest last Saturday. We didn't enter a pumpkin but some of them were pretty good.

Counting Down

Not many soccer games and practices left this fall. We are slowly moving into basketball only season.

Creepy Chemist

Some of my colleagues get into Halloween with some creative door decorations.

Dapper Dylan

The boys do not love Cotillion but the are getting used to it and look good in the process. The young ladies look nice too. Ava is the daughter of the couple we've been having dinner with at the club during the manners training. We've been having fun with Ava's parents and the Lorenger's during Cotillion the last couple months but may not be acting in accordance with all the rules of proper etiquette. Oh well, age has its benefits.

Fireball Coming

A Pirates Booty, Olive Oil and Rosie the Riveter getting ready for some Fireball. 

I uploaded a bunch of photos to Flickr for your enjoyment. 

https://www.flickr.com/gp/homerclees/rHZTPS

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Popeye and Olive

I am's what I am.

Party Pumpkin

This pumpkin drank too much before the party. We are back in the Halloween party groove after missing last year due to my knee replacement. It was well attended affair with a lot of kids. No major damage but those kids are messy. The food was great per usual and none of the adults were over served.

Spooktacular

Preparations for the annual Halloween party continue.

Chicago

I've spent 6 nights here in the last 21 days. I like this town and look forward to returning at some point.

Boo

The X-rays were inconclusive so hopefully nothing is broken. I'm in Chicago, missing all the fun but hoping he will be ok.

Little Pumpkins

We got our supply of pumpkins at our usual local patch. The boys played along for the most part but these trips have changed over the years. As babies they were all over the pumpkins harvesting experience. They don't get as excited anymore but I could see a little twinkle in the eyes that they will never admit too, I know I still get one.

Pee Wee Football

Two of the boys basketball teammates and an ex flag football teammate are on this team. We went up to Edison this afternoon to watch them destroy FPYC, 40-0. Scott and Melvin each had a couple TD's and Lucas played well on D.

Tackle or Touch

The boys were on opposite teams for a while this morning. They are either hugging or wrestling here, hard to tell the difference. It was good to get out and running at 7am, but I needed a nap afterwards.

Party Prep

Lots to do before our annual Halloween extravaganza. We are chipping away at the list, little by little.

Glen Lake Vikings

I don't recall if I've posted this before but here it is on a throw back Thursday. That's me in the back middle/left, the tallest guy on our undefeated six grade football team. We were really good for sixth graders.

Basketball Tryouts

Had some new kids trying out for the team tonight. Sam and Dylan performed well. Regular practice starts this week.

4-0

This soccer team is pretty good. I believe they have out scored their opponents 18-2 over the first four games of the year. Dylan had his first goal of the season, a nice header off a corner kick in the second half. Sam has been spending a half in goal but had a beast of a shot that hit the cross bar in the second half. We have a few really good players and the boys are definitely in the top 5 or 6 and the only 7th graders.

Yep

It has been one cold and rainy couple of days and that necessitated the first fire of the season. I love the fire season and I may be pushing it a bit but today's high was 52 and it's raining sideways and that says fire to me.

Washington Post

Nicole and the boys volunteered to put out bags with glow sticks for a cancer vigil last night and were featured in the picture in the Washington Post. Sam only got his arm in the shot but I think he worked as hard as Dylan an Nicole.

Great Weekends

Sammy and I got back from Chicago yesterday afternoon. Like the trip with Dylan, it was great to get him one on one. They act differently when they are apart and we can talk more about what each one of them wants to talk about without the other one chiming in. I like them together too but it was fun to travel with each of them alone. We were really lucky with the weather in both locations, sunny and 70 pretty much the whole time in both cities. I know Nicole had fun with the boys when I was gone too and we will reverse the whole thing in two years.

Wildcats

After some high speed cruising, Navy Pier fun and shopping, we headed north for a Northwestern football game. It was a case one but the home team won. We took the L up and uber back. I liked all the great old houses in Evanston and the campus is quite lovely as well. We are heading back to DC in to morning but have had a fantastic time in chi town.

Sea Dog

Morning high speed cruise on Lake Michigan.

Wrigley

Cubbies

We got up early his morning to take the L up to Addison and got a really fun tour of Wrigley Field. Our guide was fun and had lots great info on that 101 year old park. We followed that with lunch at the Cubby Bear and a game against the Pirates. We had great seats a few rows behind the the third base dugouts but, alas, the cubbies lost. Uncle Ollie would have approved of the day, except for the loss.

Sky Tracks

Sammy and I arrived in Chicago around 2pm today and got situated before venturing out to look for hip shoes. Sam found a couple shops he wanted to visit, one in Wicker Park which is pretty trendy these days. We had dinner there too and are getting ready for some sleep before our early Wrigley visit band Cubs game.

Cotillion

The boys started the two year Cotillion process tonight while we had dinner and drinks with New York Mike, Carrie and another couple. I think Nicole and I had a better time but the boys had these kids form their grade school with them. The goal s to have civilized children with table manners and all that Jazz at the end.