Why Not?

I was home, doing some work and watching the ACC basketball tournament on Friday and suddenly realized it was being played 8 miles away at the capital one center in DC. I instantly jumped on Ticketmaster and bought some nosebleed seats for Dylan and for the night session. It was a classic upset by NC State over Duke. Very fun game and the seats were much better than the couch. Great to have some quality time with Dylan before he goes back to Maine on Sunday as well.

Black Bears

Last weeks action in Rhode Island.

7’s Rugby

The Black Bears beat all comers for the Bryant University invitational championship. Dylan started and played well in all 4 games. Nicole and I enjoyed the games on tv from the comfort out our home.

DJ Dylan

I took Bumpy out for a spin as I usually do once a week. Bumpy is the boys car and doesn't get much exercise when the boys are away at school so i just drive it around for a while. Today, Bumpy and I were able to listen to Dylan's new radio show during the drive. We both approve.

Progress

Sammy took 6th in the MVC conference indoor championship. He got 12th last year, so lots of progress and he was the top sophomore out of 26 entrants.

Snow

Not only did I get a minor snow storm in Minnesota on Wednesday (7 inches) we woke up to a fresh 3 inches here in Des Moines on Friday. The campus looked nice.

19.96

Sam had another Personal Best yesterday at a meet in Iowa City. He's only .04 meters short of 20 with the Missouri Valley Conference championship coming up next week in Chicago. It was fun to see him throw live for the first time this year.

Mahomes

I watched the Super Bowl at Rachel and a David's house on Sunday and while my sister was a little stressed about a team she's has no connection to, she finally got her opportunity to show off her shirt honoring her favorite player.

Yampa River

Water heading down to the Colorado and the Grand Canyon.

Main Street

Steamboat Springs is a festive place at night.

Out of a Cloud

The lifts at the top of the mountain were completely in a cloud with almost no visibility. About a third of the way down we left the cloud and found this. Cloud above, snow below and sunlight in the valley. Worth the blind decent from the lift.

Bluebird

Sunny, bright and a little warm today. 22 at the peak, 26 at mid mountain and 32 at the base. Hard to dress for that.

Yampa Valley

Bruce and I about at about the mid mountain level at Steamboat.

Rabbit Ears

Another ski trip to Steamboat Springs with these guys. This year we added Bruce's son Ryan and did not have Dan with us. The founder of this trip was is not pictured because he broke his arm on the first day. Larry is on his way home as we speak.

New Personal Record

Sam PR'd today at the Cyclone Open in Ames Iowa. He threw a 19.15 which beat his previous best of 18.62 back in December. Drake took first, second, fourth and fifth in the weight throw. Sam's teammate Adam broke the school record with his throw. The school record was owned by #2 finisher Anthony until today. I see new school records happening in 2024.

Holiday Snow

We finally got some snow after a two year snow drought and keeping my holiday lights up well into January paid off. The first 5 inches fell while we were trying to get home on Monday night, that same storm dropped 9 inches on Bangor which stopped us from flying on Tuesday. We got another three inches today and the trees looked fantastic with lights and snow.

Snow Buddy

Nicole was finally able to take Buddy on a walk after being gone and busy the last 7 days. That dog loves the snow and walking with Nicole.

New Digs

Dylan is living in what they call a single/double. Meaning we paid a little more to get one person in a double room. The bed to the left is a guest bed or lounge space. He's beyond random roommates if we can avoid it. It's a classic dorm but he's got a nice view, entertainment and a lot of space. His first few days have been good too.

Nicole and I spent two extra days up north at the airport hotel due to flight cancellations. Finally gave up and drove to Boston to catch a flight. Nice to be home but it's quiet around here with both boys gone.

Paul Bunyans Brother

I think in this neck of the woods his should be called Jacques Bunyan. Momma is about to see another baby leave the nest, again.

Paul Bunyans Brother

I think in this neck of the woods he should be called Jacques Bunyan. Momma is about to see another kid leave the nest.

Holidays with Buddy

Buddy has been getting lots of exercise the last couple weeks. Nicole has been off work over the holidays and walking buddy relentlessly. He got about 4 and a half today.

Solstice

Early run in dc gets good photo opportunities.

Minnesota Visit

The Minnesota family, minus Jeff and Karen who were
In Wisconsin at Karen's family get together.

Haircut

Buddy got groomed this week. We ca see his eyes again.

Baby Dylan

Baby Sam

No toys this holiday season.

Birthday Bubbles

Celebrated Jeff's 62nd on Friday night with some party hats and bubbles.

Sam

I guess this photo won't be on the holiday card. Stay classy Sammy.

Rachel and Mae

.fun outing to the Timberwolves game in Minnesota last night. Got the whole crew out and the wolves had great game.

Beaver Moon

That's the moon coming through the trees on a cold night.

Buddy Thanksgiving

Took buddy out for a walk to burn off the turkey.

Holiday Trees

The outdoor lights are coming out.

Birthday Boy

Dylan wanted his first legal beer to be at the Tottenham supports club in DC. It happens to be a bar I've been to often back in my AARP days. I think Sammy is at practice in Iowa.

8 Miler

A fall walk in the woods. Perfect day for it.

Happy Halloween

We got 10 trick or treaters this year. Might be a new record.

First Fire

Finally cold enough to start burning wood. Last day of October is as late as it's been in years.

Autumn Stroll

With Buddy.

Buddy

Our little doggie that lives with our neighbor.

Walks with Buddy

We've been helping our neighbor Ken out by walking Buddy a couple times a day. Anne, Ken's spouse is in California for two weeks visiting their daughter and Buddy needs more exercise than one man can provide a two year old energetic pup. We wore him out today with a three and a half mile tramp thru the woods.

Fall Moments

Was on a zoom call and I noticed some spectacular sunlight on some changing trees. It's 80 degrees today but winter is coming.

Spooky Walks

The decorations are coming out.

Chief

The new house dog. Chief is a rescue and I hope he has found his forever home.

Seventeen

17 marathons in the book and I'm sure more to come. Thanks to Robbie for cheering for Nicole at miles 7, 14 and 26.2. The drake throwers and Dylan for cheering at 11. The support kept her going.

With Shirts

Help around the track.

Shirtless Oval

Sam, Antz, Adam, Austin and Dylan accompanied Nicole around the Drake track which was at mile 11 on the marathon. The boys had to take their shirts off for crowd pleasure at the end.

Solo

Nicole and I walked this beach a couple times last year but I did it alone this morning. It's good to see the Pacific Ocean on a regular basis.

Morning Walk

It's a steep walk down and a tough climb up but Blacks Beach is worth the effort.

Chasing the sun

We left DC a little before sunset and didn't totally lose the horizon until about 30 minutes from San Diego. My back of the napkin calculation is that the earth moves a little faster than a plane.

23-24 Drake Throwing Team

Supporting the team