Nicole on the plasma car
Originally uploaded by homerclees.
She looks good.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Plasma Cars
I put together Uncle Adam's Hanukkah present to the boys yesterday and we rode them on the driveway in the afternoon. You can see an instructive video of the Plasma Car here if you've never seen one. The boys don't quite get the theory on the movement to get it going but they will. I rode it a bit too and it actually does hold 220 pounds, man I need to stop this holiday eating. Not doing too much today, it's suppose to rain later and we are going to stay in and eat some more. Good times...
I put together Uncle Adam's Hanukkah present to the boys yesterday and we rode them on the driveway in the afternoon. You can see an instructive video of the Plasma Car here if you've never seen one. The boys don't quite get the theory on the movement to get it going but they will. I rode it a bit too and it actually does hold 220 pounds, man I need to stop this holiday eating. Not doing too much today, it's suppose to rain later and we are going to stay in and eat some more. Good times...
Saturday, December 30, 2006
30th Birthday Party
My buddy Mike threw a party for his girlfriend Kelly last night so Nicole and I got Kim to baby sit and headed downtown for a nice dinner and party in the U Street area. It was fun but we headed home before the rest of the crew that didn't have a $16 an hour baby sitter went out dancing at Chief Ikes.
Went to the gym this morning and the boys got passport pictures taken. Sam didn't want to have his taken until I told him you needed a passport to go to Narnia. The Chronicles of Narnia is his favorite movie right now and he immediately said after that "I want my picture taken for a passport" He then started asking "how do you get to Narnia?" If anyone knows how to get there besides walking into a wardrobe, let me know. We aren't leaving the country anytime soon but we figured we will eventually and a passport would be a good thing to have.
Actually, we may be able to convince Sam that Ireland or Scotland is Narnia and plan a trip there soon. Everyone would talk like the characters in the movie and I really would like to visit Ireland again and hit Scotland for the first time. That would be fun.
My buddy Mike threw a party for his girlfriend Kelly last night so Nicole and I got Kim to baby sit and headed downtown for a nice dinner and party in the U Street area. It was fun but we headed home before the rest of the crew that didn't have a $16 an hour baby sitter went out dancing at Chief Ikes.
Went to the gym this morning and the boys got passport pictures taken. Sam didn't want to have his taken until I told him you needed a passport to go to Narnia. The Chronicles of Narnia is his favorite movie right now and he immediately said after that "I want my picture taken for a passport" He then started asking "how do you get to Narnia?" If anyone knows how to get there besides walking into a wardrobe, let me know. We aren't leaving the country anytime soon but we figured we will eventually and a passport would be a good thing to have.
Actually, we may be able to convince Sam that Ireland or Scotland is Narnia and plan a trip there soon. Everyone would talk like the characters in the movie and I really would like to visit Ireland again and hit Scotland for the first time. That would be fun.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Warm chocolate chip cookie
Warm chocolate chip cookie
Originally uploaded by homerclees.
Here's Dylan enjoying Jimmy Neutron and a warm chocolate chip cookie on our midwest airlines flight home.
Humphrey terminal at MSP
Humphrey terminal at MSP
Originally uploaded by homerclees.
The boys hammin it up up in the kiddie play area. Notice Dylan, with no front teeth is the hockey player. The flight seems to be on time and I'm all stocked up on new cartoons from the iTunes store.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Morning Play
We went to the Hopkins Community Theater this moring to see a Christmas Carol. It was a childrens production and only lasts about an hour and change. The boys loved it and enjoyed getting autographs from the high school actors after the show. Jeff and I went to the Minnesota Historical Museum after that and saw an exhibit on Baseball. Very good stuff. We're heading home in the morning after some good times in Minnesota.
We went to the Hopkins Community Theater this moring to see a Christmas Carol. It was a childrens production and only lasts about an hour and change. The boys loved it and enjoyed getting autographs from the high school actors after the show. Jeff and I went to the Minnesota Historical Museum after that and saw an exhibit on Baseball. Very good stuff. We're heading home in the morning after some good times in Minnesota.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
First time on the ice
We took the boys new skates that Grandma and Grandpa bought them for their first glide. Nicole and I rented skates and it was the first time in probably 25 years that I've been on skates and it wasn't pretty. We really didn't have much of a choice since you couldn't go on the ice with shoes and the boys have never skated before. All in all, we survived but my knees still hurt and my thighs are a little sore. The boys really seemed to like the whole skating thing and wanted to back out on the ice over and over again. I was glad when it was over.
We took the boys new skates that Grandma and Grandpa bought them for their first glide. Nicole and I rented skates and it was the first time in probably 25 years that I've been on skates and it wasn't pretty. We really didn't have much of a choice since you couldn't go on the ice with shoes and the boys have never skated before. All in all, we survived but my knees still hurt and my thighs are a little sore. The boys really seemed to like the whole skating thing and wanted to back out on the ice over and over again. I was glad when it was over.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Merry Christmas
The boys would not really sit still for a good shot but I did take a couple hundred pictures this evening. I'll post a bunch on flickr tomorrow while I'm sitting around drinking nog and doing a lot of nothing. We set up the electric train and opened all the presents, except what will come from Santa tonight. They really liked wearing Aunt Elaine's hand knit birthday sweaters and they kept them warm on a chilly Minnesota Christmas eve. Merry Chrismikkah everyone.
The boys would not really sit still for a good shot but I did take a couple hundred pictures this evening. I'll post a bunch on flickr tomorrow while I'm sitting around drinking nog and doing a lot of nothing. We set up the electric train and opened all the presents, except what will come from Santa tonight. They really liked wearing Aunt Elaine's hand knit birthday sweaters and they kept them warm on a chilly Minnesota Christmas eve. Merry Chrismikkah everyone.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Danny Phantom
Danny Phantom
Originally uploaded by homerclees.
I bought a bunch of episodes of danny phantom on iTunes last night and put them on my laptop and ipod. Sam got the big screen and dylan got the small screen this time. We'll switch it up on the way home.
Dylan Phantom
Dylan Phantom
Originally uploaded by homerclees.
Dylan with the small screen. They almost old enough for their own ipods.
Sam ready for take off
Sam ready for take off
Originally uploaded by homerclees.
Lines were bad this morning. Real bad. We got on the plane with one minute to spare.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Donkey birthday
Donkey birthday
Originally uploaded by homerclees.
I went out last night to celebrate Donkey's birthday. He claims to be turning 36 or something like that. It was a good time at fado with a bunch of people from my old group at aarp. I'm glad I get to see those jacks on a pretty regular basis. I like my new gig but I miss the old crew.
Packing and celebrating the last crazy night of Hanukkah. The boys are excited to see my old electric train set tomorrow.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
On the 5th Night of Hanukkah
Papa got a delivery from the UPS guy at 7:45pm. It was six fantastic bottles of wine from Linda and Gil. I consider wine the perfect gift and wish I could open some now but it is Tuesday and I have an early meeting tomorrow. Thank you so much for something I will be enjoying for a few weekends to come.
Papa got a delivery from the UPS guy at 7:45pm. It was six fantastic bottles of wine from Linda and Gil. I consider wine the perfect gift and wish I could open some now but it is Tuesday and I have an early meeting tomorrow. Thank you so much for something I will be enjoying for a few weekends to come.
Whitehouse wreath
Whitehouse wreath
Originally uploaded by homerclees.
I walked on penn to the gym today instead of across the elipse and got there without being detoured. I got this photo of a wreath on one of the front gates. Lovely. Have another aia holiday party tomorrow. I'm getting all partied out. Had the big all staff party on friday, the management council party at the ceo's house yesterday and my division party tomorrow. Good times.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Second Night
The boys made Menorahs in school on Friday and we used them last night to celebrate the second night of Hanukkah. It seemed to be a free form exercise, using a block of wood, bolt nuts, glue and glitter. The kind of randomly got placed on the board but basically work. The boys open presents from Grandma and Grandpa Duritz last night. I don't know what they get tonight but our friend Liz is coming over for dinner. She moved to Boston last month but is back for a few days to say hi.
The boys made Menorahs in school on Friday and we used them last night to celebrate the second night of Hanukkah. It seemed to be a free form exercise, using a block of wood, bolt nuts, glue and glitter. The kind of randomly got placed on the board but basically work. The boys open presents from Grandma and Grandpa Duritz last night. I don't know what they get tonight but our friend Liz is coming over for dinner. She moved to Boston last month but is back for a few days to say hi.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Friday, December 15, 2006
Pet Peeves Continued
Ok, so I think what irritates me the most about the secret service closing down my way to the gym on a regular basis is that I don't really think the President should leave the Whitehouse. He basically runs his administration with a bunker mentality and only seems to visit other departments of government to tell people "he won't accept ideas that will lead to defeat" What's that all about? That basically allows him to accept no ideas because he can claim anything would lead to defeat. Besides, shouldn't he have been doing this for the last 5 years? Maybe if he got out and asked people for ideas before he invaded Iraq, we wouldn't have this impossible problem. Maybe, if he would have asked people for ideas and adjusted his strategy all along, we wouldn't have this impossible problem. I didn't have to walk accross the elipse 5 years ago, he could have gone on many fact finding missions in DC then, but didn't.
In case anyone else noticed, Kumie closed down her blog. That annoys me too and I went to Quiznos again yesterday and sure enough, they still want to know if I want Tomato's and Lettuce on my BLT. I may go in next week and tell them that I'd like tomato's and lettuce but hold the bacon and see how they react.
Ok, so I think what irritates me the most about the secret service closing down my way to the gym on a regular basis is that I don't really think the President should leave the Whitehouse. He basically runs his administration with a bunker mentality and only seems to visit other departments of government to tell people "he won't accept ideas that will lead to defeat" What's that all about? That basically allows him to accept no ideas because he can claim anything would lead to defeat. Besides, shouldn't he have been doing this for the last 5 years? Maybe if he got out and asked people for ideas before he invaded Iraq, we wouldn't have this impossible problem. Maybe, if he would have asked people for ideas and adjusted his strategy all along, we wouldn't have this impossible problem. I didn't have to walk accross the elipse 5 years ago, he could have gone on many fact finding missions in DC then, but didn't.
In case anyone else noticed, Kumie closed down her blog. That annoys me too and I went to Quiznos again yesterday and sure enough, they still want to know if I want Tomato's and Lettuce on my BLT. I may go in next week and tell them that I'd like tomato's and lettuce but hold the bacon and see how they react.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
I really hate when the White House security closes down the top of the elipse for motorcades. Their is absolutely no reason why I can't walk through on the way to the gym while they prepare for the heavely armoured motercade to head out. I mean, come on. They don't shut down sidewalks on any other street when they go by and they don't tell you its blocked until you are halfway there which requires me to go all the back and around another way. Really annoying.
Also, I've been going to quiznos every once in a while lately and ordering a really tasty double bacon blt and every damn time the guy asks if I want tomatos, lettace and mayo. what do they think blt stands for? Wow.
Also, I've been going to quiznos every once in a while lately and ordering a really tasty double bacon blt and every damn time the guy asks if I want tomatos, lettace and mayo. what do they think blt stands for? Wow.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Tiger Woods Golf
I've introduced the boys to Tiger Woods Golf on the Xbox 360 this weekend. They aren't bad. Sam pared the second hole he played and Dylan chipped in from about 60 yards out. They are doing better than McConnell did the first time he played it. They have had challenges with the game here and there but they seem to get the whole concept of golf now. Good sign.
Momma and boys went back to the Botanic Garden today on a play date with Charlie and his parents. The pictures are here. I stayed home and rested my sore rib cage. I fell down some freshly mopped stairs that didn't have a wet floor caution sign on it Wednesday and it feels like I cracked some ribs. I don't think I actually did crack ribs because I landed on my butt and kind of pulled the rib cage a bit. Anyway, it hurts..
Sam has a nasty cough and Dylan is probably right behind him. I hope they feel better so they can go to school tomorrow. They like school. Man, Sam just birdied number 17 at Pebble Beach.
I've introduced the boys to Tiger Woods Golf on the Xbox 360 this weekend. They aren't bad. Sam pared the second hole he played and Dylan chipped in from about 60 yards out. They are doing better than McConnell did the first time he played it. They have had challenges with the game here and there but they seem to get the whole concept of golf now. Good sign.
Momma and boys went back to the Botanic Garden today on a play date with Charlie and his parents. The pictures are here. I stayed home and rested my sore rib cage. I fell down some freshly mopped stairs that didn't have a wet floor caution sign on it Wednesday and it feels like I cracked some ribs. I don't think I actually did crack ribs because I landed on my butt and kind of pulled the rib cage a bit. Anyway, it hurts..
Sam has a nasty cough and Dylan is probably right behind him. I hope they feel better so they can go to school tomorrow. They like school. Man, Sam just birdied number 17 at Pebble Beach.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Capitol Christmas Tree
My friend Jessica and I took the boys downtown to the Botanical Gardens today and checked out the Capitol Christmas Tree as well. We also took the boys to a quick run around the Air and Space Museum. Nicole got the day off and shopped a little. I have a bunch of pictures I'll put up in Flickr tomorrow.
My friend Jessica and I took the boys downtown to the Botanical Gardens today and checked out the Capitol Christmas Tree as well. We also took the boys to a quick run around the Air and Space Museum. Nicole got the day off and shopped a little. I have a bunch of pictures I'll put up in Flickr tomorrow.
Friday, December 08, 2006
Time Flies
I guess I forgot to post the last few days. It's been another busy week at work, but busy in a good way. I was able to get out with a few people on Wednesday night, which was fun but otherwise, it's been work. We had a plumber come over yesterday to replace a shower faucet valve that went bad. It only gave us steaming hot water which made it difficult to shower. Unfortuneatly, I didn't realize they would have to cut a hole in the guest bathroom to replace the value in our shower. That kind of sucked but Nicole was itching to have that bathroom redone anyway. All in all, I had a nice normal shower this morning before heading out in the the 20 degree morning.
The boys are doing well and we are heading down to the US Botanical Gardens tomorrow to see a model train set up in the plants. They should like that for a little while anyway. I'll take some pictures. It's going to be cold this weekend so I plan on lighting a number of fires and sitting around. It's a good time of year.
I guess I forgot to post the last few days. It's been another busy week at work, but busy in a good way. I was able to get out with a few people on Wednesday night, which was fun but otherwise, it's been work. We had a plumber come over yesterday to replace a shower faucet valve that went bad. It only gave us steaming hot water which made it difficult to shower. Unfortuneatly, I didn't realize they would have to cut a hole in the guest bathroom to replace the value in our shower. That kind of sucked but Nicole was itching to have that bathroom redone anyway. All in all, I had a nice normal shower this morning before heading out in the the 20 degree morning.
The boys are doing well and we are heading down to the US Botanical Gardens tomorrow to see a model train set up in the plants. They should like that for a little while anyway. I'll take some pictures. It's going to be cold this weekend so I plan on lighting a number of fires and sitting around. It's a good time of year.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Don't forget, this is the Day of the Ninja. Forget "talk like a pirate day" this is a real holiday. More information here http://dayoftheninja.com/index2.html
Monday, December 04, 2006
The Play
In honor of the Cal win over Stanford this weekend, I thought I would post "the play" on this blog. I also noticed flickr did a whole "Big Game" cluster that you Cal fans will find here http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/biggame/clusters/cal-berkeley-stanford/
In honor of the Cal win over Stanford this weekend, I thought I would post "the play" on this blog. I also noticed flickr did a whole "Big Game" cluster that you Cal fans will find here http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/biggame/clusters/cal-berkeley-stanford/
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Decorating the Tree
We did a lot of shopping today. Some for a couple of Angel Tree kids we adopted for Christmas. These are kids in the DC Metro area that may not be getting a lot under the tree. Both were boys around 5 or 6 years old so we bought a shirt and sweater, hat and gloves, a book and two toys a piece. I hope they like them. We also bought a new faucet for the master bedroom shower. The one currently installed only delivers extremely hot water. Hopefully the plumber will come this week. We are moving our showers to the guest bath for now. And finally, we got a new HP Printer, scanner, copier and fax. It also has built in wireless Internet so that our laptops can print from it without the family room computer being turned on. The family room computer used to serve as the print server to the old printer but new one is on the network all by itself. Very cool.
The boys are doing well and liking all the holiday stuff. We raced our bikes on the driveway for a long while tonight and they have become pretty slick on those trikes. They can pick up some good speed and put them into a complete 180 at the end of the driveway. I got my bike out this weekend and filled the tires with air to ride with them. They really like papa's bike and want to ride it. I guess it's time to get new bikes for the little speed demons and for momma to finally get her bike back in shape. Got a busy week planned, need to get some sleep.
We did a lot of shopping today. Some for a couple of Angel Tree kids we adopted for Christmas. These are kids in the DC Metro area that may not be getting a lot under the tree. Both were boys around 5 or 6 years old so we bought a shirt and sweater, hat and gloves, a book and two toys a piece. I hope they like them. We also bought a new faucet for the master bedroom shower. The one currently installed only delivers extremely hot water. Hopefully the plumber will come this week. We are moving our showers to the guest bath for now. And finally, we got a new HP Printer, scanner, copier and fax. It also has built in wireless Internet so that our laptops can print from it without the family room computer being turned on. The family room computer used to serve as the print server to the old printer but new one is on the network all by itself. Very cool.
The boys are doing well and liking all the holiday stuff. We raced our bikes on the driveway for a long while tonight and they have become pretty slick on those trikes. They can pick up some good speed and put them into a complete 180 at the end of the driveway. I got my bike out this weekend and filled the tires with air to ride with them. They really like papa's bike and want to ride it. I guess it's time to get new bikes for the little speed demons and for momma to finally get her bike back in shape. Got a busy week planned, need to get some sleep.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Scottish Walk and Tree Trimming
Man, it turned cold around here in a hurry. It was 75 yesterday and this morning we woke up to 30 degrees. We went down to the annual Scottish Walk in old town Alexandria this morning to see the parade of plaid. It was chilly on the sidewalk but the boys loved all the bag pipes, dogs, politicians and men in skirts. The parade was entertaining per usual and I got a bunch of pictures of it here. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157594402565053/
We headed off to buy a small Christmas tree after that and brought home a lovely miniture tree complete with it's own base. We are still sticking with a mini tree at this point because we really don't have room for a big one in the family room and the living room is still basically a play room for the boys. We're going to have to get a bigger tree soon, we seem to have too many ornaments for the 4 footer we have now. We also got the stockings up but realized that Nicole doesn't have one. Not surprising really, considering her heritage but it is sad that me and the boys will be getting cool stuff put in our stocking by Santa and Nicole's going to miss out.
Man, it turned cold around here in a hurry. It was 75 yesterday and this morning we woke up to 30 degrees. We went down to the annual Scottish Walk in old town Alexandria this morning to see the parade of plaid. It was chilly on the sidewalk but the boys loved all the bag pipes, dogs, politicians and men in skirts. The parade was entertaining per usual and I got a bunch of pictures of it here. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157594402565053/
We headed off to buy a small Christmas tree after that and brought home a lovely miniture tree complete with it's own base. We are still sticking with a mini tree at this point because we really don't have room for a big one in the family room and the living room is still basically a play room for the boys. We're going to have to get a bigger tree soon, we seem to have too many ornaments for the 4 footer we have now. We also got the stockings up but realized that Nicole doesn't have one. Not surprising really, considering her heritage but it is sad that me and the boys will be getting cool stuff put in our stocking by Santa and Nicole's going to miss out.
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