Frozen Lake

Part of our last day in Minnesota fun was the boys first walk on a frozen lake. This is Long Lake and my sisters house is off to the left there somewhere. Friday was a little drizelly and nearly 40 degrees but it was about 20 degrees in this picture with a little wind and 5 degrees when we left MSP this moring at 6am. The boys loved the idea of walking on water but as you can tell from their faces, it was a little cold. Back to Alexandria and 65 degree weather when we landed at noon. We got out on the yard and put the boys new baseball bats to work. I kinda miss winter.

Peef the Christmas Bear

Peef the Christmas Bear
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Saw a lovely production by some taleted children at the hopkins art center yesterday. The plays are only 50 minutes long and perfect for the kids. Went out with my high school buddies last night. Good times.

Merry Christmas

All the best from Sam, Finn and Dylan.

Tracks in the snow

Tracks in the snow
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Today it didn't get out of the single digits and sledding was much colder. Once the face got numb we were fine. We also hit the big hills at Orono golf coarse, getting some serious speed going. Hope everyone has a very happy Christmas.

Sledding

Sledding
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Got out in the fresh snow this afternoon and did some sledding. Trudging up and down the hill really wears out the boys but I got to stay at the top and give them a little shove towards the jump half way down.

Last year I had to carry Sam up after each ride down because he had a full leg cast. That was exausting and the leg thing was a little scary at the time.

Plenty of snow

Plenty of snow
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Here in Minnesota. Plenty cold too but are expecting a heat wave this week. Hello low 20's.

Happy Hanukkah

We spent the day today down at the Capitol and US Botanic Gardens and riding bikes in Virginia. It's getting cold around here and we got ice last night but the sun was out and it felt good to be outdoors. I have picture from the trip downtown and I'll post them later.

Here they are http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157611503633328/

Class Photo

Dylan brought home a class photo yesterday and said he really likes the girl next to him. He, like Sam really likes school and look forward to it daily. I don't remember those days. I did choose to go to college and grad school, I guess I didn't have to do that but I don't remember getting up in the morning and running out the door to get there.

Jail Bird

Jail Bird
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Found Santa jailed on the street last night. Bad Santa.

Long Week

This week has been dragging a little and I think it's just the anticipation of Christmas and the New Year. I still have work to do but somehow it's easier to get distracted with an article on Washington Post.com or by typing out a blog posting. I'm pretty much out all next week and in for a few office cleaning and organizing days between the Christmas and New Years. I know their is a ton of stuff I should be working on but the overwhelming desire to build a fire and do nothing is tearing at my concentration. I did call the firewood guy and have another couple cords coming my way soon. Hmmmm, Fire..

Wheels to the world

Wheels to the world
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I finally got around to taking the training wheels off the boys bikes today and much to my surprise it took them all of 2 minutes to be riding circles in the school parking lot. Sam was all about giving it a try and got going right away while Dylan protested that he couldn't do it but picked of up as quickly as Sam after I forced him to try. I'm proud of them both.

I remember the freedom of having a bike when I was a kid. It opens up so much more of the world. I would ride hundreds of miles during the summer going to friends houses, movies, the beach and dairy queen. The boys world got a little bigger today and they got a little further out from under our wings.

The tree

The tree
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I do like this time of the year. The house smells good, the boys are a
little more excited and the extra long nights make me want to stay
close to home. Time for a long winters nap.

Obi Wan and Luke

The boys went to a Star Wars themed birthday party on Saturday after noon and cam back with some funky outfits. They didn't get to bring these weapons with them but the whole party had smaller balloon light sabers. All they wanted to do today is play star wars even though it was about 38 degrees with a 25 mph wind. Chilly... We managed to get up on Saturday and attend the Alexandria Scottish Walk. It is always a good time and we saw many men with skirts including Willard Scott, this years Grand Marshall. Check out the picture here. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157610813548915/

Today was Christmas tree day and we got a little bit bigger one this year. It still fits in the traditional spot without moving furniture but feels much bigger than the small ones we've gotten in the past. The boys loved decorating it and only broke a couple ornaments in the process.

I finally finished uploading the Thanksgiving and Napa photos and posted them to flickr. I got a few good ones but nothing spectacular.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157610806671577/

The BIG Game



Finally got another set up pictures up from our Thanksgiving trip west. The Cal-Stanford game was fun and the weather was perfect. Oh yeah, and the Bears won.

Gingerbread

Gingerbread
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The ritz carlton pentagon city had a real full size gingerbread house set up. If you like the smell of gingerbread you couldn't get any better experience than being inside it.

Had all day board meetings at the hotel but it's closer to home than my office which was nice.

Yes Sir Captain

The boys got wings from the flight back to DC on Friday and they wanted to wear them to school yesterday. Dylan went as far as wanting to wear a tie and jacket. We convinced him that pilots were ties and sweater vests too. It's been a rough awakening getting back to work after being away for 10 days but I'm starting to get the hang of it again. I will get to posting the rest of the Thanksgiving pictures later this week. Got some decent one's of the big game and Napa.

Safari West

Our trip up to Napa started with a safari in the mountains between the Napa and Sonoma valleys. The place was chock full of African animals wide open spaces only accessible by these crazy jeep like things. While the animals were cool I was more afraid of the big inclines, declines and cliffs as we made our way through the park. We were just a blown tire away from rolling over a ledge and plunging down into a gorge. Here are the pictures.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157610626848292/

Driving that train

Driving that train
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

From the car rental return to the terminal. Any train is exciting to these kids. Let's hope traveling on the day after Thanksgiving is easier than later this weekend. It will be nice to get home with a couple days to get things done around the house before heading back to work on Monday. I will miss a those leftovers on grandmas fridge but I'm sure my waist won't.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Lawrence Hall

Lawrence Hall
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Building sailboats at the Lawrence Hall of Science. Good thing to do on a rainy day in Berkeley.

Above Calistoga

Above Calistoga
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

We got a quick hike in this morning before checking out of our cabin.
Three miles up a mountain with some great views if the valley. This is
a shot of some vines at the base of the hike. We got up to about 750
feet before we had to turn around and get back to Calistoga and check
out. 3 miles in all, good workout before more wine tasting.

Yountville Railway Hotel

Yountville Railway Hotel
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Yes, we slept in a box car last night. We took a safari in the Sonoma hills yesterday complete with giraffes, wildabeast and rhinos. I'll post pictures of that later. Off to drink wine today.

Cal Bears

Cal Bears
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Everyone put on tons of blue and gold this morning and headed down to the big game at memorial stadium. Adam got us on the field before the game and we ended up on the field after the Golden Bears trouncing of the Cardinal.

Christmas already?

Christmas already?
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The Clairmont lobby is already decked out for Christmas. I like the season but it seems kinds early. Hell, I like it.

Clairemont

Clairemont
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Just finished an extra long workout at the clairemont and feel totally refreshed. Yesterday was a long day with the early wake up, cross country flight, and 3 mile hike in the hills. The weather is great per usual around here and it's looking like perfect football weather for tomorrows Cal - Stanford game.

On the bus

On the bus
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

From the economy lot to the terminal.

School Pictures

Now I think they should have taken Dylan's picture over because they were obviously pointing a gun at him at the time. I think they both look fantastic but Dylan looks a little tense in his shot. I think Dylan had the better photo last year. I guess it all evens out.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAE

From the boys....

Fall Stroll

I was a little windy and a lot colder today than yesterday but it was perfect for a walk in the woods. We needed to get out and hike. The boys multiple broken legs had greatly limited out hiking in the past 6 or 8 months but they were troopers today. Made the two miles without a complaint. I think we need to up the mileage to 4 or 5 soon. Here are the photos on flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157609215227208/

Candy Tracks

Candy Tracks
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

A free online game that the boys love. I don't know why we have the xbox and wii now. We went on a nice hike this morning at leesylvania state park. I gave each boy a camera and we got a lot of good shots. I'll post them later today.

Foggy Alexandria

Foggy Alexandria
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Jeremiah has issues

Jeremiah has issues
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Love this ad on metro for software developer training. I keep imagining Kumie the samurai warrior. Do I really want to hire a guy that has a sword?

Birthday Photos

I finally got around to getting the birthday party photos up on flickr. I think the 17 children completely drained all energy from me for a short while. I need to go to bed now and continue my re-charging. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157608832557025/

Forgot to mention the Vikings victory over the Pack yesterday. I just need to blog it so I don't forget a year from now.

6th Birthday Party

This whole world passing game didn't work so well but the kids did like making their own space helmets, playing alien tag, playing pin the rocket on the moon and beating the crap out of a space shuttle pinata. About 15 kids and two hours of madness. I took a whole lot of pictures but I'm too tired to post them now. Tomorrow I'm sure.

Happy Birthday Dylan and Sam

Yes, the boys are now 6 years old and entering their terrible 2's. They were so ramped up today we almost had to call the whole thing off. Grandpa now has them in the guest room reading and hopefully settling down a bit. They had school, karate, pizza, cake, presents and everything that comes with a birthday but man, did they need to settle down. The big party is on Saturday with a houseful of 5 and 6 year olds all hopped up on chocolate icing. That should be fun. Regardless, they have come a long way in six years and have completely stolen my heart. Love them both.

Dylan Art

Dylan Art
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Parent teacher conferences today and voting in the same location. Bonus. The Who were good last night at the verizon center. Great seats and the price was right, free that is. They also played a great rendition of 5:15 which made the night for me anyway.

The Who

The Who
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

On to the Birthday Party


Fun party last night but now I'm really tired, even with that extra hour. We had to clean up Halloween decorations today and start preparing for the boys birthday party next Saturday. It's a space theme I believe. I posted a whole bunch of pictures to flickr this morning and I realized I didn't really get any of Nicole in her biker chick costume. I was the biker dude\roadie guy.

Enjoy the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157608591690712/

All Saints Day

Yes, the Saturday after Halloween and our annual halloween party. The kids were insane and we will be cleaning for a few days but it was a ton of fun. Modean got a hold of my camera and got this pic of me and Sam. I was a biker and Sam was pretty tired when he finally went to bed at 11pm. More pictures tomorrow.

Happy Halloween

Those Things Again

The boys couldn't wear their official costumes to school today but were allowed to come to school as characters in a book. They are little terrors at times. The real costumes and some trick or treating tonight.