Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Momma and Dylan enjoying some post dinner ice cream in old town.

Out of the house

Out of the house
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

After another 36 hours of snow, shoveling and hunkering, we have
ventured out over horid nieghborhood streets to grab some dinner in
kingstowne. It was almost 40 today and the melting has begun but its
a lot of snow that needs to disappear. Cabin fever was setting in and
our food choices were getting limited. The boys and I are taking
Nicole out in old town for Valentines day in Saturday night as well
and they want to help pay for it as well. That's nice of them.

A New Record!


Well, if nothing else, we officially beat the long standing seasonal record for snow in the DC area. This is the official measurement from DCA but I'm sure that we have had about 5 more inches than that and I'm sure some spots in the northern suburbs are 10 or 15 inches higher. We are just getting hammered.

We just got in from another round of shoveling but the wind was kind of high so we cut it a little short. It is all very beautiful and feel of the fire on your face after being outside for an hour is quite fantastic. It's going to be another night of movies and wine as long as the power hangs on, then back outside in the morning to shovel some more snow. I really hope we see a plow this time around. I don't believe one has been down our road since this whole thing started last Friday.

Oh yeah, it's only early February. We could get hit a few more times.

Blizzard 2010

Now we have snow and 45 miles gusts of wind for the rest of today. I think the snow totals in Alexandria will be in the 8-10 range but the wind is whipping all 30 inches of the stuff around out there. We haven't even been out to shovel in fear of being blown away or hit by a tree. We have power at this point but I'm keeping all my electronics plugged in as a hedge against the high possibility of an outage. Good thing we got out yesterday because it's going to be a long day inside today.

It starts again

It starts again
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

We got out today on very dicey streets to spend some time at the mount
Vernon rec center pool. It felt good to do a little swimming while the
snow started again outside. No work again today, fed was closed for
the second day in a row and by the looks of the weather report, will
be for a third day in a row tomorrow. I'm having some minor vein
surgery on Friday so this week may be a wash if we don't get to work
on Thursday. Let's hope the snow totals stay down around here this
time. My trees need a break.

It just keeps coming

At least we are in the 5 to 10 range. School has been canceled for Tuesday and Wednesday now so we will have to figure out how to keep the kids busy and hope we don't have any more trees come crashing down.

Beginner Braces

Beginner Braces
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

We braved the snow to get Sam some braces on his front teeth this
morning. No bagels for three weeks. Not sure what he's going to eat.
No work today. Dc is still shut down and the roads, quite frankly suck.

It's a snowy, snowy world

I pulled together a bunch of pictures from the last few days and put them on flickr. We did some more digging this morning and I hacked up the tree that fell on the driveway. Some of the tree is still standing but will not make it without the significant part that fell. We have another huge part of a tree next to it on the ground but it's not in the driveway and I will get to that when the snow goes away. Actually, that's bigger and will be a job for Mr. Woo.

I have the fireplace up and running again since we have not seen a plow down the street yet and it may be well into this evening or tomorrow before one gets to us. We never seem to be on the first to plow list. Anyway, the fireplace is roaring, the electricity is one, the Internet is available and the fios tv is working so bring on the Super Bowl even if the right NFC team isn't there. Go Colts....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157623248167671/

Break of Day


Getting electricity and heat back last night at around 11pm made yesterday a little better and the sun being out and bright this morning is helping with the whole snowboundness feeling. We still need to get out and do some more shoveling and sawing up of the half tree that feel in the driveway but based on the road in front of our house, we aren't going anywhere for a while anyway. Our annual Superbowl get together is going to be the four of us this year. No one will be able to get here for Nicole's roasted pepper lasagna. It's all mine.

Snowmageddon

I miss spoke in my last post. The official name of this storm is Snowmageddon. And it is one. We have 24 inches on the ground and not a plow in sight. The power is still out and I'm going thru wood like a lumberjack. The good news is, we didn't get the 32 inches Dulles airport got or the 29 inches Modean got in Catonsville. We took a walk before sunset and there are ton of trees down and the roads to get to either Telegraph or Franconia are basically impassable, even by 4 wheel drive vehicles. It's nasty out there and the temp is going down to 9 tonight. The four of us will be in one bed this evening. Lots of body heat.

Snowpocalypse

It's getting a little crazy out there. Tree limbs are cracking, we lost power. We must have 20 inches of snow and have more on the way. Snow days with power is much better but we have full batteries on the laptops and DSi's as well as both fireplaces blazing away. The boys are all covered up watching a movie on one of the laptops and when that one goes bad, we'll go to the next one. I have internet access thru a tethered blackberry at the moment and if the power thing goes on for a while, I'll fire up the generator to get us all charged up again.

The temperature is starting to drop now and it's suppose to be 17 for a low tonight. That could get a little chilly but if we all get in one bed we should be fine. Radar looks promising with the low pushing out to sea and the trailing bands of snow looking less intense. This is the worst snow event I can remember around here anyway. We will be digging out for days.

Ouch


We've seen about 17 inches of snow so far and have another few to come. Last nights snow was particularly heavy and caused at least one tree to topple right behind the cars. I've also seen some good size branches laying around the house but haven't really do a full damage assessment. The good news is that the temps are going down and the snow is getting lighter. I'm not sure how much more weight some of the big trees out front can take. It's going to be a couple days before we are able to leave the homestead. It's just nasty out there.

This one looks pretty good



If you don't here from us for a while, it's because we are digging out from under a carp load of snow. I will be surprised if we actually get anywhere near 26 inches but I do know that school has been canceled already and the federal government has told it's employees to stay out of DC if they can help it. I've got a ton of firewood and I'm thinking I need to get the generator out, fired up and read for this one.

Ready for some Football?



I don't typically watch football with Green Bay fans. Maybe I'm afraid this will happen. Hey, it's Minnesota and Wisconsin. We are like brothers or kissing cousins.

Even More Snow

We are now expected to get 3 to 6 more tonight with another storm possible this weekend. Now typically, DC gets a total of 15 inches over the course of a winter and the last few winters we've seen barely 6 inches. We are currently at a whopping total of 24 for the season with some good weeks of winter left. I like it.

I posted a bunch of pictures of the hike last weekend on flickr. It was great to get outdoors and do a couple miles on completely fresh trails. We were the first people on most of the trails that morning. It was very cool to see miles of untouched snow in front of us as we hiked. We may be able to repeat it this Sunday.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157623322624084/

mason neck winter hike

Map your trip with EveryTrail

Snowy Bluegrass

Snowy Bluegrass
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Dinner was great and a quick shot of some bluegrass at Tiffany Tavern
is in honor of Thom and Jenn. A snowy night in Alexandria makes me
feel like hiding the pickle. A Christmas pickle you sickos.

Little Swings


It wasn't that long ago when they fit in those baby swings. Not they just sit a top them. These are the same swing that Sam once said that he thought the swings were getting smaller because he didn't fit as well anymore. I blogged about it 4 or 5 years ago. I think he gets that he's the one changing sizes now.

It's a snowy world


I quick hike up the park and some rides down the slides. They are very slippery when you're wearing snow pants.

More snow

More snow
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

It's pretty cold and we may get up to six inches of the stuff. It
shouldn't get in the way of dinner in old town tonight and will
probably make it look all winter wonderlandy.

Drought

Drought
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Yes, I've hit kind of a dry spell in my blogging. I guess that happens
every once in a while. Got back from Texas on Sunday in time to see
the Vikings lose and I've been a little depressed since. The boys are
good and Nicole is fine. Work is busy but not insane. I'm looking
forward to the winter olympics now. Go team USA.

Nicole is already planning out the many camps and activities for the
summer but i'm not quite looking forward to warm weather. Need some
more snow, cold and fire over the next couple months.

Sunset over Ft. Worth

Sunset over Ft. Worth
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Not bad for a view of a 50 year old warehouse.

Fort Worth Fun

At least its warm down here and not raining like the east and west coasts. These weekend business meetings are to be expected in professional society land and all these society volunteers have day jobs so giving up a few of my weekends a year is very reasonable. I should be back in time to see the vikings game on sunday and I'll probably take Monday off to either bask in the glory or recover from the defeat.

Another Shot at the Super Bowl



Yesterday was cold and rainy but the fireplace and Vikings game made
everything better. We really didn't leave the house all day but had a
good time playing games and watching footdball. Today was very nice,
with temps in the 50's and a bright sunshine. We went to the park and
got some basketball practice in. We lost 30 to 7 on Saturday so some
shooting practice was in order.

Dylan got a retainer at the dentist today and I got some new shoes. It
has been a nice holiday weekend. Back to work tomorrow then off to
Dallas for a couple days. I may wear my Viking scarf.

Gopher Boys


A friend of Nicole's sent us a box of Gopher gear from the Insight Bowl game they played on New Years Eve. I actually don't know if they won or lost the game but the gear is cool. I got a couple shirts out of the deal as well. We need something to counter act all the Cal gear that ends up on our bodies sent from Uncle Adam and Grandma.

Speaking of Grandma gifts, the boys have been using their New York City Subway map place mats for a few weeks now and tonight at dinner, I decided to test their navigation skills. I asked them how they would get from Adam's house in the East Village to LaGuardia Airport by subway. Dylan piped up right away and pointed at the map, saying I would take the 6 train from Astor Place to Grand Central and transfer to the 7 out to Flushing and take a cab from there. He was actually spot on, except he could also take a bus from the end of that line. I was pretty amazed and ready to put him on a plane to NYC and tell him to find his way to see Adam and Emmy. Nicole vetoed that idea.

Basketball Practice

Basketball Practice
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

They need it but listening to the coach is still a challenge.

Flag Football
We played a little flag football on the lawn this afternoon. It was really pretty chilly but Sam wanted to don the flags and run around. I avoided any serious injury but did tweak the knee a couple times trying to catch the slippery little sausages.

Sack Dance

Sack Dance
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Sam and Dylan were showing me their Jared Allen sack dance after the
cardinals beat the packers in a fun to watch overtime game. Guess the
vikings will not have to beat the pack for a third time this in the
NFC championship game. I would like to see another shot at the cards.
Anyway, Dallas first.

Good Preasure from Dylan

Good Preasure from Dylan
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The boys are not great shooters but they are tenacious on D.

Big Hat

Big Hat
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Dylan got in bed tonight and arranged all his stuffed animals around
his head. He said he had a big hat.

Lookin Tough at The Rink

Lookin Tough at The Rink
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

This is the first time they have skated for two years and it showed.
They were picking it up again after a couple laps but man, skating
hurts my feet and knee a bunch. The boys need some more lessons if
they are ever going to become mt Vernon Ice Dogs. It's cold here and
I've been and im chewing through a ton of wood. Going to need to order
more before the end of January. The fireplace is on overdrive but it
feels good.

A Happy New Year

These are the sweaters Emmy bought the boys for Christmas and what they wore to the play in Hopkins last week. It's been a nice winter break with Christmas in Minnesota, then a fairly short work week and this long new year holiday weekend. We've done a bunch of hangin around the last few days with Mike coming over yesterday for some Mario vs. Sonic Olympic games on the Wii. We did get them new bikes at Spokes. We figured we'd get them the last child size bike but it turns out they fit into adult 13 inch frames. Some nice Trek 3700 mountain bikes that should last until they are 12 or 13. They think the front shocks are pretty cool.

Their basketball game was called off this morning due to the building being locked up and nobody having the key so we went to the pool for a while then out to lunch. It's nice spending some quality time with the boys over the last couple weeks. I've not really been away from them long over that time and while they can be annoying, they are also pretty amazing. I put a bunch of pictures from Minnesota up on Flickr for everyones enjoyment. I took a lot of digital video that I will need to edit and may add to the site at some point, right now I'm thinking of putting my pajamas back on and opening some wine.

Icy New Years Eve


Woke up to a bunch of ice on the trees, cars and road this morning. It's all better now but made for some lovely ice laden trees. The kids are off again today so I stayed home and worked while the boys spend hours on the Wii and Xbox. Probably too much time but I had things to do to close out the year. I think it's time to take them out and buy them some new bikes.

Favre and Harvin

Favre and Harvin
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The boys got new Vikings jerseys and track suits to really get their
inner purple power going. We all had a nice Christmas day with a bunch
of new snow and a trip back to the sledding hill. The boys said they
heard Santa last night. They are already planning on what they want
from him next year.

Merry Christmas


Did the crazed present opening session with these four last night and then santa showed up so the boys had more to open this morning. It's still snowing this morning and is suppose to snow all day. That won't stop us from going to the sledding hill a little bit later. Should be some good powder.

Sledding Fun

Sledding Fun
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Got out to the big hill today for two hours. It was 32 degrees and
snowing the whole time. Very pretty and not at all cold. Christmas
cheer now, then the child present ripping apart will begin.

Twas the day before Xmas

Twas the day before Xmas
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

And the first six of some twenty inches of snow has fallen on a decent
base of the white stuff to begin with. Off to sled at Orono Golf
Course before the heavy stuff starts coming down.

Snowapallooza 2009


Tons of snow but we are all shoveled out and waiting for the plows. Here are some pictures from the last couple days.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157622913012017/

That's Some Snow


More shoveling on tap today. Did the driveway twice yesterday and I'm sure we have another 4 or 5 inches on it again. No snow plow yet and I imagine, it will be a while.

The Weatherman didn't disapoint


I don't think we will be in the catastrophic 20 inch range but it's already 8 or 9 with some hours left of this storm. Time to get outside and throw some snowballs as the boys.

The Eighth Night


Burning all the candles before the big snow. I have a whole slew of lego contraptions to assemble this weekend from the eight nights of presents and goodies. They will be getting tons more stuff in just a few days when old St. Nick comes a callin but it looks like the bikes we are getting them will have to wait till the snow melts. Which, probably won't be that long.

This looks even more promising


If not a little scary. We could be snowed in for days if the 14-22 line moves a few miles north. Virginia doesn't have enough snow plows. I've got firewood, movies, cheese puffs and wine. Let it snow.

This looks Promising


It looks like the plan to go out and get the boys new bikes for Christmaka will be on hold this weekend. Shoveling and fire staring will be on the agenda it appears. This is all suppose to fall by Saturday night so hopefully, not getting in the way of Christmas travel plans. DC has not had this much snow in many years, the kids were less than one the last time we had as much as they are predicting. Should be fun.

Cast Free

Cast Free
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Sam got his cast off today but was very upset to learn he can't play
basketball for two more weeks. He cried most of the way home and also
came to the realization that he really shouldn't go to the gym during
after school care either. Dylan piped up at that point and said, "I
won't go to the gym either, I love you Sam, more than the gym". It's
nice to have the cast off but I guess the doctor wants to ease back
into the full contact 7 year life style. He'll be ready for sleding
next week.