Cousins

Cousins
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The boys seem to be having fun without us in Minnesota. They are all getting so big. All quiet in our household, strangely quiet.

Off to Minnesota

Off to Minnesota
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

With Grandma this time. The first time they are leaving Nicole and I at home alone. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with all the free time.

Hottest June Ever

Yes, we just survived the hottest June in the history of the DC area. Many, many days in the 90's with heat indexes near or over a 100 degrees. Fortunately, we have gotten two beautiful days as a reward for all the heat yesterday and today with tomorrow looking good too. We actually were able to eat out on the porch tonight with a nice north wind keeping us nice and cool. I'm hoping we get a bunch of this type of weather in Northern Minnesota later this month. The day are getting shorter now and fall is right around the corner. I need to start planning the Halloween party soon.

Blue Belts

Blue Belts
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Blue Belts

Blue Belts
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The boys got their blue belts today and are mighty proud. Just in time to visit Minnesota and karate chop grandpa. Who's birthday it is today. Happy Birthday grandpa.

Total Sports Camp

I dropped the boys off for their second day of Total Sports Camp and man, were they ready to go. On Monday they played flag football, capture the flag, soccer, basketball and swam for a while. This did not seem to wear them out much at all but they did sink into the couch a little when they got home. This morning they couldn't wait to get there and the minute we arrived they ran to put their back packs down and grabbed a basketball to do some shooting. These kids love sports and seem to have no stamina issues with hours of running around at a time. It will be fun to hear what they did today.

Dinner for Four

Dinner for Four
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

We had a nice little dinner party last night with Craig, John, Katherine and the girls. The weather changed just enough to eat in the porch and the little boys and girls caught fireflies in the cemetery at dusk. It's nice to use the porch and back deck every once in a while. It's back to steam room humidity today and we are staying inside.

Friday Dinner Party

Friday Dinner Party
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Sam and Dylan's dates for the evening. The boys went with the matching soccer jerseys as an outfit, classy.

Baltimore Harbor

Baltimore Harbor
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

From pier 6. It's actually a nice night out on the lawn in downtown Baltimore. Yes is taking the stage now. Frampton was alright. Good times.

Frampton

Frampton
Originally uploaded by homerclees

From the lawn of pier 6, Baltimore.

Last Post With Old

Last Post With Old
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Say goodbye to blog posts with my 3G and hello to the much better camera on the iPhone 4. I'm so excited.

Way to Hot Already


I was putting a movie together from footage I took during the big snows in February and find myself wanting that cold, snowy, fireplace centric time in place of this hot, humid, jungle weather we have now. It's only June and the second day of summer and it looks like we will be in the 90's for the next 10 days or more. I am not a fan of heat. The boys only have two days of school left and things are really winding down around the school. As much as the boys like school, they are getting pretty excited about all the summer adventures they will be having. I'm looking forward to a few as well, even in the heat I guess.

Switching Sides

IMG00014-20100621-2034.jpg
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The boys have been in the same beds, on the same side of their room since they were born. Yesterday, they all of the sudden decided to switch sides and this is Dylan emerging from the sheets after I tickle attacked him and called him Sam. They usually end up in the same bed most nights anyway so I guess it doesn't matter which side of the room they sleep on, they just like sleeping together.

Fathers Day

Fathers Day
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Watching us open golf and the boys build something with legos in their
underwear. Happy fathers day all you fathers out there.

Workin the tan

Workin the tan
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

At least I'm giving it a try. I have some work to do.

World Cup 2022

World Cup 2022
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The got their very own USA World Cup Team jerseys today. They will be
on the 2012 team, right after they win the national championship
football game at Minnesota or Cal.

Ace of Cakes


This is Nicole's Dodgers cake for the big team party we had on Saturday. It was a nice little affair and the kids loved the trophies and cake. I'm exhausted from golf yesterday and need to go to bed but I managed to post some of the photos I took to flickr. Night all.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157624277002220/

Hot Round

Hot Round
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Shot with my Hipstamatic for iPhone
Lens: John S
Film: Kodot Verichrome
Flash: Off

Good but hot round at Timbers. Shot an 84 with a few birds in the mix.

End of the season

It was a hot one at the CSLL fields for closing ceremonies today. It was so hot that they started early and got done in record time. It's nice to have the season over with and we shouldn't have an athletic team commitment until this fall with flag football. I'm off to golf in the heat tomorrow. It will be good to hit the little white ball around for only the second time this year.

Charm City

Charm City
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

From the comfort of the hotel meeting room I will be in all day. Its actually very nice out and I'm looking forward to some golf this weekend.

Patay and Nicole

Patay and Nicole
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Enjoying the intermission.

James Taylor

James Taylor
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Yes, wake me up when it's over. He and Carole King are starting with
some classics but hopefully will turn it up a notch soon.

Another Pool Day

Another Pool Day
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Getting the pool in early today because it's open house day and it
will get crazy later.

After Dinner in Old Town

After Dinner in Old Town
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Hot night out on the town. Back at home watching Songcatcher and
staying cool.

Friday

Friday
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Fridays are worthy of fireworks and today was my last of three Orthovisc injections in my knee so fireworks it is. It was a good week even while feeling a little sick for most of it. Probably related to Nicole's major sickness of a week or so ago. Linda and Gil are in town this weekend and the boys have their last baseball game on Saturday. The weather looks pretty dicey but I'm working on my fifth book in two months and I'd love to finish it because I have two more I want to read. Strange how I've become s reader again after 6 years of barely reading any. The new kindle is getting a workout.

Sent from my iPad

Meteorological Summer


No grapes on these vines yet but it is officially meteorological summer and the hot summer months ahead of us. Celestial or Astronomical Summer starts around the 21st but it's feels well on it's way to mid summer with the weather around here lately. I'm predicting a pretty hot one, it's just that I think we're due. Lots to look forward to this summer but as always, I'm already looking forward to fall. Maybe we will get back to this vineyard in the fall and see some big juicy grapes hanging from these vines. I'm sure the time will go fast.

Memorial Day


We hit the pool again around noon and cooled down from the heat and extreme humidity. When we returned we went to the cemetery in our backyard and placed some flags on veterans markers. We found a handful without flags already and talked with the kids about why this day was important and why we recognize military veterans. It's important that the boys recognize that Memorial Day is about more than swimming and BBQ's. So, here at our own little cemetery, we honored the brave soldiers, sailors and airman that severed the US Armed Forces.

Army Training

Army Training
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Bruce gave the boys an unloaded demonstration on how his great
grandfather would have used this very 1863 rifle in the 3rd Maryland
during the civil war. Nice day in the vineyards and at the Hashim
house. Laying around the house and visiting the pool for a while
tomorrow. It's good to have a three day weekend.

Breaux Vineyard

Breaux Vineyard
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Spent the afternoon at a Virginia winery near purcellville. Great day
for some wine in the Blueridge.

Pools Open!

Pools Open!
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Opening day at the pool. The water is cold but I'm about to get in.
Beware of the shrinkedge.

Favre and Harvin

Favre and Harvin
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Off to school in Vikings Jerseys. Football season is coming.

Less Worn DC


My Mom was in town last weekend and we visited a few less traveled DC landmarks, including the Aquatic Gardens, National Arboretum and the Lincoln Cottage on the grounds of the Old Soilders Home. I'd been to the Aquatic Gardens before but not to the other places and it beats the hell out of visiting the Air and Space Museum for the 100th time. It was good to have Mom here and the boys enjoyed her visit as well. She got a big taste of little league baseball but because of a rain out, it wasn't a whole weekend of it.

Here are the pictures. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157624122367910/

Big Dodger Win

A long, hard fought victory tonight with the winning run coming with bases loaded at the bottom of the sixth (they only play six innings) The little Dodgers come away with their 5th win of the season and a shiny 5 and 8 record with just three games left of the season. I'm really glad it didn't go into extra innings, I was ready to go home in the 4th.

Little Dodgers


Another rain out today but the season is almost over. We are 4 and 8 with 4 games left but it's ok, we are the youngest team in the league with only three 8 year olds. That means we should do well next year.

Baysox Kiss

Baysox Kiss
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

It's turning out to be a nice night for baseball.

War Room

War Room
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The new ACS web site is a couple hours ahead of time for launch today.
Lots of work from the web team.

WSO Live

WSO Live
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Held an open house with my team today at work. Had nine tables of
expertise and a wii bowling station for fun. We probably had 250
people come by to learn about what we are doing for ACS and what they
need to do to reach their audience. It was a very successful event and
we had some fun at the same time. We will be rolling out a site
update this weekend. Lots going on.

Fun Visit with A and E

Fun Visit with A and E
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

We had a pretty tasty dinner at Columbia Firehouse then got some candy
in a little shop in oldtowne. We've all enjoyed having Adam and Emmy
here for Nicoles birthday. The boys put on a big show at their
baseball game today with Sam and Dylan combining for 5 RBI's, thee
runs and four hits. It's been a fun weekend.

Happy Birthday Nicole!

I won't mention the age in this post but you are doing well for years. We had a fun start to the birthday weekend with Adam and Emmy coming in yesterday and we all ate a lot of gourmet cupcakes for dinner last night. She has already opened a couple presents and we will get to the rest with some more cupcakes after the little league game tonight.

Muppet Down

Muppet Down
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I found this sad, lonely Muppet on the sidewalk on my way back to work
from the gym this afternoon. I'm sure the owner is devistated. Poor
thing.

Rookie Cards



These could be as valuable as the Honus Wagner card someday. They actually turned out way better than the last school photo's we got, particularly Dylan who has a good ol natural smile in this shot. The three boys went to the batting cage and driving range this morning hit a bunch of balls at each. I think they both improved a little on the baseball side but they need a lot of work on form on the golf side of things. It was fun. Nicole had a pretty relaxing day and the boys both made her cards at school.

Happy Mother's Day Mom and Linda.

A Finished Fauxhawk

A Finished Fauxhawk
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

They think they are pretty cool.

New Doo

New Doo
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Patrick is calling it a fauxhawk.

Dodgers Win

Dodgers Win
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Good game and a 5-2 victory over the Yankees. Sam had a deep poke to
left field for his first triple and a couple singles. Dylan is still
in a slump with three strike outs. He was killing the ball until a
couple games ago and I'm at a loss on how to coach him out of it. He
doesn't seem to upset about it, but it's killing me.

Three Boys

I've had the boys to myself the last couple days and we've been having a fun little time but I'm a little tired from all the running around. We've done homework, played football, eaten pizza, read books and chillaxed. It's good to get them all to myself every once in a while, just like it's good to get away from them for a few days every once and a while. Baseball and haircuts this weekend. They are getting their summer buzz cuts this time. No more big, floppy hair till this fall.

Sent from my iPad

Patty Surprise Party

Patty Surprise Party
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Hangin with lots of old friends I'm Baltimore for Patty's 40th. Lots
of catching up to do.

Keeping Score

Keeping Score
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

I'm score keeper for tonights game. Sam just hit a double and scored
off scooters double. Dylan got wacked on the knee by a line drive.
He's out for now.

Early Birthday Presents

Early Birthday Presents
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Nicole opened some early presents today because grandma insisted. It's
a lot of bulbs, plants, seeds and that sort of stuff Mr Woo and his
landscaping team started working on the property today so plantings
can't be far away.

I played golf for the first time in 6 months and ended up winning the
scramble tournament with my partners. Won 75 bucks in the pro shop. I
spent that and another 75 on some sexy golf gear.

Parkway Classic

Parkway Classic
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Nicole left the house at 5am today to run the George Washington
Parkway Classic 10 mile race. It started at Mount Vernon and followed
the parkway down into Old Town. George Washington used to do the
opposite. After getting drunk at Gadsbys Tavern and realizing he was
late for dinner he would run the 10 miles up to Mount Vernon. I
believe he's the record holder. He couldn't call Martha and tell her
he would be late, no cell phone.

The boys and I went down near the finish line to cheer her as she ran
past. We were back home by 10am.