Coast Guard Academy

The black bears played in New London this past Saturday and came away with a loss. Dylan played well and contributed by making both conversions kicks.

Solid Conversions

Dylan’s Role Model

Maine seems to claim Paul Bunyan but everyone knows he's a Minnesotan.

Twin Cars

The boys both ended up getting the same model cars a couple weeks ago. Dylan's is blueish grey and Sam is more grey green. Sam's also has a roof rack on his, as shown below. I've driven nearly 1,700 miles in both of them last week and can confirm they are comfortable, stylish and safe.

Downtown Bangor

It's a tiny city but quite quirky at the same time.

All Moved In

Dylan is back in the same room as last semester, but with a queen size bed this time. He had two single beds in this room last year but the school swapped the two singles for a queen over the summer. Much better set up. He's starting rugby practice this week and school next week.

Back to School

Sam and I drove his new car to Iowa early last week, flew home on Tuesday and drove to Maine a couple days later with Dylan and his new car. Nicole met us in Maine to help move Dylan into his dorm and we flew home yesterday. Sam started school on Monday and we are empty nesters again.

Vibrant Music Hall

Busy couple of weeks but have some more photos from the second half of our vacation. We were joined by a bunch of Sam's friends in Des Moines for another counting crows show. It was a ton of fun per usual.

Holiday Card?

This one may make this years holiday card. It was taken by a complete stranger.

Creation Rock

A truly unique concert venue.

Red Rocks Vibe

Went up top to see the city in the distance.

Moose

Found this moose in a little lake near our rental house. We were on our way to hike to the summit of Maryland mountain before it got warm.

Raccoon Trail

Took the boys for the afternoon hike in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. 3 mile loop with a 489 elevation gain at about 9,100 feet, which tested my cardio vascular system.

Maryland Mountain

Just a five minute drive from the rental house. I nice 2 mile hike up a gentle grade to an alpine meadow at 7:15am. Great way to start the day.

Pearl Street

A nice brunch and a little shopping in Boulder.

Yellow

...via PhotoToaster, using these settings.

Yellow in a sea of blue and green. 

Morning Walk

Stroll around the nieghborhood. Before visiting Nederland and Boulder. Beautiful day in Colorado.

Boys and Sports

Dylan's rugby team had a good outing against Delaware and his play was solid. Sam and I'm caught the game while Nicole stayed home supervising the installation of a cork wall and dart board. Darts, golf, rugby, track and field…where does it stop.

Somewhere

It's been a taxing month but there is always a rainbow. Some vacation coming up soon.

Buddy

Rue de France

Strolling the grounds of a French and German emersion school at NYU. You can find all sorts of things in New York if you keep your eyes open.

Downtown

View from an apartment a few floors up from Adam's. Quite the view up there.

Washington Square

Late Night

Wandering the village in the wee hours.

I’m not a doctor

But, I think I see the problem in Sam's X-ray.

Mood

Sam fractured his thumb this morning. Fortunately the fracture is just the tip of the thumb, so no joint or ligament damage. It does mean no golf and video games will be tough to play for the next 4-6 weeks. He says it hurts a bit but he will be fine.

Island Green

A replica of the 17th island green at sawgrass. Half of us landed safely on this pretty hole.

Irish Open

The boys, Mike and I played our annual team golf tournament last weekend. As you can see, Sam and Mike won again but the runners up got hats this year too. The winners hats have bottle openers built into the brim, which could come in handy.

Casa Luna

Great after dinner craft cocktail bar with service that needs work. Fun times with Mike and Carrie.

Weekends with Buddy

Got buddy out for a 4 plus mile walk today and Nicole took him out for 5 yesterday. We do our best to burn as much puppy energy we can on the weekends. Ken and Anne tend to keep the walks shorter and this dog can go and go.

One More

Dipped into the 40's last night and decided to get one more fire in for the season. Probably won't see this again until October.

Joseph

Someone I've worked with for over 25 years but lives and works remotely from North Carolina these days came to town for a staff event on Wednesday. Great catching up with him.

Momma Bear

Mother's Day is this weekend and one boy is home. Next one arrives in a week.

One for the road

One last radio show before summer break. The boy has stored all his stuff and he and momma have a flight home tomorrow. Stay tuned for day and time for next year's show.

Team

National Champion

Exciting weekend for this guy.

Cocktail

Bartending without shirts seems to generate more tips.

Black Bear Strong

The Black Bears had two wins today in the National collegiate 7's rugby tournament. They have a semi-final match tomorrow and hopefully a game for the national title after that. All of this happening about 25 miles from home in Maryland, while I'm in Des Moines at Drake Relays. Nicole had the team over for dinner tonight. She made a lot of food.

Bartenders

Sam's first real day as a bartender. He should try harder not to be a tender and customer at the same time.

Drake Relays

The injured Drake throwers volunteered for the hammer retrieval duty for the premier competition. Basically, they get the hammers once thrown and get them back to the throwing cage. Adam (left) also sang the national anthem to open the evening session of the relays.

Spotted Cow

Sam is visiting southern Wisconsin this weekend with his friend Austin. Here they are visiting the famous brewery and home of Spotted Cow beer.

New England Wide Conference Champs

The black bears win all 4 games in Springfield Mass and the 7's conference championship. Next stop, Nationals in Maryland.

Successful Surgery

Turns out the hernia was a little worse than expected but won't cause any additional recovery time. Just had a little more repair than expected. He's doing fine and resting at home. No throwing things or golfing for a month.

Another Win

The black bears took the Holy Cross tournament with 5 straight wins.

Wet Dog

Buddy got a walk at the tail end of our rain storm today. 5 miles and he's still bouncing around.

Spring Tradition

Pre dawn run and with some crowd free blossom viewing.

Cherry Blossom Run

Nicole and her friends try to get down to the tidal basin every year around this year for an early morning run. The pictures are always nice and I get to enjoy them without the afternoon crowds.

Family Portrait

Fun time doing brunch at Majestic, then a visit to Murphy's in old town for a quick pre St. Patrick's day beer.

Mom and her boys

Celebrating our Irishness.

DC Half Marathon

Nicole got up before dawn to run the Washington half marathon. Beautiful day for a 13 mile run.