The Tree

The Tree
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Rockefeller Center at christmas time. It's cold and a little snowy here in Manhattan. Noon train up today, noon train home tomorrow.

Decorating the tree

Decorating the tree
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The tree is up, the stockings are hung, the outdoor lights are strung and Elf is on TV. Elves stick to the four major food groups, candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup.

Out Done

Out Done
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

My neighbor across the street from us got his lawn all set for the holidays. I can't match the sheer number of inflatable displays, mostly because I wouldn't know where to store them so I will do my typical lights around the doors, front bushes and back deck. Maybe something new this year if I can muster the energy.

Happy Hanukkah

Happy Hanukkah
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Another eight crazy nights.

First Basketball Practice

First Basketball Practice
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

A new season begins.

December

December
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

One of my favorite months of the year. Lights, cold and snow are all good with me but this kinda hot torrential rain we just had should not happen again until June.

Basketball Season

Basketball Season
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Basketball practice starts on Wednesday and the boys are excited. Got them new shoes for the season and dud some drills at the park. We are going to win some this year.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Looking out at the sunset over San Francisco. It's time to eat.

Cheering Sam

Cheering Sam
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

A tense Cal volleyball game but Sam is making some noise.

Left on the vine

Left on the vine
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Landera Vineyard on Howell Mountain was very nice and I ended up with a lot of their wine. Don't know why these grapes are still on the vine, harvest of the 2010 cab ended in October.

Solbar

Solbar
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Great dinner at Solbar in Calistoga last night and a relaxing day meandering back to Berkeley today. Had a nice tasting at Landera on Howell Mountain. It was nice and sunny today which was nice after on and off rain yesterday.

Frazier Family Winery

Frazier Family Winery
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Just completed a very nice tour and tasting at Frazier in Napa. The caves were actually warmer than the outside and the wine was very good. At the Soda Canyon store for a quick bite them off to Larkmead for more wine.

Oakland Museum

Oakland Museum
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Checking out the Pixar Exhibit at the Oakland Museum. Can't take pictures inside.

Happy Bears

Happy Bears
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

While the football game yesterday afternoon was a Cal disaster, the basketball game last night was a Cal romp. The Boys like to see the Bears win as much as Grandpa.

The Tree

The Tree
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

The Stanford tree had it's way with Cal today. How does a tree beat a bear? The boys had fun at the game anyway.

Lawrence Hall of Science

Lawrence Hall of Science
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

It's been raining all day so we went up to the Lawrence Hall of Science childrens museum for a while. The main exhibit was the science of roller coasters but Nicole found the building blocks area the most engaging.

Airtrain

Airtrain
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Our 6:30am flight landed 20 minutes early this morning and we took the SFO airtrain to the car rental facility and got to Berkeley at 10:30 cal time. It was tough getting up at 3:30am but I survived and the flight and the boys were pretty good as 6 hour flights go. Need some rest now.

Great Fall Weekend


The parents left yesterday but not before a action packed weekend of historic sites, football parties and dinners. I think everyone had a good time during three really nice days in late fall. It's rainy now but it was 65 and sunny while Marsh and Carolyn were in town which had to beat 12 inches of snow back in Minnesota. Actually, I like snow and would have enjoyed that too. As you can see from the picture, I survived my varicose vein treatment on Friday. The two Valium, laser glasses and music made the whole thing bearable but my leg is pretty sore still today. It's my bad knee leg, so I'm limping even more than usual. I must look pathetic. Still have a couple of busy work days then it will be Thanksgiving week with the Big Game, wineries and turkey. Good times...

Here's a link to some of last weekends photos. http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerclees/sets/72157625385528480/

Under Control


Finally found a way to keep the boys under control. Prison.

Airforce Memorial

Airforce Memorial
Originally uploaded by homerclees.

Took the parents to the airforce and pentagon memorial after my procedure yesterday. Its been some nice weather these past few days. Just got back from mount Vernon with more pictures.