Babies, Bears, and My Meg

This picture was not staged at all! Meg had to have all her babies and bears all around her to get ready for bed. Its nice to have the blog so I can share these kind of moments with the people who care.

Wife Blog

My blog has been important to many people (sure) I just did not know how important! Becki has created a blog so she can comment on mine! I love the dots! I love you! Catch the blog fever! Blog on! Blogging rocks! Blogger nation! I'll stop! Let the comments flow!

Homecoming

I have never been so glad to add another person to our 10 x 10 office. Dave C came back to school today for the Potter Cup. The cup is a big event to raise money for childhood cancer research and to promote school spirit. The event consists of pep rallies, dances, runs, and sporting events.Dave was a big part of the event when he was teaching. On Friday more then a year after his accident Dave C returned to the cup pep rally to create a very moving and inspiring moment. We got to spend some time in the 10 x 10 before we went out to the gym for the pep rally and it really felt like old times. It was great to see Dave C so happy. Mr C thanks for asking me to bring Dave out to the gym. It really meant the world to me! Dave C you are an inspiration!

Rock

What did you watch last night?

Tuesday night I rode the Rig for 2.5 hours. The only time I have to get out on the bike is 9p.m. to 11:30p.m.. Yes, I could be sitting in a warm house watching T.V. or sleeping, what fun would that be? I will say that once I got going last night it was great! The temps were more moderate for riding, and the moon was out to add motivation. Most of the ride I did not even use my head lamp. The loop was from my house to Valley Green, through the park, then back home. Did some trail and some gravel path. I really got a good spin workout, and the body feels pretty good. The best thing about riding at that time of night for me is the fact that I can ride for 2 hours in Valley Green and only see one other person(runner). The feeling of having that park all to myself is peaceful. Don't tell me you don't have time to exercise just don't watch T.V.!!!!
Potter Cup coming on Friday! We're always ready!

Helping Hand

Ride, Bowling, and Hockey

1. I got some good mountain biking in this weekend at Valley Green. On Sat. I rode for 2.5 hours. The trails were a bit muddy in spots but I still had a great ride. I am starting to feel better and better on the Rig. I was able to ride the climb at Valley Green called the "monster" with only one gear. Adding to my self confidence on the climb was the fact that I pasted 3 guys on geared bikes. Sundays ride was on some of the same trails and the ride had a very different feel. The temps have dropped and the trails are now frozen. This makes for a faster ride with much traction. Feeling pretty good again although I was only out for 1.5 hours. Sorry no pictures of the rides!
2. At 9a.m. on Sunday morning Becki makes the suggestion that we go bowling as a family. I thought that would be a good time to go. There can't be that many people bowling on a Sunday at 10a.m. WRONG! The place was packed! We had to wait to get a lane! While we were waiting the family got to play Skee(spelling?) ball. Look at the picture you'll no what I mean. When the bowling started Luke again was good. He almost did not need the bumpers. Meghan was showing natural ability! It was a fun family outing on a really cold day.
3. I took Luke to an MN ice hockey game. I told some of my students I would go so we made an appearence. I also knew Luke would enjoy the game. It was a pretty good game although MN lost. I even saw Lance at the game.

Late

Another Friday night at the Ye Old! It was another good time with good people. We ended up staying to late but it was worth it for the conversation and texting. There was alittle to much talk about golf. The pictures are of some interesting things that caught my eye and represent the evening. It must be the shoes!

fun

Weekend Training

The training is coming along. I feel pretty good on the bike for this time of year. I put some miles in on the cross bike this past weekend for endurance. Some of the following pictures are from the bike paths in and around the philly area that make riding safer and more enjoyable. I spend many hours of time on these paths, I have grown to enjoy the lack of cars and places they can take you. The paths act as great connectors to different areas. Thank you to the folks that build and maintain them.

green day

Dave C this is for you! Stay strong and keep fighting! I hope everyone likes the shirts. Thanks to Becki for all the help. A thanks also goes out to Nan for all her help!

Unsportsmanlike

Coaching a school sport as part of my job is usually fun! I coach middle school basketball at the 7th grade level. The leauge is set up for the kids to learn the game. An example would be, that every kid must play for a certain amount of time in every game. This is a reason the 7th grade is fun to coach. There is not much pressure to win and you get to teach the kids about the game. We played a team the other day that is always much better then us. There community plays more basketball and the kids on the other team play hard. That is all fine with me. What really bothered me was the coach playing a "trap" defense when his team is up by 30 points. For those of you who don't know what "the trap" is it is when the other team gets the person with the ball in a corner of the court and then pressures them with two guys. There are other defenses he could have played once the score was out of hand. All I can say is I hope he had a good time. Adults can make kids sport so annoying!!!!!

Fab 5

Andy, Eric, Dogg, Charlie, and Myself all made it to the Ye Old on Friday. Andy was a trooper coming out on 2hrs. of sleep in 24. Charlie who gets up at 4:30am every morning looked more tired than Andy. Needless to say I am so glad they came. It really means alot to me that they would come out after a busy day to get together. Eric is a golf pro who is on his "winter break" right now. He looked refreshed! The Dogg is the Dogg. He is retired. Wait don't you have to work before you retire!? You know I love you Dogg!
We had some great conversation and some great food. Those beefs are good! I took some pictures so the people at home can get an idea of the Ye Old and what it has to offer! You will also get a view of the one and only Dogg and his new time piece. Enjoy!

Mad Max

Our dog Max! A huge yellow lab! He makes me nuts but, you gotta love him.

Valley Green Ride

These are from the ride with Luke.

Night Rider

Almost 4

Luke is almost 4 years old! He can really ride a bike! We went to Valley Green for a mid-January ride. It is still warm. No hats, light gloves, and sweatshirts. You gotta love the dc sweatshirt on Luke!

dc shirts have arrived

SPEED

2nd Shift

To get some training in on the bike I have been riding at night during the week. I really want to raise the fitness level and the only time for me to get out is after Luke and Meghan go to bed. Night riding is fun when you don't have to do it all the time. Riding in Valley Green I feel like I have the park all to myself. I rode in the park for about an hour and a half and did not see another person. Probably because no one else is crazy enough to be out that late. Today is supposed to be sunny and 68 degrees. I will not get to enjoy it because of coaching and teaching. Enjoy the warm weather if you can. I'll be riding the 2nd shift.

Ups and Downs

Visitor

This was a weekend of visits. Sometimes you want visitors and sometimes it can be really bad. I hope all the people we visited this weekend were glad to see us. I think most were!
Visit #1: Friday was the first time the whole family has gone to visit Dave C. Luke was very close to Dave when the accident happened and we felt it was time for him to see his Uncle Dave. After my basketball game (yes we lost) we went over to the Covell's. It was great to see Dave C and for him to see Luke and Meghan. The highlight of the visit was the kids performing their "dance party". Meghan has great moves.
Visit #2: The almost weekly visit to the Ye old with the Dogg for beef and beer. We had a visitor named TJ. It was great to have him with us. Jeff and Steve of the Northeast were out of town visitors at the Ye old. The stories with them were priceless. Steve ate 3 beefs! You are nuts!
Visit #3: We went to the Miller's for a holiday party. It is always great to see the Miller's. They are like second parents to me. I know they would be their for me and Becki if we needed them. The highlights of this visit was the food and Eric's boys. Eric is a great guy who we see at the Miller's or with Scott. His kids were older then Luke but, were good for Luke to play with. This made our visit easier and tired Luke out. He was asleep in the car on the way home at 7:45! Thanks Guys!
Visit #4: White Clay! Went on Sunday thinking that it would not be that wet! I was wrong, they must of gotten more rain then we did. I rode with some good folks in some muddy conditions. I must say I love White Clay!
Visit #5: Charlie got a new bike! I love when people get new bikes! He got a custom Niner. What a bike, Congrats. Now he just has to get it muddy. I also got to see his new house. Very nice!

Warmer Days

I am just perfecting the picture thing on the blog and with the help of my lovely wife Becki, I can do it! Were would I be without Becki? Don't answer that Mary Kay! Luke helped me pick out the pictures from Ocean City. He had to have one of his favorite Uncle Andy. As cold as it is outside today thoughts of the beach seem nice and warm.
I also want to thank Dave C for the e-mail! That was the best e-mail I have ever recieved! It made the start to 08 great!
Happy New Year!