My Wife

Seven amazing years with Donna today. I can't imagine a better wife or mother. We have amazing role models in our lives, so I know we are just getting warmed up.


Happy Anniversary Donna. I love everyday with you.

Aroma of change

Donna found this great new blend from my favorite coffee company, Coffee People. Up until now, I have been starting each morning with a terrific cup of Jet Fuel. But now, I can have my morning cup, and show my support at the same time. How cool is this?!?!?


Anyone for a hot, steaming cup of your favorite candidate? Nothing like the rich aroma of sweet change to get your day started the right way.

Happy Halloween

Okay, I know. It's not even October yet. But, Isabelle is so stinkin cute in her costume, I just had to share the smile.


C'mon, admit it. You're smiling, aren't ya. Yep, you're welcome.

He's back.....

Lance is back for the 2009 cycling season, and he has joined Team Astana! For those not familiar with the world of cycling, imagine this. Take the reigning world champion, the runner up, a hall of famer, add the coach who won all the titles for the hall of famer, and put them all on the same team. What a year it will be.

Cluster Ball

Gavin had his first soccer game Saturday morning. What a gas!! First, I have to admit that my expectations as to the quality of play were pretty low. But, Donna, Papa, and I were very surprised. The game moved right along, and some of these kids can play!

They received their "uniform" shirts before the game, and Gavin was selected for the red team. He was so proud putting on his shirt, and couldn't wait to see who else was going to be on his team. After their stretches and warm-ups (very amusing to watch), they split up, with the gray playing blue, and red playing white this week.

Gavin wore an ear to ear grin for an hour straight, and did his best to make a play on both ends of the field (and usually kicked in the correct direction). He even had some righteous saves while taking his turn at goalie. Not to sound too much like a typically proud parent, but my kid has skills. I LOVE it!

All of the kids, and the parents, were very into it, and great sports, which made for a great morning. Isabelle even found her favorite spot to be during the game.

Gavin can't wait for next week, and neither can we.

Heavy Metal

Nope, not a post about music or reliving my days from high school. I am talking about heavy metal. Literally, really heavy. Since we purchased our house, we have had an old, rusty, eyesore of a wood-burning stove insert in our family room fireplace. We have often talked about removing it, and turning the fireplace back into it's original, traditional state. Well, Saturday I decided it was time.

The first step required cutting away the rusted bolts that attached the chimney liner to the top of the stove. Of course, perfect design, the bolts were located at the back of the stove, too far for my saws-all to reach, and not enough room to swing a hammer and chisel. So, after several attempts with various wrenches, solvents, and other tricks, it was off to my parents house to borrow the Dremel wonder tool, with multiple cutting attachments. Worked perfect. Imagine the sound of a really lound dentist's drill, against metal, and you have an idea of what cutting the bolts was like. Still a very cool tool. If you have the means, I highly recommend you pick one up. (Movie....anyone??)
The fireplace before...

So now, all we had to do was get the stove out, and onto the trailer in the driveway. Did I mention that our family room is downstairs? Well, after much deliberation on the best method, we decided that good old muscle would be the way to go. Me, Mark, and Bill (VERY helpful neighbors) dragged the stove, inch by inch, out of the house. I am happy to report, the only casualties are a stain on the carpet, and some scratches on my arms (spared the neighbors, whew!). Best of all, we love the new look of the room. Now all we have to do it clean it up, and decide what we want to do with our "new" focal point.
The fireplace after.....

Isabelle's Turn

Even though I knew it was coming, it still blows my mind that it is here. Today was Isabelle's turn to start school. How can my little girl, my little baby, be in pre-school already? Where is time going???

Isabelle is going to the same pre-school that Gavin attended, so she has been "practicing" for this day for the last two years. She walked into her future classroom on several occasions last year, only to be dragged out and reminded that it wasn't her turn yet. And now, finally, she is getting her chance. She has been looking forward to school, trying on all her new clothes, wearing her back pack around the house, for a few weeks now. But no matter how excited she seemed, Donna and I remained skeptical as to whether Isabelle would really to allow us to walk out the classroom door, and have the teacher take over. Isabelle has been a "Mommy's Girl" since birth, and does not enjoy being away from Donna. Pre-school was going to be the first time in Izzy's life that Donna and I were going to leave her with people she really didn't know. We were not very optimistic.
This morning we got our answer. Isabelle was excited and chatty (big surprise) all the way to school. She was bouncing with anticipation in the hall outside her classroom door, waiting for her time to go in. When the door opened she raced in, and greeted her teacher with a smile, then headed right for the toys. She gave Donna and I a hug, and a kiss, and said good-bye. We could not have been more excited, surprised, and relieved. Out the door we went.

Then, we heard a kid screaming. Loud. I poked my head around the corner to see who it was, and it was Isabelle. Tears. Screams. Calling for us. Doing everything in her power to get by the teacher, and out the door. Sigh.....how do you walk away from your terrified child?? It goes against the parental fabric. But, with the support of the other parents in the hallway, out the door we went.

I saw Izzy after school today, and she had this to report. "Daddy, I cried. But I had fun!" And then she gave me a big hug. Gotta love 'em. Can't wait to see how we all do on Tuesday.

Gotta Respect Kerry.

Here is a great post from Jonathan Vaughters, the team director of Garmin-Chipotle Professional Cycling team, about a recent "ride" he took with Senator John Kerry. It's definitely worth the read, and leaves me wondering....


Maybe if everyone in Washington had shaved legs, and knew the proper form for descending a switch-back, maybe the country wouldn't be in the shape it's in today. Just a thought.....

Check out the post from Jonathans blog here.

Just Like That.....

Gavin's little feet raced up those school bus steps this morning, and that was it. He was officially a kindergartner. We started with our traditional first day of school picture in front of the bush.

Here he is the first day of 3-year-old pre-school.


Here he is the first day of 4-year-old pre-school.


And here he is this morning. Our big kindergarten 5-year-old. Ready for the world on his own.

If he was nervous, he hid it well. He was bouncing all over the driveway with excitement while we waited for the bus. And when the bus arrived, he was off. Anxious to get up the steps, and begin his new adventure.

There were no tears (from Gavin), only an excitement and confidence toward what he was about to experience. Without us. That's the hard part. Today was the first day in five years, that he did something new all on his own. And it is the first day, of many, many more days where he will do just that. Things on his own. In a way, it's hard. But this morning, for me at least, I was proud. Proud to see the smiles, excitement, and confidence that Gavin showed as he walked up the school bus steps. It was the "gold star", the "A+" on Donna's and My parenting report card for the last 5 years. We did the right things, and raised a happy, confident boy that is ready, and able, to do new things on his own.

Now.....we just have to get Isabelle off to pre-school next week.

A Perfect End To Summer

I can't think of a better way to end the summer than with a family camping trip. And not just our family. The Posadni Family, the Jim Schreiner Family, and visits from Dan, Barb, and Dan Schreiner. One BIG family weekend at Watkins Glen State Park.

The weather was perfect, and we all enjoyed hiking the gorge, the playgrounds, the games, the pool, LOTS of great food, and of course, relaxing around the campfire. A perfect way to send the summer off.

Now that's what I call camp cooking. Mmmmmm.....



Little Dan had to work for his dinner.


For some reason, the hikes never tired Isabelle out.


Just a perfect and surreal place to be.


What better place to go after a long hike than the local bar for an ice-cold drink? Thanks Uncle Mike!