NC to MN

We let the kids open their gifts from us before we loaded up the van to drive back to Minnesota.  The drive was as good as you can hope for but trekking 1,478.6 miles in a van with 3 kids, 1 dog, 1 cat and 2 adults = scent of a zoo!  Photos here.

Oceanaire

Tom was in town and took us out for dinner at the Oceanaire to celebrate Josie's birthday.  Photos here.

2009 Wakespring Thanksgiving

This was our 3rd turkey day in North Carolina and a bitter/sweet one considering we had announced our plans to move back to Minnesota.  Some of the best memories we have from Raleigh are from spending time on Thanksgiving with our neighbors.  More photos here.

Ireland

Kristi and I went to Ireland for a week and had a fantastic time. We were very fortunate that Grandma Kim came to watch the kids - thank you again Kim! The girls and Sam loved having Grandma here and our neighbors had a chance to get to know her better over a few cul-de-sac cocktails;-)

I kept a journal of our travels and I will be posting a full blog for each day we spent there as I have more time. In the meantime, here are links to photos and some videos we took.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Carolina RailHawks

Nora spent the night at a friends house for a birthday sleepover so the rest of us went to a soccer game. This was our first visit to a Carolina RailHawks game and we had a great time - the RailHawks won 3 to 0. There was a military helicopter where you walked up to buy tickets and Sam got to sit in it. He told me later he was going to fly his own helicopter when he gets bigger.

Father's Day 2009

I spent the morning with the kids enjoying father's day. We left early in the afternoon for Durham to have lunch at Tyler's and go to the Durham Bulls baseball game. Perfect way to spend the day.

4 Time A/B Honor Student

We received Nora's report card today for fourth quarter and year end. She made the A/B Honor Roll all four quarters and averaged A/B for the entire year.

6th Grade Science Award

Today the East Millbrook Middle school held a celebration that recognized outstanding student achievements for the school year. Nora's Science teacher called us to let us know Nora was receiving a certificate of appreciation for Achievement in Science.

Bear's Birthday

Our friend's (Greg & Julie Schmid) son had his fourth birthday party this weekend. His name is Barrett and they call him Bear for short. It was a very cool set up with a Jedi Knight theme. There was also an air castle the kids (and some adults) could jump in.

Bat Mitzvah

We attended our neighbor's Bat Mitzvah today. It was a beautiful event and the celebration afterward was excellent. The kids had a great time and the adults had some "kid free" time to relax.

Tobacco District

We went to Durham with the Kowaleski's to have lunch at Tyler's and hung out in the Tobacco District afterward.

Kentucky Derby 2009

We had a short but fun gathering with the neighbors for the Kentucky Derby. Kristi made Mint Julep's for us as we watched the race from the McGhiey's garage. The ladies wore the customary hats to add some flair.

Here we Roll again

Nora made the A/B Honor Roll for the third straight quarter. There was a recognition ceremony at her school for all the students. We are very proud of her hard work and dedication.

40 Years Old

My wonderful wife put together what has been by far my best birthday to date. She hosted a good ol' southern pig pickin' in our yard and invited all our neighbors and friends to spend the day with Sam and me. Sam's birthday is on April 18th and mine is on the 22nd so it was a joint celebration.

The pig cooker showed up at 7:30 a.m. and the 109 lb. pig was laid on the cooker at 8:40 a.m. There was a 180 degree turn of the hog around noon and we began eating at 5:30 p.m. There was plenty of beveraging throughout the day and we played some yard games to pass the time. One of the highlights was when the local fire station showed up in their fire truck. My neighbor Pat asked the station to come by for the kids and it was a hit. The firemen stayed for several hours and joined us for the fantastic food. Sam and I took turns opening gifts and we both made away like bandits. Sam got a power John Deere Tractor he can drive around and I received a garage door opener from my cool neighbors & a garbage disposal from my out-of-town friends (may have been more for Kristi). I also received a mold to make atlas stones from my buddy Reese back home.

My wife put together a finale that made me tear up. She had Vince put together a montage of old photos of me as a kid with my older brothers and family throughout high school and college. The slide show was played to some great music and projected on a screen for us all to watch. You don't know how lucky you are until you see what your family and friends think of you and I can assure you I am a blessed man.

I want to thank everyone who came as it was a day I'll never forget. I want to give a special thanks to Mark and Vince for helping Kristi with all the coordinating and for being great friends. I want to give a super thank you to Matt Jemtrud, Phil Gates and Nick Bourdon. All are wonderful friends but they traveled from Orlando, Seattle and Charlotte to spend the day with me.

Here is a link to the photos I took.

Here is a link to the photos my neighbor took.

Ramp up to 40

My wife set up a fantastic surprise for me to begin my 40th birthday weekend party. My neighbors showed up at 8:45 a.m. and took me golfing. I appreciate that they were kind enough to take the day off from work and I had a great time.

After our golf outing we stopped off at the Boylan Bridge Brewpub. Next a short stop at the Flying Saucer. After that, you'll have to check with the guys as it becomes less clear what we did;-)

Here is a link to some photos.

Cul-de-Cocktails at the Leyland's

Our neighbors Jack and Julie hosted the weekly gathering for our cul-de-sac. The them was "The Big Lebowski" and we drank White Russians. The evening's entertainment crescendo hit when the Karaoke began.

Firkin of Bells Hopslam

Vince, Sam, Greg, Trey and I all met at Tyler's Taproom in Durham to experience the rare occurrence of drinking Bells Hopslam from a Firkin. The beer was outstanding and fun was had by all. As you can see from the photo, Greg really seemed to enjoy the evening.

Dora the Explorer

Kristi and I took Sam to Dora the Explorer tonight. It was at the Progress Energy Center for Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh. Sam had great time and was captivated the entire show.

Vince's Bday

Our neighbor Vince's birthday is the day after Kristi's. We met Vince and his family, along with the McGhiey's, at the Falls Tap Room for dinner. After dinner we went back to Vince's house for desert and spirits. By the end of the night we had cracked the seal on some XR Crown Royal - thank you Mr. Mark;-)

Kristi's Bday

Our neighbor Kimberly was kind enough to watch Sam and the girls so we could go out for dinner on Kristi's birthday. We went to TASU for sushi and stopped by Trali, an Irish bar, afterward.

Cul-de-Cocktails at the Melting's

Tonight was the second Friday night gathering to enjoy cocktail hour. We hosted and made Cosmopolitan Martini's while everyone else brought an appetizer. At midnight, when the kids went to bed, the men struck up a game of boccie ball that lasted until 2:00 a.m.

Father & Daughter Dance 09

I was honored that Hanna asked me to take her to her school's Father & Daughter Dance this year. I had a great time with her and enjoyed seeing all her schoolmates cutting a rug. Hanna won a gift certificate from one of the drawings that night.

Cul-de-Cocktails at the Kowaleski's

Tonight was the first Friday night gathering of a new weekly ritual with our neighbors to enjoy cocktail hour. The Kowaleski's hosted and made Margarita's while everyone else brought an appetizer. We had a great time and everyone left around midnight.

2009 Storm

Hanna has played in the YMCA basketball league for the past two years. Today was the first game of season three. Hanna's team name is called "Storm" and she is wearing #6. Hanna's friend and neighbor, Kayleigh, is playing on the same team and wears #1.

Hanna spent time this summer practicing shooting and dribbling in the driveway and it has paid off. Hanna played very well today - she made a basket, had an assist, had a rebound and one steal. The coach had her play the guard position for most of the game and she really enjoyed it. Kayleigh is playing for her first year and is a natural athlete. She had 3 or 4 assists and 1 or 2 steals in the game. Storm won the game 16 to 5.

RBC Center

I had the opportunity to attend the Sports Council Meeting and see the Hurricane's' Owner/CEO speak. The event was at the RBC Center (where the Hurricane's play) and while everyone was arriving we watched Toronto practice on the ice.

CP World Record

Grammie and Grampie (Tom & Kim) brought Nora and Hanna back to Raleigh after Christmas. They are staying until Monday, January 5th. Tonight during the Vikings vs. Eagles Football game they made Cheese Pigs (CP) for dinner. The World Record for the most consumed CP's in one setting was previously held by Brad Foley - he devoured 21 CP's in 1971. History was made tonight in Raleigh, NC when Jeremy Melting tucked away 22 CP's to claim the crown. Long live the champion! Click here for photos.

MJ

My lifelong friend Matt Jemtrud visited us for a few days. Here are some photos of our visit to Chapel Hill, The Duke Chapel and Duke Gardens.

2009 Happy New Year

We celebrated New Years Eve with our good friend Matt Jemtrud and our neighbors the Kowaleski's and the McGhiey's. We built a fire in our backyard and later went into the house and built a fire. We cheered in the new year with champagne.