LCA

Dylan got some ice time at the new arena before a Red Wings pre-season game.  The boys played Novi, we lost 2-0 in a hard fought game.  We all went out afterward, grabbed a bite and then headed to the preseason game -- sweet arena, no doubt about that!  Hopefully we can get back to play there again -- I know we'll be at another Red Wing game (matter of time before Dylan gets on his soapbox).  Not like I mind going, heck, the kid converted me from a Sabres fan to Red Wings fan -- a feat once believed to be impossible.  He has a knack for persistence.....

Hershey Park

Downloaded a whole slew of pics from my phone onto my laptop today.  This was actually a pitstop on our way to Long Island -- arrived at night, made some candy bars and then hit up the amusement park for the next full day.  I have to say, I was quite impressed!  Very well kept, plenty to do in a day and of course we all had a good time.  Hershey is basically in the middle of nowhere and a town self funded by Hershey factories and an amusement park -- apparently still doing well for themselves, as the town is very 'cute' -- I'd go long on this stock based on continued growth in the gluttony sector.

Farewell to the Joe

Dylan's team got the opportunity to enjoy 2 hours of ice time at the Joe -- and to top it off, the kids got to meet Jimmy Howard too!  Definitely a once in lifetime experience, from the practice we headed to HockeyTown Cafe -- team party in the banquet room.  Sure everyone will remember this for some time to come, Mom and Maddie hit the ice as well, just need to get the pictures of Cathy's camera.  

Dylan made Jimmy laugh with his extensive nhl stat knowledge.

Christmas Residual

Took advantage of the melted snow and dormant Christmas gift the kids received on 23rd before we left for Florida.  Safe to say the kids liked this one, sweet fence in the backyard eh?

Kennedy Space Center

Everyone loved the Kennedy Space Center, simply amazing when you think about it -- piloting spaceships into outer space at 17,000 mph (that's ~30 times faster than a commercial airliner!).  We went to the dinner with an astronaut event -- there were about 200 hundred people in the room, Rick Searfoss gave a 20 minute presentation then opened it open to Q&A.  I was proud of my kids as they both took the mic and asked questions in front of the whole group!  It's crazy when you think about it, here's a guy that manned an aircraft into outer space, a HUGE accomplishment, and barely anyone in our country knows this guy.  I considered the whole experience like meeting a celebrity... although I suspect many would disagree with me, how can this guy compare to the accomplishments of the Kardashians!

Astronaut Rick Searfoss, born in Mt Clemens MI.

Testing out the space potty.  Very interesting when you read the mechanics of this process (minus gravity).

More from Disney

More pics from the day at Disney parks... not so bad looking back at it.  I only go to these parks for the kids anyway -- so they go and have a good time, I sit on the porch with coffee and write about it -- not a bad gig.  Relaxing for me, kids are happy and I save on ticket.  I do plan on going to Kennedy Space Center, I still am a geek believe it or not -- going to book that trip now.

Maddie holding in her lunch

Twins

Mom enjoying the ride!

The group, minus me of course!

Disney Stop

Kids hit up Disney today while I hobbled about with my Mom.  Destinations thus far included Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, they made it to all the good rides.  My entertainment --  motoring around in scooter at local grocery store -- got to see a bunch of people either laugh at me or feel sorry for me, have to say it's only good times when you're zipping about a grocery store at 1mph.

Pimpin' ain't easy, but grocery shopping is!

Christmas in MI & FL

Celebrated last day of school at Melting Pot, then Christmas in MI on 23rd and then Christmas in FL on 25th.  Dylan was blown away by all the wrapped gifts in his stocking!  Note to self on that one, will be taking advantage of that as a cost savings opportunity going forward.

Another Thanksgiving down

I think we've gone down to AZ about 10 years straight now for Thanksgiving, even pre-kids!  This year certainly was a memorable one, as I came home with broken foot (which required surgery here in MI 3 weeks later) -- good stuff.  We always have a good time when we're out there, plenty to do and the kids entertain themselves (with only a couple small disputes amongst them all... at least that I recall).

Hard to believe these two actually do sleep!

um, yeah -- this was taken about 5 hours after I broke my foot!  The medicine in hand helped...

...and the foot!

This was right before surgery, the anesthesiologist had just told me they added some meds to IV in order to "relax" before heading to surgery room.