snow tubing, three rivers park district

conditions were perfect, a nice hard packed, slick surface. we linked up 8 tubes and shattered our previous record in time and distance. if the speed mats hadn't stopped us, we may have ended up in the middle of a wal-mart parking lot.

christmas wrap 09 edition...

had a fabulous and very white christmas this year! the price's started things out on in rochester last sunday by celebrating christmas with my sister's family. we then had christmas morning at the martin's and christmas afternoon\evening at our place with everyone. it was great to be able to spend some time with my boston sister and family. i am looking forward to having this week off to recover and resume winter activities with my wife's boston gang.
peace on earth.

see the pics here, video below

merry christmas!

christmas vacation begins for me now and with it the usual flurry of activity. i'll be enjoying some time off of work and time with family.
have a safe & happy christmas. recap to follow.

it's official...

congrats to my nephew ben and christina on their recent engagement!

just dance!

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noelle is on the left side. she's the one that's awesome.

say hello to friends you know

we find ourselves double-booked this friday night a week before christmas. first we will go see noelle's dance recital and then back home for a quick change of clothes.
tonight is also the annual snowball party at the st. paul hotel that we have been attending for many years now. in fact, i think allie and i went to several of these before we were married which puts it pretty close to 20 years! i have never missed, allie missed once due to illness. i'd have to dig deep to remember exactly how many of these i've been to consecutively but it's not that important. the best part is seeing friends that we rarely, if ever, get to see throughout the year. it's a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the season and a great chance to see, be seen, and wear your sunday best. maybe a few pics to follow.

think before you buy...

this might play in the 60's but i'm pretty sure it was a bad idea even then.

if this doesn't get you in the christmas spirit...

happy birthday to wifey!

birthday wishes for my best gal today. her birthday means many things to me, not the least of which is that you'd better be close to done with your christmas shopping.
happy birthday hon!

update: a couple of pics here

merry christmas from itunes...

apple has posted a free christmas music sampler in iTunes LP format, so you get the songs as well as some bonus material. If you have itunes installed click here to download. track listing below:

O Come All Ye Faithful - Amy Grant
The First Noel - David Archuleta
Silent Night - Sarah McLachlan
Carol of the Bells/Jingle Bells - Barry Manilow
It Snowed - Meaghan Smith
Above the Northern Lights - Manheim Steamroller
Baby It’s Cold Outside - Lady Antebellum
We Three Kings - Toby Keith
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Rascal Flatts
Silent Night - Wynonna
12 Days of Christmas - Mexicani Marimba Band
We Wish You a Merry Christmas - Weezer
A Snowflake Fell (and It Felt Like a Kiss) - Glasvegas
Another Christmas Song - Stephen Colbert
Greensleeves - Vince Guaraldi
Dream a Dream - Charlotte Church
The Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act 2: Character Dances - Kirov Orchestra & Valery Gergiev
Angels We Have Heard on High - Aretha Franklin
O Holy Night - Musiq Soulchild
Auld Lang Syne - The Lonesome Travelers


source here

st. charles white basketball

alaina's basketball schedule kicks off this week and runs through mid february. last year was a rebuilding season but this year the pieces are in place to make a run at the championship. or something like that. either way, we'll be pulling for alaina and the st. charles "white" squad. clarification: white is referring to one of the 3 st. charles squads and not necessarily skin color. go chargers!

www.mcyo.net

in memory...

today marks the 20th anniversary of the passing of my wife's mother, janet martin. i never had the pleasure of meeting this woman but in many ways i feel like i know her well through her daughter. there is little doubt that my wife inherited her warmth, outgoing personality, generosity, and kind spirit. janet lives with the angels in heaven now, but her spirit lives on here, in the lives of those she touched.