Converted Garage Patio

When you have 1 car and a very narrow driveway do you really need a 2 car garage? Nope. The Wife made the decision to cut the garage in half. I thought it was a great idea. Now we just need to get patio furniture and a ceiling fan (on order). Part garage and part patio with a roof. Needless to say Luis and his team banged this out in just about 7 days. Looks great!

Dylan tacks on 1.5 points to his rating

On his first trip to nationals in Atlanta, Georgia-- Dylan managed to win his first round and get a draw. Not bad for seven years old. I don't know what I accomplished at that age, but it sure wasn't this.. Goo going Dylan! Next year -- Dallas!

Looking good in the Neighborhood

I only behave when you take my picture.

Battle Scar

Close Up!

Parkside and Ocean - rush hour

Garden of Ed... Brooklyn

Ireland Pt. 1

It's Clobberin' Time Alleyway Crew Style

Your little Pirate

Breakthrough Day at the Chess Tournament!

Dylan lost the initial round. He rallied to win round two and kicked butt in Round 3. Heading into the final round Dylan is in 6th place in his division "Unrated". He won again and got a medal

Prospect Park Ice Skating

Dylan and "Little Sister" Lily at the Prospect Park Skating Rink

Dylan won his first match at a chess tournament!

Dylan won his first ever competitive chess match.

It Started at Le Poisson Rouge in the West Village...

The wife and I were partying like it was 1998 this weekend. Friday night we went to Mission of Burma and Freshkills at the Bowery Ballroom. Saturday we hit Le Possion Rouge for Pistolera and Red Barrat in the West Village. The evening ended with a mad dash to the Mercury Lounge to catch the The Giraffes and a quick bite to eat at Katz's. We arrived home at 3.30 AM. Thankfully Meema had number two and three son, while Dylan had his first "co-ed" sleepover with his buddy Lily. Most days these activities end up killing us the next day. However, as I said to Schultz at the end of the night-- Not a bad decision was made last night. So, Schultz asks me at 3am, "What are we doing next Saturday?" Well, probably something not remotely as exciting as last night. Good Times!

Ryan getting annual Blood test

The boy did not cry

Forget Bounce! Best $125 I spent ever

My office re-imagined. This is how we tried them out on the cold days.

Winter Weather I Can Deal With

Nice haircut Goofy smile

2009 In Review on Rugby Road

The Good

- Single best investment in terms of day to day comfort- Insulating our third floor. We haven't entered the coldest part of winter yet but early signs point to less layers in doors this year.

- Best Long term investment was re-financing our mortgage. As the lawyer said at closing, "Your fortunate to have made it to closing". However, a ~22% decrease in our monthly mortgage payment is well worth setting the payment clock back to 360. I will be 69 when we pay it off, but I know the next couple of years I will be happy.
- Ryan left his nookie and diapers at the Beach Club at the tender age of 2 years and 9 months
- Dylan has become the homework warrior and regularly gets 100% on this spelling tests.
- Alexander has turned into the Arts and Crafts King at school.
- The Wife tried a bold new look, it's like I have a new wife in the same great package

The Bad

- The points we paid to re-finance.

The Ugly

- Our mini-Japanese Maple contracted some sort of disease. Half the tree shriveled up. June and Judy's gardener helped the wife prune it and hopefully saved the tree. If not, we lost a great tree.

Dylan's Christmas Show

We can show you all the video when we see you. "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Frosty the Snow Man" are the songs the kids are performing.

Best Gift Ever From the Wife!

This year my wife really outdid herself. No, I did not get at 72" HDTV. Instead she got me two tickets to Mission of Burma. This is the equivalent of me buying her tickets to the ballet. Talk about getting exactly what you like-- a night of live/ great music.

I got my haircut now give me my lollipop!

Shaggy gets a new 'do

Friday Pizza Tsunami

The Family checks out the Macys Thanksgiving Day parade

This wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. We took the train to 57th street. We exited on 55th street and it was fairly crowded. We cut over to 54th street and was able to get within 40 feet of the street. We couldn't see the marching bands, but to be hones the only things that caught the kids attention were the balloons and Santa Claus.

Out of their shell

The Yellow Storm finishes their season

Yellow Storm Season ends and Dylan received his "3rd" trophy and is looking forward to next spring.

Not Man United but the rather The Yellow Storm

Treats are good- The Boys would agree!