Our meeting room included a grand piano and fireplace. A nice change from our typical off-site venues. 

Day one of a two day management off-site meeting held at the Stonehedge Inn. We covered a lot of ground and thanks to my team I was extremely well prepared. We covered our three year operating plan and 2008 budget. 

Another killer day at work, but this one ended with a special treat. I returned home just in time to catch my great nephew, Bradley, before he went to sleep. Jeanine’s sister Lauren and nephew Gabe are visiting for the next few days. 

It was a 15 hour day at the office today so no time (or energy) for even one new photo. This image was from the weekend. Nicolai makes a nice thigh trap before laying off a quick pass that results in a goal. 

On the way home, I spotted this hawk and pulled off the road for a quick shot. The remainder of the day was spent as a family work day. We tackled the leaves, winterizing the sprinkler system, putting up the snow poles, and cleaning out the garage. This evening Kyle wants to watch the Colts-Patriots game for family night. He continues to defy peer pressure and cheers for his birth town team. 

Today was the last match of our regular season. We defeated Stoughton 2-1 earning us a second place standing and qualifying us for the Division one play-offs. I got a lot of minutes today and was pleased with my game. I am still a little rusty and out of shape but with each passing week I feel stronger. After the game we celebrated our win with a cookout. 

Maya posses for Cindy. The two share a love of animals and compared many notes on the subject. 

Today the weather was miserable as the remnants of hurricane Noel skirted the eastern seaboard. Maya played in the driving rain and cold scoring one goal and one assist. Later in the day our day was brightened by the visit of Cindy Garretson, a friend from my Stanford days. She was in from Seattle for a national squash tournament and was able to spend the afternoon with us. 

Having destroyed almost every stuffed animal in the house and eaten half the couch, Nala escaped to the second floor and decided my slippers would make a nice appetizer. I am beginning to think that Nala and Jeanine are in on this together as part of a grand scheme to replace our furniture and my clothing. 

I do not know what a Dead Princess Bride is, but I am quite sure it is not someone you want to mess with. While escorting this zombie on her door to door quest for chocolate and sugar I was wise to stay back at least one house length as instructed. In years past I was able to extract a small tax for my troubles. This year I received no tip for services rendered. Fortunately I can stay awake longer than she and will have my treat in the end.

I could not resist one last image of fall. Actually, there is one more I am waiting on. A lone tree in a field is just starting to turn and I have been leaving for work earlier than normal in hopes of catching it in the fog. Stay tuned. This evening I enjoyed a great game of indoor soccer. I played without my knee brace and scored two goals in a 9-3 winning effort. Even the toughest day at work is no match for a good run on the pitch.

The final result ready to great Halloween visitors.

Next she removes the guts.

Maya and I worked on her pumpkin this evening. She starts with her own design.