Nicolai’s indoor soccer team won the Division 1 title for his age group today. Nicolai and his friends formed this team and have coached themselves throughout the season. It has been interesting to watch as they argue over strategy and vie for playing time and favorite positions. At the end of the day they were able to work through these challenges and produce a championship team.

Maya appears to have acquired some of her grandmother’s artistic talents. She glazed this ceramic cat at a friends birthday party and then cooked it.

Miss Maya having her oatmeal this morning trying to rebuild her strength after the workout she endured last night. The boys had her kiss the Colts door mat (for good luck) on every 3rd and long situation with results that speak for themselves. Our new Super Bowl champions have this little girl to thank for their good fortune. On very important plays, Kyle also kissed the mat (in order to be effective you have to kiss in the middle of the horseshoe). Nicolai and Kyle also employed a secret handshake after particularly good plays. Neither boy has yet revealed the significance of this gesture.

Kyle drives for 2-points against Beverly. Most of the team having attended the Battle of the Bands last night arrived semi-comatose and were down by ten points in the first few minutes of the game. The score improved in our favor as the boys woke up, and the team finished with a solid victory.

Exterior work on the sun porch, deck, and shed is nearing completion just as the first snowfall arrives. To say that Jeanine is excited about the sun porch would be a huge under statement. This will most certainly become her sanctuary. As I type, she is out there planning for furniture placement. I on the other hand am already organizing the shed (located under the deck).

Nicolai was in action this evening and had a fantastic game. He continues to improve and holds his own with his peer group. He had several assists and a goal as his team cruised to victory.

Nicolai took this photo of me this evening. In thirty years of playing soccer, it is the only one that exists of me scoring a goal (despite having scored hundreds over my lifetime). I received a nice pass in the middle of the field and crushed a full volley into the lower left corner. You only need one shot like this every couple of years to keep you wed to the sport. That perfectly timed shot, struck with authority, that finds the back of the net in the air. Click on the photo for a larger view.

I just returned from a 2-day Avid meeting held in Manchester, NH. After introductory comments from our CEO and new GM to the entire organization, teams of 30 attended 45 minute breakout sessions. My presentation covered Engineering and I gave it a total of 16 times over the 2-day event. I normally do not talk this much in an entire month and will need about that long to rest my vocal chords.

Maya was in charge of breakfast this morning and prepared French toast for the family. She has turned into quite the little chef.
Later in the evening, her father prepared pork loin cutlets for dinner using the “Baby Bam” mix she made last week for seasoning.

At one point, Kyle juggled the ball in the air and off-his head traversing 2/3 of the field before laying off a pass.

Kyle’s indoor soccer team was in action this evening and turned in a very one sided victory.

Nico was quite dapper sporting a button down shirt (tucked in, after a very long discussion about whether this was stylish or not), cranberry tie and nice sweater.

This evening, we enjoyed hearing the 6th grade Concert Band, in which Nico is one of the percussionists. Unfortunately, I was unable to get a photo of him while he performed because the drummers are behind so many of the other musicians. Nico’s performance was flawless and the band has reached that point where you actually enjoy the music.

Maya looks through the trivet she made for her mother’s Christmas present.