Last Post of 2014

Per last year, I will finish with Bode's school picture and some other photos.

Another banner year in the McGuirk household.  Bode is now in first-grade and doing great.  He did cross-country, flag football and gymnastics, continues to do swimming and ice skating, and recently started piano.  We couldn't be more proud of our little dude.  He also started to lose his teeth.  I think we are up to five visits from the tooth fairy, with the most recent losses being his two front ones.  We avoided a Christmas catastrophe because Bode's one tooth was really loose on Christmas Eve.  We thought we were going to have a visit from both Santa and the Fairy on the same night, and we were unsure if these two folks get along (what if they had a troubled past, perhaps they once dated, or something like that).  Fortunately, the tooth stayed in for the duration of Christmas Eve.  However, as we were eating our Christmas breakfast, Bode bit into his waffle and out pops his tooth.  Problem solved, but now, eating has become an issue--no biting power.  I think one of the teeth is already coming in, so he'll be back to ripping into apples in no time. 

Ashley had a great year despite the disappointing season of the Auburn Tigers.  And she's even starting to realize the quality of her year should not really depend on the wins and losses of a some football team (a running argument in the McGuirk home during 2014).  We, of course, will continue to be fans with the hope that someday, the weekend won't be ruined if Auburn should happen to lose :-)  Here's a great picture of my beautiful "French" wife.  Not bad for 44.

2014 also saw the addition of Joey, a wonderful Boxer who joined our family back in March.  We think he's become comfortable in the house, but it's really hard to tell...

And what's a year-end review without Harley.  She'll be four in a couple months, but she still acts like a puppy whenever someone comes to our house (much to our disappointment).  But her affection is heart-warming, as she gives Ashley some huge "happy whines" whenever she returns from a business trip (or, quite frankly, whenever she comes home from work).  Such a nice way to be welcomed home.

I had another great year--how could I not with the above folks in my life.  I'm still teaching at USAFA--this January will mark my 15th semester teaching (including summer sessions).  June will mark my 20-year point in the Air Force.  I guess this means the McGuirk Family will have to make some life-decisions in 2015, so stay tuned.  Pleasant New Year's to everyone and Happy 2015!

Christmas Dinner

The Thanksgiving Turkey was such a hit, Ashley decided to cook another bird for Christmas.  We also bought a ham, so we had plenty of meat.  Christmas morning, we realized we had forgotten to get potatoes and any type of salad.  Fortunately, Dave came to the rescue, bringing a salad and spuds down from Denver.  The meal was exquisite, something out of Dickens novel (although I will refrain from that particular lexicon, per Ashley's direction).  My Mom even managed to make it in time for food, so it was a wonderful Christmas meal.  Here's a group shot--not really posed, so people's expression are hit-and-miss.

The meal finished, we started the process of digestion.  We spent the rest of the day watching Bode play his various Xbox games and just spending some good quality family time.  On the day after Christmas, Dave returned but also had Teddy and Charlie with him.  Bode was thrilled, especially when he learned Teddy and Charlie would be spending not one but two nights with us.  Oh glorious day.  We had another fine meal (reheated leftovers, but sometimes the reheated meal is better than the first go around).  The boys...and dogs enjoyed it.

For those of you that have met Harley and Joey, realize the dogs can sit still provided the proper motivation.  I'm holding a big piece of ham in each hand if you can't tell...

We then had another round of gift-openings (that's three for those of you keeping track).

The boys spent the night playing together--video games, Hot Wheels, and whatever else boys do.  Today, we all went swimming, had some lunch, and now the boys are again in the basement doing something on the Xbox.  Bode has charged me with getting a subscription with Xbox Live so he can play Plants Vs Zombies Garden Warfare.  I told him I'd look into it, but he might have to use some of his Christmas money if it's a monthly fee.  This puzzled him for a moment.  I'll let you know how things work out :-)  Finally, here's a shot of Ashley wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!

She's close to "cracking" a smile :-)  Happy Weekend to all.

Christmas

I'm happy to report Santa Claus made a successful delivery to our house.  But I'm getting ahead of myself.  First, a couple of pictures of Bode in front of the Christmas tree before the fat man came.

Note the above picture is on Christmas Eve eve, not Christmas Eve.  Bode would not allow a fire on Christmas Eve.  I tried to assure him Santa uses a special chemical to prevent himself from being burned, but he was skeptical.  We spent Christmas Eve lounging around the house.  Ashley and I both squeezed in some exercise at the gym, and then the three of us went to a movie--Penguins of Madagascar.  It was very entertaining.  We had a light dinner, and then I tried to convince Bode to watch Christmas Vacation with me.  He didn't get most of the humor--perhaps in a couple of years.  We also posed for some family pictures, Bode again opting to go shirtless.  Maybe Santa will bring him some clothes...

We all then snuggled in for a long winter's nap.  Joey and Harley needed no convincing to go to bed, as they were wiped out from a day of hard playing.

We were about to go to bed when Bode reminded me to put some cookies and milk out for Santa.  Tragedy averted.

Bode slept with us on Christmas Eve, and he even slept in...until 7 or so.  We got up, and Bode was thrilled to report Santa had come.  We hurried out to the tree, and Bode immediately opened up his stocking.

Santa also remembered to bring things for Joey and Harley.

The highlight (for me at least) had to have been the present Bode got Ashley.  Bode's school had a "present room" and the kids could all go and shop.  Then, a little envelop was sent home that just had the costs.  Thus, we didn't really know what Bode was getting us.  I was taking him to school one morning and he said, "I know Mommy will like her present.  I just wanted to get her something really beautiful."  And when we woke up Christmas morning, he said something similar.  Very cute.

Next are an assortment of pictures from the opening.  Bode really raked in the loot--a kite, lots of Xbox games, a Hot Wheels track, some cold hard cash, Nerf guns, some great Lego sets, an Amazon Fire, and other odds and ends I can't remember.  Santa (and our family and friends) were extremely generous.

We had a wonderful Christmas morning, and things only got better because Nana, Papa, and Uncle Dave showed up for lunch (to be continued :-)

ABQ Xmas

We spent the last three days in Albuquerque visiting the Albuquerque McGuirks.  Bode sees his cousins a few times a year and loves the time spent with them.  We figured they'd be doing all sorts of exciting things.  Here's an action photo...

Yup, that's Bode playing the Xbox.  You'd think we didn't have one at home.  Alas, I chased him off the computer and urged him to actually play with people.  The kids pulled out a lot of toys that they hadn't played with in a long time.  Pat was thrilled to help them dig these items out of the garage.  Speaking of Pat, Dana has gone back to work, doing a few shifts a week as a nurse.  Pat is rediscovering his domestic skills.

They had the Ping-Pong table set up in the garage (get them a garage heater if you are still shopping for them).  We had a great time playing doubles.  Sean and Brenna, while decent players, were no match for the team of Grammy and me.  We dominated the youngsters (perhaps they were being kind to their elders).  After each game, I told myself I'd go grab the camera to record some of the rallies, but I never did.  Shame on me.  Bad blogger.  Baaaad blogger.

The kids all slept in the Great Room upstairs.  They fight over couch space and blankets, but we let the kids work that out themselves (it worked in Lord of the Flies, didn't it?)

I can't say we did a whole lot other than spend time together...which I guess is the whole meaning of the holidays.  We played Uno (Bode won) and watched football, and ate waaay too much.  We did go to Trampoline World, which was a smashing (jumping) good time.  Here's a cute shot of Bode and Devin in the car.

Sean, Devin, and Bode also watched Return of the Jedi, and I commended them on their cinematic tastes.

On our last night there, we opened presents.  Everyone, including Ginger (the dog) was ready for some action.

 

We had a great time opening the presents.  The highlight had to have been the present Pat and Dana et al. got Bode.  It's a "Fart Bull Horn" which is exactly what it sounds like.  Hours and hours of entertainment.  Here's a movie.  It's rather long, but the payoff is worth it :-)

We had a wonderful time in Albuquerque as we always do.  We are now relaxing at home.  I think Ashley is rubbing down our Christmas goose, err, turkey, and Bode is watching Spiderman or something like that.  I suppose I'll go downstairs, and maybe we can all watch a movie for some good old family fun.  Bode, of course, will be firing his favorite bull horn :-)  Pleasant Christmas Eve to all!

Ski Weekend

We spent the past weekend up in Breckenridge.  The snow season has been strange.  The mountains had seven feet of snow before Thanksgiving.  However, they have received very little since then.  The conditions were decent--nothing spectacular, as there were some brown spots, and Ashley's favorite part of the mountain (Peak 10) was not open.  But we still had a great time.  Bode went to ski school (pictures of that at the end of this post).  We dropped him off around 0830 and headed over to the lifts.  It wasn't cold, but it was overcast.  Still, it was very beautiful.

Ashley and I didn't want to be around the crowds (which was silly, because it wasn't very crowded) so we headed over to Peak 8 and up to the top of the mountain.  Here's a nice shot of Ashley.

We also stopped for an Epic picture, which is basically when the Breck photographers take your picture and link it to your pass.  We'll try to take as many pictures as possible over the coming ski season.

We rode up T-bar and then over to the Imperial Lift, which we did several times.  Neither of us is in good ski shape.  One of the neat thing about our ski passes is sensors throughout the mountain will track where you go.  Thus, at the end of the day, we can see how much we skied.  Ashley and I did over 10,000 vertical feet before noon, and then we decided to get some lunch and take a break--no sense getting hurt on the first day :-)  We were able to track Bode's skiing via Ashley's phone.  Little Dude skied over 9,000 vertical feet, and he rode up the Quick Silver lift 14 times.  We were supposed to pick him up at 3:30, so we headed over early to try to see him coming down the mountain.  Here are some pictures and movies.

This part of the mountain isn't steep, so Bode wasn't going very fast.  However, I did get this movie of him at the very end practicing on a bump (aka a mogul).

He looks amazingly stable on skis.  I'm sure we'll continue to do ski-school as often as possible and as long as its financially feasible :-)  Finally, here's a nice picture of Bode all geared up.

Whenever we go skiing, we always wonder why we don't move to Breckenridge permanently.  Who knows--maybe we'll do so in the not-so-distant future :-)  Pleasant day to all.