The Big Game

From the title, you might think I'm referring to the Auburn Tigers victory in the 2010 BCS National Championship on 10 January. Sure, this was A-U-some, but it's not really the point of this post. I will say that yes, we watched the game (stayed up to 0100--damn this east coast time zone) and were terrified when Cam fumbled. But in the end, the sure-footedness of Wes Byrum (not to mention the deity-like balance of Michael Dyer) won the game. Wareagle! Who's up for a repeat?

The big game to which I refer is this past weekend's gridiron match between the Steelers and Ravens. My Aunt Marnie (or as she likes to be called, Bode's "Great" Aunt) and her husband Dave, have season tickets. As luck would have it, the weather was particularly cold. Dave has some thin blood so he offered me the opportunity to go. I, of course, had to accept. Ashley, Bode, and I drove to Pittsburgh Saturday morning and got there by lunch. The game was at 4:30, so we headed for the stadium around 2:00. Did we take the Beamer to the game? Heck no. We went in a classy car. And what's more classy than a limousine. That was the way to travel, away from the masses of (drunk) people. It's hard to not think of them as peasants when you're in a limo, driving by nice and warm while they're walking many blocks in the cold. Here's a picture of Marnie in me in our plush surroundings.

The weather wasn't all that bad, with the temp being a balmy 25 or so. Fortunately there wasn't much of a wind. I stayed warm for most of the game. The playoff atmosphere was amazing. Everyone was pumped up, and I was surprised that everyone was wearing a black-and-gold jersey. Throughout the game, I snapped some photos. Here are some of the better ones. First, we have the pregame introduction of the players. Before the National Anthem, two Marines were awarded Purple Hearts, which was pretty neat to see.

Right before kickoff, Marnie and I snapped a quick photo--we wanted to be sure we were smiling in case the Steelers lost!

The game started off great, with a quick Steeler touchdown. The team then fell asleep, committed some awful turnovers, and we found ourselves down 21-7 at halftime. We were sad, but thought we had a chance. I was quick to point out Auburn's 24-7 halftime deficit versus Alabama. Fortune was shining down on the Steelers because they scored 17 unanswered points and went up 24-21. The Ravens tied it 24-24, but Pittsburgh scored a TD with about 1:00 left in the game. A solid defensive stopped sealed the victory! Here are a couple game-photos. In no way am I SI-ready :-) Here's the opening kickoff.

Here is a shot of the offense in the second half getting ready to run a play. I've no idea how this play ended.

After the game, we headed home. Bode was zonked out. Evidently he spent the day going up and down the stairs bringing Ashley and Dave (Marnie's husband) imaginary scoops of ice-cream. It's funny what goes on in the little fellows'minds...

Sunday was a lazy day. We lounged and relaxed and ate. Bode's other "great" aunt, Geri, had driven in from Johnstown on Saturday. Here's a picture of Bode showing her how to play video games.

Finally, here's a picture of me and Dewey, Marnie and Dave's yellow lab. It's an awful picture of me, but it's the only decent one of Dewey.

We had a wonderful trip to Pittsburgh and look forward to seeing everyone again. Pleasant week to all.

Fun Movie

One of Bode's favorite toys from Christmas is this little truck track. A battery-powered car drives around this circuit and becomes various types of trucks by picking up the skeleton of a bulldozer, front-loader, and dump-truck. The trucks moves these little balls around the track. Bode loves watching the truck go round and round.

Some big football games today. Happy New Year to all!

Final 2010 Post

It's been a great holiday, and one of our best gifts has been the fact Auburn (the dog) is still with us. Here is a shot of me and the ol' girl doing getting in a quick hug after I went running. Auburn tolerates these hugs because post-run, I'm all salty and taste great.

It's been eight months since she had her leg amputated, and she is doing wonderful. She's gotten a bit skittish on slippery floors because she's had a couple spills. But otherwise, she's her lazy happy self (just like her Daddy). Happy New Year to all.

Christmas in Dayton

We returned to Dayton on 29 December. Since we did not want to lug all of Santa's loot back home with us, we called the North Pole prior to our departure and asked that Santa bring Bode's presents to our house in Ohio. Therefore, when we got home, Bode was pleased to find a ton of gifts under the Christmas tree and a dearth (yep, using that word again) of coal in his stocking. Here are some pictures of Bode opening his presents.

He was so excited. Of course, it is always easy to tell when he isn't as pleased with a gift because he's immediately ready to open the next gift.

The little man had quite a haul. Tonka toys, books, a jacket, playdoe, clothes, Legoes, a minicomputer, and a video game. I'm sure there's more that I missed. Those I just mentioned are the gifts I can still see out in the living room. Ashley and I also received a number of wonderful gifts--books, clothes, kitchenware, and shoes.

We think Bode is going to be a philosopher. You've probably heard the question, "If a tree falls in the woods and there is no one around to hear it, does it make any noise?" Bode put his own little spin on this saying. The exchange went as follows.

Ashley: (sniff, sniff) "Bode, did you toot?"

Bode: "I did."

Ashley: "Then say excuse me."

Bode: "But it didn't make any noise."

Well played, my son. Enjoy the holiday weekend.

Christmas in Fort Walton Part II

The weather was cold. COLD! That was not what was signed up for when we booked our reservations to Florida. I went running a few times and had to wear a hat. A HAT! IN FORT WALTON. Oh well. I'm exaggerating a bit. I did run early in the morning, so it hadn't warmed up. Around lunch time, it was pleasant, so we decided to get some pictures. Here's a shot of Bode surveying all that he rules (at least in his mind).

I'm not sure what Bode was doing in this one, but it's kind of cute.

We then managed to get Mommy outside. Notice she's wearing her big winter coat. Despite living for 10+ years near I-70, she still has thin blood.

Ever since we lived in FWB (and for the Rankin Family, many years before that), a fun, CHEAP form of entertainment has been going to Goofy Golf. The place we go hasn't raised prices since the 1980's. It's $2.50 per person, $1.00 for kids. Goofy Golf doesn't put a whole lot of cash into their landscaping, but the courses are fun, and for $6.00, you can't beat how happy it made Bode (and his parents). Here are some action shots. First, we have Bode teeing it up.

Next, we have Bode trying to hit the ball. He kept wanting to use the pointy end of his putter.

We didn't really keep score for Bode, but I must point out I beat Ashley by a considerable number of strokes. On our final night in FWB, we visited the Tobiks (Tim, Stacey, and their two kids Marleigh and Carter). They demanded (asked not) to be on the Chronicles, so here is their 15 minutes of fame. First, here's me and Stacey.

Next are Ashley with the Tobik clan.

The pictures aren't that great because somehow I turned the flash off on our camera and can't figure out how to get it back on. Maybe I should ask Bode to figure it out for me. We left the Tobik home around 9:00 pm. Bode was exhausted when we got home.

That about sums up our trip south. It's raining today in Dayton, but at least it's not snow. Pleasant New Year to everyone, and we'll see you in 2011.

Christmas in Fort Walton Part I

On 24 December we loaded up our sleigh and headed to the airport. Destination, the (supposed) warm coastline of Fort Walton Beach. It wasn't all that warm down there. In fact, there was even ice some mornings (yikes). However, despite the chilly weather, it was a fantastic vacation. The flight down left early Friday morning. Bode shot out of bed at 0430 and was excited to go see Nana and Papa. His enthusiasm continued on the first leg of the trip to Atlanta. He then ran out of gas on the second flight. Here is a shot of him snoozing on the plane.

We made it safe and sound to FWB. We were fortunate to travel on 24 December because that night, Delta started canceling flights into and out of Atlanta due to a massive snow storm on the east coast (which explains the cold weather we experienced in Florida). We had a lovely Christmas Eve, going to church (I avoided the lightening) and seeing many of the Rankin's friends. Bode performed admirably in church, although why is it kids say loud statements right when the music ends when it's quiet as an Alabama fan at the Iron Bowl?

Christmas morning, we opened presents. Bode was very excited and had to help everyone tear the paper off the boxes. Here are some action photos. First, the little dude and Papa opening a big one.

Then, Bode had to help Uncle Jason put together his new scale.

After all the gifts were opened, it was time to relax before the big feast. Bode spent time playing with his new Leapster, while I sat next to him, amazed at how quickly he figured things out. He'll be playing Donkey Kong on the Wii in no time.

Nana whipped up a fantastic meal, and we all ate way too much. Good thing Jason's scale wasn't able to weigh us all, as I'm sure it would have been depressing. We spent the afternoon digesting and relaxing. Here's a shot of the three boys sitting on the couch. Note how Bode is still playing that Leapster game.

It was a wonderful Christmas Day. Tune in next time for some pictures on the water and Bode's first Goofy Golf outing!

Happy Holidays

Well, we can put a nice bow on 2010. I'm done working for the rest of the year (really not that long considering I went in today, and it's the 23rd of December...)

We've had a nice December--still basking in the glow of the Auburn SEC Championship victory. Unfortunately, that glow has done nothing to help the weather here in Dayton, which has been miserable. Cold, icy, snowy, windy, and a lack (dearth, or paucity if you wish--Santa brought me a thesaurus) of sun. We had some chilly weather last weekend, so Bode and I had to really bundle up before going out.

The little guy really likes being outside in the weather. He (like his father) seems to enjoy shoveling snow. Bode's a big (no) help to me right now, but with a little bit of training, he'll be ready when we retire to the mountain palace (aka the Snow Hole), whereupon he'll be anointed the official shoveler of the McGuirk Family. The weather was so cold that Ashley had to work out indoors (I, of course, ran outside in the elements). Bode wanted to participate. Here he is trying to do some exercises.

Not sure what is going on in the picture below, but he was enjoying himself, jumping around and laughing with Mommy.

Hopefully you are someplace warm, weather it be on a tropical island or next to a cozy fire, for the holidays. All the best to everyone. Make sure you leave your cookies out for Santa. Pleasant Christmas to all, and to all, well, you know the ending.