The End of 2008...

Busy year. Two jobs, big trip to Texas, and, oh yeah, growing children. On this last day of the year, we'll try not to become too introspective, but we were busy, that's for sure. And busy yesterday too, what with the carpet cleaning, oil changing, car inspecting, toy playing, Christmas tree/light taking downing, and so much more. Phew! A slower day today. A run, trip to K-mart, and no big New Year's plans. We need a rest!

Home Again!

We survived another trip up North to the Great White North. Well, this year the Great White was the Great Green as temps soared into the high 60s in Pittsburgh. Our trip to Pittsburgh was nice, as we actually got out to the playground across the street, then we went over to a local library that I never knew existed. And what a library! It was in a large, older building. The floors were wood, they creaked, and the childrens' section was huge! Madison did an awesome job reading to both Lucy and Myra. Cole found lots of military books, and Uncle Gary rented movies. Yup, their library actually rents out movies. So cool!
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We got to finally have a Bull Dogs hotdog. It was alright, and their fries weren't bad. Coming home was a long trip, but we're home now, and have big plans for the week. Photos will be coming soon, as will the changing of the cars' oil, the cleaning of the carpets, and the cleaning of the sinks. Fun times!

Merry Christmas Eve!

So it starts! After a fun day yesterday (we met Greysen and Emma Kate at Marbles), Christmas Eve is here! This morning we hung out, I went for a 4 miler, then we went to Falls Dam and hiked around. Definitely a lot of fun being out in the open with the girls. And few were out to join us. I envision the rest out at the malls, stuck in traffic, and grumbly. Ahh...the outdoors!
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Once MJ wakes up, we will pack up to head to the Flanigans for Christmas Eve dinner. Mark, Christie, Aidan, and Maeve flew in this morning. Shannon will be up as well, so a nice family gathering. Then after presents tomorrow morning, we are heading up to PA for a few days, and we're looking forward to all those 'free cupoccino stops' at Sheetz! I think there are 7 on the way!

My Cute Little Snowglobe!

A SUITE Hockey Game...

Yeah, pretty good pun there, eh? Well, after many opportunities washed out, we finally attended a hockey game from a luxury suite. All four of us went, plus it was Bobblehead Night! As you can see, the girls throughly enjoyed it!

Tea For Two...or Six...

Our girls experienced the high life last weekend! Kerry, her cousins, and the girls decided to hold a 'high tea' with dress up, cookie decorating, and some serious fun. I love the creativity of my wife, providing all these opportunities for our girls. Neat, neat things! Of course I am a little late in posting, but the meaning is still there!

What Do My Snow Preferences Say About Me?

Your Snow Test Says You're Independent

You feel like something good will happen to you in the next few days. You love to work, especially when work is creative. You have the makings of a successful artist. You are an independent, individualistic person. You thrive when you're doing your own thing. Your biggest worry in your life is your health. You tend to be a bit of a hypochondriac. When it comes time to relax, you have difficulty relaxing. You are a bit high strung.

The Snow Test

My Linuxy, Christmasy, Baby Girl!

Optimistic View...

No matter if we make the playoffs again, ever, we'll always have this:

Definitely Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

I believe the hint is when you see the zambonis with Christmas lights on
Kerry and I received the pleasure to take in a Canes game while the in-laws watched the girls. It was our first together since before Myra. Hard to believe! We wished the outcome was a little better (Canes lost in OT), but I knew that would happen with the new/old coach. Yup, shortly before that, the Canes fired Stanley Cup winning coach Peter Laviolette to replace him with Paul Maurice. Yes, the Paul Maurice that was fired from the Hurricanes. Yes, the Paul Maurice that was fired from the Toronto Maple Leafs after not making the playoffs at all.
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Players, even from different teams, do get in the holiday spirit! Look at this hugging! {/sarcasm}

Lucy and Myra Boogie to the Bunny Hop

I remember posting the video of Lucy doing the Bunny Hop a few years ago. Now Myra gets involved. And she is quite the little dancer!

Surfing The Web!

Boy, how my girls love the computer! They are actually quite good at navigating around. We spend some time on a variety of websites, including Starfall (www.starfall.com), Sesame Street, and even some YouTube videos. Lucy spends some time on some painting applications, and she especially enjoys TuxPaint, a free, open-source application. Lately, we have been designing cards for family using Open Office.
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We try not to have them use the computer too much, as too much like TV, but I think we also realize these digital resources will be their future. I think, in moderation, we are providing them with the tools they will need as they grow-up. And Daddy likes to share those with his girls! (-:

NCETC 2008

Back to Greensboro for yet another conference. Unfortunately, I believe this may be the last for awhile. I just do not pull as much from the conference like I used to. I guess it is not exclusive to this conference, as I felt this overall at NECC as well. In the future, I plan to open it up to teachers in my district, as I feel that will help us generate more interest in technology. I do certainly enjoy the networking a conference offers though. Lots of my ex-colleagues and 'plurkers' are here, so I do benefit from that sharing of knowledge. Interesting though, how each of the past four years, I've been in a different place for this conference!

Yeah, I Am Old Skool, Fo' Sho'!

So, Do You Think We're Ready For Christmas?

I do just love Christmas time. Here we are, Thanksgiving Weekend, 2008, and my girls are so excited. Yesterday we ventured off as a family to Home Depot to pick up our tree, brought it home, lit it, and hung the ornaments. The girls are so excited! Today after naps, we plan to go to the used book store, then stop by K-Mart. Simple things, but so much fun this time of year!
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Busy week, as I head off to Greensboro for the annual NCETC technology conference. While the program does not look especially enticing, I will be there with many friends, dinner at Bonefish, and just some good times.

Christmas Is Next!

So we had a nice Thanksgiving yesterday, and Kerry is out and about now for Black Friday, but the exciting news is the next holiday is Christmas!

We went out to Hidden Lake to spend Thanksgiving with Kerry's folks and Shannon. Had a really nice visit. Kerry, her dad, and I spent some of the time trying to install a basketball hoop with limited success. Who woulda thunk that many pieces go into setting up a hoop. We did not finish, so I am sure this project will continue for me. After a yummy meal, we went for a little walk, and Lucy and I hiked through the woods.
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This morning Kerry is out shopping with her Mom and sister. They planned to leave at 5:30, and I cannot confirm or deny that, as I was fast asleep! I have a big day of eRate--woohoo!

Edubuntu At Work

So here I am, working on adding Edubuntu to an old desktop that is ready for the warehouse. Warehouse of course, meaning the graveyard. So I swiped it and want to try my devious plan in loading a stand-alone Edubuntu on it. I plan to remove the network card so that if these do get placed back in the classrooms, they could not be placed on the network.

What I am really looking to do is provide some stand-alone machines that teachers can allow students to work on. They can type on them, use a spreadsheet, play educational games, and many other tasks. In essence, it will provide more workstations in a classroom. So we will see what happens! If it works, then it will be a matter of convincing my colleagues.

Raleigh Christmas Parade...

Another year, another parade. Although this year it was quite cold! We all dressed in layers, then Kerry and I hunched down on blankets on the road and both girls snuggled in close to us. Kerry's folks went with us, so that made it more fun! Definitely got us all in the Christmas spirit. We stayed busy this weekend, stringing lights (the girls love helping!), finishing some presents, and a trip to Target. Kerry and I plan to go out shopping soon, then we actually have a hockey game coming up.

Myra and Elmo

The girl loves her some Elmo! She was in such a good mood during this...she could've gone on for quite awhile chasing him!

Snow in Raleigh Today!

Yup, on my way to work, I had snow as I drove in. And we still had school! It was pretty though, snow coming down hard, laying on the trees. And 101.5 began to play 24 hours of Christmas music. So of course I jammed out! Tomorrow we go downtown for the Raleigh Christmas Parade. It will begin in the 20s, then rise to the high temps of 30s. Brrrr! The Flanigans will accompany us on the trip. Fun!