December 2009

The Christmas season has treated us well as we have been able to see friends and family frequently during the month. We went to Chicago for an annual Christmas party thrown by Joe and Ali Rago. We arrived at their house on Friday evening and enjoyed catching up. Matt Schafer showed up the next day and we all partied until 3 in the morning. We enjoyed a limo ride home, some late night pizza and played Rockband once we got home. The next morning we were able to go into the city to visit the Andersons and their new daughter Emma. They were adapting well and it was great to get a chance to meet her. We got home a little exhausted since we don’t party until 3AM anymore!

For Christmas, we went to Davis, WV this year and it was a great visit. We arrived on the 23rd and were able to go cross-country skiing on Christmas Eve. Everyone went and we spent about 2 hours outside skiing around. Everyone fell a few times but I think I had to get up the most! We went to midnight mass and I don’t think anyone changed out of pajamas on Christmas. I received some ski boots and ski poles, along with some nice jackets. Deb received a Garmin, and some shirts from WV and a local brewery. As always, we ate very well and everyone found their way into the kitchen to help out. It was very icy and windy on Christmas, which took out some of the snow. On the 26th, we did make our way over to Timberline and did some skiing. I did much better with all the new equipment and Deb, Anna and I wore out quickly. Randy met us for a few beers at the lodge afterwards as nothing is better than a cold beer after skiing! We got caught in some snow on the way home which caused us to be a little delayed. We celebrated Christmas with the Carroll family on the 29th. We received a sushi making kit, a new phone, and a new Wii game. Deb and I also got some clothes which we asked for. We played a little euchre and then made our way over to the Wahmans for a nice dinner and catching up with everyone.

Here are a few more items from the month:
• We went to a caroling party at the McGraths.
• We went to our annual Christmas Dinner with some Purdue friends at Buca de Beppo.
• We went over to Pete and Laura’s apartment to watch the Colts beat Jacksonville (where I heard Claire say “Uncle Keith” for the first time…sounded like “Unc Kei” but I will take it!).
• I went to a Pacer game with people from work as our auditors were able to get the suite for a game vs. the Milwaukee Bucks.
• We went to a Christmas Party for Deb’s work at the Tyndall’s house.
• Dad and I went to MCL cafeteria for a nice dinner.
• We went out for a nice dinner at 14 West. This is a restaurant that serves local food and changes it menu seasonally. We met Tom and Tracy beforehand at The Capital Grill (where Tom and I had “man-drinks” (i.e. Manhattans)).

November 2009

Well, we are about 2 weeks late with the posting of our November update, but we have been busy doing all kinds of fun things and have plenty updates for everyone!

Dad had a short stint back in the hospital for about 5 days or so to take care of an infection in early November. Other than that minor bump in the road, he is doing well and is progressing toward independence and the ability to do more with each passing week. The best news came a few weeks ago when he was diagnosed with pathological remission. It was described to me as the “best possible situation” for what they could have hoped for. This is great news and has really lifted everyone spirits. Things have quieted down a little for Mom and Dad and I think they are enjoying a little bit of normalcy in their lives as they can spend time together at home.

Pete and Laura welcomed their new daughter on November 10th. Grace Ann had pneumonia when she was born and had to be in a special nursery (not NICU, but also not with Pete and Laura) for a few days. Since she was sick, she was in the hospital for a week, but they are all at home now and doing fine. From what we have seen and heard, Claire isn’t too interested in Grace yet, but I’m sure that will change as the oldest children always come through!

We were fortunate enough to go to 2 Colts games this month. Thanks to Debbie’s clinic, we went to the Texans game where the Colts won by 3! The 2nd game was probably one of the best sporting events I’ve ever attended as the Colts beat the Patriots 35-34. We tailgated ahead of time with Jeff and Brandon. I will spare all the details, but whenever someone mentions Belichick and the Pats going for 4th and 2 on the Colts 29 yard-line, just know that Peyton had the last laugh after the Colts defense took care of business!

For the first time in 8 years, Deb was able to see a WVU football game. They played at Cincinnati and we decided it was a great chance to see them play. They hung tough and Cincy is undefeated this year. All WVU needed was to recover the on-side kick and the come-back was underway! A highlight of this trip was parking in the garage and opening the door and hearing “Country Roads” being played and echoing throughout the parking lot! I will forever hear “Let’s Go!” and then a second later “Mountaineers!”

Another interesting thing we did this month was go curling! Yeah, you read it right, we went curling for Ben Foulke’s birthday party. For those of you still scratching your head, curling is that sport in the Olympics that you throw the stone and use the brooms to sweep the ice to speed up the stone. We had several laughs as we learned all the phrases and terms associated with this activity. Not to mention that you are basically walking on ice with your tennis shoes, so I was the first person to completely wipe out on the ice!

We were in Indy for Thanksgiving this year and it was a good time. Deb wasn’t feeling the best but tried to take part in some events. I attended Friends Thanksgiving at the Watkins and enjoyed seeing everyone. The next morning I ran the Drumstick Dash and then came home and we got ready to head over to my parent’s house. Beth was a great surprise as she didn’t tell anyone but mom and dad she was coming home! It was good to see her and she was able to see Dad doing so well and meet Grace.