the first freeze

Note to self...next time make sure the sun is at Karrick's back

A weekend with my brother

                                                    

click to enlarge photos

Definitely something for everybody

 A couple of weekends ago we got the chance to spend some time with my brother, Jim and his family at their  amazing new log cabin...not your grandfather's log cabin. This beautiful home is nestled in the forest near St Joe's, MI. There are only a few other cabins with-in miles and I believe Jim got the pick of the liter. This spectacular home came fully furnished to match it's surroundings.

As amazing as my photos are, it is even more breath-taking in person

click to enlarge room photos

 The kids all had a ball with each other, playing games and running up and down the stairs. The older boys had a twinkle in their eye while in the loft eying the giant log rafters that lined the cathedral ceiling. We had a great time just catching up with each other and eating lots of food. Karen and I were able to sneak away and head into town; where we got yummy treats at the Apple orchard and chocolate covered bacon at the chocolate factory. There was a great antique mall that had everything grouped by era. I gobbled up 2 Seventeen magazines from the early 1960's

Makes me appreciate the sports bra all the more

We were able to get there in time to catch the end of the vibrant fall colors.

wrap- around porch-decks on 3 sides

 Something really needs to be messed up for my Tim not to be able to fix it. Thank God, the hot tub wasn't one. Tim had this pup up and running in a half of a day. Not everyone was pleased with Tim's abilities

 mama frog and babies had to relocate

The kids were eager to jump in, help clean and fill the hot tub

They were all pretty darn cute and patient while waiting, not only for the water to fill, but then waiting for it to heat up. Sitting in the cold water made them appreciate the warm water all the more 

 My pretty little niece

Ahhh, the kids enjoying the fruits of their labor

I can't end w/o mentioning the "plop" Not sure what they are, but damnnnn they are good...kinda like a reversed Oreo? Jim made them and once you start...

UT-OH, I think I know where the frogs went...look at the middle left plop...

  JIM?........

We all really had a great time and I can't wait to go back and sit in the hot tub....hint hint

Thank You very much guys

Shadow

roll with the times

I came across this photo of Callahan wearing an orange helmet in the Leaps and Bounds catalog; something didn't look right to me so I pulled out his portfolio. Below is Callahan at 4, almost 7 years ago wearing no helmet. I think it is adorable that they are still using the same photo and updated it by photo shopping in a helmet

Marbles and puppies

 A rare weekend in the McGinty house, we have nowhere to go at all! We dug out Karrick Marble Mania and let his brain waves flow. He built this tower and the marble successfully traveled the route and came out the bottom to which he exclaimed "OMG, you have to film this and put it on facebook" Callahan then taught Karrick to play Apples to Apples....the big deal here? Karrick actually had time to sit down and play with non-electronic toys. I read the entire weeks worth of papers. I cleaned, did laundry and painted our master bath (I primed it like last winter)

I am watching Rick's puppy Mochi while he visits his daughter at Cornell. She made herself right at home. Patrick wasn't thrilled and we had to keep them separated Thur and Friday. Today they are doing much better except Mochi wants to play and Patrick just wants to be left alone 

Halloween

Halloween a week late, better late than never as they say. Karrick for the 1st time trick or treated off of our block. He usually does a few houses with Tim , comes home and loves to pass out the candy. His 3 buddies stopped by to pick him up and off we went. Karrick made a solid hour +. The remainder of the night Karrick would hide under a pile of leaves in our driveway waiting for the word "marshmallow" at which time he would jump out and scare the day lights out of trick or treaters. We had a fire pit and our deck furniture out front, scary music blaring from the speakers. We had to of passed out 11 bags of candy

This photo totally reminds me of the "Little Rascals" as they take a break on some strangers porch

Walking home from treating Karrick ran into his "Kindergarten girlfriend". She is a totally cutie-pie. Yes, Karrick also has a 1st grade and 2nd grade girlfriend. He is a romeo 

I love that Cal has trick or treated with Josh and Ben for 5 or 6 years now. Yes, I allowed my 11 year old son to dress up as a pimp

I really liked my witch costume...Black velvet hooded cape, black tiny dress, black lacy gloves, black and purple veiled hat and black and purple tye-dyed tights

Tim, Tim Tim....what can I say about my Tim. Well, Tim LOVES Halloween. This year he was a slasher/Karl Childers from Sling Blade. You can't see it in this photo but there are bloody fingers sticking out of Tim's pocket. We went to Borders dressed in full costume and Tim received many strange looks...even for Halloween (I did suggest he leave the real carving knife at home, which he did) 

I wonder if Tim's co-workers at E*Trade have noticed that the day after Halloween Tim always has a shaved head

Football awards night

Last night football awards were held at GEHS. TJ and the freshmen team were all awarded their graduation year numbers 14 for class of 2014. They have a certain spot on their lettermen jacket. Each year the player receives a new progressive patch.

As I was sitting in the stands watching the seniors, I couldn't help but feel sad for them. Their 4 year reign has come to an end and I know in a blink of an eye, that will be TJ in 3 years. My girlfriend and I had a conversation about the team work of football vs any other sport. You really have to be a close team and work together like no other sport. My TJ carries the ball and if his teammates don't protect him he can get seriously hurt. The linemen are the soldiers of the team...you don't get that in baseball, volleyball and soccer etc. (not to this extent at least) There was a senior slideshow that was mighty touching...I get the whole football thing now, I really get it. I had chills and a tear in my eye and I am so proud that TJ is part of this tradition. Three months ago, I reluctantly gave the GE coaches my baby and they in return gave me back a much physically (not the same body he started with), mentally stronger boy, a boy that fought through Hell in double summer workouts in 95 degree heat..TJ never once complained that anything was too tough, hard yes, but he embraced the challenge actually looked forward to it. He went to school sick as not to miss practice. My TJ has a maturity he didn't have 3 months ago. He has embraced the strength to tough it out, to think beyond himself, to fight through head trauma, cuts and bruises, sprained ankles and sickness. He walks with pride, he walks as a Glenbard East Ram. I thank all you coaches for giving my boy this life long gift that only a football team can give. He looks up to you all and he had FUN!

I think I love football...ok, I sad it I Love Football!!

Our son's shoulders are back and his head is up

 2010 Freshman Glenbard East Football Team

 This  is the Varsity MVP trophy. Each year a Senior is awarded it and their name is engraved . Last night the 40th name was added to this award.

 I don't know a lot about this tradition, but every year a senior passes the Harley Davidson t-shirt down to a Junior that shows sportsmanship, honor, and team leadership etc.

After 20 years, The Varsity head coach is stepping down. I didn't get the chance to meet him, but didn't get choked up at his goodbye speech