The kids got gift certificates to the movies from their grandmother for Christmas. So we went to Arundel Mills and saw a show. Movie theaters have changed. Check out these seats. The matinee was clearly a popular time to go. We had a blast though. Saw Sonic 3. Gonna go back in a few weeks to see the new Marvel Captain America movie with the Red Hulk.
Happy 17th Maggie!
What a blessing it is to have a full house. Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
We are so blessed that all 7 kids are in the house right now, ranging from 3 years to 22 years. Days are crazy and hectic. It is easy not to stop and recognize just how fortunate we are.
My hair is thinning. The house always looks like a hurricane came through. Belly getting bigger. I am working long hours. Damn near impossible for me to run a mile these days. It is tough to keep up. But I get to go through it next to this beauty. And I get to watch these wonderful kids grow up, struggle, thrive and keep moving forward. It makes my heart full. And I am grateful.
Maggie committed to Duquesne!
https://www.instagram.com/p/DFBfQWJh02j/?img_index=1
I am so proud of Maggie. I have coached her now for several years. She is a joy to coach. She is a good teammate, works really hard, and has a great attitude. It is easy for me as a coach to talk with her about the game, and she understands the game at a high level. I am happy that she will be playing for a coach with such experience as Coach Tracy. Mags is very excited and Marcia and I are very proud and excited to watch her and support her and her team.
Well, it wasn’t much of a question for me. Jack told me at the beginning of the year he had never seen me with a beard. I realized I hadn’t grown one in over twenty years. So, I said, “let’s go!” I said I would give it two weeks. And I did.
But then I let it go. I like the smooth on my face.
Painting penguins
My name is Chilly Willy
I’m frozen through and through
My nose is red and my tale is told
Ha Hee Hachoo!
My girls and their artistic talents. These girls always amaze me with their talents. They definitely got this talent, and their beauty, from their mom
Eden and Lila dancing in the living room on New Year’s Eve. Liz is riding a tricycle.
One guess which one of the kids we had to wake up to take this picture
Location – Pittsburgh.
Maggie and I have been traveling it seems like all summer and all fall. This time to Pittsburgh. Spending so much of my youth making friendships with people from Pittsburgh, with Bobby living for a few years in Pittsburgh, and a number of trips to this town in my first 25 years or so of life, it was amazingly familiar to arrive to town. I remembered all of these yellow bridges from my youth, and the skyline drives coming into town.
This trip is for Maggie and a college visit, Duquesne. I am trying not to influence her decision, but I like this place and I like this coach. She is doing a great job though of setting the course for herself. I am just along for the ride.
I love college basketball, and got to go to a game while Maggie was off with the team. Took a pic with the school mascot. I could get used to visiting Maggie here.
We went out to cut down the Christmas tree. A whole family affair. Marcia insisted that we all go, so that I don’t go overboard and get a big tree. Last year, I got too big of a tree. So, we went to the farm together.
Marcia: I love this tree
Me: Are you sure, it’s kinda big
Ok, Noah.
Looks beautiful
Time changes us all. Sometimes it is hard to accept the changes. And sometimes it is painful. So much has changed in the last few years.
But I am thankful that Grammy and Pop Pop joined us for Thanksgiving this year. And sat on the couch and Lila fell asleep between them.
Mom and Dad were selfless as they raised me. They gave me and my brothers everything. And they extended themselves and gave a lot of themselves to others too. As they are in their later years, they don’t have a lot of earthly possessions left. And the most important commodity is time.
I am thankful that they spent this time with us, at our house. Breaking bread, watching football, and just sitting on the couches with the kids.
Six With Sticks 