what I did on my lunch hour today

One of the guys I work with has a backhoe loader at his house. Who am I to turn down the opportunity to help him move it around for a while? It beats sitting behind a desk staring at a computer monitor and eating a PB&J.

Paco... or is it a Tizza?

My talented wife found a way to combine two of the most delicious things in the world, Pizza and Tacos, into a single delectable culinary creation. Say hello to... The Paco!

Take Your Kid to Work Day

Thursday was Take Your Kid to Work Day, so I brought Joey to work with me. Since my job really isn't all that exciting, I brought a video player so Joey would have something to do at my desk. It turns out that we didn't need it because he had PLENTY of real work to do. Joey sent an email to Nana from my computer, spoke with my customers, worked in the lab and warehouse and even helped ship a box. The girls gave him papers to shred and they taught him how to stamp envelopes with the postage meter, and the guys at the loading dock let him throw stuff in the dumpster.

Michael went to work with Danielle, and he helped teach her class using the SmartBoard. They also made bird houses from old milk cartons and paper mache.

The Ohio trip!

Some visits just go by too quickly, and this was one of them. Hopefully we can come back soon to take over your house again!! :) Thanks for everything, we had a great time.

Ohio Trip - more pictures

Here are some more pictures from our Ohio trip. The kids had a good time playing with my old toys (the indian and horse, millenium falcon and star wars figures). We also went to the Museum of Natural History in Cleveland, and we went fishing with Dad. All of us had a great time.

Easter!

Battle of Route 10 Champions!!

Congratulations to the NJ Freeze, the Aspen Mite winners of the Battle of Route 10 Tournament! What a great way to finish the 2009-2010 season. We've actually got a 4 week hiatus from hockey until the spring season starts. Hopefully that's enough time to do our taxes, fix the truck, stain the windows, put a new dimmer on the porch lights, finish the moulding in the den, clean the basement...

Cake batter bliss!

This went well beyond Danielle's better judgement!

Turtle Back Zoo

After the tournament, Danielle and I took Joey and Ryan to Turtle Back Zoo since it was right next door to the hockey rink. Michael went to the goalie's house for some driveway hockey and video games.

Shamrock Tournament

Michael's team started the tournament with a big win over the Titans! The kids played some incredible hockey games.

Thursday: NJ Freeze 4, Titans 2
Friday: NJ Freeze 2, Colonials 4
Saturday: NJ Freeze 2, Kings 5
Sunday: NJ Freeze 6 Kings 5

Overall, the team took home the bronze medal this weekend. Next up - The Battle of Route 10.

More info here
http://www.devilsyouth.com/

Devils vs Bruins

The four of us went to watch the Devils play Boston last night. We also went to support Michael's friend, Kyle, as he played a five-minute game between the first and second periods as part of the Mites on Ice program. Michael's team will be playing next week.

Ryan couldn't make it but he'll be there for Michael's game next week.

"look dad.. i can spike my own hair!"

Where did the time go?

Car Show at the Ledgewood Mall

Micro Stock.. I think that's the name for this class of cars that can do 60 MPH on an asphalt track. The owner told me that it's powered by a 5 HP lawnmower engine bored out to 14 HP. The car costs about 1,200.00 and it has some of the basic safety features you'd expect to find in a regular stock car, like a roll cage. The best part is that you can fit it in the back of a pick up truck.

That's Joey sitting in the seat. To get him in, we lowered him down through a hatch in the roof.

Another snowstorm

Yep, we got more snow. I think we're pretty close to breaking the record for the most snowfall in one season, set in 1996. We took this picture in front of the Ledgewood Mall, that's our Tahoe in front.

Trip to the dentist

Danielle just sent me this picture from the dentist's office. It looks like Dr. Kitchin had to resort to sunglasses and ear phones to keep Joey calm. Joey is NOT a fan of the dentist!

Backyard sleigh riding

The inflatable snowtube definitely has it's merits. But when it comes to flat-out speed, nothing beats the old plastic Walmart sled!

Last night's dinner...Hot Dog Surprise

...the surprise is that he got any in his mouth!

Lego Star Wars fun

My Dad and I built a Lego Star Wars set called Darth Vader`s TIE Fighter. -Michael Stephen.

Fight the temptation...

I passed this exit on Route 80 in the middle of Pennsylvania, about 200 miles from the actual Jersey Shore. I'd love to know the story behind the name of that town.