Skiing is Back !!

Took Annie & Emily skiing tonight for the opening of night skiing at Elk Mountain. It was cold but we had a great time.  Conditions at Elk were excellent and should really improve with two storms predicted in the next few days.

Emily is still getting use to skiing but keeps improving every time out.  Here she is skiing her first time down the West Slope.

Hopefully this will be the first of many enjoyable nights on the mountain this year.

Merry Christmas !

 

From our family to yours ... Merry Christmas !!

Broken Hearted

No words can describe what I'm feeling, and I am pretty sure the rest of the country if not the world is feeling after the events yesterday in Newtown, CT.  Having school aged children myself, my heart breaks for those parents who lost a child. God bless them and I hope this outpouring of support helps in some small way.

Stringing up the Lights !!

The elves in the Yurgosky house were hard at work tonight putting up our Christmas Tree.  They couldn't wait to cut the tree down and get it set up so they could start decorating it.

I was more than happy to assist because usually it is me putting up the tree while all of them sit and watch TV.

I think they did a great job !!

Happy Birthday Annie !

Went to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree get lit yesterday for Annie's birthday.  We spent a whirlwind 24 hours in the Big Apple, and had a wonderful time.

In 1993 Marion and I got engaged at that tree ...  I was pretty sure she would never want to go back.  ha ha!

Still Kicking !!

Set up an make-shift goal post in the backyard and Blaine Fawcett and I spent the afternoon kicking field goals.  I spent hundreds of hours doing this as a kid while I was growing up.

Rumor has it Penn State might be accepting walk-ons to try out for kicker, so we were just getting ready in case we are called on.  "43 year-old , Cinderella story, about to kick the game winning field goal"  (must be said in the Carl Spangler voice) .

Pretty sure I won't be able to walk let alone walk-on tomorrow :(

Old age doesn't come alone.

Sweating to the Oldies !!

With Halloween again upon us. Marion and I decided to dress up again this year.  I went as Richard Simmon's and Marion went as my Oldie !! 

A big thanks goes to Emily who worked hard to bedazzle my tank-top.  Even though we didn't win any contests ... we still had a great time with some great friends !!

Playoff time in the Bronx

Went to the big ballpark in the Bronx today for the first time.  Huge ballpark in the Bronx would be a better name for it.  The place is better than advertised.  However ... the Yankees themselves look pathetic. They couldn't hit their way out of a paper bag. Thankfully Ichiro and Raul Ibanez made the stadium rock in the 9th inning with HRs to tie the game.

Regardless the Yanks lost and Jeter broke his leg, so those HRs went to waste.  But I did get to spend some time with some great friends, and even Jim Leyritz stopped by to hang out with us.

ASBDC 2012

Was selected to present at the 2012 ASBDC Annual Conference in New Orleans this week.  This conference is a great way to share information with our peers in the SBDC network.  So nice to see old friends and to make some new ones.  After leaving here you really feel rejuvenated, and proud of the work we do.  I love helping other people!

Look Out World - Here She Comes !

Maggie started pre-school today !!  Hard to believe she is off to school already.  She was so excited.  She was the only one of my girls who didn't sob when I dropped her off.  I hope the teachers at this school are ready for her, because once she gets comfortable in her surroundings she because a totally different person ... Yikes !!

We Are - Penn State !!

Attended the opener to the Penn State season yesterday.  It was nice to finally be able to move forward from the disaster which has taken place since November.  Even the though the Lions lost yesterday, the Bill O'brien era is now in effect.

Marion and I took the girls to their first ever Penn State game. 

I think Penn State University should be ashamed for not even having a moment of silence for Joe Paterno.  The man was with the program for over 60 years, and last I checked he was not charged or convicted of any crimes.  It seems the University is working harder to convict people in this case, then the PA Atty General.

A lot of disgruntled people around yesterday, and the # of empty seats is a sure sign that I am not alone in my feelings.

Welcome Back !

The University of Scranton welcomed back its students for the 2012 fall semester. New students are invited to participate in the Downtown Scavenger Hunt where they get introduced the different businesses in downtown Scranton.  I once again donned Iggy mascot costume, and battled the high humidity.  This year I managed to lose 6 lbs in about 2 hours.

Even P90X didn't give me that kind of results.  Maybe I should start the mascot workout program, Biggest Loser would become old news.

Life's a Beach !

 

Took our annual trip to the beach this week.  Went back to Brigantine NJ this year.  It's aways relaxing, and not chaotic like the other beach towns along the NJ shore.  The girls were great, they just love being in the water.  

 ... I even realized why the girls bring me along !!

 

P U !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It seems the mild winter we had has led to an increase in the skunk population around the lake.  Nothing worse than that smell !  It burns the eyes !!

I have been working hard to remove them but there is a lot more of them then me !!

Fireworks at Newton Lake !

Once again the weather held up and the 2012 Fireworks display at Newton Lake went off without a hitch. For a small lake we really get a first class display.  It was nice to take the kids and spend the evening out on the pontoon boat with the Fawcett's.

I know someday we are going to look back on these days and realize they were the best days of our lives.  Great times ... great memories !!

Lake Ontario 2012

Headed up to Lake Ontario to do some Salmon fishing, and we literally caught a boat load of fish.  Thanks to Tom Burke and Andy Bliss of the Cold Steele fishing charter, they kept us on fish all day long. 

Lakeland Softball 2012 !!

Emily is back for another season of softball !!  It blows my mind how serious some of the coaches in this league take these games.  Everybody wants their daughter to be a superstar.  I can honestly say our coaches are only interested in teaching the game, and making sure the girls have fun.  We aren't going to win any championships, but we also are not going to make 10 yr old softball seem like a job for these girls.

Spring Skiing at Elk Mountain

Annie & I at the top of Elk Mountain, PA.

Took advantage of temps in the 60's today and went skiing at Elk Mountain.  I have to say spring skiing isn't all it's cracked up to be.  Pretty slushy and icy and it rained off and on.  However it was a nice way to end the 2012 ski season.  Annie and I had a great time, and hats off to the team at Elk Mountain for keeping the conditions at Elk Mountain outstanding, despite a winter with little or no real snow.

Enjoying the Warm Winter Weather !

Annie's first time on Elk Mountain's Susquehanna slope !

Emily's first time on skis !

This week was another great week of skiing.  Annie is getting better every time out, and this week Emily tried skiing for the first time.

Emily took a little while to catch on but by the end of the night she was doing great.  Now if we can just find a way to keep her warm.

Finally able to Skate !

Emily & Annie

It's take awhile but the kids were finally able to get out on the lake and ice skate.  Calling for heavy rain and temps in the 50's this week so this may be the end of the skating season. It's ending before it began.

When I look back at the old pictures I can't believe how big the girls are getting.

Annie & Emily Ice Skating in 2007

Annie's Learning to Ski

Annie is hitting the slopes at Elk Mountain.  She is doing great and she loves it !