Reuion Video

test

Arizona Trip 2006

So, my sister Debbie sent us a wedding invitation about a month ago. This would be her second wedding, to be held at my brother Chris' new home in Queen Creek, AZ. While it would take some planning and a great deal of babysitting, Kimberly and I decided we should really be there. So, to flysouthwest.com we went and two tickets we did buy!
We arrived in Phoenix on Wed evening and were at my moms in Scottsdale by 7. There was a nice gathering at my moms for my aunts birthday. Kimberly and I got up the next morning and hiked up Camelback Mountain which was awesome. You get quite a perspective on how quickly the area is growing and how large it has become.
We also visited the Frank Lloyd Wright museum at Taliesin West in Phoenix which was very cool. Friday night before the wedding we went out to Chris' house for the first time which was quite the trip into the desert. Kimberly, my sister Betsy and I got lost quite a few times but arrived in time for the hayride which was great. My Aunt Christy drove me home in her RoadTrek that night. Christy, the dogs and I arrived safely in Scottsdale around midnight.
The wedding was a blast. Debbie and Willie arrived in a horse drawn carriage and shortly assembled in the front of the house for the ceremony. Willie in his kilt was quite a contrast to little Debbie in her dress. A great party followed, it was awesome to see the family and makes us realize that we need to see family more often.
I drove to the wedding on Saturday with my 93 year old grandmother in the front seat. She is without a doubt the most amazing woman I have met. At 93 years old she lives alone, is totally self sufficient and handles herself like she's 65. Talk about whatever you like, she will be right there with you adding her 2 cents and unique perspective to any conversation. Truly amazing.
Photos Here

Happy New Year 2006

2006 started at our New Years party with friends, and ultimately being driven home by my wife a 2 AM. Even at 38, you need to pretend your 21 every now and then. Even if only to remind you that are NOT 21 anymore. January 2nd started my training routine for the new year. For the passt 5 years I have been working on improving my fitness each year, and so far so good.
Jan 20th, I leave for the Titleist Sales Meeting at Disney World in Orlando, FL. It is usually a nice opportunity to catch up with other Titleist Associates and have some face time with our folks on the West Coast. A little golf and a nice steak dinner usually finds it's way into the schedule as well.
In other areas, the boys are both taking ice skating lessons and doing quite well. Hayden is also taking swimming at the YMCA and Caleb is tennis. Caleb promises to show me how to play in the Spring.
Be well.

Party in the dark

Well, after an unexpected storm tore down trees in the local area, our Holiday Cheer party turned into a "Who turned out the lights party". Several candles and some last minute change of plans made for a pretty good time after all. We ended up staying at my moms on Friday night as the power was still off. Saturday morning I slept through my appointment to have my stitches removed and barely made it to skating practice with the boys by 10:15. Kimberly had brought them to St. Gabriels at 9:00 for the Christmas Pageant rehearsal. Caleb got the part of Joseph, and Hayden will be playing Santa Claus. I can't wait to see how that goes! Saturday night, Kimberly and I went to see a Christmas Carol at The Zeiterion Theater in New Bedford with some friends. A bit long but very well done. We followed that up with a couple cocktails at the Kinsale in Mattapoisett.
Sunday we were off to another party in Marion which was great. We then walked over to the Christmas Stroll which is another annual highlight of the season. Santa and his elves for the kids, and free cocktails for the older kids! What a town! We then went back to our house with family for dinner. All in all a great weekend. And this morning I did end up getting my stitches out. Good thing too!

December 2005

Well, here we are in December. Seems like yesterday that we were running around in december of 1999 thinking that the world was coming to an end on Dec, 31st at midnight if we didn't update every computer clock on the face of the earth. Anway, here we are 5 years later.
I have been increasingly aware as iTunes slowly takes over my life. I have in the neighborhood of 2000 songs, which for those of you who are not familiar, is about 6 days worth of music if you play each song once 24 hours a day. Lately I have been listening to a lot of Beth Orton, Snow Patrol, Amanda Marshall, Death Cab for Cutie and Kathleen Edwards. A wide variety but that may have to do with why I need 2000 songs to pick from.
Lately, we have been busy with the holildays and the kids. Last weekend it was the Edaville Railroad. This weekend was the Wizard of Oz at the Marion Art Center Friday night, and then the Melloni Youth Foundation fundraiser in Wareham on Saturday night. The fundraiser was a great time with the group of cyclists I ride with out of Tri Town Cycles in Wareham.

October 2005

Well, I guess this is more of a month in review as it is now November 3rd. At any rate, we had quite the Halloween this year in Marion. We started at the annual Marion Halloween parade which, as is the 4th of July parade, oozing with small town charm. Hundreds of kids walking around the block in the village of Marion showing off their various costumes. Then, it's off to Trick or Treat around the village.
This year, Caleb was a devil, Hayden was a Pirate, and Ailish was a Flower Fairy (whatever that is?). I, was a dork (even more so than usual!) and Kimberly was a devil (although not quite as evil as Caleb).
We spent the evening Trick or Treating our way to three parties in town and had an absolute blast. The boys had a great time, although at the expense of school the next day which they did not attend!
The following morning, the weather was picture perfect, so I headed off to Tri Town Cycles in Wareham for the Sunday morning ride. 35 miles and the weather could not have been more perfect. I am really enjoying those Sunday morning rides, and it's great to have a group of guys (and gals) in the area to ride with. We leave Tri Town Cycles, next to the new Shaws on Route 6 at 9:00 on Sunday mornings. Come join us!

September 2005 update

On September 6th 2005, we lost Peter Converse, my stepfather, to liver cancer. Peter had been diagnosed in March and soon decided to enjoy his summer at home with his family, rather than put his fate in the hands of doctors who made no gurantees of an improvement in quality of life after treatment. We all had a fantastic summer with a huge party in July which was to celebrate Peter's life. Family and friends came from all around to be with the man they loved. It was quite a weekend and Peter was a trooper. Not once during his illness did Peter complain. Ever. He lived out his time at his home, on his terms, surrounded by those who loved him. And when the summer was over, (the day after Labor Day to be exact) Peter checked out. He decided that it was time, again, on his terms.
On September 17th, we had a memorial at home, again surrounded by those who loved Peter, and there are many. Over 200 friends and family gathered at the house which Peter loved so much, to celebrate a life that most people could only dream about. A celebrated veteran, corporate succcess story, sportsman, and above all; family man.
I watched in amazement as my mother spoke in front of all those whom had gathered in the tent by the ocean. She spoke about her relationship with Peter and what it meant not only to her, but to all of us. What it meant that he was gone, and how we would all move forward.
Peter will be missed by his family, his friends, his community and even some who never knew him. Peter did so much for so many, but many never knew it. That was not his style. He carried on quietly in the background. Constantly giving of himself in many ways.
During my mothers reading, she mentioned how people recognize that no one ever said anything negative about Peter. That is in turn, because Peter never said any thing negative about anyone. Ever.
I will continue to raise money each year for cancer research through my participation in the Pan Mass Challenge. I hope that one day, we can beat this disease. A disease that I am tired of having as a part of my life.