NYC Marathon

Kisti ran in the NYC marathon (thanks to our best good friend Keith Meyer who works for Timex). She tricked Mike into doing some of the training with her-he actually got up to 14 miles before he bailed. Mike was no slouch though. He did bike spotting for the T.V. crew. He got to ride his bike all through NYC.

Post-race in Time Square. People kept stopping Kisti and congratulating her.

Kisti outside of Central Park with her medal. We had to walk 25 blocks from Central Park to the hotel-which was very painful for Kisti. Mike offered to put her on his bike and push her. Kisti stopped twice for snacks and water during their walk.

Kisti was glad to be done with her third and final marathon. No one believes her but Mike, at least he hopes it is true, those 14 mile training runs are brutal.

At the finish line! Mike had a press pass so he could get to the finish line and wait for Kisti. Marci gave Mike live updates via text so he knew when she was coming.

Mike rode his bike along the marathon route to give real-time updates to the T.V. crew. His job was to follow Edward Norton. Mike finally found him an hour after he had finished the race.

Mike with his radio and headphones. While he was riding spectators kept yelling at him that he was cheating. They were so loud he could hear it with the sound-proof headphones on. Kisti couldn't hear her IPOD over the crowds either. Crazy New Yorkers.

Mike first NYC taxi ride. He realized that his dad missed his calling as a NYC taxi cab driver. He would have been the best with his propensity to slam on the gas and the brakes and tailgait.

Mike had fun driving though Time Square. His love of driving in NYC ended when he had to drive around 2 miles to get from the parking garage to the hotel, which was one block away.

Rockport, MA

We went to Rockport after seeing how beautiful it was while watching The Proposal. It is just 30 min past Boston. We spent one Saturday seeing the sights, eating fresh food and candy, and taking a kayak tour.

Kisti enjoying a very, very, very fresh lobster.

Enjoying dinner overlooking the harbor.



The best and biggest reese cup ever!

We love chocolate!

Kisti in the harbor.

Summer Vacation

In July we went to Arizona and Utah for vacation. It was Mike's first visit to St George. We had a lot of fun skim boarding, hiking, swimming, riding 4-wheelers and eating. Mike got to see Jason, Layna and their kids. Joe came down as well. Kisti's friend April and her family also came and got to meet Mike.

Mike and Turner checking out the best skim boarding locations.

Mike and Kisti return after some off-roading.

Gloria entertaining Logan.


Mike and Kisti cool off after hiking Angel's Landing.

Mike, Joe, and Turner. They all kept walking VERY close to the edge trying to freak Kisti out. It worked.

Turner, Mike, Kisti, Joe at the top of Angel's Landing in Zion.

This one is for Josh. Mike doing some can openers.

Jackson going down the water slide at the Pope's.

Kisti had to slide down with all the kids who were too scared. The bottom of her swimsuit wore out from too many trips on the slide.

While in AZ we went to see Wicked at ASU.

At the top of Camelback Mountain. Mindi dragged us out at 6am, luckily for us that is 9 am in CT.

Triathlons 2009

Kisti and I were able to compete in triathlons this summer. I completed four, she only did one (it was her first one plus she almost died swimming in what she calls the "artic river") because she was training for the NYC Marathon.

Setting up my transition area, this was an off-road triathlon, thus the mountain bike. I had such a fun time with this one.

Kisti and I post race. I was so proud of her! 1 mile swim, 25 mile bike, and 6 mile run. Fun times!

Kisti receiving her medal. That lady is really short.

Cheese!

Sprinting to the finish, this one hurt, several big hills on the run.






Exiting the water, trying to get my wetsuit off.

Hey Dad, Happy Fathers Day!

I just wanted to wish you a Happy Father’s Day, and I hope you have a great one! I also wanted to thank you for being such a wonderful dad. I couldn’t imagine anyone else as my father. I am so grateful for your example and encouragement despite my best efforts to try your patience. Remember the time I hit that classic 1966 Ford Mustang with the family van? You didn’t even get angry with me. In fact, you kind of laughed it off and said something to the effect of; “that’s what insurance is for.” Mostly, I am grateful for your love, support, your calming influence and your positive attitude. These have helped me through my life and have made me a better person.

So I was trying to think of what I could give you for Father’s Day. I know you are still recovering from your surgery (my dad is recovering from quadruple bypass surgery which he had about 6 weeks ago for those who don’t know) so I decided to dedicate my first triathlon of this season to you. If you look closely in the picture you will see “Go Dad” written on my arm. Granted my race took less than three hours and you have at least three more months of recovery. I thought of you often during the race, especially as my legs were burning on the first climb or when I wanted to stop running. I thought how difficult your surgery and recovery have been which gave me motivation to keep going.

"Go Dad"! Post triathlon picture

Dad, the older I get the more I appreciate you and want to be like you (minus the quadruple bypass:)). Because of you I want to be a father. It is something I am looking forward to. I hope I can be the kind of father to my children that you have been to me.

Love ya’ Dad,

Mike

NYC and the In-laws

Several weeks ago, Kisti and I, along with some of our friends went to NYC. The weather was perfect and we took advantage of this by walking through Central Park. We were able to attend the Guggenheim Museum where they had a fascinating display from the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. I loved seeing his many designs and interesting take on architecture. We also walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and visited the World Trade Center Site. During the late afternoon, Kisti and I visited the Manhattan Temple while our friends went to mass. The temple was beautiful and we had a wonderful time.

Kisti with our friends Paul and Andrea, trying to figure out which subway to catch

The iconic Guggenheim.

We had to stop here! I had an awesome slice of bacon pizza.

Look closely, Mike and Kisti 4 ever!:) Brooklyn Bridge

The Manhattan Temple

I also wanted to write a quick comment about two people who have had a profound impact on my life, albeit indirectly. Ried and Gloria Pope are my in-laws and I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive to meet them. (I am sure most people feel like this) After I meet them, I realized that I had no reason to be nervous about them, they are wonderful people. More importantly, I have them to thank for raising such a wonderful daughter. I see their influence on Kisti from her drive to be the best doctor possible, to her desire to lead a healthy lifestyle, her relentless work ethic and her mental toughness. They truly are amazing, I (we) appreciate all of their unconditional love and support.

Kisti with her parents, Ried and Gloria.

W. Hartford, Philly, Boston

Last Friday I received an award from the School of Communication. It was for best research conducted by a graduate student. It was a great honor, plus they gave me $200 dollars, so much more useful than a clock or artistic piece of glass normally presented for these awards.

Dr. Jack Banks presenting the award..

Danielle Graci, Me, Leo Makowski. Each of us received a different award.

Kisti and I, post award ceremony.

The last weekend in April, I had a wonderful opportunity to attend the Eastern Communication Association conference, which was held in Philadelphia this year. I presented two papers one on text messaging and the other on computer mediated communication. It was a great experience and resume builder. Plus the university picked up most of the expenses.

Kisti joined me for the conference. It was great that she was able to come and it was nice to have a friendly face in the audience.

Kisti said this was the best ice cream she had ever had. When I pressed her for details, she claims that cold stone tastes like an ice cube when compared with this.

No stop in Philly would be complete without visiting the Liberty bell.

Waiting for my turn to present

My first presentation...

the second.

Me, Kathryn Maggorie, Sundeep Muppidi, Jack Banks, Ryan Rossignol, part of the University of Hartford contingent

For Christmas, Kisti bought me tickets to the Celtics-Heat game. It was a great game, despite arriving in the forth quarter. ( We got stuck on the Mass turnpike with all of the Easter holiday travelers. We now have a fast pass so this will not happen again)

The view from our seats.

The Heat took the lead with 1:37 left in the game, but they couldn't close it out. The Celtics won by 7.

You can't get much higher than this!

Post game, I took this picture for Jason and my dad, knowing that they appreciate all of the championship banners hanging from the rafters.