From the "you had to be there" collection...

 An example of GAAP team providing the Tax team a Journal Entry...clearly SOX compliant.

 From the mouths of babes after spending a day (that was supposed to be a day off) with me at the office

 My Dad's cell phone number was posted on my board probably the first month or so I was working there...I could look up and see it every day, even now years after he is gone...but he is never really gone, is he?

The question my CFO asked me when I advised him that "management" needed to make a certain decision...I had no response because I was fairly sure that at his salary and level of responsibility, HE was management...all I wanted to say was "own it, dude".

In December...

...I moved from the office I have been in since May 2007 to a new location 11 floors down.  Its the prelude to the end of work as I know it...the entire St. Paul office is to be closed and everyone either relocated or replaced in Fort Washington, PA.  Things are always changing so we'll see what happens but that's the current plan... In any case, the move as an interesting time to reflect back on 10+ years of accumulated office paraphenalia and toss some, move some, take picture and then toss some...  here are some pics that the kids drew for or of me, including some that my friend and colleague Ann's kids drew of and for me. 

 A deer and a hibernating bear...I believe by Daniel.

 

 A snake by Macey

Xmas Cookies

 And the tradition continues...various cookies made by Irene, Cindy and Macey...platters send to Green Tree and Burn...some (many) eaten by us at home...Christmas time's a comin'!!

M Ball

We spend a LOT of time on the basketball courts...

Daniel HS Band Concert

Josh Bball at the HS

They do a good job of incorporating the younger kids into the HS sports here in Lakeville.  There is always a "spot light night" where the kids at each grade get to meet the HS team and go on the court at half time; and on Cougar Kick Off Night the younger kids do a drill workout with the team.  Fun for fans, fun for the kids, bigs and littles.

The Zoo

I took Josh and his friend Caden to the zoo over the Christmas break.  The zoo never gets old.

Just hangin' out some more...

Quotes from my office move

 Daniel came to "bring your kid to work day" when he was in 4th grade...#4 is probably a product of his mom's long hours at work...

 This card was from my team when I was promoted to VP a couple of years ago...

 Daniel made this in sixth grade for an assignment...it IS a good way to think yourself through a long, cold, Minnesota winter...

One year in and I don't think this quote is any less apt today than it was then, sad as that is.