The BIG Surprise!

Well, it finally happened. The BIG Four Oh Birthday Surprise was executed and everything happened just as planned... or so it would seem. You see last year America turned 40 and it had its surprised events and so replicating the effort was no small task for her. But with the help of family and friends, the almost surprise event did indeed happen. Thanks to everyone who helped, attended and surprised me... well almost.

Almost Surprised...



The BIG Surprise...



The Four Oh Speech...



"THE iPhone Gift" ...Almost.



So there you have it. Thank you all for the memories and the almost iPhone. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful wife, family and great group friends.

The BIG Four-Oh No...

The day finally came... and well, I guess it wasn't that bad. I worked all day, had a great lunch with my wife and got serenaded by my boss and co workers. All in all it was just another day. Or so it seemed. All day I was told by my friends,

"Forty is the new Thirty."

If that were the case, then why did I not feel that way? I woke up this morning with a headache, neck ache and weak knees. Did I mention the headache... All in all, I guess I have a lot to be thankful for. So here's my 'Big Four-Oh No' day in review. Enjoy.

Turning 40!
The joys of being 40—not exactly what I thought they would be.



My Big 40 Lunch Special
I'll take the two all beef patty special sauce, lettuce, tomato, pickles on a sesame seed bun... whew...



Make a Wish
Take a chance and break away... but watch out for the fire marshal.


I asked for an iPhone, not a myPhone...
The next time I ask for a birthday gift, I'll be more specific.

Love the Taco—Drink Responsibly

This weekend we attended the Jazz Festival and it was fantastic. We heard great music, had some really good food and the kids had a great time. It's always fun to eat the funnel cake, drink the lemonade and gorge on a the mound of homemade fried potato chips. But what I love most is my little taco. Grace recently turned two and well, she's a handful and full of energy. I just love the curiosity of kids and how they can make even the most simple things in life seem so grand. Why do we spend big bucks on crazy toys—those are the things that end up in the garage. Who would have thought that a $10 rug would keep her occupied. A note to self~

I love my taco, but drink responsibly!

Boys will be boys.

I often wonder why some boys are wired different than others. As a young boy, I wasn't too athletic, outgoing or rambunctious. Very much a mama's boy. As I watch my two boys grow older, I see they are very different and very much alike. They both have great big hearts and they both like mischief. They are risk takers, they are active and almost always breaking something, but through it all, they are caring and loving and if put to the test, would choose right from wrong.
I often try to live by example and avoid certain doings in hopes that they will follow. It doesn't always work and I don't always lead. I also have three girls and they have their set of challenges and joys. I guess if I had to share any wisdom on raising boys... it's this — boys will be boys!