Happy Birthday Jo.....oshua!

Well, my second nephew turned 3. I can't believe it! They are growing so fast. Here are some pictures of the backyard festivities. Next year there will be a new addition to the family in the pictures!

Josh's much talked about blue cake.

Carson prepares to race in the number 88 car while uncle Russell (aka uncum) explains the rules.

Josh ready to go in his Jimmy Johnson car.

Singing happy birthday.

Blue tongue!

Pinata fun.

Candy! Swarm! Swarm!

Not so turbo charged.

Having a little "talk" with mommy. They had a disagreement about how much candy he could eat. He wanted to eat the whole bag as quickly as possible.

Fellow party goers.

Birthday Dinner

Well, I turned the big 3-0 this month. I happened to be in Salt Lake City, Utah for a meeting and so celebrated my birthday on the town. We went a little crazy and drank caffeine! Just kidding. We went to a delicious very authentic Italian restaurant and had a wonderful dinner. The atmosphere was great and the owner, Valter from the old country, came around to all the tables thanking everyone for coming. I highly recommend this place if anyone goes to SLC. Below is the documentation of the meal. Pasta-tastic!

3-0

This was our little waitress. She prepared the plates at our table each course. Her name was "O".

First course, scallops, spinach, shrimp and shaved calamari in butter sauce (and a nice bottle of chianti in the foreground).

Second course, handmade cheese ravioli with pesto, cream sauce and asparagus.

And third course, my favorite, chicken marsala. Dreamy.

My birthday wish.

Lemon gelato with lemoncello liquor in the middle.

Cheers!

And my new birthday earrings. Saphire drops, of course.

Fort Worth Weekend

Alex and I went to Fort Worth this weekend for the first TCU home game. The final was 67-7, not a great game, but still a good time.

Me and the Count, Laura and Sam's giganto bunny.

Burrow, burrow!

He wouldn't hold still for a picture.

Yessssss! Cotton candy!

Sam and Alex very intent on the game.

Go Frogs!

The new section of the stadium.

Ouch, the lumberjacks are hurtin'.

Football sunset.

Family Reunion '08

Well, it's that time of year again to make the trek to The Fin and Feather to congregate with extended family, catch up with cousins, play dominoes late into the night and drink plenty of adult beverages. Alex made the trip with me this year, and decided to mix it up a bit by renting an RV. It was pretty sweet. So, we rolled to the middle of nowhere OK in 100 degree weather in the Dutchman. Laura and Sam rode along, and of course, the dogs. There were good times had by all, and some boat times that won't soon be forgotten.

Alex, captain of the Dutchman.

Laura stretching out on the Dutchman's couch getting in some reading time.

Lick attack!

Sam works on his paper.

The Dutchman's abnormally large mirrors.

Hoarsin' around with Carson.

Josh hamming it up with an empty adult beverage bottle.

Ahhhh!

Da boys.

Little William Stuart. Even he was perspiring!

Hangin' out at the pool--from left, Cheryl, Bob, and half of Fred. (The guy in the background isn't one of ours)

Cousin Daria.

Worn out Stormy and Phez on the way home. Storm had no problem making himself at home on the Dutchman couch.

Ah, California

Alex and I whisked away to Del Mar, California last weekend for a meeting. Actually, Alex attended meetings and I lounged by the pool (pictured below) and went to the spa. The weather was 80 during the day and 75ish at night. Dreamy. Everytime I am in California, I think "I'm not ready to leave, this is the good life." But alas, come back we did to sweltering 100 degree temperatures. Sigh. On the up side I did get to see Sandy and Nate and get to know some great girls and gained some valuable beauty tips. (Thanks to Emily and Jeramie). I also had the pleasure to reconnect with some old friends who, as fate would have it, sat right behind us on the plane! Good times. Zach even entertained us with an in flight dramatization of the flight attendant's shpeel, pointing to exits, demonstrating oxygen masks etc... Good times. As always, I am looking forward to my next California experience whenever that may be.

Poolside at the hotel.

Large palm.

Our pink hotel.

Me and Sandy (above) and Lori and Zach Bice (below).

There's No Swimmin' in My Show

Joshy smiling for the camera after I jumped in to save him from drowning. Hence the flip flops in the shot.

Joshy and Papa.

Carnival tricks.

Splash!

And being fished out again.

Joshy and I self portrait with Aaron in the background.