Ryan's Birthday.... and another Party!

My very awesome wife Jennifer made sure that turning 40 years old was one for the books as she threw me a "surprise" Clue! themed birthday party this past Saturday. And complete with a with a Clue! cake, no less. I got to me a modern revision on Sherlock Holmes. And this Sherlock Holmes would up carrying around a Arizona Cardinals football helmet. Much fun and merriment all around as Jennifer sat us around a specially designed Clue mystery she created.

Was it Dr. Eggward in the zepplin at Southern Illinois University? Or Carny Cotton Candy on the go-kart at Kurt Warner's house? Perhaps even Carribean Guy, with the submarine on top of the Matterhorn? (Of course, that make's zero sense but certainly was a possibility in this game.)

We're not telling.

Ryan's Birthday... and Party! Part II Photos

Just Kids...

Back in Boston: A Beantown 40th Birthday

For my 40th Birthday, I got to spend it roughly where I spent my 30th Birthday. In good ole' New England.

I was attending a program for work in Boston and stayed with good friends Clarissa and Jeff. Now I know what it is like to take a commuter train in to work everyday! On my return home, I was awesomely surprised from birthday messages from my cousins Leslie, Karin and Sara as well as additional messages from aunts and uncles. It always is nice to have a great family behind you.

I have that in spades.

Jennifer's Birthday... and Party!

My wife, Jennifer, celebrated her 32nd birthday in style with an ice cream cake, a birthday bash attended by 25 close friends and a brand new ride. Happy Birthday, to an awesome wife!

Additionally, I posted just a sampling of pictures from the party in the blog below. We both thrilled to see so many of our friends. I think that is always the best birthday gift of all.

More Images from Jennifer's Birthday Party!

Just a couple of images from Jennifer's Birthday Party.

Starting from top down:



1. Our very own Charlie's Angels pose for their close-up: Jennifer, Christy and LeAnn!

2. Ed scores a point helping Joe realize it pays to get a top quality running back in the fantasy football draft. Boy, does Joe look surprised!

And Bill gets caught holding a dour tasting, non-league approved Miller Lite. Blech. Commissioner! (LOL)

3. Some of the boys line up to help get David's son, Colton, get set up for his first mug shot on camera.

From Scotland: Postcard June 2008

Well, five years since our last visit, we returned to the United Kingdom. This time we traveled to Scotland, visting Edinburgh, the Scottish Highlands and then a long train trip back to London where we spent a day taking in Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and even President Bush's coincidental trip to London to meet with her majesty's Prime Minister. But for the photo op, we give you the Scottish highlands and a picture of me at Loch Ness.

February 2008: A Banana Bobsled In Winter

As part of a ski trip I took with friends to Park City Utah this year, came the opportunity to ride with a world class olympic bobsledder, Stephen Bosch, at Utah's Olympic Park. It cost a small fortune for the 50+ seconds of "sliding" glory, but it was well worth it.

Peer in a bit two pictures down below. That's me in the third seat from the "window" of the bobsled, as we head out from the starting gate!

The Game Collection and a Christmas Pic

Just thought I would update with a picture of the games Jennifer and I have added in the past year for entertainment purposes. Then I have a picture of Jennifer and I Christmas 2007 we spent with her family in Memphis Tenn. Enjoy!

Friends and Family at Thanksgiving 07

We returned to St. Louis for the first time since Ben and An's wedding last year. For which I had the extreme privilege of being best man for. We finally had an opportunity to catch up on old times personally again. They truly are some of the best friends we have and go out of their way to do anything for us. Below their picture is my niece Emily. She cracks me up and always makes the best faces. Don't you think?

Journeys at Epcot

This was at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival this October. With two of our good friends Dawn and Bill.

Dawn and I work together at the same company and we have become fast friends... even though she has beaten me twice in our fantasy football league this year. She is one of the nicest people to be around and is a lot of fun. Her husband Bill is a huge Pittsburgh sports fan and another great friend I count lucky to have. He is funny as all get out and we both had a blast touring the Germany pavilion at Epcot. Bill wasn't liking it though when my Arizona Cardinals did a Whisenhunt on his beloved Steelers earlier this year. But hey, at least we're both Jack Lambert fans!

The Cardinals and Kurt Warner

As all my friends know, Kurt Warner is my favorite player & the Cardinals are my favorite team. These are some shots I took prior to and during a game against the Buccaneers with my Nikon. I threw one in of me rooting for the home team and one of our soon to be successful playoff head coach, Ken Wisenhunt, for good measure.

Throwbacks: Jim Hart and Walter Payton

My oh my, are we getting old! Ed and I have been friends for almost 20 years now, both of us attending that venerable collegiate institution, SIU-C.

Ed's from Chicago and growing up he was a huge Walter Payton fan. I, of course, am a big Jim Hart fan (QB, St. Louis Cardinal's in the 1970's). This is probably because I grew up in the shadow of The Arch, in good ole St. Louis, Mo.

Now we have replica jerseys of our favorite players. It's just too bad we are both now older than those two were when they were playing! By the way, remember Bob Avellini, anyone?

Trout Fishing in Tennessee

This trip was with my dad this year. I lost my favorite pair of sunglasses on this stream and was frustrated by that, to the extent I did not take too many more pictures. Water levels were at record lows and so we were pretty much skunked as far as catching trout. Actually back at the campsite, we were almost skunked literally. We had one skunk nonchalantly parade right into our midst. Actually these little guys are some pretty laid back little dudes and were not nearly as apt as you might think to get upset and spray. Overall, while we didn't catch any fish, the trip was peaceful and relaxing out on the water. If I could only get those sunglasses back...

Arizona Madness: Grand Canyon and Sedona

We recently just got back from yet another trip. This time meeting up with my parents for a fun trip into the upper reaches of Arizona.

Coming Soon: Previews In July

Another blog post! This one takes place in the future... my sister Katie visits in July 07. So say hello to my awesome nieces Julia and Emme!

Hey, we need some football here!

Now don't get me wrong. I am a University of Illinois and Southern Illinois University fan all the way. But when you get free tickets to watch the Miami Hurricanes play in the Orange Bowl, I can switch allegiences for one day. My very good friend Joe and I took full advantage to watch what is easily my favorite sport. These pictures were taken last year...so for one time I will say it. Go Canes! That one was for our benefactor who dished off the tickets, Matt.
Thanks Matt!