Happy Anniversary

Today is our 15th wedding anniversary. It's been a wonderful journey. We've been truly blessed to have such a great life, relationship and family with the addition of Derek and Adam. But, we can't believe how fast it's gone by. When Helen gets melancholy about how quickly it's going, I tell her to look at the bright side - we're that much closer to retirement.

Helen's parents were gracious enough to volunteer to watch the boys for a couple days while Helen and I go to Brasstown Valley. This is our first trip alone since the boys were born. We're not sure that we'll know how to act.

We wanted to go somewhere reasonably close and looked into a number of places (The Grove Park Inn, The Cloister, The Ritz-Carlton Lodge), but just couldn't pull the trigger on any of them. Those places seemed a little out of our league. Brasstown Valley seemed nice, but not too intimidating for people like us who don't really have the right clothes and don't know anything about wine.

Usually, Helen and I don't buy each other gifts, but I do try to get her nice things for significant anniversaries (and new babies -although I don't think there's any more of those in our future). I appreciate the fact that she's reasonable about gift giving and doesn't expect something on every Hallmark manufactured holiday. I figure I can put some effort into it if it's only every 5 years or so. This year I got Helen a new watch. She had mentioned a few times over the past couple years that she really liked this watch, but couldn't believe that her practical husband actually remembered her references and was willing to purchase it.

Birthdays

My Mom, Nini, and my brother's wife, Laine, were both born on July 14th so we usually celebrate their birthdays together each year. This year my brother, Jason, volunteered to host a cookout at his house and Helen made the cake. We were glad that Laine's mother, Judy, was in town to celebrate with us. It's always nice to see her and we appreciate that she's always been very thoughtful of the boys.

The birthday girls showed off the jewelery that my sister, Kelley, sent them as gifts. Kelley also sent Helen a necklace as a belated birthday present.

While we were getting ready to leave for Jason's, there was a milestone reached - Derek told Helen that he was going to try to start putting his bunny and blanket at the end of his bed instead of cuddling with them each night. He thought that he was getting old enough now and wanted to "try it". Adam ditched his bunny long ago (although he still sleeps with his baby blanket), so we were wondering when Derek would finally give up his beloved bunny and blanky. Of course, Helen teared up almost as soon as the words left Derek's mouth. There's rarely a day that goes by that we don't talk about how fast the boys are growing up and how we just want to bottle these times.

On the trip over to Jason's we jammed out to the boy's current CD of choice - Alvin and the Chipmunks. It's actually really cute and has a bunch of country music stars (Billy Ray Cyrus, Tammy Wynette, Waylon Jennings, etc) cutting up - like when Alvin's girlfriend gets support from Tammy Wynette to "Stand By Her Man".

Adam's Tooth

Adam's tooth that's been hanging on by a thread for the past few weeks finally came out. He went into the bathroom to brush his teeth and came out holding his tooth. He said that he had pulled it himself. Derek was eager to look at the hole where the tooth had been. He was nice and got Adam a wet towel for the bleeding.

Jones Bridge Park

Last Friday, Helen and the boys packed a picnic lunch and went to Jones Bridge Park. Adam was disappointed that Helen decided not to ride bikes because it looked like it might rain, but Derek was happy not to have to exert himself any more than necessary.

The boys wore their bathing suits and went swimming, but they were surprised that the water was so cold. Much colder than the pool or even Lake Lanier where they were swimming a couple weeks ago. We explained that the water in the Chattahoochee River is so cold because the water is released from Buford Dam and the water that is released comes from the bottom of Lake Lanier which is very deep and the water at the bottom of the lake is very cold.

Fernbank

Helen and the boys went with her parents to the Fernbank Museum of Natural History last week. Helen tries to do at least one outing a week with her parents and we're so thankful for the opportunity. The boys are always eager to find out what the activity with Nanna and Poppy is going to be each week. Everyone always has a great time and we're hopeful that memories are being created that the boys will cherish forever. I love that they all seem to have so much fun during their Summers - even if Derek pokes fun at me each day because I have to go to work.

Money burns a hole in Derek's pocket, so of course he had to take some of his money to spend in the gift shop, but we're thankful that he's always very thoughtful about buying something for Adam as well. Helen forgot the cameras so there are no pictures from the museum, but she did get some photos when they came home of Derek and Adam working hard to extract some hidden fossils.

More Tennis

The boys took another week of tennis lessons. Helen likes that it forces everyone to get it going and get out of the house early. Derek knew a couple kids from school, so that made it more fun for him. Adam loves to smack the ball around and you can hear him calling out quite often for Coach Craig to watch him or comment on a shot. Coach Craig makes it fun for the kids. They play all kinds of games like sharks and minnows and defender.

The boys also took an interest in Wimbledon this year. We watched quite a bit of the tournament this year, especially the final weekend since we were inside most of the time because it rained here. It was nice to see Venus Williams win another Wimbledon. She's a great athlete with a great personality. And the final match between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer was incredible. Derek knows Roger Federer from past tournaments and likes to watch him play.

Lake Lanier Islands

Helen and the boys went camping with her parents at Lake Lanier Islands a couple weeks ago. They left on Thursday and I met them on Friday night. Derek was glad that I showed up so that he had someone to do things with. He goes stir crazy, like I do, when he sits around for very long. He said all he did was wait around for everyone to do something on Thursday and Friday.

It rained every evening just as we were trying to cook outside. Derek loves smores, especially triple decker smores, so he was disappointed when it rained because he couldn't roast his marshmallows over the open fire. Luckily, Helen's parents have a motor home and we were able to roast them over the stove. But it wasn't the same and each night everyone would tell Derek that we would have a fire the following night - but it would rain again. We finally made a fire for lunch on Sunday before we left. It's not the same as a campfire at night, but the boys still had fun with it.

Lake Lanier Islands has horse back riding, a water park, and golf. Unfortunately, we didn't do any of them, but it seemed like a good place for future outings. We did walk down to the horse stables each day and see the horses, at least. We were going to do the water park, but the rain got in the way.

On Saturday, I took the boys fishing. Adam eventually tired of it and went home with Helen when she came to visit. Derek and I walked around the lake trying our luck, but to no avail. Eventually, I jumped in and went for a swim. The cove was nice and deep so the water was cool. At first, Derek was apprehensive about swimming in a lake, but eventually got in and had a great time.

Helen's parents were able to move the motor home to another campsite closer to the lake because something was wrong with the power at the original campsite. We all liked being able to see the water from the campsite. We walked down to the lake in the evening for a swim. Helen thought the water looked tempting, but couldn't pull the trigger when we told her that the lake bottom was mossy (aka slimy).

On Sunday, I took the boys fishing again, but it wasn't long before fishing turned to swimming. They found a submerged tree stump that they were jumping off of when they weren't jumping off my shoulders.

We took lots of walks and the boys rode their bikes all over the campground. We had a good time and were glad that we didn't have to travel too far.

Loose Tooth

One of Adam's bottom teeth has been on the verge of falling out for a couple weeks now. He's asked us to pull it a couple times, but when we try he chickens out. The other day, Adam let Derek tie some dental floss around it, but when Derek tried to pull it the dental floss slipped off.

A couple years ago, Derek had a loose tooth and let us tie dental floss around it, but wouldn't let us pull it out. He was just walking around the house with the floss hanging off his tooth. He happened to be in the kitchen talking to us while Adam was walking around with the phone talking to Helen's parents when Adam, without breaking his conversation, reached out and matter of factly jerked Derek's tooth out as he walked by and then continued on into the other room carrying on his conversation as if nothing happened. Meanwhile, we were all in shock, especially Derek.

Peachtree Road Race

Mr Joe and Ms Mary

Adam, Helen, and Derek are ready for the race

Here come the runners

Number 3 (in front wearing yellow) was the eventual winner

Finally, Daddy's coming

Kiss break...I joked and asked the boys if I was winning

Helen and the boys got up early and came down to watch me run the Peachtree Road Race. They go down with our neighbors, Mr Joe and Ms Mary, who have been going down to cheer on the runners for years.

I've been running the race every year since the late 80's. I used to run more races, but the Peachtree is the only one I still do. It gives me a goal each year so that I can stay in shape. With my dislike of crowds, I'm also motivated to finish fast enough to qualify me to start up front the following year and avoid the crowds as much as possible.

It's a great time with all the 4th of July festivities, the fit runners, and the great crowds cheering along the way.

July 4th Fireworks

Derek and his friend Morgan

Adam and Ryan think the fireworks are too loud

Enjoying a picnic before the Chamblee fireworks

One of Adam's bottom teeth is hanging on by a thread

Me and Derek

Helen and Laine with her new platinum doo

Glowsticks courtesy of Nini

July 4th seemed to sneak up on us this year. I love the non-consumer holiday's and, especially, July 4th. Our tradition is to eat pizza for my pre-Peachtree Road Race meal. The past few years we've been going to Paizanos in Old Town Norcross and then watching the fireworks in Norcross. This year, I was looking forward to the meal and forgot all about the fireworks. Helen remembered and made reservations, but I was finishing up some work and was running late so I had to meet Helen and the boys at the restaurant. I wasn't prepared for the crowds and parking a mile away. I always feel like such a follower\herd animal whenever I find myself in a crowd.

We had a nice meal and saw lots of neighbors\friends. Derek hung out with his good friend, Morgan. Derek was so excited when we allowed him and Morgan to roam around by themselves. He talked about how it was so fun all the next day. We hung out with our neighbors, the Morgan's, and Adam ran around with Ryan Morgan. I spent most of the time talking tennis with some guys from my tennis team, while Helen talked to Sylvia Morgan.

The Norcross fireworks are not very good, especially compared to the City of Chamblee fireworks. My brother used to live in Chamblee and many years ago invited us to the Chamblee fireworks. We were blown away and have returned every year! Over the years, more and more people have discovered the secret and the crowds have grown. Luckily, the Norcross fireworks are usually on the 3rd and Chamblee's on the 4th. We always meet my brother, Jason, and his wife, Laine, and my Mom. Derek mentioned that he wished that my sister, Katie, could meet us also since she used to come along before she moved to Baton Rouge.

Stopping By The Office

Helen's allergist is near my office, so Helen and the boys stopped by last week. It's the first time they've come inside since I started working at my current office. The boys had fun checking out everything including the small gym and my little cubicle. But they really came inside to see my co-worker, Brandon's, collection of Transformers. Brandon graciously gave the boys a tour of all the neat toys in his office and told them, "Just because you get older doesn't mean that you have to stop having fun." Brandon had just seen the new Transformers movie the night before and told the boys that it was really good and that they should see it.