Drink it in...

As my boys returned to school this week, I found myself pondering what their answer might be to the inevitable "what did you do on your summer vacation?" question... I'm not often one to ramble on about random thoughts and observations, but this week gave me some pause so I wanted to share.

I have realized over recent years that "time" is the one commodity we can't recover. We can't make more of it, extend it, borrow or loan any (it doesn't come back), or buy more. The day you're born you have all you'll ever have and each day after you have just a little bit less... While that has a certain element of negativity or finality to it, think of the opportunity it creates. What will you do with your time? What did you do on your summer vacation?

I had a wonderful childhood and two of the greatest parents a son could hope for... One of the most positive things I have taken away from losing my father far too early is that you must make the most of the opportunities you are given and create new ones where there are none. Drink in every day, no one is promised another one.

So, what did I do on my summer vacation???

• My son Ryan learned to ride a bike without training wheels and how to stop one using a parked car. Both valuable lessons.



• My daughter spent the summer playing with her cousin (something I never did), and learned to say "see ya guys", "what's up dude?", and "oh yeah, baby".



• My son Connor played a fantastic season of baseball and learned to win with humility and lose with dignity.



• My boys and I spent time in 6 different states - from beaches to mountains, from the Grand Canyon to hot springs, from Dodger Stadium to Legoland... We stopped to smell the flowers all along the way...



• My kids went to the pool and played outside, watched movies outdoors under the stars, and soaked in the sun enjoying time with their friends.



• We were blessed to see family from up the street to across the country and spend time catching up.

It's all the little moments that add up in the end and I'm glad for each and every one of them I shared with my kids during my summer vacation... And since I didn't actually take any vacation time, it made me realize that these were all opportunities that had to be created, or at a minimum, seized before they slipped away. I'm glad I can say that this summer, they didn't get away...

Sometimes we need to be reminded (even subtly) to slow down and drink it all in and make the most of each and every day. I am happy to be awake to this for now, but I'm sure I will need my own reminder in time... If you're not making the most of your day, consider this your friendly reminder.

R

Back to School!

Today the boys went back to school at Silver Creek Elementary! For Connor, he is entering the third grade and is excited to take on the challenges that come with it. Our little Ryan is a big boy now and headed off to his first day of Kindergarten. Judging by the other kids in the class as they lined up to enter the building, it's apparent that RyRy is tall for his age. He may well be the tallest in his class... Better call a scout from Duke!

The boys were both excited to be heading to school and seeing all their friends after the summer break. Ryan especially will be entering a new world of exciting opportunities and relationships as he dives into his first year of full day Kindergarten.

Featured in this photo - Ryan, Connor, and Ryan friend Ella who is also starting Kindergarten today!

Road Trip 08 - Part 2

The chance to take another work related road trip came up in the middle of August so Dad and Ryan were off to California! The two left on Thursday morning and drove straight through to Orange County. While driving through Las Vegas, the thermometer touched 116 degrees!

Friday morning, Ryan and Dad loaded into the truck and stopped by the office for a quick bit of work before heading to Laguna Beach. There is no doubt that Ryan would be right at home in California - he was born to be a beach bum. Ryan took to the water like a duck although he learned to respect the waves pretty quick. Wave #3 had Ryan looking flipping and tumbling like a bowling pin! But even covered in sand and seaweed, he cracked a smile and headed straight back for more!

After a half day at the beach, Dad and Ryan hit the road south toward Carlsbad to take in Legoland! Legoland is essentially an amusement park where everything appears to be built from Legos. Apparently Legos come from Sweden, because if you drive a Volvo you get preferred parking up front. The park was great and Ryan had ball... He even went on the roller coasters and did an awesome job!

After a full day of waves and coasters, our weary travelers headed back to the office to hitch up to t a trailer of equipment bound for Colorado and grabbed some sleep at the hotel. Ryan and Dad hit the road east early in the morning. The route back home once again provided an opportunity to stop at the four corners and Ryan did a crab walk through Colorado, Arizona, the wasteland of Utah, and the scraggy rocks of New Mexico.

That night, Ryan and Dad rolled into Pagosa Springs and soaked in the hot springs until almost midnight! Ryan loved the warm pools had a ball swimming at night. The hot springs spa even played a movie outdoors so we could watch while we soaked. A good night of sleep and stack of pancakes later and Dad and Ryan were back on the road for Denver.

Ryan was absolutely wonderful and never complained about the drive. I think he would have loved to stay in California longer, but school starts on Tuesday, so it was time to get home! What a great trip!

Surprise Fiesta - Feliz Cumpleanos!

Having a few family members in town provided the perfect opportunity to surprise Grandma Judy with a early birthday celebration in advance of our family trip to Mexico! Aunt Edie and Uncle Steve came through in typical flying colors to organize and host a fantastic Mexican Fiesta!

The evening included appearances from old and new friends along with some surprise guests as well. In additional having Uncle Lenny in from Tampa, and cousin Courtney in from Lake Tahoe, we were also fortunate to be joined by Aunt Marianne and Uncle Dennis in town from Pennsylvania. Only a handful of people knew they were coming in advance, so most of us were all surprised and excited to see them. Marianne had just undergone a significant operation on her spine and she was recovering beautifully.

Uncle Mike and Aunt Tammy also dropped in to celebrate with family and wish mom a "feliz cumpleanos" (happy birthday).

Having so much family together also provided Lindsay with the perfect opportunity to announce her big news that she and Tony are expecting their first baby in February adding even more reason to celebrate!

The food, the family, the festivities were all top notch and mom could not have been more surprised. Thanks again to Aunt Edie and Uncle Steve for such a wonderful afternoon full of surprises!