Happy Birthday to You...

Happy 7th Birthday Alexander

We celebrated Alex's birthday this past weekend. On Saturday he had several of his class mates and cousin Noah over for a boy's only party! On Sunday we had our family party - My children are truly blessed to have so many family members active in their lives and SPOILED with all the goodies they get on a regular basis! We had a great time celebrating all weekend long which included 2 separate B-Day cakes, lots of pinata candy, and presents galore. I am excited that he got some sports centered presents including a basketball hoop and a pitching machine with glove and bat, fun and exercise = happy/healthy children (and parents too). I remember summer days spent playing ball with my friend Keith and even though there is a lack of kids in our area I am sure Ariel and I will help Alex develop some great memories of his own. Along with the wonderful toys (all of which I have been enjoying playing with as well as Alex!) He also received an educational circuit board/electronics maker which both kids have taken an interest in. I have enjoyed explaining some of the experiments to the kids which has given them a greater understanding what I do every day when I go to work. Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us and for all the wonderful gifts. Alex is still talking about what a great time he had and how much he loves his friends and family. I can't believe he is 7 years old, it seems like he came into our lives just yesterday!

They are trucks...Not cars!

We had Alex's birthday party with his school friends today and after the kids left; Alex, Noah and I watched the last 20 laps of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race. It was funny to listen to the boys debate about the type of vehicles on the track and when I made a comment about Kyle's car being in the lead they corrected me in unison by stating..."They are driving race trucks, Not cars!" It was great to have the boys cheering along with me at the end of the race and the excitement the two of them expressed as Kyle crossed the finish line in 1st place. Hopefully the rain will hold off so the other 2 races can be run this weekend and who knows, Kyle just might go 3 for 3!

Boxing 101...who needs teeth?

When I downloaded the pictures off of my camera today I found the pictures of Alex and Noah with their toothless smiles. While looking at the pictures I had a flash back to Rebecca's birthday 3 years ago (2004).

The kids were taking turns with Grampy showing them how to use his boxing bag. My how they have all grown, I remember taking these pictures as if it were only yesterday!
Ariel was a natural with the bag (I think it was because of her boxing outfit) and to think that now she gets to train for real with a bag at Karate class.

So with no further delay, here are the kids at the beginning of their training season in 2004.
Note the finished product of all the boys training evident in the last 2 pictures. I can hear Beatrix Potter's Mrs. Tittlemouse exclaiming, "I do declare Mr. Jackson, No Teeth"!

Behold the Champs! Rocky wouldn't have a chance!

Beauty and the eye of the beholder!

I couldn't resist posting this picture of the kids relaxing in the hot tub the other night, I think their brains must have been about soft boiled when I snapped this picture by the look on their faces - especially Alex's. I must say they really are spoiled, what is a treat for us as adults seems like no big deal to them. What I would have given to go "swimming" in the middle of the winter when I was their age!

P.S.
The best part of this story is when I showed the picture to Rebecca for the first time while she was enjoying her morning cup of coffee - can you say buggerchino!

Fear not... We are still here!

Sorry for the lack of posts, things have been busy here and after the defeat of the New England Patriots I have decided to save face and keep my mouth shut (actually my keyboard) as I haven't had much nice to say. Thankfully football season is over and now its time to go RACING! It was very hard to go to work last week as there was some sort of racing taking place at the Daytona Speedway and was almost all being televised. After much sandbagging and Rebecca's swift kick to my backside, I managed to report for work every day. Thankfully I was around to enjoy the weekend races each night. As everyone knows Kyle Busch is my driver of choice and last year was a rough year for him. He lost his job with Hendricks Motor Sports to make way for the less talented Dale JR who as we all know is only who he is because of his deceased daddy's last name. Thankfully Kyle found seat in the #18 car at Joe Gibbs Racing and showed he is one of the most talented drivers out there and will be an awesome addition to the team of Tony Stewart (#20 Home Depot car) and Denny Hamlin (#11 FedEx car). Kyle has decided to run in all 3 series of NASCAR racing as much as possible this year and with only 1 week completed he has 2 second place finishes and a fourth place finish! He has also led the most laps of all the drivers so far this year. I hope that he continues to do well this season and most importantly that I learn to keep my blood pressure down while watching the races - not only for my own wellbeing but for that of Rebecca as well!