Neal's Surprise 40th

With the big Four O coming, there was no doubt in my mind that Angie had something up her sleeve, but I really had no idea what she could possibly have planned.

Friday night, we had plans to go to dinner with our great friends DJ and Danielle to the Cherry Cricket, you may have seen it on the Travel Channel. We were very excited for their famous burgers. Earlier in the day, my friend Bryan, we'll call him the co-conspirator, told me his band the Raygunomics were playing later that night and that I should drop by. Angie has not been a big fan of Bryan, so I was skeptical that she would want to go, but it turned out she did. I suppose this should have raised a red flag, but it didn't. I figured I had at least another week until I needed to be prepared.

Anyway, we had a fabulous dinner and then headed over to Lucky Strike in Belmar for Bryan's show. Much to my surprise, a bunch of our closest friends were there to surprise me and Bryan had been in on it all along. We had a fabulous night out and thoroughly enjoyed my birthday bash. It was most likely the car bombs that even got me to dance.

Thank you to everyone's birthday wishes. Oh, and Angie....WELL PLAYED!

Back to School

A new year, a new beginning for Angie.

Not long ago Angie decided she wanted something different for her career so she decided to go to esthetician school. We have been making preparations for her to be able to do so for several months. She finished 2009 out at Arckey and Reha, where she had been for a number of years. Since the year began, she has been diligently working on homework before her classes had even began. This past week was her first week of actual class and she has been thoroughly enjoying it.

Angie goes to school 3 days a week, but is able to be home everyday after school for Sidney. Not only does she get to spend additional time with Sid, she also gets to drive Sidney and her friend Rachel to and from school nearly everyday.

Her classes last 5 months, after which time she will be able to work in a spa doing facials and other spa services. She already has people looking forward to this, especially Sidney

First Post of 2010

This year started with a last minute business trip to California for me. I spent 10 days in Mountain View. I'm sure Angie was glad to get rid of me after spending so much time through the holidays.

While I was gone, Angie and Sid had a girls day, where they went out for lunch and shopping together. They really enjoy their one on one time when I am out of town, even if they do miss me. Sidney was able to spend some of her gift cards she received for Christmas.

I came back from California on Alex's 18th birthday. It's hard to believe she is already 18 years old. Seems like just yesterday we were welcoming her into the world. She has grown into such an amazing young lady and is a short 4 months away from graduating high school. How did the time pass so quickly?

Angie's New Love

It had been a while since Angie and Danielle spent time together with the holidays, our honeymoon, and everything else going on, so they had a girls lunch.

The ladies went out for pho at Pho Saigon, which was Angie's first experience eating pho. For those of you unfamiliar, pho is a Vietnamese soup. Basically it is a broth based soup with noodles. You order whatever you like in it, from chicken, steak, briskett, to more adventurous stuff like tripe and/or tendon. You can order just one thing or combine everything. They also bring out a plate with veggies like bean sprouts, basil, and jalapenos that you mix in. Angie enjoyed it so much we went back for lunch the following day and has been "suggesting" it pretty frequently since.

Angie's favorite is just chicken. She ordered steak the day her, Sid, and I went, but mentioned she preferred the chicken. She also enjoys the bubble teas which have "bubbles" of tapioca mixed in to the frozen treat. Although Angie is a big fan, Sidney was not as impressed, so it looks like future trips for pho will be just the two of us.

Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas again, can you believe it? Kitty sure can!

It seems like it was just New Years' 2009, but here we are again with another holiday season. This year we again had Christmas dinner at our home, on Christmas Eve. My parents, sister, and both Alex and Taylor were here to help us celebrate. It was great to have the girls down for a few days over the holidays.

We opened presents as a family on the night of the 23rd so there wouldn't be any rushing around on Christmas Eve with the other going ons. Angie and I also did all the prep work for dinner. Angie's menu included a big salad, lasagna, spaghetti, meatballs, and kielbasa.

Christmas morning, I got up early to take Alex and Taylor home. Once I got back we relaxed by the fire and watched movies the rest of the day.

Happy holidays!

Michigan Visit

Angie and Sid went back to Michigan just before Christmas for time with family to remember her grandmother who had just passed. Although the trip was not for the happiest of circumstances, I know Ang and Sid thoroughly enjoyed the time they were able to spend with the Michigan family. Their first night there, Gob was up at camp and got a deer, which I believe is his first of the season. You know what that means? We're expecting jerky in Colorado in the near future.

While the girls were out of town, I held down the zoo, taking care of the boys and Sid's rats. It gave me a taste of what it is like for Angie when I am out of town. It really is so much different being the one at home while the others are out traveling.

Catching Up (Yet again)

So, lots has gone on since my last update and trip to Dublin. I'm not even sure I remember it all. I think I went to California for a week after being home a couple days, then Ang and I went to the Dominican Republic for our honeymoon, and of course the holidays arrived. Oh, and our community's annual Halloween party, how could I forget that?

Angie and I planned our honeymoon way back in May when we decided on the Dominican Republic as our destination of choice. We received several recommendations, but ultimately chose the Ocean Blue and Sands resort in Punta Cana. Our stay was truly amazing. We upgraded to the Privilege Club, which gave us a few extra perks, including a special restaurant for breakfast, upgraded room, and a reserved area of the beach with wait service. Our ten days were filled with mornings on the beach, afternoons by the pool (including my favorite, swim up bar), and dinner at each of the resorts restaurants.

We also took part in several activities at the resort and enjoyed a couple excursions off site. One day we took the party boat out and went snorkeling, swam with sting rays and sharks, and enjoyed an ocean swim on a private beach. Our other fun time away from the resort was a long bus ride into the jungle where we geared up and slid along zip lines over the jungle below. I think we both agree that this was our favorite (even if I had to wear a pink helmet). Back at the resort, I was roped into a beer drinking contest, where I represented well, but did not win (probably a good thing). I was also convinced to play water polo and participate in a water balloon toss, winning bottles of rum in each case. That rum will get you every time.

Grandma Roxann came to Colorado to take care of Sidney while Ang and I were galavanting around the Caribbean, which allowed them to spend quality time together. Sidney loves her grandma so much, and of course Roxann adores Sid.

It sure didn't feel like the holidays while we were sunning ourselves on the sandy beaches of Punta Cana, but that reality set in when we got home, as I had to walk through a foot of snow wearing flip flops to get to the car.

Thanksgiving this year was pretty low key. Angie made a fabulous turkey, we hosted my sister Nancy, and my parents for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, while enjoying the annual football games. I think it's one of the few times Angie doesn't mind watching football...the other time is if the Packers are playing.

OK, that about catches us up with the exception of Christmas. I'll do a separate post for Christmas and include pictures later today which will bring us back up to date.

With the new year coming, I plan on making a resolution to have at least 2 posts every month, so look forward to the blog being more active....I know, I know, you've heard it before, but this time I really mean it. If I have to get Angie to ask me about it every week. She is good at reminding me of stuff!