Old News

I haven't said anything about the 5K in April. I'm sorry if it's boring because it is old news but it is something I'm proud of and enjoy remembering.

April 19th I participated in my very first 5K. One of my co-workers found the event and I knew that if I was going to be serious about it I needed a training partner. I invited my brother Andrew to train with me and convinced Aaron it would be a fun birthday celebration.
I really enjoyed training with Andrew. Sometimes I forget how funny he is and how much he gets my humor. One night at the track we decided that the right side of my face is more attractive than the left. Hear me out. This particular evening when we went to jog the direction had changed from the other days. (Clockwise vs. counter-clockwise) This particular night the boys playing basketball and tennis on the inside of the track intentionally threw balls in my path. One nearly hit me in the head. I knew those boys were just making an excuse to say hello and be noticed. We decided that the only thing that had changed was the view of my profile and thus we concluded that the left side is much more appealing to the young men. ;)

The week of I was really bummed to find out Drew had to work that morning and that he would miss the main event but I knew he was proud of me too. It was a great surprise when I reached the finish line and my co-worker told me my phone rang and that she had answered it. She said Drew called, was going to ride my bike, and should be here really soon. I had a sip of water, rested my legs for about 60 seconds and as soon as he was within an eyes view I headed back down the street turned into the parking lot and back through the finish line. I saw him and he saw me and I told him how excited I was that he could be there to see me finish. Too bad I told him the truth. All the same it was super sweet of him to do all he could to be there for me. Thanks Drew.

parades...who knew they could be fun!

I never got into the whole parade jazz and so when Emily would tell me how much fun they are I wouldn't get as excited as she would. But I do have to admit they can be fun if you follow a few simple rules for making them fun.

1. Always look to see who owns the float or (in most cases up here) who owns the truck pulling the boat trailer. Once you know who it is you must enthusiastically cheer their name and be excited like you are here to see them. This will guarantee you lots of candy or tooth brushes or Frisbee's.

2. Always have a cute kid with you who has mastered the little guy wave. The more kids you have the better the results. Make sure they are dressed nicely cause kids in whitetrash overalls will not work.

3. No matter how cute the girls on the floats are, do not wave unless under the age of 12. Otherwise you just come off as a creepy fat guy. Smile and give the head node.

4. Sit at the front of the parade, the people on the floats or boat trailers have not learned how to conserve the candy so they give it out more plentifully.

5. Don't ever leave candy in front of your seats. People think you have had enough so they will not throw as much. Once you get a plethora of candy hide it behind the your seat.

6. Don't give kids bags to put their candy in. It looks tacky and don't let them run into the streets after it, people get turned off by that and will probably not throw a second handful.

7. Find some shade, you don't want to sit through a 2 hour parade with no shade but make sure you are visible to the paraders, it's very important.

If all these steps are followed properly you will get a lot of free stuff and your trip to the parade will be a happy and successful trip.

I know I'm lucky cause...

Drew makes me laugh. It's a lot of little things he's done in our time together that keeps things enjoyable. From the very first day we met he's had me rolling on the floor laughing. This month it was because he was on the floor that I was smiling.

Drew decided one day that if he blocked the doorway then I couldn't return to work after my lunch hour. It worked. I called my co-worker to tell Drew to move and my plan backfired when she told me what a slow afternoon it was and how I should stay home. It's nice to know that after all our time together Drew still wants to hang out with me on a weekday afternoon. I love that he did it and that he continues to threaten to do it again.

Last night we went into our yard and flew $3 basal wood airplanes with wind up propellers until the rubber bands broke so many times we could no longer repair them. It was great fun and a good reminder of how good the simple things are. Tonight we're going burnin' with Andrew and Kristi. (It means we'll go up the canyon, start a fire, and roast hot dogs and marshmallows.) It's one of our all time FAVORITE things to do. Hooray!

Too much sugar

Emily and I have had the privilege of being so close to Andrew and Kristi these past 4 years which means we also had the chance to watch Ethan grow into the little man he is now. This weekend we had them over for dinner and Ethan was a little hyper. He was also in a singing mood.

The one I have on my cellphone has a little more of him and Daddy barking. As soon as I figure out how to post it I will.