Toby's Video for my Birthday

This is a video that my brother (Toby) and his wife (Melanie) created for me to celebrate the 30 days leading up to my 30th birthday.

Great Wife

I have a great wife!

I turn thirty in less than 30 days now and my wife recruited friends and family to encourage, affirm, and congratulate me. So far it has been going for three days and has been fun to hear from people I don't get to talk to on a regular basis. Our friends Steve and Sarah called and posted some photos on their blog.

Check it out >

Movin' Up to the Big Boy Bed!

Joshua *officially* sleeps in a big boy bed now! After coming back from the fourth of July in Nebraska we decided to make the move. Joshua now loves his big boy bed. If you were to come over and ask him about it, he'd excitedly run down the hall and show you the baseballs all over the sheets.

First Trip to the Ballpark for J.T.

On Saturday if you asked Joshua what he did last night he'd say "bu-ball" (baseball). 

"And what did you see at the baseball game?"

"Cu-ga" (Cougar)

On Friday night we were invited to go to a minor league baseball game with some friends from church and since Joshua was free we took them up on the offer. Joshua enjoyed his first baseball game, all though most of the time he was watching for the Cougar (home team was the Kane County Cougars), he was able to point out the batter.

He also clapped when he heard people clapping, enjoyed a hot dog and ran around quite a bit with the other kids.

It was a fun first trip to the ballpark.

Things Joshua Wants for His Birthday

Joshua turns 2 in a week or so, and I KNOW all of you are dying to know what he wants for his birthday.

Punch Out for Wii
Mario Power Tennis for Wii
A Remote Controlled Airplane
Tickets to a White Sox Game
Universal Remote Control 1 2 3

I promise, he told me each one of these in plain English without hesitation, he just rattled them off after dinner right after saying "truck... juice... Dad I want Punch Out, Mario Power Tennis, and a Remote Controlled Airplane for my Birthday."

;)

Tito - Thanks for 4 Great Years

Gerardo "Tito" Flores

A great friend and co-worker for four years is leaving Casa Viva on Friday. It is a sad day for me as he has been so integral to the growth and development of Casa Viva in Costa Rica. He has served as a LeaderTreks team coordinator and most recently as a church and family recruiter for Casa Viva Costa Rica.

I am excited for him as this next step for him will be a great adventure. He and his wife Joanna are going to open a high-end sports store in Heredia, where they live. We have great hopes for their store.

Kristin and I wish them well in their new phase of life, but we want them to know they will be dearly missed.

Joshua's First Amusement Park

Hi family and friends,

Joshua had a fun afternoon today with mommy and daddy at KiddieLand (it's been open since 1929!). . . .his first amusement park experience (thank you again, Jason and Andrea for the tickets and coupons!). The highlight of the afternoon for Joshua was the little steam-engine train that choo-chooed around the perimeter of the park. Joshua kept exclaiming, "Twain Twain!!! Wow!!!" We went at least 5 times.

He also enjoyed sitting with daddy on the carousel and in an elephant, and driving an old-fashioned car.

Thought you'd enjoy the pics!
K