Last week was my bday extravaganza!  I felt really touched and honored by everyone’s thoughts and well-wishes.  The best present I received was my best friend Fernando’s visit.  It was much more pleasant and successful than past Utah trips.

At the party (really the only one I ever remember having), the highlight was Vickie’s LEGO head cake she made me.  How cool is that?

Vickie, by the way, is Shawn’s best friend since high school.

After the party, and a Saturday of College Football, I talked Fern into a SW Utah trip.

He had never really been to any NP, and he was blown away!

It was quite the trip, but, in a way, only the first half.  Friday, I meet him in Austin to see UCLA vs. Texas.  Wish us luck!

Well, it’s thirtysomething eve.  Did I get everything done in my 20s I needed?  Naw, not even close.  Am I better off?  I certainly am older, fatter, unhealthier.  Am I happier?  That I can say with a big YES.  Maybe it is the fact that I just ended a 26 (twenty-six!!!) day stint at work, maybe its the fact that football is seconds away, but I am much happier now than I have been in many segemnts of my 20s.  And anything beets the teens.

I am happy for my family… which just got bigger…

This is a crazy picture of Libby, our new dog. She’s a mutt, rescued from a shelter.

Onyx was getting restless, so we went, let her play with dogs, and she picked Libby out herself by her actions.  Besides the occasional slip-up, thing are going great!

So, it is my birthday, and Shawn gave me my early present: LEGOs, of course.  Now I have 4 castles, each with 2 of the primary colors the LEGO uses.  Fernando comes tomorrow to start off a fun-filled birthday week, which should have great football, trips to NPs, and partying.  Will post picks from that soon.  By the way, my present to myself:

iPhone!