Here's a sneak preview of Benny's Halloween costume. He is the sweetest Great White around....but his teeth are still sharp.

Here's to good friends

Has it been almost 20 years?

Here's a pic of me and my buddy Todd (also known as Wib-short for Wilburn). We have known each other since college, and have spent some great times together. Here is one of those times, at Steamboat Springs in 1987. We are still great friends, and usually touch base with each other 3 or so times/week. This is a perk of being in the same wireless network-the calls are free..which is good...we usually don't have anything important on the docket...just "hanging out" 700 miles apart.

If you are interested, that is "Russell" the dolphin. Russell made several appearances in pictures throughout the college years. I think Mark (also known as George) still has him.

Yesterday afternoon we went to celebrate Wells' first birthday. Another of Benny's contemporaries I hope he grows up with. After the party, they gave out some neat party favors, including a Wells First Birthday CD.

Here's a picture of Benny's NeNe from a few weeks ago. She hadn't seen Benny in quite a while, and really liked reading to him day and night.

Here's my Sweet Boy in a jovial mood. I actually woke him up at 8am. This never happens. His buddy, Pink Bear, is faithfully at his side.

I am working on a post with some old pics, compliments of my buddy, Wib. Hopefully this weekend.

It's late, it's been a stressful day. To end it on a good note, I wanted to post some pictures of my beautiful family. The good news is that I have tomorrow and Monday with Benny. Tomorrow is an action packed day...dual haircuts, oil change for G's car, maybe the Magic House, Trivia Night for some function for G's work.

The picture with Benny and Grace makes me chuckle. When Aaron and Kelly got home, they realized there were 5 or so apples that had little bites in them. I expect no less from Gracie, who is the funniest eater I know. The plus is that she saved them probably $0.40, since we bought apples by the pound.

I am a bit jealous of our friends in Memphis....who booked a house at Rosemary Beach next month. Today would have been a good day to be on vacation. Like the commercial said in the 80's....take me away, Calgon, take me away. Of course this reminds me of another old commercial I remember seeing at Grandma's house, when she had the Soap Opera's playing loud on the TV...."You're soaking in it, Marge" . I think it was for some dish soap, hence "soap opera".

Last week we did a few things that I hope will be yearly traditions:

Attending the Balloon-Glow at Forest Park, and
Picking apples in Illinois

These days it's easy to just be lazy on the weekends, and do nothing after a tough week. Where is the joy in this? To grow as a family, we want to experience things as a family! This includes cutting down on those lazy, nonproductive weekends.

What about you? Do you have any traditions that serve to pull your family closer?

10-18

Hey, at least it wasn't a conference game. Let's hope there are less turnovers, and more offensive punch next week with KC

Our Wednesdays Men's Class had an interesting and lively discussion about finding a need, and doing something to affect others in the name of Christ. Like James says: Faith without works are dead. This video seems to nicely dovetail on that discussion.