Happy Birthday Cindy!!!!

Cindy opening the door. She was so surprised. I think she was even more surprised that all her friends and family kept our visit a secret.

Cindy, Jacob, Steve, Jon and Dan.

My sister, Cindy, turned 50 years old on September 18th. She lives in California with her husband and 3 boys. About a month ago I asked her husband what he was planning for her birthday. He said that his family was going to have a dinner party for her and some friends. So Janine, Brian and I decided to surprise her and come to the dinner party.

We flew into San Jose on Saturday morning and then drove to her house. We knocked on her door and when she opened it she about fainted. She was so surprised and confused. It was so great to see the look on her face. We spent the day with her and her family. It was so good to see my nephews and Cindy and Ron. We don't get to see them that often so this was a special time for me.

We went to the dinner party that night and Ron's family did such a wonderful job. The meal was great and it was a fun time with everyone. I am so glad that Cindy had such a nice celebration for her 50th birthday.

The next morning we had breakfast together and then we had to get back to the airport to fly home. My brother, Brian, brought his son, Jacob with him. Cindy and her family had never met him and so this was a nice chance to finally meet him.

I had so much fun and I am so thankful for my wonderful family. I didn't take a lot of pictures just spent most of the time enjoying the

Sock Hop

Tonight Lauren's school held a sock hop. I was fun to see all the kids dressed 1950's attire. The APT did a great job and the kids seemed to have a blast. I made Lauren a poodle skirt and we found some cat eye glasses. It made me laugh to see her all dressed up. I am trying to talk her into wearing this for Halloween.

Farewell to Summer???

Last night Lauren and I went with Brian, Diane, Sammie and Jacob to a Farewell to Summer celebration. I am not sure that summer is really coming to an end anytime soon, it was about 105 degrees today, but we can hope. It usually does not cool off until late October.

When I lived in Chicago I remembered when it was April and May and it was still cold and it felt like it would never warm up. That is how summer is here in Phoenix. You can deal with the heat for 6 or 7 months but when it is September and October and it is still so hot it just gets really old. I am just hoping for a early fall.

Growing up

It just amazes me how fast she is growing up. I just wish I could slow it down just a bit.

These pictures were taken at a splash park this weekend.

Cousin Fun

Lauren is a very lucky little girl. She has a bunch of cousins that love her so much. She also loves them a ton This weekend she got to spend time with all of them (that live in AZ). She spent some time with Sammie and Jacob and then she got to go and spend time with Elaine, Grant and Blaire. For Lauren it was a perfect day.

We miss the cousins in CA. We wish we could spend more time with them. I didn't get any pictures of Lauren and Sammie. But it was a good day with no fighting!!

Labor Day Weekend

Waiting for the train

The train is here.

Water and Sand is always fun. I am not sure she got the lesson they were trying to teach.

Listening to sounds

Laying on a bed of nails. She said it felt funny.

Time to go home.

A few months ago Phoenix opened the long awaited light rail system. Lauren had seen the trains a few times and asked if we could ride the train sometime. Since we didn't have anything planned for weekend I thought it would be fun to try out the new train.

We took the train downtown and went to the Science Center. Lauren and I agreed that the light rail train is a much smoother ride then the El in Chicago. We had a fun day.