Party.

Well, we had an excellent little get-together on my birthday, produced and directed by the master party maker... my wife. She has always been the best at making my special days, well... special! She is truly a master at it.

We had all of the right decorations, all of the right people were there (my family), and of course, we had all of the right foods -- CAKE and ICE CREAM!

As you can tell from the cake and the person being hugged in this picture, it was a party for two! My sister, whose birthday is two days before mine, celebrated with me. She turned 18 this year, and I am so excited that she has now moved here, and I get to visit with her anytime that I want!

I am not really all that big on birthday parties, but I did really enjoy this one. I think that what I really enjoy is having my family around me. Obviously I love my family, most people can say that, but I really like them too. Oh, they are a weird bunch, but I couldn't ask for a different group of people to be legally and genetically attached to. From my mom and dad, all the way down to the newest member, Amelia. I love being a son, a brother, a husband, a father, and an uncle, all wrapped into one.

What makes my birthday happy? It isn't the presents, it is the presence. It is the presence of the people in my life. Thanks everyone!