Photo from: Louis

So last night was an adventure in home-grown fun. Joe, Melissa and I took to playing a little hide-and-seek around our little apartment. Man, was it a exciting. At first I went and hid behind a toy bag hanging from the roof in Joe's room. Joe came in, looked around, went out and looked in the living room ... then back to his room ... at which time I could not hold back my chuckles. And boy was he excited to find me hiding in the shadows.

Then it was their turn. Melissa and Joe went and hid behind the rocking chair and eluded my searches behind doors, in cupboards, and under beds. Finally, to Joe's delight, I spotted him and Melissa crouching against the wall.

This went on for quite sometime ... with non-stop thrills of the hunt and continuous laugher that I am sure reached down the street. It was great to interact with Joe at a such a level - to actually see the understanding of what was going on ... if not the ability to hold in the laughter - which I am sure he gets from his Dad.

I am still smiling - guess I had a ton of fun too :)

Well, it is that time of year where you get to sit back and reflect on the year past. And a mighty fine year it has been. Work continues to stress, but I am seeing growth which is a good thing. Joe is continuing to grow - in both mind and body. As the waitress said last night ... "wow, he is solid ... and such a cutie". Makes a dad proud to know he has a son that is so happy and healthy - mom must be doing a good job. And hey ... I have a wife that wanted me to take a break off work this morning and enjoy coffee and french toast with her and Joe. Even though I could not do it ... the thought makes me smile. (I will have to talk to those managers who schedule meetings on the mornings of my day ... I mean ... heck ... its suppose to be all about me here!!!!)

So, there it is ... I am the big 2-9. It is a good age, the perfect combination of respect, wisdom and youth. So, I have decided I won't be getting any older ... sorry guys.

Update: I should note, management came through ... I am sitting back this afternoon enjoying a beer and hangin' with Joe. Thanks! So now to prepin' for the pool party tomorrow. :)

And thanks to all for your wonderful wishes!

We took yesterday afternoon to visit the dino invasion at G-Wiz ... but we weren't scared were we?

Runaway ... Runaway!!!!!

Unearthing some great finds

Look Dad - press this button and he moves

Nice doggy

Hear me roar!

But a day at the local science center would not be complete without visiting the general wonders of the world.

The wonders of science

I think Joe has seen too much Star Wars

Patricia ... now concentrate

Ready, Set, GO!

Weeee ... around the house we go - where we stop nobody knows

Ok ... If I just put my leg over the side I can ... oops ... fall down

Look at this kid ... such a little man

Mom ... look what I found in the mail

So ... it is done ... the iMac now sits on the floor awaiting its new role as kids toy and a new, gleeming white, MacBook stands in its place. Melissa has been awaiting this delivery for some weeks now ... as I have been pouring over cost verse desire verse features verse power ... but the release of the MacBook really fits the bill.

Packing a 2GHz Intel Core Duo and an 80 GB harddrive this machine should do what we need ... I left the RAM at the base configuration and plan to update that shortly (thus only 512 MB ... however beats the 196 MB we had in the iMac). Comes with built-in wireless, bluetooth, and iSight which fills out our basic needs arond the house. Also supports dual monitor display if the 13" display feels too small.

But one of the main reasons for going this route instead of an older used iMac for half the price -- spring '07 looks to bring some nice features and I wanted to make sure we have a system that had the horses ... not to mention the bundled software of today. Melissa should be busy over the next few days getting to know her new friend.

Couple things to note, the audio card is much quieter and the speakers just don't pump out much volume -- will have to double check this next time I am in the Apple Store. Plus, we are going to have to find a small stand or heat absorbent pad, sitting on the small glass stand we have on the bar seems to be causing the fans to run full tilt.

Oh ... I just love new toys

Yet the new machine sure caused some excitement in the house. Once the packaging was peeled and user accounts created it was time to some fun ... before the rest of the night was killed moving data. I really need to start getting to bed earlier.

Jae, Cynthia, and Jordan are back in town this weekend. So ... what better to do than kick back at the McCoy's with some Thai food and movies. Well ... and all three kids which themselves provide needed entertainment ... until bedtime :) It is so fun to see them all interact and play, you can really see the personalities show through. Then it was time for the movie, V for Vendetta. Though it did not go over well with anyone else there - Melissa and I found it strikingly well done. Totally different than the movie I was expecting from the trailers ... and very relevant against realities backdrop. Fear of terrorism, fear of viruses, fear of difference in a world of political spin doctors ... captured in the framework a theatrical presentation.

Today it was off to the "Crab & Fin" for lunch ... yummy ... Chef Doug was gracious as usual. Tomorrow we are planning lunch and possibly some beach time.

Doctors appointment tomorrow ... have I grown?