There are some days when there are many positive things on my life that I’m thankful for, but it just feels right to go with something a little more out of the box and out there. Sure, there are several deeply serious things that I’m thankful for today like a strong friendship with teammates, trying new things, remembering to share my vision and appreciation for teammates, the opportunity to help someone grow in a way others have helped me, and a relaxing nights of games with family. All wonderful moments and I’m grateful for each. With all that in mind I’m going with my tastebuds and their gleeful smiles today!

I’m pretty sure I stumbled upon quite possibly the greatest condiment known to man… Joey Chestnut Classic Boardwalk Coney Sauce. This sauce is AWESOME!!! That’s the main ingredient, Awesome!

Where do I even start on this gift from the gods? A beautiful mix of ketchup, mustard, and barbecue sauce with a little extra zip at the end this is the only condiment needed for any type of sausage or meat. I’ve had it with hot dogs, brats, sausage, chicken breast, and venison and it’s been awesome every single time. Seriously, I’ve been combing the pantry and fridge to find new things to try it on. I’m hooked!

If you see me at a barbecue this year don’t be surprised to see me pull out a bottle of this amazing addition to any meal. God bless you Mr Chestnut, you’ve brought a little extra sunlight to my life!

Thanks!!!

Today was a big day for me as my first batch of rocks were finally finished!  For Father’s Day Becky and the boys got me a rock tumbler.  Finally, after 4+ weeks of running the tumbler the first barrel full of rocks were completely polished.

I was happily surprised with how well they turned out.  I wasn’t quite sure what to expect and with it being my first time I wasn’t quite sure which rocks would turn out and which wouldn’t.  Thank goodness I lucked out on a handful of them!

Now that the first batch is done I’ve got another two running that will be done in the next 3-6 weeks.  Woo hoo!!!

After cleaning up the rocks the boys and I sat down to play the game they’ve been asking to play since Scout camp and camping this weekend…  Texas Hold ‘Em.  We spent the time not playing for any cash and used it as an opportunity to break them in on the rules and terms.  We had a blast and it’s nice to have another game in our back pocket to play on a moment’s notice.

Thanks!!!

Today I am thankful for spending time during the summer at Grandma and Grandpa’s.  The funny thing is that it isn’t me doing that, it is my boys who are enjoying that experience right now.

Back when Nick and I were little kids we would ride in my Grandparent’s pickup truck for about six hours to go on an adventure every summer.  Seeing as there were no carseat rules we’d have one of us in the middle dodging the shifter while the other sat on Grandma’s lap.  I still can’t believe what great sports they were about that!

We’d spend two weeks away from home without Mom and Dad each summer and it was amazing!  The time was split between some aunts and uncles and cousins, but the lion’s share was spent at Grandma and Grandpa’s.  Those were amongst the most memorable times of the summer, staying up late, catching fireflies, laughing at Grandma when she got pulled over for speeding, and eating ice cream every single night.  We’d do the occasional breakfast at Hardee’s, spend time at the farm, look for arrowheads, and make the occasional road trip.  Did I mention that we were spoiled every moment?   It was awesome!

As I look back, the best part was spending time with Grandma and Grandpa.  There was no other time in which we spent as much one on one time with each of them.  We’d talk and shoot the bull, share jokes, and just get to know each other better.  One of the biggest reasons I felt as close to them as I did (and still do) was from the time we spent together during those awesome summer days.  Looking back I wouldn’t trade those times for anything.

So back to tonight’s blog…  With my boys up at Mom and StepBrad’s it’s their opportunity to do the same thing that Nick and I used to do.  They get one on one time with their grandparents, having fun, creating memories, getting spoiled, and strengthening their relationships with them.  Of course they’d probably mention that they’re favorite parts were going to the Science Museum, hiking in InterState Park, playing mini golf, and heading out on the boat…  but if asked later in life I’d bet their answers will change drastically.  They’ll remember the time they spent with their grandparents and appreciate that more than anything…  just like Nick and I do.  That priceless experience is something I am so grateful for.

One other thing that keeps cracking me up, there’s another common bond that is great.  One of the things Nick and I also did at Grandma and Grandpa’s was play a lot of pool in the basement.  We’d play against each other, make up games, get frustrated with each other, laugh with each other, and bond as brothers.  Lo and behold, each night my mom has sent me pics of the boys playing pool in their basement…  How awesome is that???

Thanks!!!

When something has happened three years in a row you’ve got to stand back and appreciate it.

Two years ago Steve, Brian, Jeremy, and I were heading out Colorado for a road trip.

Last year Steve, the boys, and I were just returning from a long weekend hiking trip in Colorado.

Tonight it just so happened that we went out to eat with Steve and Kathy and planned our next adventure… a long weekend of cave tours in Missouri next Spring.

Steve, let’s make a deal… Every August 1st we’re either somewhere awesome or spending part of the day planning the next adventure. Thanks for inspiring new trips!

Thanks!!!

Full disclosure, I’ve already blogged about this experience once before (Check it out here), but it really hit home for me again today. Five years ago today Becky helped to bring a childhood dream to life. I got a text from her of a picture from Facebook reminding her of this and it’s had me smiling ever since.

Dinosaurs were one of my favorite things in the world back in the day and I wanted to be a paleontologist in the worst way. My parents always supported all of my crazy dreams, no matter how crazy or short lived, and helped offer the chances for me to grow towards them. In this case they’d bought me a sweet dinosaur encyclopedia which I’m still pretty sure is the most read book I own.

Between that book and an old PBS show (possibly Reading Rainbow or something similar) I learned of a slice of heaven on Earth… Dinosaur National Monument. It is a huge wall of many exposed dinosaur bones that are slowly excavated and studied. You could even touch them! In the worst way I wanted to get there to see it, but our vacations never got us close to the Utah and Colorado border (and with good reason, there is nothing of note remotely close).

Isn’t it funny how much more we appreciate something that we’ve wanted for a very long time? It seems that we anticipate it more and our experience is even more heightened due to the delay. By the time Becky brought up the idea about three decades later the dream had cooled to an ember but quickly roared back into a blaze.

By the time we walked into the building and I saw that wall I’d dreamt about for thirty plus years my eyes immediately welled up as my heart was full of joy. It was a moment of my life that will never be forgotten. A moment of pure joy frozen in time. The waiting made it even more special. Even as I type this I’m wiping away some happy tears as I relive that moment. It still gives me the chills after five years.

While that moment was incredible, there was another moment that happened at almost the same time that also brings me much happiness. It was when I looked at Becky with misty eyes and saw the smile on her face as she watched the utter joy on mine. It was so awesome to see just how special she knew this moment was for me and the joy of knowing that she helped turn my childhood dream into reality. In that moment we shared smiles of pure elation and it was incredible. I am beyond thankful for her actions to make this happen. It’s amongst the favorite memories in my life. She gave me something so special that I can’t even begin to explain the feeling.

So on this five year anniversary of that moment I can’t help but focus on it again today. Becky and a wall of old bones brought the child out in me, and ecstatic kid who had just reached to the heaven me and touched the stars of his dreams… or in this case, reached towards the rock and touched history.

Mom and Dad, thanks for supporting my crazy dreams and ideas with books and positive thinking. You also taught me that we don’t always get what we want when we want it, but there’s always a way to get it eventually as long as we stay positive and work hard. Love you!

Becky, thanks for helping me close a circle of my childhood and for helping me reach a decades old dream. The joy you brought me through that experience is so huge I don’t even know where to start. You brought out the little smiling dreamer kid in me! Love you!

Thanks!!!