Ben's Birthday Bash 2013

It was Ben's birthday last Saturday, and to commemorate the occasion, Adi put together an enjoyable birthday party for him at their home in Centerville. It being only five days before Halloween, the event was also organized as a costume party.

Our family seemed to unofficially capture Disney/Pixar as a theme for our costumes, as Ben and Christian, respectively, dressed up as Sheriff Woody and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story:

Summer and Steve were two Pirates of the Caribbean, yours truly dressed up as Squishy from Monsters University, and Adi portrayed Hamm (also from the Toy Story films). Adi's friends Corinne and Joe were a couple of bank robbers, and Biz and Jeff were a couple of zombie killers from the movie Zombieland.

In one of my favorite photos from the event, five-year-old Kira took a turn holding her three-month-old cousin Christian.

Ben and Adi also brewed up some Butterbeer, which was based on a recipe from the Harry Potter world. It was surprisingly good.

Here's to many more birthdays, Ben.

Day 324: Whirling Dervish

For tonight's FHE, Mike, Jana, and the kids invited me to join in with them in watching Madagascar 3, which we all really enjoyed.

The fun wasn't over yet, though, as McKenna picked up Jackson and proceeded to spin him around the room until he was competely dizzy.

Day 249: The Wheel of Morality

You remember those "Wheel of Morality" segments on "Animaniacs," in which Yakko, Wakko, and Dot would sping a wheel and randomly pick the "moral" of that day's episode?


I was reminded of this at the Real Salt Lake game that I attended last week. We arrived early enough to spend some time playing some of the games in front of Rio Tinto Stadium, including the pictured wheel.

My prize? A buy-one-get-one-free coupon for small fries at Burger King. Yes, that was worth waiting in line for.

Day 239: Care Bear Goo

One of our family's favorite dishes for Sunday family dinner is this dessert:


Dubbed "Care Bear Goo" by the kids, it's Jeff's speciality. I couldn't tell you what the ingredients are, as I must assume it's a secret recipe.

Day 229: Luke's Game

Remember that Pixar cartoon, "Geri's Game" (I can't remember right now which movie of theirs it preceded), in which an old man competed in an intense game of chess - against himself?

Well, that's pretty much what I caught Luke doing the other day, except he told me it was actually "Wizards' Chess" he was playing. And he was winning.

Day 173: Jackson's "Donald Duck" Outfit

Pizza was on the menu for dinner the other night, and who should sit down beside me to enjoy a piece? None other than four-year-old Jackson, wearing a t-shirt - and basically nothing else.

After snapping the pic, and now that I have posted it, I have realized that Donald Duck basically wears the same outfit, too. Right?