Home....

Finally home...I was in Phoenix last week for training. Didn't want to post anything about that until after I got home. But I'm back now and man, being in Phoenix the week leading up to the Super Bowl, which is where it was being played, was pretty cool. I didn't see too much stuff related to the game, but I did go to the NFL Experience. The NFL Experience is an interactive setup at the location of the Super Bowl for fans to come out and check out all things football. They had passing, running, kicking and tackling area where people could attempt each activity. Mostly kids and teens doing these things, and had I had any of my children with me, then I would have too.

I did get myself on TV for a few minutes. I was that annoying Jack Hole on his cell phone, behind the guys doing a live shot for the NFL Network. I was waving a poster and jumping up and down, waving and making faces. I was everything I hate when I see people doing that on TV. BUT...now I can appreciate it a little more, because maybe they have 8 other people at home laughing and excited to see them on TV like I had. Doubt it...those people are usually drunk. :)

I spent most of my time though, in the pro shop and vendor shop. The pro shop was cool...and I got a Patriots Jersey...#76 - for those of you without an official Patriot roster sheet. Then I sinned a little and coveted all the memorabilia that was on display in the vendor shop. Thousands of autographed footballs and baseballs, pictures, jerseys. My favorite thing there, and something I would absolutely cherish in my house, was the above picture. Only 200 of those bad boys were painted. It was live in person at one guys booth, along with a bunch of other oil paintings. The thing is probably 4 or 5 feet high and 3 or 4 feet wide. Simply gorgeous.

Other notes: I have no idea how my beautiful wife does it. While I was gone, she had 7 coughing, sneezing children 2 or which had a nice case of pink eye. Bad enough to deal with on her own, but to make it worse, she also had laringytis, a cough and then caught pink eye as well. I'd have quit. I'd have been so angry and annoyed, I'd have just quit. What an amazing woman.

Watched the Super Bowl last night...sweet depression. The Patriots had their chance at a perfect 19-0 season. they were the better team all season, jsut not on the most omportant night of the season. As awesome as it is to watch your favorite team win, its equally sucky watching them lose. Make it even more tough, yet a little cute, this year was my oldest son. He's finally at an age where he feel passion for something and his thing is football. We were excited and ready all weekend. When the Giants scored their last touchdown with less than a minute to go...he just cried and cried. It was pretty pathetic, but I was so proud of him :). These are the times a real fan is born. Thankfully he woke up this morning and wasn't too upset and got himself to school. Now if only tonight when I'm supposed to be sleeping, I could NOT think about how they should have won, like I did all night last night.

Lastly...I have removed all references to who my family is and where we live. Too many stories of weirdo's out there and really, this blog is just for fun and to keep family updated. I'll go ahead and use fictitious names per person as each story needs it. Those who know us, obviously you'll know who and what I'm talking about...those who don't, well hopefully the stories will be written well enough and funny enough to make it worth your time.

Boys Day Out

Has it really been 2 weeks since I last posted something, jeepers. Sunday was my birthday (and Seis's!) and I got to spend it with one of my favorite people in this world...my oldest son A.J. Not saying he is my favorite kid, he is one of the 8 most important people in my life!

When I found out the Patriots were playing the Cowboys earlier this summer, it was my mission to make that Dos's first football game. He loves football, likes the patriots because he wants to be Tom Brady (their quarterback) and likes the cowboys because when in Texas, do as the Texans do (I guess). So with approval from the president (read: the wife) I was able to get 2 tickets. I'm not sure who was more excited to be going, but I think at the end of the day, I might have been a little more excited :)
So we got up at 4:30AM to start our 5 hour drive out to Dallas. (Love living in the middle of nowhere!) Dos did great on the ride, just watched the 2004 Boston Red Sox Championship DVD (did I tell you I love this kid) and then played his game boy. Before we knew it we were pulling up to the stadium. After about 20 minutes or so of trying to find the proper parking lot, we finally pulled into a spot, which happened to be the Patriot section or something! Patriot banners and flags and jerseys were everywhere, felt almost like we were in Massachusetts again (sniff sniff...I miss home).

We then began our official tailgating party. Tailgating with a 7 year consists of grilling up some hot dogs, having a bag of Cheeto's and of course a sprite! We threw the football around for about an hour, ate up our most awesome grilled meat from the back of my truck and sat around for a while and watched all the crazy fans. Around noon or so we made our way into the stadium. After walking around for a bit we went down to the Patriots sidelines in hopes of seeing some of the players and getting autographs.

2 hours later we went back to our seats, with no autographs :). I think Dos was kind of disappointed. In his little 7 year old mind I think he expected Tom Brady to come out, have a soda with us, maybe bring us out on the field and play catch, then afterwards we'd all go out to dinner and a movie :). But, as Dos said, he got a few things that were way better than an autograph. While hanging out behind the Patriots bench one of the trainers came up to Dos and gave him an authentic NFL wrist band (which hasn't left Dos's arm yet!!!). Then a little later one of the security guards came up and gave him a stack of printouts the team uses after each play, which show how the team lined up on that play. They all have coaches markings on them and Dos was in heaven with those.

Finally we made it to our seats and the game started and the Patriots just kicked "Dem Cowboys" butts!! It was great. By the 3rd quarter Dos was ready to leave, but he stuck it out until near the end of the game. We got in the truck, headed over to the hotel, goofed off a bit and the next morning we drove back home. It was one heck of a trip.

Here are some of the notes I took during the day:

• So we are in the parking lot. 5 hours of driving starting at 4:30am. We found a spot in patriot country here, its great. Surrounded by a whole bunch of patriot jerseys. Dos told me on the ride here that this is going to be one of the best days of his life! That's so awesome.
• Dos is in his glory, being called "Little Brady" over and over again by Patriots and Cowboys fans here in the parking lot as we throw the football around
• He just told me he "wouldn't sell our tickets even if the guy gave us 5,000 dollars!"
• At the hotel now and little man is asleep, even though 18 seconds ago he said he wasn't tired and wanted to watch the football game that's on :) Reflecting on today, and this has to go down as one of the best days of my life. This is what you dream about when you have a son. Spending a day bonding and just hanging out together. Whether its at a sporting event, fishing or whatever it is you like to do. I think he had a good day. He got a little bored and tired near the end of the game, but I think he'll remember us throwing the football in the parking lot and the man on the field giving him an official NFL wristband and play sheets and us wrestling back here at the hotel. Those are the real bonding times...that and belly bumping and high fiving when the patriots scored against Dallas (which was A LOT!)
  
  What an awesome, fun way to spend my 31st birthday. I missed being with Wife and the other kids, but this was lifetime memory making fun today. I always wanted my dad to spend time with me, and while I hope Dos liked today, its more selfish for me to have spent the time with him.

Dads...Get out and spend time with your kids. It's not only great for them and shows how much you love them and brings you so much closer....It's amazing for you as well.

God is Good...so is being a Dad.