July 26, 2013: Birthday celebration!

Kate threw me an incredible 30th birthday party at her dad's house.  Great friends, awesome food, water skiing, boating, lounging, laughing, talking, games, dancing, and tattoo sleeves. :)  Yes, I may still look like a 13 year old boy sometimes, but 30 is here!  I can't thank God enough for filling my life with with the people he did over the last 29 years.  

In tradition, here are my top 29 moments of 29

1.  Having a karaoke 29th birthday party

2.  Running the Elvis is Alive 5K

3.  Working with my new STEM students

4.  Meeting Arthur!!!

5.  Hiking in Starved Rock with my parents

6.  going on strike with the CTU

7.  going to the Chipotle festival

8.  Watching Joel perform at Second City

9.  Bringing marathoners joy and beer at the Chicago Marathon beer tent

10.  Running the Hot Chocolate 15K

11.  Sewing my first garment

12.  All those in home workouts

13.  North Carolina Christmastime

14.  Buying my new car

15.  Having a fondue Christmas

16.  Running Sydney's first 5k with her

17.  Hanging out with all the babies!

18.  Hustle up the Hancock with my students and coworkers

19.  Finding my first geocache

20.  Watching a cow give birth with 60 second graders

21.  Fasting through 7 with my small group girls

22.  Finishing the Tough Mudder

23.  Pulling carrots from the ground

24.  Kickball and the fun hangouts

25.  Going home and working on the farm

26.  Celebrating the 4th of July in Washington DC

27.  My surprise birthday party the kids threw at school...in June

28.  Hiking through the Smoky Mountains

29.  Celebrating my 30th at the Lake House.

July 25, 2013: Tigers

We watched today's game from box seats. (Thanks, Mike Rabe)!  Even though the Tigers lost, they won the last 3 games in the series so it wasn't too disappointing.  The food made the loss more bearable.  

July 24, 2013: Project Runway: Chicago

Kate and I spent the day watching episodes of Project Runway and sewing our own garments.  We had quite a few Tim Gunn "make it work" moments and in the end we came away with two fashionable dresses.  

July 23, 2013: Garden carrots!

We harvested carrots for the first time!  I have never felt like more of a farmer than when I pulled that beast out of the ground.  

July 22, 2013: Evening Bike Ride

This is my favorite place to ride.  It is peaceful and there are so many good views of the city.  

July 21, 2013: Kickball Champs!

Ok, not really.  We got 3rd place, but we had a good season.  We got beat by the worst team at one point, and we crushed the best team at another point.  Inconsistency was the name of our game. 

July 20, 2013: Back to Chi

I cried on my way back.  As much as I have loved this city, it was really hard leaving home today.  The last time I cried on the way home, I turned around a mile into the ride and went back home.  At least time I made it back to Chicago!