Mason is free (of his casts)

After many days of strggling with two casts, and then one splint, Mason is finally out of his casts. Mom and Dad were worried about his arm but the doctor said it healed nicely! Happy days.

30 Years of Marriage

This past weekend, my parents celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary - a milestone, to be sure. The four sons hosted (with many of the thanks going to Ken and Lori for coordinating everything) at Valley Vineyards, one of Dad's favorite haunts.

It was so nice to be a part of such a wonderful event; filled with my folks' friends and family.

Ken did a great job with his barbershop quartet (video below) and the food was wonderful (especially the cake, Beth ... I keep telling Greg you should go into business!).

Thank you to my wonderful parents for raising us well. For the challenges you helped us overcome and being there to celebrate our successes in life - those successes are a recognition of your love, discipline and patience. As I said at the party, it is tough to pay you back and I hope that I can pay it forward, by guiding my kids in the spirit in which I was raised.

Love to you both. Congrats and may there be 30 more.

The soothing sounds of Smooth Transition!

Sesame Street does Old Spice

Random Weekend Photograph

Mallory and Mason at the barbershop ...

Mason and his Casts

It has been six (long) weeks since Mason broke his arms. Last week we went to the doctor to have his casts removed. We were all very excited to have them off (it is a toss-up as to who was more excited).

And, as in life, nothing ever goes quite as planned. As the nurse was removing Mason's cast on his left arm, she said, "uh, can you come here and look at this?". Never a good sign. Mason had managed to lodge a piece of rubber mulch (from his playground at school ... you know, the one we said he shouldn't be playing on because he had two broken arms? Yeah, that one) underneath his cast. Apparently, it had been there for three or four weeks and had opened a sizable wound (in which is was resting comfortably). So, she pulled it out with a pair of tweezers and dressed it.

Downstairs for X-rays and back up to see the doctor and hear the results. Right arm: good to go. Left arm: No so much. Punxatauny ulna didn't see his shadow so it's four more weeks in a splint as the bones continue to heal.

Huber Brother Football Round Robin

This weekend is the second of two clashes between Huber brother college football teams. Ohio State played Ohio University (where my younger brother, Ken, matriculated) last weekend. Where, if you missed it, the highlight was the Ohio University Bobcat mascot trying to lay a beatdown on Brutus Buckeye. Fortunately, Brutus was too smart for those sha-nay-nays.

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This weekend, the Eastern Michigan Eagles arrive at Ohio Stadium. My older brother, Greg, is a proud EMU alum. Let's hope the mascots play nicely.

Mike Nugent - Former Buckeye

I am proud of Mike Nugent, the Centerville, Ohio native and former stand out for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Today he had five field goals (the sum total of all of the Cincinnati Bengals' points) in their win over the Baltimore Ravens.

After being drafted in 2005 by the New York Jets, he struggled to regain his starting job after getting injured. He bounced around to a couple of teams, eventually being waived by them all.

I hope he has found a home in Cincinnati.

Mason's First Buckeye Game

Mason went to his first Buckeye game this past Saturday. We arrived at around 10am with Noel slowing down to about 5 miles per hour as we jumped out of the car. Maybe hyperbole, but we got out in traffic so that Noel and Mallory could make a quick getaway from the crazy traffic.

We walked north past Morrill and Lincoln towers, making our way to Converse Hall. The Army RTOC Alumni Society (of which I am the proud webmaster) was having a function. I got to see some folks that I hadn't seen in close to 15 years, so it was good to catch up.

Mason experienced TBDBITL, stadium popcorn, and after about 20 minutes, the novelty of the game wore off on him. He hadn't quite figured out how to watch a game live, incorporating the scoreboard, etc. into understanding the game. But, it was great to watch him make the O-H-I-O with his arms and clap along with the band.