The Best Gift

We actually got to celebrate Jason's birthday on the big day, despite his busy job. It was on Wednesday and he left early enough for us to meet at Antonio's, an Italian restaurant that the kids loved when we went there a couple years ago and they loved it again this time. The each got a free huge drink with their huge meals. Karissa and Austin ate their salads, Victoria ate her soup, not to mention the many bread sticks and of course their meals of pizza, ravioli, and spaghetti.

Erik was the only one who didn't thoroughly enjoy himself.

Our dining experience made for a shorter celebration at home of presents, cake, and the Beatles's Birthday Song.

Victoria put 37 candles in the cake. Call the fire department!

Lots of smoke too!



We got him a new measuring tape, since the kids broke his other one, among other gifts.



The best gift of all, I believe, was at the Father/Son camp-out two days later. Our Stake President, who is in our ward, brought Ziggy (previously played for BYU and now drafted by the Detroit Lions) along to meet the locals. He won't actually be in our ward, he'll attend church closer to where he'll live in the Detroit area. When Jason called me to tell me he needed a new BYU hat because his was signed by Ziggy, he was giddy! Had I known I would have sent Austin's cap along, but it's getting small for him and he tends to remove it often. I didn't want it lost on the camp-out. Austin got to play tug-of-war with Ziggy, though.

 We love you Jason! We hope you had a great birthday!