Feb 29th

I just had my birthday yesterday and I cannot decide if I feel like an old man or a little child. Guess that's the beauty of having a leap year birthday; I can be both and justify it. There was an actual 29th this year so turned an even 5. Always fun to get out of the fraction numbers....or for that mater, the teens. Its really weird to think I am not longer a teen.... wow, scary.

It was pretty funny with the gifts I got from everyone. I must admit, I feel kinda brutal right now. Austin got me a Boonie hat while mom got me Oakley Assault gloves, a Crossfit shirt, and a mini hammock!

I have this company Steel Maker thing this weekend that requires a 7 mile ruck, pt sesh, clearing some rooms, and SFR lanes so I decided I'm definitely going with the SEAL/SF look wearing all of it.














On the side of the hammock, I am hoping that it will be a little more succesful then our summer hammocks.... I think most of us remember that story. If not, shoot me a comment and I will make a post about it... its a fairly long story to just quick say, but basically we failed.


Of course Jessie and Jocelyn spoiled me last night as well. Jess told me that there was going to be a home cooked meal at Col Mac's house with a few other people. There were some warning signs that were going off because usually I get an email saying that there is something going on but I figured there was food so can't pass that up! As we walked closer I saw all the lights off and, again, I knew something wasn't exactly right but figured I'd just roll with it. Then as soon as I walked into the kitchen COL MacDonald flipped on the lights and there stood Jocelyn, Shuel, Fryc, Olsland, and Wilson. It was pretty awesome. I was not expecting to see them all there. funniest part was I stopped at Olsland's door to see if he wanted to join but didn't see him so just left. In general It was a great day. I appreciate all the birthday wishes, cards, presents, and all the effort every one put into it.

Jocelyn's Birthday Advice

So it started out as a joke a few years ago that I would write some stupid and completely useless advice to Jocelyn for her birthday. I think it started at the house when after a bsaketball game and I couldn't fall asleep, so I stayed up till 12:30 writing 10 dumb things down on her Facebook wall. Just as kicks and giggles, I did it again last year while at the prepschool. Both of them turned out pretty funny and I am left to continue the tradition tonight. I'll admit, I am kind of at a loss for some new good ones, but with some of Austins help I'm sure we can get a few more. That being said, this is an early shout out to my Lil Sis and a Happy Birthday! just because I prolly wont have time tomorrow to write it up here. Here is a look of the past two years. Still make me kinda chuckle. lol

(16th Bday)

I have waited this extra day after your birthday to invite you into the fraternity of being 16 .... bad part is... you get kicked out next year. anyways... seeing as I am the older more smarter brother, I will give you advice that i never got when I was 16. these are things I still carry with me through life today. I now give them to you. enjoy..........

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1. always check for toilet paper before sitting down.. that is the biggest one.

2. don't bother checking the expiration dates... a few days or a few years- its all the same.

3. home work is less important then facebook. always get your 3 hours min in first.

4. mountain dew tastes the best at 43 degrees. anything lower and you get a brain freeze.

5. if you aint cheating, you aint try'n

6. dont eat the yellow snow.. as tempting as it may be.

7. the grass is always greener on the other side...unless the other side is also suffering from the same drought you are.

8. captain crunch is proven to cut the top of your mouth no matter how you eat it.

9. never take candy from a stranger unless they are giving out king size... then take it.

10. free is always good, unless its a free ride at a truck stop at 3 in the morning..

hope these wonderful words of wisdom stay with you for the rest of your life... hehe

love from, -al

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(17th Bday)

So yes, it is your bday today. And i know you have been waiting for this moment since last year. . . yes, this is where i engulf you in the vast knowledge I have gained over my veteran years. This wont be as prolific as last year because, quite frankly, your only 17. Nothing big really happens at 17. Sorry to burst that lil bubble of yours but it’s the sad truth. Unless you go to Mexico, then I'm sure you can a lot of fun things… but legally… nothing. On that cheery note, just realize this; there are only 26,280 more hours till you turn 21. That is almost the same amount of time we spent in WWII… Any ways. Here are your top 10 rules for your big 1-7

1. If you see a fork in the road, don’t run it over…simple enough, right?
2. When the cats are away, the mice are a play… but to keep them from having fun, use laser triggered C4.
3. Barking dogs seldom bite, and also make great target practice
4. There’s no smoke without a fire, unless you are getting your teeth drilled at the dentists
5. All good things must come to an end, unless your pie, in which case its delicious and repeats on for eternity.
6. An apple a day keeps the doctor away, although I’ve heard that they are more intimidated by a shot gun then someone throwing an apple.
7. Where there’s a will there’s a way, except when trying to dribble a football.
8. A penny saved is a penny earned… but someone who saves theirs pennies has no friends.
9. The saying “you bit off more than you can chew” should be taken as a challenge.
10. And finally, realize that there is no right side of the bed to get out of. The only way it can be avoided is to stay in bed for as long as needed

Turkey Wrap Up

So its been a minute since I last posted. My bad on that. I never got around to the Thanksgiving post mainly because I was eating...and eating...and eating. It was a beautiful thing. Grandma and the rest of the cooking crew really outdid themselves this year. We had two, count it 2, 18lbs birds, a tub of mash potatoes, and 7 pies. It was incredible. Of course there was the always enjoyable apple sauce that never ceases to amaze me. Even when I physically couldn't eat anything more I still had an overwhelming urge to have a spoonful of grandma's magical apple blend. Gets me every time.

The best part of the weekend was the 10.5 mile run at 2am. Now that doesn't seem enjoyable until you hear the company that it brought. While Dad and I were waiting for 1am to hit, the Lanagans call up dad wondering if he wants to stop by real fast. I hope in the car to say hello and the next thing you know we recruited two more 40 year old men for this little adventure. Jimbo was a little more apprehensive towards the idea but Gerald was stoke for it. He was ready to run through the water and everything. I think it had something to do with the 8 beers that both of them had had during the party earlier, but hey! Misery loves company. Gerald was a champ, he was just running and talking with me for the first 6-7 miles. He ran in part of the water with me and offered to run down eel creek with me if I hadn't shouted how much pain my...lower half was in. Good times. Dad finished the millage with me on his bike. It helped a lot having someone there for support though. I think he enjoyed the whole "Drill Sergeant" role to much though; he finished it all of with a 200m fireman's carry on the beach... just the worst!

We went into Boston as well. Dad had a brilliant idea where he gave all the kids $20 dollars to bring back as much vary of food as possible. It was essentially a deep-fried thanksgiving all over again. I found some great Asian food, philly cheese-steak and some dark chocolate coffee beans. Just the best combo for heart burn! Ill try to pull some pictures off of facebook to add on here. We also celebrated Jess and Brandon's Bday the day before. Worked out good because we got to eat more food! Awesome! We went out for dinner at the chowder house and just ate lobster and told funny stories. Great combo. I'll wrap this up before it turns into a book, but only 15 more days until I start eating some home cooking again!!!! Can't wait to be in my own bed again!