So Sweet

For us Phillies fans this has been a pretty sweet weekend.  The Phils wrapped up their place in the playoffs by winning the NL East, and to make things even sweeter their bitter divisional rival the Mets fell out of playoff contention for good.  Nice.

Last year when the Phillies won their division it was really exciting.  After all the last time they had even BEEN to the playoffs was in 1993, when they lost the World Series.  Now they've done it two years in a row, and it is even more exciting.  I mean, to find a time that they made it in for 2 consecutive years you have to go all the way back to the 1980-1981 seasons- just two months before I was born.

Aiden may not know how lucky he is to see this happening so early in his life, but what kind of father would I be if I didn't make him watch the whole game with me anyway?  It may have been a little bit past his bed time, but as you can see, the rally towels were flying.

Two crazy Phans.

Here are a few shots of the super enthusiastic cheering section!

Things got a little bit dicy towards the end.  And I must admit my nerves were about shot by the time Jimmy Rollins snagged that double play ball to get the final out.  Whew!

The final out.  Here is a confession: when Ryan Howard caught this ball I yelled so loud that Aiden immediately burst out into terrified tears.  I felt bad... but then again, I felt so, so good.

This picture about says it all.

The Crazy Eye

Ummmm... now don't be scared.  

This picture in no way involves any sort of baby demon posession- I promise.  In fact, this is just how Aiden eats.  Seriously, he is so excited about every single bite of food that he'll open his mouth wide enough to drive a pickup truck in. 

 Thanks to Mom Jones for taking this great picture and sending it to us.

Babytown, Population: Aiden

For all you Aiden-ophiles out there (all 5 of you) it's probably apparent that we have been a little lax with our recent updates of baby-specific pictures.  Now, since we are first time parents you may think that you saw this coming.  Perhaps you're of the opinion that previously we were a tad "picture crazy", and that only now are we settling down to a more reasonable photo snapping pace. 

 Bah!  

I, for one, am fully in favor of tipping the scales well back into crazy territory and never looking back.  You think you've seen pictures of Aiden?  You haven't seen anything yet.  You have seen the tip of the iceberg, and the part of the iceberg that is underwater is the world's largest iceberg times 2.  We are going to flood this blog with so many pictures of our child that you will literally see his beady little eyes staring at you in your sleep.  Scary? Yes.  Awesome? You bet.  

Lets get started.  Here are some randomly awesome pictures from the other day.  Nothing flashy.  Just Aiden doing his thing, and taking no prisoners...

Old Picture, Old Friend

Our basement is a great big collection of "there's-no-where-else-to-put-this" type items.  It is a waystation for all manner of household "we-might-need-that-some-day," and boxes of "I'll-sort-through-that-later."  Does this sound familiar?   If so, then you'll know that out of those dusty boxes, and forgotten knick-knacks occasionaly something worthwhile emerges.

I found this picture the other day while rummaging through boxes in our previously mentioned basement.  I was looking for something that I could not find, and now don't remember- but it's ok, because I'm glad I found this.  This is a picture of me and my high school buddy Peter before our senior prom, and  I must say, we are looking pretty dapper!  In those days Peter and I were inseperable.  We did everything together, and it was awesome.  

One difference, though, between this and other high school friendships is that it didn't end on graduation day.  Pete and I were roomates during our freshman year of college, he was a groomsman at my wedding, and now we both live with our families in southeastern PA.  Looking at this picture now, it's hard to believe that it's really us...  It was taken less then a decade ago, but through the lens of marraige, jobs, and family it seems like a different lifetime.  

I wanted to share this picture because I was glad for the way that it made think me about true friendship and fellowship.  Obviously, as life changes, friendships are going to change.  Things may not be the same as when we were younger- but thats ok.  In fact it's good.  Seeing this picture reminded me of how greatful I am to have this friend.  And it reminded me of how great and powerful a friendship can be between Christian brothers.

Dedicated

This past Sunday Aiden was dedicated at our church.  It was a really great time to have our families (and our church family) come together and show support for Aiden and our commitment to be Godly parents to him. 

It was a good day. 

After church we had family over to the house for a picnic lunch.  Even though it was a hot, muggy day we had a great time.  It was really fun to have everyone over, although unfortunately we hardly have any pictures to show for it.  

But trust me.  There were people there, and it was fun.

Actually there is one thing that we took pictures of.  Aiden's second cousin Anna was there and they were really funny together.  Anna was trying to give Aiden kisses, and lets just say that Aiden doesn't quite yet understand the concept of a closed-mouthed smooch.  Observe:

Cute.

Lights Out

After dinner the other night Aiden was so tired that he could hardly stay awake.  It was pretty amusing watching him try to fight it off, but eventually he gave in and just conked out.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

Yep, he's looking pretty cute... although don't be deceived.  Literally seconds after these pictures were taken he projectile vomited all over the kitchen floor.  

Yum.

The Greenest Grass in the World

I had the opportunity to go to the Phillies/Marlins game on monday night with my Mom & Dad, and my sister Bethany & brother in law Aaron.  The game was past Aiden's bedtime so he couldn't come this time, and Jen was kind enough to stay at home with him (thanks hon!)

The game was great.  The weather was fantastic.  And the hotdogs were piping hot goodness in a bun.  It was perfect.

It was back and forth for most of the game.  We'd score a couple, then they'd score a couple.  I was lucky in that I happened to take this next picture just as Jayson Werth hit the 3 run homer that sealed the deal.  Beautiful.

Brad "Lights Out" Lidge came in the ninth to finish 'em off, and he did just that.  A ground out, and two straight strikeouts- 35 saves in 35 chances.  It doesn't get much better then that.

Phillies win!

Good Ol' Everyday Goofiness

Not much going on here.  Just hanging out on the floor.

Keep on Phightin'

Brett Myers pitched a beautiful game tonight to get a much needed win over the Mets.  Lets all keep our collective fingers crossed that this is the start of a  September surge from the Phils. 

 On Monday we are going to the game against the Marlins, where they will be fresh off a sweep (please?) of New York.  Can't wait.

Office Politics + NERF Weapons = Academy Award

Given that I've never worked in a true "office" maybe I'm not qualified to comment on this video.  I've never had a cubicle, or used a water cooler, or filed a TPS report.  So anyway, since I haven't done those things maybe I'll never comprehend the full hilarity of what you are about to see...

But then again I do love Nerf guns... and it seems pretty awesome... so I'll let you be the judge.

The Great Office War from Runawaybox on Vimeo.