Mom, Dad & Chelle's Visit

This past month, my parents & Michelle came to attend the Reunion that was being held here. My parents came 2 weeks before the Reunion to spend time with us and then moved to my sister's house for the remaining 2 weeks to spend with her and go on the many awesome trips that were scheduled for all the annuitants.

Of course we went straight to Senor Pacos (Mom's favorite Mexican Restaurant in the world) for dinner after picking up Mom & Dad at the airport:

While they were here, mom was busy stocking up my freezer with eggrolls and stuffed grape leaves and also surprised Steve with REAL Philly Cheesesteaks. Okay, technically they weren't real because they weren't on Amoroso rolls, but the beef was the real stuff and she even brought over Cheese Whiz so we could have them 'wit whiz'. :)

They were also kind enough to go see Steve's acting debut at our school play. Here is a pic of Steve with all of his adoring fans:

One night, we all signed up to go to a Desert Dinner. It was really nice. They had a big traditional Arab dinner in a large tent, camel rides, henna painting and falcons that you could hold. We got some great photo ops:

Sarah was brave enough to put a thick leather glove on and hold a real live falcon:

This is Sarah and Anna getting Henna on their hands. It's a really beautiful temporary ink stain that they do here. They are like pieces of art that last about 2 weeks.

This is a pic of Michelle & Karen's Henna:


I had a little soiree before they left so all my friends could meet Michelle. Here are my parents, Michelle and the kids in our backyard (and yes, those are bananas on my banana tree!!!! Woo-hoo! :)

The Bucket List

There was a movie that came out last year staring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nickolson. It was called The Bucket List. Nicholson and Freeman play two cancer patients who only have a year to live. They both decide to make a "Bucket List", a list of events they never accomplished in their lives to be completed before they "kick the bucket". This list ranged from kissing the prettiest lady in the world to patching up the problems with their family. A pretty cool concept. I have one as well. Learning to sail is on the list. Skiing the Alps. Visiting the pyramids. Belting out a tune to a packed house of people was definitely on the list. This week I got to check off another biggy. For the first time in my life (and probably the last) I got to perform in a play. Yep. Got up on stage four days in a row and acted in the play West Side Story. I have never liked muscials. I hate going to the theatre. I would rather be playing golf or skiing or sailing. However there are times when you have to say to yourself "you only live once", suck it up and go.

So the drama/music teacher asked if I would help out with the school production. He told me it was a walk on role. I agreed. Then a bunch of weeks later he drops a script in front of me and tells me that he needs me to take on a bigger part. My biggest problem anymore is I don't know how to say no. So here I am. Standing on stage in front of a packed house (that included the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of our Schools - My in laws, sister in laws and my wife and kids - not to mention kids I teach and their parents) playing the part of Lt. Shrank. Basically a New York cop who is pissed off at the world and takes it out on the gangs in the neighborhood. It was a blast. I approached the role as Frank Sinatra meets Ralph Cramdon. Very stressful but in the end very worth it. Here are some pics and a video clip. Now get out there and do something different!!