Thirty Nine Candles

This year my birthday celebration spanned two major cities and lasted an entire week.  Here are some of the things that made it memorable, one for every year I've been alive:

1. In line with Jack Sikma—I was going to tell him my grandpa always through he "dogged it" but didn't because he's a big dude ;)
2. Robots, the first priority after a nap
3. Bison Burgers
4. Tilted Kilt
5. Racquetballs and Swimming Pools
6. Bocce Ball with 1, 2, 3 Margaritas
7. Engagement News and a Mexican Wedding across the street
8. Fish Fry
9. Monsters Inc. and Ice Cream Birthday Cake :)
10. Miniature Golf in the Sun
11. Seymour, Kim, and Aaron
12. Marching to the Bolingbrook Golf Club
13. 10 Minutes of Soaking in the Rain
14. 30 Minutes of Spectacular Fireworks
15. Miller Time!
16. Italian Sausage Wins but Brewers Lose :(
17. Hidden Oaks and Hidden Lakes
18. Morton Arboretum Picnic
19. Cribbage Lessons—I will be able to compete next time ;)
20. All Smiles at Swimming Lessons
21. Sweltering Heat
22. The Liberty Bell
23. Unknown Soldiers who died to give me Freedom
24. Franklin Court and Grave
25. Independence Hall
26. Duck Boat Tragedy
27. 2nd Row Phanatics but Phillies Lose :(
28. Sesame Place
29. Another Birthday Cake :)
30. Grandma and Grandpa Fong
31. Rocky Steps
32. Torrential Downpour
33. Man vs. Food
34. Betsy Ross' House and Grave
35. Mütter Museum
36. Cheesesteak "Witout"
37. The Master of Parallel Parking
38. Franklin Mint Chocolate Chip
39. Flying with Raul Ibanez—I told him I'm a big fan and shook his hand before we boarded the plane :)
    

Many thanks go out to my wonderful friends Jason and Shana for taking such good care of me in Chicago, and to my wonderful sister Kristin and her boyfriend Marshall for doing the same for me in Philadelphia.  There were also two very sweet little girls, Chelsea and Penelope, who made this birthday extra special by reminding me of the joy, wonder, and silliness of being a child.

Now it's back to reality...