Craig's whirlwind visit

What do our storage unit, La Salsa Mexican food, and the movie "Inception" have in common?!  These are some of Craig's favorite things and he packed them all and more into his visit to Tucson last week...including downing fresh home made rolls.  As he loaded up his plate, he said "I'll start with six."

Craig enjoying the first hot roll with the Toumey's homemade apply butter

Craig was the first of the children to try out Dad's new TV late Saturday night when we brought him home from the airport.  Of course, the test wasn't really complete until we had watched the DVD "Inception" he had brought, about subconscious suggestions and staged dreams within dreams.  That one really got us thinking!  In fact I had to ask him to stop it a couple of times just to make sure I understood what was going on.  We also saw "The Avengers" at Park Mall on Monday night for FHE.  Whew! That was the most action-packed FHE we've had in a long time!

Members of the ward were happy to greet Craig on Sunday at church and in the afternoon we skyped with Nathan and his family.  Cameron and his roommate Jared came over for dinner and we got them to tell us about setting up the new Jimmy John's in northwest Tucson. Sounds like it's doing really well.

Craig visited the storage unit on Monday and this time he actually took more boxes to the storage unit than he brought back!  He thinks he may need to get a bigger book case in his room at school--we love his love of learning and books.

Dad came home from work early on Monday afternoon and we headed out to Colossal Cave in the Rincon Mountains, which none of us had seen before.

After leaving the cave, we saw this cool dude in the parking lot.  We think he might have been a movie star--and he had this really sweet ride.  We're not sure if Truly Nolen is his name or the title of his next movie....help, anyone?

Dad's birthday surprise

Yesterday was a special occasion for Dad--the 34th anniversary of his 26th birthday!  Thanks to Camille's great idea and everyone's participation, it was a very happy birthday celebration.

The lead up began over six weeks ago when Camille's email got the ball rolling.  We all agreed that getting Dad a new TV was a great way to mark this milestone.  Later we added HD and DVR service to complete the package.  Fortunately, the HD/DVR unit arrived on the very day we needed it.  I found a Samsung at Costco that seemed just right, Camille checked it out and approved it, and we bought it--six weeks early.  Kind friends stored it at their house until the big day arrived.

Unbeknowdst to me, Dad's racquetball partner Chris Monson had rescheduled their Tuesday game for Monday, the morning of his birthday.  Realizing there was no time for breakfast in bed, I grabbed the tray and put my gift and card on it.  Following tradition as best I could, I sang Happy Birthday as I carried it into the bedroom, placing it on his lap.  Time was short so he opened the gift later at breakfast.  I gave him a DVD, "Journey of Faith: The New World," following a media theme he didn't yet know about.

We had to wait until he got home from work at about 6 p.m., early, at my request, for his real celebration to begin!

For historical purposes :) here is what the family room looked like with the old TV:

I had loaded up on wrapping paper at the dollar store and voila, two impressively big packages!

Dad arrived home and we patched together several three-way calls to get everyone on the line to wish him Happy Birthday!  I took some videos but they are too large to post. 

Dad loves his new TV--thank you to everyone!

Here's how the new TV looks in its new home.  Looks great, doesn't it!

We're still figuring out how to work everything...that may take a while.