It’s almost impossible to grasp, and yet my third child is all grown up with a family of her own. Where did all the years go? I grabbed a few random photos from a CD archive of family photos that Steve and I compiled last year — there are so many more — and I was amazed at how the little girl standing on the table at Farrel’s Ice Cream Parlor on Freeport Boulevard grew into a woman who served her country, pursued a career at Federal Express, married, and is now raising a family of her own. It’s all happened much too fast…

Grandson Dakota went kayaking with his mom July 4th on Lake Natoma. Looks like he’s racing his reflection. Wonder who won? Man, he’s growing up into such a fine young man. Ya’ can’t help but be proud!

It sounds cliché, but it’s the absolute truth. Dawn and I share a special relationship that can honestly be described as blissful. True soul mates, we were destined to find one another.

We’ve been together fifteen years, six as husband and wife, and today marks our sixth wedding anniversary. As we do each year, we’ll be reliving every moment of our wedding - reading the ribbons upon which each guest penned their best wishes for us, looking through our wedding albums and watching the video, reciting again the vows we wrote for our ceremony and our lives together, remembering every precious detail of our fairy-tale wedding and reception in Kauai, the fun activities with our wonderful friends and guests and, of course, our magical honeymoon.

And I can still say, without a moment’s hesitation, that I married my very best friend.

Share some of our memories here and here.

My second son… cute, precocious, big hearted even as a little guy… hard to believe he turns 42 today. And he’s grown into a fine man… kind, generous, a wonderful sense of humor… I’m very proud of him.

Jerry sent this video clip which I’m dedicating to my oldest son, Steve, who turned 44 yesterday. See how much fun you have to look forward to?

It seems like only yesterday… such a cute little guy, all smiles and giggles… I called him “Slick” and took him for walks in front of our 4-plex apartment near Mather AFB where I was stationed… He was our first born… Yet today, somehow, he turns 44… with a beautiful family of his own! Is that possible?

Time passes far too quickly. I yearn to turn back the clock, to hold on to those precious early years… but then I would have to wait so long to know the fine man he has become… Happy birthday, Son!

Shannon sent this image of my youngest grandson, Connor, taken during their recent visit to a nursery in Loomis to enjoy our wonderful spring weather. She says it’s the nicest nursery she’s ever seen. Connor really enjoyed it, too!