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Have limited vacation time and/or budget? Consider the X project with Amor Ministries.

Providing you with all the necessary tools to get the job done right the first time.

Dropping my brand new, birthday present camera into the ocean.

Being almost 6,ooo miles away from Carrie and not being able to talk to her every night.

Giving water filters to over 400 families.

Showing them how to use the filters.

Filters that will last a life time. Turning unsafe water into pure, clear, clean water.

Making new friends.

Thankful new friends.

A play day of snorkeling and swimming at a smaller island.

I love my birthday present from Carrie! I have a digital SLR but it is so bulky that it often gets left behind.  Because of that, I miss fun shots like the one on the way home from work today. Somebody zigged when they should of zagged and the result was a water fountain on El Cajon Blvd. Thanks again Carrie!

My cousin Annie got married in Santa Monica this weekend. It was a beautiful wedding and great time to celebrate with her, my sisters, and Carrie.

I turned 40 and Blair turned 30, put it together and we had a wonderful 70th birthday party thrown by Carrie and Erin (our super hot girlfriends) and hosted by Ryan (our super hot boss?) and Danielle. You can enjoy more fun photos of the event here.

I had an excellent time at Winema this year, as always. It was the first time that Laura Hubbard and I were the Directors. Everything turned out well, no major problems or injuries except for a group hug gone bad. It was nice to have Carrie there too, even if it was only for a few days. We not only had fun with the camp kids, but there were lots of ‘old skool’ friends their as well, including Bryce and Amy Ginther and their family. The Ginthers were kind enough to let their daughter Lexi play with Carrie and I every once and a while. A fun time for all.

I got my shots today for my upcoming travel. Four shots in all today. Hep A, Hep B, Typhoid, and Tetanus. I didn’t even cry or anything. Despite my exemplary behavior, I recieved no lollipop. What a rip off.

I’ve just completed this years stalking of the Dave Matthews Band. I saw four shows in the span of five days in the cities of Los Angeles, San Diego, and Phoenix. At the beginning of the first show the band announced the death of their saxophone player earlier that same day. They pressed on and played an incredible show. During the show you could see each member of the band crying as they were playing at different times. It was amazing to watch. They said that there was no place they would have rather been, than together with each other, on stage, doing what they love for the people that love them. Dave made the announcement after the first song and made a statement that was so true, he said “It’s easier to leave than be left behind”.

Despite the difficulty of the evening, it was my favorite performance of the four shows.

This was also a great tour because Carrie was able to go to the San Diego and Phoenix shows with me. These were her first Dave Matthews shows and she has proven herself as a very worthy concert buddy! We stayed at the Shrader’s while in Phoenix so that they could meet her and give their approval. I’m happy to say she past ‘the test’ with flying colors!

Hopefully the future holds many more DMB shows that she and I will attend together.