Joey's Birthday Weekend

Paul and I wanted to celebrate our nephew for his 9th birthday. We flew into Florida and picked him up at school on Friday. He knew that a 185lb gift was coming for him, but did he know it was Uncle Paul?




We drove to Miami to have a short, but sweet visit with Jillian and Jesse at Swenson's where Joey indulged in this massive chocolate sundae:






After dinner, we drove across Alligate Alley in the dark and checked into the Naples Courtyard Marriott. I guess the sugar must have knocked Joey out, he slept the whole 2.5 hr drive.

Joey was very excited when we met up with the tour guide for kayaking, although a bit apprehensive when we went to get into the kayaks. Joey and Paul were a great team, even racing me back to the shore.







After kayaking, we stopped for lunch where Uncle Paul could get some Stone Crabs right off the boat.

And if that wasn't enough, we joined the folks at Speedy Johnson's Airboats for a ride after lunch.

 

 




We had some Italian for dinner and then, oh - another surpise, we went to see the 3D Monsters vs. Aliens movie. This is Joey in his 3D glasses.



We conducted a birthday wrap up video following movie night:


Sunday morning we ventured to the beach in Naples to collect some shells.


On the way home, we stopped in Delray Beach for some crepes. There was a replica of the LOVE sculture, so we thought this was a great photo op - ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE!



What is a birthday party without chocolate cake? We met Michele, Josue, Raquel, Phil and Janice at Cheesecake Factory for a late lunch.

And, to top it off - Joey has his first limo ride. Ah, the joys of being 9 years old.

Just another spring day in Marktoberdorff, Germany

Here is a picture taken from where I am currently sitting in our Marktoberdorf, Germany facility. It’s hard to see but it has been a driving snow storm all night and all day. It’s planned to get worst later this evening and into tomorrow. It’s just another wonderful spring day in Marktoberdorf.

When I went to my car this morning to scrap the 4 inches of snow off, I was thinking “at least I’m not one of the people scraping the snow off my bike to get to work.” That can really make you feel better.

Seriously looking forward to seeing everyone in warm Florida! - Paul

Ah, Swiss invention

Paul was in Zurich over the weekend and stumbled across this contraption. It's ingenious. You pour the water from the Carafe, but the top is a filter so the limes/lemons whatever you have in there stay in place. I love it! Those Danes sure know how to make clever things.

Paul's introduction to dining in Northern Finland

Here is a menu from the restaurant I went to tonight in Tempere, Finland. My friend and coworker Pekka suggested we eat here since it is one of his favorites. It has quit an interesting selection of dishes. Pekka mentioned that women sometimes are upset when he orders his favorite, which also happens to be a favorite animal of many women but for other reasons. I'll let you figure it out, they also had this in tartar for an appetizer.

At least they included some of those classics that you find in the good old Midwest. I think one of Dad's partners had this one, it's unfortunate he didn't eat it here because he would have received an award. For those not familiar Mountain Oysters they are bull's balls. Ummm Yummy.

I had the beef and mash potatoes...At least I think I did (second picture). Meats in the middle, those are tomatoes on the corners and remained in place.

Amsterdam Part Deux

Have I ever told you how much I love Dutch Pancakes?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I forgot to take a picture before, so at least here's our AFTER. Paul had the Egyptian, lamb with green peppers and a small salad. I engulfed my nutella and banana pancake and am on a mission to figure out how to make them myself!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We rediscovered Deepak and Pekka around 3pm and got a bite to eat at Tio Peppe:
Everything was just so colorful. I guess you kinda have to be, since it's almost always grey in Amsterdam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul, Pekka and Deepak picked up their car at the airport and dropped me off at the Courtyard so that I could catch my flight in the morning.
I love European's, they are so earth friendly. This was a posting in my bathroom. What a great idea!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forget about the small print about harming your children, Europeans REALLY want you to know what you're getting into:

From Amsterdam 0209

And their recycling program is top notch. We have a lot to learn....

From Amsterdam 0209