June with Joe (and others)

Well, it's been a while since the last dinner with Dad and there have been a couple of new twists.  Technically last Thursday was a 5th Thursday of the month and should have been a dinner with my lovely wife Lisa.  But instead we spent the night burying a Suburban.  Ours 2001 Suburban is still hanging in there, but a bit worn and a bit unsure for another season of camping so we upped the vintage to a 2007 Suburban and are good to go.  Quite a bit more expensive than a dinner date, but it needed to be done.

As far as the June dinner with Joe (he missed May but we could make it up some day), it actually ended up being dinner with Joe and Dad and friends.

Joe moved his date back to Sunday.  Well after church Lisa and I talked about pulling some weeds and dead plants out of our landscaping.  Next thing you know we had Sara, Casey, Sara's friend Heidi and her Horticulturalist hubby Alex and Joe all over here either helping or at least giving "advice" from the sidelines.

By the time we got done moving all the plants 1) I was exhausted and 2) Lisa had prepared a fine dinner of barbecued shreded chicken.  I asked Joe if he minded having the whole gang joine us for dinner and he graciously agreed.

Joe and I did not get much time to talk until afer everyone else had left, but on the other hand I think Joe got a taste (pun intended) on what life was like at our house and how much fun it can be to be around family and friends.  I hope he shows up for more of these days and judging by the fun he had and the comments he made, I think he will be back soon.

Special note - thank you so much Alex, Casey and Henry for all your help - could not have done it without you!

Dinner = ???  Time with Joe (and the gang) = PRICELESS!

In the picture (L to R) - Alex, Rose, Casey, Joe, Me, Henry, Lisa, Sara and Heidi.

March with Lisa

A very special episode of Dinner with Dad tonight.  Since this is the 5th Thursday of the month (kind of like a blue moon) none of the kids were scheduled for Dinner with Dad tonight.  Therefore there is a chance to have Dinner with Mom!  She is the one that helped come up with this idea, watches Rose while I have Dinner with Sara, hangs with Henry while I am out with Brittany and with Joe and has her one free night when I am out with Henry.  She is just as much a part of this as I am and I am thankful the she is 100% on board with this and helps to make it happen.

We decided to go to 20 and Oakes Bar and Grill.  We were both in the mood for something kind of middle of the road and a place that would not be loud and this place fit that perfect - plus I had a coupon that I could use in my Entertainment Book ;).  Surprisingly Lisa went with the BBQ Burger.  I say surprisingly because she usually goes with lighter fare, but she said she was just hungry for a burger tonight and she said it was fantastic.  I went with the Pan Seared Sea Scallops.  It was a strange mix of scallops, risotto, tomatos, and arugula salad that really worked - it was great.

As far as our conversation, as usual we bounced all over.  One of the reasons that we clicked on our very first date was the fact that we talked for hours and hours.  Well after years of dating and 13+ years of marriage that has not changed and we love to talk with each other.  We talked about work, family, the good things of life and about missing our good brother-in-law and friend Doc Johnson who left us one year ago this week.  He left us a reminder on what is important in life and how much a good person is missed after they are gone.  We miss you Doc, but I am sure you are up there giving Rose and all the other Saints a laugh a minute.

Back home we went to Henry, Sara and baby Rose.  Sara hung with Henry tonight so we could go out - thanks Sara!  A good night for all involved.

Dinner = $47.31 (with coupon :))  Time with my Spouse = Priceless!