Over the Hill?

Happy Birthday, Ben! The Big 3-0!

Ben's co-workers got him an Over the Hill Survival Kit by Dr. D. Krepit (although Ben's actually the youngest of the group). I always thought that forty was Over the Hill. But then again, I'm still in my twenties, so what do I know? =o)

Ben asks for a German Chocolate cake every year - made from scratch. Lucky for him, it's my mom's favorite too so she taught me. Mmmmm.

Jonathan bought a slinky for Daddy (with his own hard-earned money) and is demonstrating the proper way to play with it. It's funny how that selfless gift is now in the boys' room instead of Daddy's. We had a fun evening of pizza, cake, and presents. Hoo-rah!

Now in honor of Ben's thirty years, I'm going to tell thirty interesting things about him. This is the non-mushy version. (I tried to scan some fun photos from his childhood to go with it, but the scanner's not working!)

Ben's unusual background info:

1) He's from Alaska

2) Has a twin brother (who also turned 30, btw)

3) Became LDS at age 15

4) Served mission in Belem, Brazil '97-'00 (three years?)

5) BYU scholarship, then degree in Economics

Ben is really good at:

6) Math (can do 20 problems in less than 8 seconds!)

7) Public speaking, always with humor

8) Soccer

9) Playing the trumpet

10) Buying great gifts (That really is a talent!)

Ben's Unusual Accomplishments:

11) Has run two full marathons - tomorrow makes three!

12) Swam in the Arctic Ocean (Polar Bear Club)

13) Survived malaria on his mission

14) Been a guest speaker on radio programs several times

15) Continues to be patient with his perfectionist wife (that's me!)

Ben refuses to:

16) Eat mushrooms

17) Go a day without showering

18) Yell - except for sports

19) Give in to negative pressure

20) Pay someone else to do something he can learn to do himself

Ben enjoys:

21) Watching movies with me

22) Talking on the phone with his family

23) Reading (SI, Newsweek, management books, random novels)

24) Educational video games (Brain Age, Spanish Word Coach, etc.)

25) Grilling... and eating (we love Food Network)

Proof that he is a Super Dad (and husband):

26) Jonathan made a tie for him that says "Super Dad"

27) Has mastered the answer, "Ask Mommy"

28) Is truly happy to get dollar store toys for his birthday

29) Finds time to play with each child and is excited for a new addition

30) Gives the kids baths every night and puts them to bed (!!!)

(I love this sneaky shot of Ben - we were eating at Chili's when he had to go take a business call. I was just being a dork but I like how it turned out through the restaurant window.)

We love you Ben! Happy THIRTIETH Birthday and thanks for being you!