It comes with the job...

So many of you know that I have worked as a Pastor to Youth for the last 13 years now and one thing I have done almost every year is the "overnighter" or "lock-in" and this year is no exception. I have lots of mixed feelings about these types of events, that I will not go through now, but thought that this clip sums up a lot of it. The other thing this clip does is mock a popular songs chorus, which I have been known to do from time to time. If you have never seen this guy or heard any of his stuff you should, he is hilarious! The bottom line is that April is coming, and so is my next overnighter, and here is what has been going through my head since I put it on the calendar!

Enjoy!

Valentine's Day and More...

So Valentine's Day has come and gone and it was very nice. Jen and I had a very nice dinner in on the actual day and then on Friday thanks to the grandparents we went out for a nice meal and dessert! Double the pleasure! We also got to have some fun with Glady giving her her first real valentine, continuing a mylar balloon tradition, and her first real backpack which she is crazy about! Jen had Glady make me my own valentine and it is super cool!

The other thing I thought I'd share is that Glady has been doll crazy and just realized that she can get into her doll's cradle. So I took some pictures of that for you to enjoy too. Be warned of the high cutie factor! I hope you all had a great Valentine's and have a wonderful holiday weekend ahead!

Enjoy the picture below!

Valentine's Day & Other Fun Times w/ Glady...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great video clip...

Here is a call to all to lead! I thought this was pretty powerful.

I can't wait...

For more info go here IJ

Great people + Dinner out + U23D = AWESOME!

Last night Jen and I got to go out with a bunch of couples from CC to eat out and see U23D. I love the band, but have never seen them live - I know it is crazy! But man, I got to tell you that seeing this was amazing. It was art, it was story, it was music, it was energy, it was passion. One minute you are in the crowd the next you are within inches of Bono. And you get so close to everyone. I couple of times I actually moved cause it felt like I was going to get hit in the head by Adam Clayton's bass! One time I thought Bono was going to touch my face. And one time I was reaching for the glass of iced tea the drummer had sitting next to him. The screen at the IMAX is six stories tall and 80 feet wide and pumps out some 12,000 watts of stereo sounds that just rocks the house! Anyways, if you like U2 it is a must! And honestly, even if you aren't the biggest fan I think the experience is pretty cool all on its own. It looks like the Rolling Stones are coming out with one too. But in my opinion there isn't one member of the Rolling Stones that I have any desire to see up close!

Hawaii 2008...

So some of you knew that part of my lack of blogging was due to a much needed vacation that Jen, Glady, and I went on with Jen's parents. Either way, if you didn't know, now you do. We went to Maui for two weeks right after my birthday and it was awesome! I had only been to Hawaii once before for the honeymoon in July and as beautiful as it was it was a little too hot for me. But I must say that going to Maui in January is the BEST! We stayed at a place called the Maui Sunset which is in Kihei and has been a time share in the Richards family since the late 70's. It is such a great place. It's clean, well kept, right on the beach, private, close to everything, and the best thing about it is that every night there was a yodeler! He would come out at 8pm and bust some yodels for all to hear. Everyone would come out on the lanai's to listen and cheer. Glady LOVED it and so did we!

While we were there we went out to lots of great restaurants. One is called "Bada Bings" which was a classic New York Italian place. We went to "Bubba Gumps," and a place called "Da Kitchen" which is one of the best local foods joint around. Besides the food we did a lot of sight seeing, wineries, hikes, the aquarium, beaches, snorkeling, hanging out at the pool, and just hanging out! The two Sundays we were there we visited Calvary Chapel Maui it was right down the street from where we were staying and it reminded us of home. The worship was terrific and the teaching was pretty good too.

Some other highlights...

* Glady playing on the beach and in the water! - She just loved it and we bought her this clear backpack full of sand toys that she carried everywhere - [see pictures below]
* Having time to read some great books
* Phil's wonderful fruit smoothies every night - and yes I did have some pineapple and didn't vomit :) - but for the record, although it was by far the best tasting pineapple I had ever had, I still would never choose/desire to have it. But the drinks Phil was mixing were tasty!
* Long walks along the beach and in Lahina
* Date nights out - especially discovering Bada Bings and the restaurant we went to with the surprise terrific view of the beach luau
* And last but not least CARLs JR. I got to indulge myself with the tasty double western burger - which never disappoints! Oh, if God would only bless Seattle with a Carls!

There was so much about the trip that was great. Big Big Thanks to Jan and Phil for letting us stay with them, for the date nights they provides for us by watching Glady, and for just an incredible time! We love ya!

Hey, make sure to scroll down to check out a bunch of pictures from the trip and thanks again for stopping by!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Birthdays of Rich and Richard Sclafani

So January is the month in which both of the Richard E. Sclafani's in Seattle Washington were born. I turned 34 this year and my dad turn 59. For my birthday we went to the Seattle Aquarium and for my Dad's we went to the Seattle Children's Museum. Both parties were great and provided some great fun for all - especially Glady. I had Glady help me blow out the candles which she loved. And Glady always has fun with her Grandma and Grandpa. She especially loves pulling on Grandpa's beard! [see pictures below] On top of the family time I also got to spend some time with my best man for some good eats, conversation, and beer at the ram - which was a total blessing. I found myself very thankful and looking forward to the year to come!