yesterday was stacky's birthday.  we're finally the same age again after just over a month of me being old(er) and (more) decrepit.  i made some cupcakes from scratch (again, the cook's illustrated family cookbook has some amazing recipes...try the yellow cake sometime) and grilled up a couple of really great steaks.  it was a nice, quiet, stress-free dinner at home exactly as she requested.

she got a new backpack from yours truly (in keeping with our birthday gear slut natures) and a tasteful pair of daily wear earrings from the dude.  that kid has an eye, i tell ya what.

and speaking of the dude, he was apparently quite a hit at the stores yesterday.  stacky and grammy went shopping for some clothes and he had his cute and charming act on.  he does coy amazingly well.  he'll be quite the chick magnet at some point.

the inlaws stopped by last night to partake of the cupcakes and everyone was pleased.  the FIL seems to think that we're nuts for preparing food from scratch.  i honestly feel better knowing what's going in my pie hole and i like to be able to pronounce all of it.  it's the little things.  it's also interesting to note that stacky and i cook more like our grandparents than our parents.  more raw ingredients and fewer cans.  no boxed foods.  no frozen dinners (except for the emergency pizza).  it all tastes better and likely is better.  anywho...

all in all, i would call the birthday a success...but i'll wait for stacky to weigh in on the matter.

another four day weekend is upon us and i think some hardcore relaxing is in order.  january will be a little slice of hell at work so i'm going to need the energy.  i think we're getting together with my dad to exchange gifts and have dinner on saturday or sunday.  and next week stacky's sister and her crew come to town.  lots of family in the near future.  i want to get a nice hike in this weekend as i'm jonesin' for some outdoor activity.  with any luck it will be overcast and cool.  we shall see.

it's strange to be in a really good frame of mind at this time of year.  the holidays used to be a time of stress and all of that is gone.  i can sip some tea and read a book in the evening without being assaulted with some sort of turmoil.  i can play with my son, chat with my wife and genuinely enjoy myself.  it's hard work this making life easy.  but it's well worth it.  my goal is to have more of it in the new year.

and so should you, my friends.  what's it gonna take?