40 Years Old Yesterday

Yesterday I turned 40 years old. I spent the day seeing customers and equipment in Ohio and drove back to Illinois with my boss. I wasn't feeling too hot because I was coming down with a cold and I had been on the road for three days. I got home about midnight and crashed. I had made my wife promise not to get me anything or do anything for my birthday. I just wanted to forget that I was turning 40.

As always, she never listened. I awoke to the smell of fresh cinimon rolls and my wife and children starring at me. They all gave me some cards and sang Happy Birthday. It was fun and at least they didn't make a big deal about my birthday. Or at least I thought.....

When I got to work I was pretty late (I had slept in) and everyone was looking at me weird as I came into the office area. I headed toward my office and I saw ballons. Jonnie and the kids had decorated my barren office with pictures and curios. She had posted all of my coaching plaques with the team pictures and the other momentos. She was on my speaker phone and was able to hear my reaction. I was very suprised and Jonnie and the Kids did a very nice job.

It was a fun belated birthday. Here is a picture of my out back by the "flooding" Rock river. It has swelled over the banks and was 18" up the back dock of our building.

Made it to Illinois

Well we finally made it to Illinois. We have been here 10 days and have experienced a freezing rain storm, 6 inch snow storm and freezing fog. I never new how uncomfortable cold feet can be. Just like some people cannot cool down in the summers of Arizona, I have trouble getting my extremities warm in the Winter here in Illinois.

Here are some pictures of my truck when it arrived in Illinois after the truck driver had driven through an Ice Storm.

It has been an adjustment getting used to the weather difference between AZ and IL. However the Eames family is making due.

We have made some new friends at work and at Church. Our neighbors have been very friendly also. We have had 3 invitations to parties and one neighbor brought over some homemade brownies that were delicioso (Spanish spelling? - Quoted by Jessica from Dora the Explorer).


The kids have been getting into the winters scene with very little problems. I will have to convert a small video clip Jake took of the boys "Snowboarding" in our front yard with his phone. I will attach it next time. Every chance they get they are out in the snow. Luckily, no one has gotten hurt yet.

The kids also started school this week after a 7 day break. From what I hear, they have caused quite a stir at Prairie Hill (K - 8th) on the day the arrived. David has already started drafting children in Kindergarten into the "I Love David Fan Club". Jake, Mariah, and Jared are all trying to stay under the radar but are still known as the "New Kids".

Our new town is in the Farm Country. We are surrounded by corn fields and dairy farms. We have a two lane road with overhanging trees that we drive down to get to our new home.

Speaking of the home Jonnie is loving something newer, bigger and more up to date. I like that it is still affordable and we are not house poor. I am sure that once Jonnie has gotten the home looking good I will be allowed to post some pictures. Well, enough for now. We miss and love all of our friends and family. Keep in touch.

Love the Eames Family