What a Great '08

Happy New Year Everyone. I'm really excited about 2009, and all of the good times and "firsts" that await. While we all have so much to look forward to, I'd like to look back and share with you my top eleven events of the best year of my life.

Honorable Mentions: Ric Flair's last match against HBK, The Dark Knight, The Election, Our New Bathroom in the Basement, Cousin Linda starts college, and Street Fighter's return to 2D.

11. My New Car - Not so much because I like the Jeep Patriot, but more so because I hated the Silver Dodge Magnum. It was a front wheel drive station wagon and didn't handle well in the rain let alone the snow. Try driving it in Scranton, oh wait, I did. Here's a bad picture of the bad magnum, just because I do not have a picture of the Jeep.



10. My Impressive collection of Air Jordans. Don't worry gang, I have a 529 for my son and save accordingly. However, when I had spare change this year, I bought a new pair of Jordans - 4 of them actually bringing the total to 7. I don't even wear them that much but it does bring me back to my youth. If you see me wearing a pair, even if you think they are ugly, just tell me that they look great. Here's a pic of my favorite pair if anybody cares:



9. Cousin Dana was almost named Yvonne. This is Gold and any other year would have easily placed in the top three. Actually, this list is a rip off of Dana's lists from her blog. Dane, Yvonne should have placed higher on your list though. Thanks for sharing Dana, and Aunt Kathy, thanks for choosing Dana. Here's a pic of the artist formerly known as Yvonne and her awesome family.



8. Joe Blanton and Matt Stairs - These guys are 2 unsung heroes of the last few months of the season. Joe Blanton did not post a loss, but more important, pitched for the Phils instead of Adam Eaton and or Kyle Kendrick. Matt Stairs' homerun in LA is still going. One hit from him - that's all we needed. No pics needed here.

7. Finding out I have high Cholesterol. I'll admit, I am in the worst shape of my life. Unfortunately, or fortunatly, I did not know how bad I was. In the beginning of the year, I bought a new life insurance policy. When the results came back, my cholesterol was high. I have been doing a good job since so please don't worry. What I would like is for everyone to go to the doctor and get checked. Don't make excuses. He is a picture of me in better shape.



6. My Arthroscopic Posterior Capsulorrhaphy Shoulder Surgery. Here again, I admit my faults. My baseball career has been on a decline since Sophomore Year at O'Hara, which I consider my best baseball season. Nowadays, I can't hit, can't field, but I still can throw - WELL, I could throw until my injury in October of 2007. WHEN I USED TO WORK OUT, I dropped a weight and caused a tear in my shoulder. It was very depressing - so I got it fixed. I would like to Thank Dr Wolfe and the staff at Riddle Physical Therapy for my recovery. I can't wait to throw again. Does anybody remember the end of field of dreams?



5. Stephen turns 21. 21 years ago I became a big brother for the second time. I have had a ton of fun with Stephen throughout the years. He is a great kid and I am very proud of him - Now go get your license! This is one of the best pictures ever:



4. Nicole turns 30. We had a busy weekend back in June. Somewhere at the beginning of it, Nicole had a 30th birthday. She didn't have a party though. Ask her about it someday. The story has the best ending ever.



3. "The Philadelphia Phillies are World Champions of Baseball!" I still get chills when I hear Harry's call. And better yet, Wheels' reaction during Harry's call is priceless. I still can't believe they won. I would like to thank every member of the Phillies for the joy that they brought to the city. What an awesome season. And last, I would like to thank Pat Burrell for his career here in Philadelphia.



2. Michael Louis - I'm an Uncle. In October, my brother in law and his wife (Mike and Kim) welcomed my first nephew into the world. Since then, Michael has been great and is really getting big. I look forward to a lot of good times ahead. Here's a recent pic of Michael Louis:



1. Joey.

This is emotional actually, and I'll never capture the true feeling here in this paragraph. I have always said, "When I grow up, I want to be a Dad and a Coach." I was right. Being a DAD is the greatest thing that ever happened to me. Joey is amazing. Joey is so much fun to be around, and I think he already knows I'm a cool Dad. It is also very important to acknowledge that Nicole has done a fantastic job as MOMMY. Nicole, I Love You and Thank you for doing such a great job.

Joey, I Love You, I am so Proud of you, and Look Forward to Everything.