Uncle at 35...

It was always cool in high school to see kids (peers back then) that were uncles.  Uncles were like the cool big brother, just bigger and wiser.  So I've waited for 20 years since high school *gasp* and now am finally an uncle to two beautiful wee babies.  Of course, timing would have it so I was still in South Carolina when the twins came 3-ish weeks early.  But at least it was at the end of the vacation.
We went straight from the airport to the hospital, yet somehow after 3 flights to get back home plus an extra 40 minute delay, I still was pretty wide awake to finally get to meet my dear niece and nephew.  I don't think it has quite hit me that my little sister has kids.  I figured it would be kind of surreal.  Maybe it's because they were a long time in the making I had some time to accommodate the thought of her having kids.  Maybe it's just because I'm so used to having my own it seems more natural than if I didn't have kids myself.  I'm super happy for her and Charlie.  It makes me happy to see both of them so happy and excited.
I'm anxious to be able to hold them.  I've never felt that way about anybody else's kids, so I guess that's cool.  I've enjoyed holding babies, but I haven't been excited to do it days/weeks in advance. It's always cool to hold a baby and realize how amazing our bodies are; it's easy to see when they are so wrinkly and small, when they are so tough yet still so fragile.  And to think that in a few short years they will be tearing around the backyard and making their parents smile.
Being a parent changes you completely. It's tough to explain the pride you feel in your kids.  From a practical point of view, it seems odd about the things your kids do to make you proud.  But it's little things, little acts of kindness or a well thrown baseball; these little glimpses into what they can become or accomplish, that make you feel as though you aren't a miserable parent or don't know what you are doing.  Those moments are the payoff to the massive investment of being a parent.
For all this, the possible and the potential, I wish Sophie, Colin, and their parents to be able to enjoy everything that this life can bring.

South Carolina Vacation Pics

7 days of fun in the (mostly) sun did the family good.  The boys had a great time, and K was ready to permanently move to the beach. I'm glad all the anticipation he had over the last 6 weeks wasn't let down in any way.  AB had a great time boogie boarding, and Penny and I enjoyed some much deserved work-free time.

I'd have to highly recommend Charleston, in particular the islands off the coast.  I think we could have spent another 3-4 days touring around, but chances are we'd end up on the beach again.  

Golfing buddy

Saw this feller when I was out golfing in South Carolina last week.  Thankfully he let us play through...