Joe and Jamie's Blog

Happy Birthday to me!

Yup I’m 25 now, guess I’m no longer a child anymore, might need to grow up one of these days, lol.

I wanted a really simple birthday and I got one, finally everyone listened to me. Just had a nice dinner, opened a few gifts while having some cake, it was nice.

I got a new tool bag since I’m exploding the sides on the one I already have, too much stuff in there. I also got a nice pilsner beer glass and a trip to go meet and pet some penguins in NJ which is going to be really fun. Gotta love the penguins.

Happy Birthday Jamie!

Today was Jamie’s 22nd birthday. We started early with some cake and presents at Casey & Andrew’s house last night and continued it into today with dinner, cake again, and the movies.

We went out to eat to the new TGI Friday’s that opened up about a month or so ago in town with my parents and sister. I love TGI Friday’s because they use Jack Daniel’s BBQ sauce. Anyway, we all had a nice meal and with barely any time to digest we headed off to Jamie’s parents house for cake and more presents with Casey & Andrew there. After all that hoopla, we met up with Justin and Matthew to watch the movie The Wolfman.

If you are curious who decorated the cake, that was all Marie :)

Happy Birthday to me! Sad that I have to blog about my own birthday, (grrr Jamie) but that’s another issue.

I am 24 years old now, getting pretty old I guess. I asked for a simple birthday, just a nice family dinner, wanted everyone to save their money really. There isn’t any need for a big hoopla in between 21 and 30 anyway. To celebrate, I asked to go to O’sho Japanese Steakhouse on Route 9 in Poughkeepsie. We all haven’t been there in many years, so it was time for a visit.

The dinner was great. By some stroke of luck we got our own table which was nice. We all were stuffed by the end of the meal. I felt like the guy from Monty Python’s Life of Brian (hope you all know what I mean). Everything that came off that hibachi was delicious, couldn’t get enough of it.

After we took some pictures in the rain of the building for this blog, we went home to digest some food before cake. A few hours later we sat around the table and had cake while I opened my presents. Everyone hates shopping for me because I either want stuff that is really expensive, I already own everything they think of, or the gift that they want to get me is technical so I would have to ensure they purchase the right one. I am a big movie buff and own quite the collection of DVDs, up near 400 last time I checked. Like usual, I only asked for some DVDs for my birthday. Love getting a whole bunch and adding to the collection.

To my surprise, my parents got me a very awesome gift. They gave me tickets to the 20 Mile Super Speedway Program from Stock Car Racing Experience at Pocono Raceway. This program puts you behind the wheel and driving a 600 hp Stock Car on the 2.5 mile Super Speedway for 8 laps, reaching speeds of 165mph. I am in 100% complete control of the car by myself. No instructors or experienced drives in the car with me, just me and an exact model NASCAR stock car. I don’t think awesome is quite a powerful enough word. I have to go through a few hours of lessons and training first, but I just can’t believe I get to drive the thing! I also get to go on a three lap ride along in the beginning, which is fun in itself. Can’t wait to experience 160mph G-force going through a turn with a 20+ degree embankment.

Enjoy some pictures from the night.

As you read from the previous post, February 21st was Jamie’s 21st birthday. To celebrate, Jamie’s sister, Casey, and I threw a small gathering of family at Bonefish Grill in Poughkeepsie, where Jamie likes to eat. Everything went really well, great service and food, everyone was happy. Jamie got nice presents from everyone and enjoyed the dinner.

After Bonefish we headed back to Casey’s in-laws house to play some card games until we were all ready to go out to the bar. Once all the food was digested, we headed out to the bar of Jamie’s choice. She chose to go to Mahoney’s Irish Pub at Dooley Square in downtown Poughkeepsie, near the train station. We all had a good time at Mahoney’s, a nice way to end the night. Here are some pictures from throughout the day.

Presents for Jamie - that cake box is awesome, isn't it?

Always read the cards first

Bonefish Grill in Poughkeepsie, NY

Jamie blowing out her candles - Pucker up!

Yummy bday cake

From left - Jamie's sister Casey, Jamie, Marie, and Matthew

Saturday night crowd at Mahoney's

Happy 21st Birthday Jamie!!

PPPPAAAAARRRRRRTTTTYYYYY!!!!!!

Now we can finally order a drink together when we eat out! :)

This past Tuesday was my mother’s birthday. We celebrated most of it on Sunday since everyone would be home and another celebration on the actual day. Basically I guess we like it when everyone’s home so we do it as much as possible, plus the cake is always good.

Jamie and I got her a gift certificate to one of her clothing stores and a reed difusser from Yankee Candle to put in the bathroom. She liked her gifts very much.

Here’s some of the pictures from the day.

Here’s the ice cream cake from the actual day. No one was at the store to put the word “mom” under Happy Birthday so I made it in the candles.

Before I start, this is the second post thats about a week late. I know, I know, I was busy what can I say.

My Uncle Jimmy turned 60 this past Sunday. My cousins threw him a surprise party at the Oyster Point Hotel in Red Bank, New Jersey. It was a very fancy hotel with great service and food. Uncle Jimmy received a very nice surprise gift, but you have to scroll through the pictures to see what it is!

Red Bank is a nice little city, nothing like the crappy parts of Jersey, which is almost the entire state. The catering room we were in overlooked the Navesink River. I wish I was the guy out on the jet ski, it was even hotter out than Saturday.

Again, forgot the camera. These were with the Treo again.

Here’s the Birthday Boy along with my Aunt Susan and sister, Katelyn, in the background. My aunt is going to kill me if she sees this!

Here’s almost everyone cramming for photos before we left. Now here comes the surprise gift.

My cousins got my uncle a 1968 Oldsmobile 442. He almost had a heart attack when it rolled up. He honestly didn’t know he was getting it nor it was his since we were in the valet area. Its a very nice classic. He used to have one, same year and tires, just he had the hard top.

It was a great party and good weekend full of awesome food, free beer, good views, great weather, and fun times with the whole family.

Well even though it was a horrible day (read previous post), it was still my birthday so I should at least post some pictures of the cake or something.

Here’s the dinky little thing they tried to give me at first, surprisingly good for a tiny cake!

And here is the real deal with the candles. You have to love ice cream cake!