Yesterday there was a major milestone in our family. Jude turned 18. Yes, it has been 18 years since Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2006, when Jude was born at Swedish Hospital in Denver.

In many ways that feels like yesterday but in other ways it feels like Jude has always been with us. As parents it is a little surreal. We now have another adult in the family and soon he will be leaving home and finding his way in the world.

The day started off like most Saturdays these days with some soccer on TV. Arsenal was playing and as Jude hoped they scored a comfortable victory in their Premier League match. It was a great way to start off the birthday celebration. Anna was working at the JCC so we celebrated with birthday cake when she came home.

Jude decided he wanted a steakhouse dinner for his birthday and we suggested the Buckhorn Exchange, the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Denver, established in 1893. They are a Denver institution with Presidents and a whole host of famous people who have dined there. And the decor is quite something with dozens of mounted animals on the walls. Jude loved it.

Today, we were up bright and early to drive to Iowa for Thanksgiving week. We left just before 8:30am and made excellent time to arrive here before 7pm CST. We will be staying here all week.