Mark (and Friends) of Fridays: Honestly, Mark doesn't wear that shirt every day

Mark and Calvin

Mark and Elyse

Mark of Fridays: Unfrozen in Minnesota

Last week, The Family was lucky enough to go visit some of Matt's college friends, Luke and Eric; their respective wives, Tracy and Teri; and their equally respective children, Addy (3 months) and Carson (22 months). The picture on the right is an optical illusion: Mark is much bigger than Addy. But Addy is almost as cute as Mark.

Mark loved the zoo and seeing kids his own size. He also loved pulling out as much of Luke's grass as possible, staring at it and then letting it fall on the blanket that was brought out so that he didn't pull out all the grass. Ah, well.

Mark also loved visiting the zoo. He, of course, liked the monkeys. Who wouldn't? Inexplicably, he also loved the zebras. He started shrieking in delight and clapping when he saw the zebras walking. Odd.

And Mark liked meeting some new best friends. They're great kids in a great fan club.

Thank you very much

Some things Matt is thankful for on this Thanksgiving, 2007:

Matt is thankful for having a wonderful family. Specifically, Matt is blessed to have a mom and dad who have supported him, encouraged him and loved him. And a sister who always makes him proud, even though she recently admitted she thought Matt's room smelled throughout high school. (It was the running clothes!)

Come to think of it, Matt is thankful that his future in-laws (wow, that's first time he's actually said that- nice!) appear to think he's an all right guy. And everyone gets along, which is a blessing.

Matt's thankful for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Giant Snoopy's are cool.

Matt is thankful Ron Zook can recruit, water ski and coach a little, too. (See you in Arizona!)

Matt is thankful for good news for good friends. Mark and Katie are going to have a little second baseman. Congrats - it couldn't happen to nicer people.

Matt is thankful for good health.

Matt is thankful for vending machines. Otherwise, how would he eat lunch?

Matt is thankful for his mom's mashed potatoes and pizza and barbecue chicken and meatloaf and Irish soda bread and baked macaroni...

Matt is thankful for great books, great movies and great music.

Matt is thankful that Alex's house did not burn up in the California fires. That would have been bad.

Matt is thankful that this year he got to see Tom Glavine's 300th win and the 500th career homer by Jim Thome (aka Buzz Lightyear). It was once-in-a-lifetime amazing.

Furthermore, Matt is thankful that no one remembers what happened to the Mets this season. Ahem.

Matt is thankful that he works at a great newspaper, with great people. Matt doesn't forget that not everyone has a job, and even if they do, not everybody loves their work. And yet, Matt is thankful that he has today off.

Matt is thankful that he remembered to deodorize both arms this morning. That's progress. (Everyone else is thankful, too.)

Matt is thankful for his Aunt Nancy and Uncle Tom, hosting another great family feast. At the same time, Matt is thankful that he can totally rock at Guitar Hero.

Matt is thankful that his Dad did not get stuck in New Jersey. Instead he was home to get beat unmercifully in Phase 10!

Matt is thankful that he's been running more lately. It feels good.

Matt is thankful for Jones Soda. Mmmm, carbonated latke.

Oh yeah, and Matt is thankful that Lynne said yes!