Jonah's Mega-Uber-Ultimate 7th Sands Beach Club Birthday Bash

For some 7 year olds, a two-hour birthday party is usually the deal. However, when your playground is the Sands Beach Club - your birthday party suddenly takes on a whole life of it's own and the fun stretches on for hours. With my treasure hunt firmly established as a Memorial Day tradition (and more elaborate than ever) the kids of the Sands were grinning from ear to ear on the hunt to find the "buried gold" - both in the sand and sea (and pool). Then the dance contest got the kids shakin' their groove thang before smashing the Pinata to bits. No birthday at the Sands would be complete without dodgeball to cap off an incredible day. However, this year, we started it off by playing WATER BALLOON dodgeball! Jonah's cousins helped fill up about 125 water balloons for the game. Even the grown ups got in the mix and we played a round of water balloon tossing, before giving the field back to the kids for a massive 10 rounds of dodgeball. The day ended for Jonah with his family at Jordan's Lobster. Thank you to everyone who helped make Jonah's birthday blast one for the record books. I think I speak for almost everyone who was able to share in Jonah's joy when I say that it seemed like it was everyone's birthday party this past Sunday. :)

Thanks to Shannon and Kenny for helping me take pictures throughout the day. Here's a little gallery to give you a sense of the day. Enjoy!

Photo gallery

Gal & Michael Renew Their Vows in New Orleans

Ten years after Gal & I tied the knot, we shared an idea to show the kids what it was like to be in love and "get married" again. We believed the best possible way to do this was to renew or vows in the Garden District of New Orleans during Jazzfest. With Eden leading the procession in her gorgeous white flower-girl dress, she dropped white rose petals on the courtyard grounds of the charming and colorful Creole Gardens Inn. Since Eden had not yet been a flower girl, a big part of having the ceremony was for her. Kingsley & Lisa led the festivities and when we exchanged vows again, we did the same for Howard & Cindy. All the kids were there and we couldn't have picked a more perfect way to share with our friends and family an unforgettable morning.

Photo Gallery

Jazzfest 2007

Did I take my camera everywhere I went this year at Jazzfest? No. I set out to enjoy my vacation free of the lens a bit more than last year. However, when I did take it, I nailed a few gems. Here's a small sampling of The Radiators w/Little Feat's Paul Barrere (the grease was laid down thick at SNAFU), Michael Franti & Spearhead at HOB (epic), Stephen Marley at the Fairgrounds (He opened with "Sun is Shining"!!! Bob Marley was summoned and channeled thru his son), and Snooks w/George Porter.

Jazzfest 2007 Photos

Highlights I WISHED I caught on camera:

The Meters w/Derek Trucks - I've seen the Meters dozens of times, but never have I heard anything so fluid and soul-driven funk like I heard on Saturday night at the House of Blues. This show was the dark horse of the weekend and blew everyone away.

John Mayer - a personal highlight for me getting Jonah ONstage and watching John Mayer play from right next to Mayer's keyboard player. (Thank you Doug!)

Joss Stone - phew, can you say pipes??? Slinky dress and all - she played an incredible set and Jonah and Eden and the Sanders kids, Casey and Dylan were escorted to the front of the stage in the media riser to watch her. I know Jonah was psyched. She threw long stemmed lilies to the kids after her encore.

Dumpstaphunk - 110 degree inside Tipitina's did NOT stop the funk - it only FUELED IT. There is no stopping Dumpstaphunk, they continue to rein supreme as the funkiest band on the planet.

It was a super quality friends and family Jazzfest. Joy can't even begin to describe the weekend that we had together. The one and only problem with Jazzfest...is the end of it. The re-entry back into reality is the toughest thing to do when experiencing such joyous heights.

For your movie viewing enjoyment, check out this little snippet that Jill Vandercar took of one MJ introducing the Rads for the 2nd set of GREASE SNAFU (thank you Kingsley!)

Jurick video intro

Enjoy All!

-MJ