Scott turns 55, then moves onward to the Challenge!

May 10, 2024

For the record, I know quite a few people who have a birthday on April 30th. The crazy thing is if you google "how common are birthdays in April," it's actually not as common as August or September. These are the "highest" birth months (think Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks 😆).

But even driving around the neighborhood we found that someone else was celebrating a birthday so naturally I had to make the birthday boy stop....by the fire hydrant. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Scott's birthday was a chill day that was celebrated with a few friends who were off from work that day! Thanks guys...it was so fun to hang out (and I could tell all of our kids LOVED it).

Naturally it's almost sinful to not walk over to Denucci's and get some ice cream.

Thank you to everyone who helped me get Scott a firefighter shirt for his birthday! He has been wearing one each day since!

Each shirt has a memory of good friendships and a story to tell. This is what the firefighter community is all about.

These shirts came from all over, ranging from Italy to Florida and they are all pretty unique and cool.

Due to the fact that we don't have a home address just yet and that I was having them sent to my mom's, I know there are still a few more shirts enroute! It makes me so happy to see Scott so happy.

Like I have said before, he is forever a firefighter and forever part of the fire community.

The next day we drove down the peninsula of Florida (wow, it's a very long state) and ended up in Palm Beach County for the Special Event Firefighting Challenge held at Palm Beach State College Fire Academy. Click here to head to the firefighting challenge website.

Dubbed by ESPN as the "Toughest 2 minutes in Sports," Scott is having a blast challenging his body through the skills-based obstacle course.

Although not as fast as 2 minutes, Scott did shave off a full minute off his previous time and was pleased with his results (4:03:73). Scott's determined to become a member of the Lion's Den which requires a race time of 2:30 for his age group (the younger folks have to reach 100 seconds or 1:40).

Scott has an amazing friend and mentor, Roy, who is a Lion's Den member. He is giving Scott new tips as Scott learns the ropes! I think Roy and Scott were the only retired firefighters at this particular event.

How cool that they used to work with each other at the United States Air Force Academy Fire and Emergency Services!

There is one significant part about heading to South Florida that Scott absolutely loves...the colada (Cuban coffee). The further south Scott goes, the better they get.

Colada is meant for sharing. It is served in a larger cup and comes with the smaller cafecito cups. But... Scott doesn't get the smaller cafecito cups! He drinks the whole larger cup ------talk about a jolt of energy! (He will share with Eli)

While down south, we met up with our friends, Ron and Carol. We met these amazing people in Los Gigantes, a resort town in the Santiago del Teide municipality on the west coast of the Canary Island Tenerife. How cool to keep in contact and see them again!

Ron and Carol hung out with us as we all cheered on Scott and then we went to Benny's on the Beach to celebrate! WHOA! Seriously the best seafood I have ever eaten! I give it a 5 star for both food and service.