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Tough question!  Regardless of the answer, we all have something to be thankful for, right?  I mean…70 today is like being 45 yesteryear…life is just getting started!  And dressing up in blue formal uniforms always makes for a happy day…I guess…right Mark?  Mark?

Happy Thanksgiving!  And Happy Birthday!  Poppop turned 70, and he was able to join us to celebrate his birthday and Thanksgiving.  Cake!  Candles!  A kid!

Poppop knows how to celebrate in style, and so does Paris.  She’s got her eyes on those candles, and she wants to blow ‘em out and get on with the cake eating part.

With the help of high speed photography, we manage to capture the candle dousing moment despite the inherent dangers involved in getting between a six year old and cake…

Plotting, scheming, planning…that cake is history.

Yeah baby…gimmie the icing on that candle.  Poppop and Paris…doing “birthday” the way it’s meant to be done.  Happy Birthday Poppop!

That’s the 70 half of the equation…how ’bout Mark?

Kristin and Cameron allowed our Boy in Blue back in New Jersey for the short Thanksgiving break.  I have it on good authority that Mark actually gave Kristin a meaningful hug upon first seeing her!  Duck!  Lightning!

As you all know, on Monday and Tuesday Mark was lucky enough to travel to DeKalb, IL to see Navy Football pound Northern Illinois University 16-0.  Pregame, Mark was hanging with some pretty damn impressive company in the warmth of indoors –

To Mark’s left is Capt. Klunder, Commandant of Midshipmen.  The man is a god — everyone knows how we feel about him.  To Mark’s far left (on the end) is the Brigade Commander (hence all the stripes on his sleeve). The Brigade Commander is the senior in charge of all 4,000 plus midshipmen.  He’s kinda like a Class President on steroids…and with a lot more responsibility.  He also happens to be in Mark’s Company.  Super, super guy…the only Detailer that never raised his voice over Plebe Summer.  What’s that tell you?

In between the Brigade Commander and Commandant Klunder is one of Mark’s cross country teammates.  The guys to Mark’s right are also teammates, with the guy on the end being one of the fastest runners on the East Coast.  A great group of guys!

Ahhh…and here we have the Commandant doing what he does best — rallying the Brigade!  There were only 200 midshipman at the NIU/Navy game, and they were stuck down by the end zone in some pretty crappy seats.  So the cheerleaders hoisted Capt. Klunder up, gave him a megaphone, and he led a polite rally.  “I do believe we’re going to emerge victorious!”  Kinda funny…okay, maybe you had to be there…

And finally, well…the blue formal part.  I sent info a few days ago aiming interested parties at a web site that showcased Mark’s formal portraits.  According to our favorite midshipman, he was very, very busy on picture day.  Karen wasn’t there to comb his hair for him.  He never “rigs” his formal uniform because he’s too busy running cross country or track…all in all, the list of excuses for these wonderful shots is a long one.  So here’s a preview…whatever you do, don’t tell anyone I copied it.  It’s unlawful.

French cuffs?  I’m impressed…