In keeping with Matt's post below I wanted to share of photo of myself invoking Brian spirit in Idaho this past summer. This picture was taken somewhere deep in the Frank Church Wilderness area of central Idaho on our trip down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.

It was costume night and, as always, I tried to make Brian proud...

 

Brian would have loved this and probably still had a hand in it someway.

Patrick channeling his “inner Brian” while go-karting!

We have been fortunate to go on several fun trips this summer.  As usual, we went to Door County Wisconsin and helped the economy.  The kids love all the fun stuff to do and the adults (per contract with the Wisconsin Economic Development Fund) shop and gain a guaranteed 10 pounds. 

 

The favorite event is go-karting.  Patrick is especially good since he can drive well and only weighs 90 pounds.  Thus, he is much faster than almost everyone.  As the following story will indicate, I could tell Brian was with Patrick.  My loving son passed me with a huge smile on his face.  He proceed to get in front of me, thrust his right arm triumphantly in the air and put his index finger up in an “I am number one” salute.  He held his arm up for about ten seconds and even gave a patented “McCormick head nod” with glee. 

 

Many of you will know Brian also used this move - especially during go-kart racing - and probably tried to trademark it as well.  I laughed out loud.  I was proud of Patrick and struck with the fact that Brian would have done the exact same thing (after trying to put me into the wall!)