The Drakester Is 10!!!

Drake turned 10 today!

Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday we were coming home from the hospital a few days before Christmas. He arrived 2 1/2 weeks earlier than expected.

Drake is smart, athletic and fun. He's a friend to many. He can be fast and furious on the soccer field or perched and patiently poised in a deer stand.

We've phased out birthday "parties" in our home but let the birthday girl or boy choose a family meal and activity. Instead of going out to eat, Drake selected JJ's delicious wings. He also wants to go see the latest Chipmunk movie. We're going to do that next week when the Christmas rush has passed.

Yummy! (they beat any local establishment's wings by far)

Instead of a birthday cake, Drake asked for a pumpkin pie!

May the next 10 years be even better than the first 10. We love you Drake!

We're Even!

J.J. turned 37 today! Now we're the same age.......well, at least we will be for the next 15 days.

Nope, there's nothing wrong about being married to a younger man. But, he certainly doesn't look his age. I do like that he's been sporting a goatee and a moustache for the past few years.

That way I don't get mistaken for his mother. Well, I guess I need to be honest here. Only a handful of people have had the audacity to think I'm his mother. Happy birthday to my young stag. May the LORD continue to grant you wisdom as the leader of our household. You are a godly husband and an extraordinary father to our children. I love you dearly!

Birthday Boy

Here are 8 shots of Drake on his 8th birthday:

We spent a few hours at Funigan's to celebrate Drake turning eight. Happy Birthday!!!

Wild Wings-N-Things

We hosted a youth event at our home tonight.....Wild Wing Wednesday. J.J. made his delicious wings.

They were a hit.

After we ate, we hung out. Or up, in Drake's case.

Some of the students who went on the Cherokee Mission Trip shared of their experience.

We had a good time.

My dad celebrated his 64th birthday Saturday, July 11th. Here he is with the kids.

And me.

Hayden got his birthday bike Saturday, too. He turned 9 on July 8th, while we were at Lake Sinclair.

both boys riding

Corinna's been waiting to hold Tori. She finally got her chance.

a close-up of the cousins

We got together for a bit today. Chase and Brady (and Jonathan and Melissa) left Lexington today to start anew in Richmond. We wish them well!

Funigans

Corinna was invited to Seth's 5th birthday party at Funigan's in Winston. Here is Corinna pictured with the birthday boy. Seth is in her CBS class on Thursdays.

Corinna is ready to use her cup of tokens. It didn't take very long to do so.

Someone climbs on the rock wall. Corinna wasn't quite old enough for this activity, but that day will be here before I know it.

Whoah baby, look at these tickets. As a party guest, Corinna was awarded 300 tickets, so she was able to pick several goodies from the prize counter. She earned about 75 on her own, but kindly gave away about 25 of them to the kid behind us who didn't have many. I thought that was a sweet gesture, and she thought of it all on her own.

Corinna takes a drive in the kiddie car. She must be in Europe since she is driving on the right side.

Flashback Friday: Say (Chuck E.) Cheese

Corinna, Hayden, and Drake say cheese as they pose with Chuck E. Cheese.

We gathered at Chuck E. Cheese's in Winston to celebrate my nephew Brady's 2nd birthday. This was in mid-October. Here are the cousins dancing together. I am not sure where Olivia was..... maybe she was scared of the large, furry mouse. Olivia is my niece who turned 2 in September.

The dancing continues.

Everyone anticipates eating the yummy chocolate cake.

The birthday boy does a fine job of blowing out the candles.