Funny guy

What happened to my baby?  And, where did that toddler of mine go?

Vanished.

They are gone.  This boy is in the place of them....

...luckily I like this goofy kid a lot.  He has an attitude sometimes....he makes me laugh with his independent play and talking.  He talks to the dogs, "Phoebe, no scared. I'm a big boy."  (or something along those lines.)  Playing in the bath, "I peed.  I peed.  Uh-oh.  I peed."  And then there are the times when he catches us laughing...oh boy!  Watch out, whatever it was that we were laughing at, we get LOTS of it!  The boy loves to entertain!  I laugh harder at this kid than I have since I met Aunt Melissa when I was just a kid!

Celebrate, we will!

Derek's birthday 'present' was an evening of fun.  Oma and Opa babysat for Cole.  He was in good, good hands.

I surprised Derek with a day out with friends.  We began at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery for a tour.

the tour begins

clydesdales and a bridge of pipes filled with beer.

the Clydesdale stables

beechwood aging

Augustus Busch, his empire, and a lesson on the making of Budwieser

the straining process and lots of photo opportunities

lots to see...we were getting thirsty...

the bottling/packaging line, not in motion today

almost there

the reward for our learnings.

And on to the Broadway Oyster Bar....

good friends

good tunes and low lighting (=blurry photos)

good oysters

good times.

I hope you enjoyed your day/gift, Derek.  You deserve nights like these...filled with friends and fun!  Cheers!

bathtime games

First, you call to Daddy and wait.

...then Daddy comes and is SO scary and FUNNY!

So, you laugh....

AND LAUGH...

AND LAUGH, LAUGH, LAUGH!

Happy 33rd, Love.

Happy Birthday, Derek. It was a simple day, just work and life...and celebrating you. We were a one car family today, so I drove you to work and gave you and IOU book on the way with some candy. When I picked you up I had Captain and cookies waiting for you. The evening was low key as it was snowing.
We love you enormously, Derek. I hope we can help make your 33rd year the best.
Love,
Jenny & Cole

Up

Movie Night in the Albracht House:  Up.

We got *Up* as our Netflix pick. It was so fun to watch a movie with you, Cole! You really enjoyed the movie and found a few parts scary. Daddy and I enjoyed the movie as much or more than you! I think this one is worth buying! I would love to snuggle you and watch it many more times.