land of the free and home of the brave!

 

After our La Cresta parade, we hit up the annual 4th of July day bash at the Valdes.

The boys found Max’s stash of Nerf gear and a war broke out.  Jett and Uncle Sean “hiding” from the Files boys.  Doesn’t Jett look menacing?

 

…here they come!

way to step into the line of fire boys

Jett and Uncle Sean’s gun got jammed so Drew declared himself the winner! :)

  in action….

 

Luke’s favorite was the scope

 

 

 

so patriotic, huh?!

showing the muscles

 

Thanks again for another great party Valdes family!  Our kids look forward to it every year….only a few more years and they will be able to participate in the water polo matches!! :)

…one last birthday post…

 

We are apparently turning into the family that never stops celebrating birthdays! 

The crew of cousins

 

Two of Drew’s favorite things: Papa and cupcakes :)

He was a little less shy about the singing of Happy Birthday this year.

make a wish baby boy!

 

 

 

Why does Ethan look so old in this picture?!?

Lila also loves her some cupcakes

 

Raquel heard that Drew loves Jessie from Toy Story.  Look what she did for him…..could she be any sweeter?!

He was so happy.

Drew and Jessie

silly boy was thrilled with the Chargers bag

Thanking Uncle Manny

We know officially own every Toy Story 3 toy ever made

Jett snuck off and got some scissors to break into the goods

Drew….Drew Brees

Our family has a huge amount of love for Drew Brees.  You might even say he slightly influenced the naming of our son :) So when we heard Drew was going to be at a book signing the day before Drew’s bday…we knew we had to head down to San Diego.  We had no idea how crowded it would be so we got there about 2 hours early.  We were 10th in line :)

Drew LOVED the book!

 

 

 

2 hours is a long time to two little boys….luckily ipods and blackberrys are entertainment

we waited……

…and waited….while walking around getting samples and posing for pics :)

and played a little football. 

Finally! Drew arrived, did a short interview….

and then we got to meet him! :) 

Here he is signing Luke’s book….

and then meeting little Drew.  ok, so it was a pretty fast conveyer belt of people getting their books signed.  Well, a newspaper reporter heard me say my Drew’s name…as soon as she did she kept trying to get our little Drew to turn around and get his pic taken with Drew Brees.  Calling Drew repeatedly did not get my Drew to turn around but did get the attention of famous Drew.  He then realized that we were calling little Drew and he said, “ohh…a little Drew!”  It was cute…and I guess you had to be there. :) HA!

My Drew meeting his hero! :)

Happy 3rd Birthday Drew!

Our little Drew,

Oh how 3 years goes by so fast…You are very excited about turning 3, although if anyone asks you usually say you are 4 or 5.  :) Oh so silly.  That silliness has brought our family immeasurable joy.  When we share our highs and lows at dinner every night, you always always make our family laugh.  Whether it is a funny about your day or the fact that you rarely, if ever, have a low, you have added so much to our little family.  You can make your brother giggle a laugh that we never can.  Even though you are the little brother, we know that Luke looks up to you in ways that will only continue as you get older. 

 

I think you are exactly what your Daddy ordered.  You have a love of sports that only a daddy could love.  We don’t go anywhere without you wanting to take a football, baseball or soccer ball.  Your days are spent asking anyone to “pitch” to you.  Every. single. day. you ask to wear a football jersey and a helmet.  You also continuously tell people that your name is “Drew Brees”.

 

We also rarely go anywhere without your superhero cape.  But for every all boy thing you do, there is a softness there.  A sweet, tender side that we never want to see disappear.  Your favorite character from Toy Story is Jessie….because “her my favorite”  Oh how you are an animal lover.  You will sneak downstairs at night, long after we have tucked you in, because you need to give Marley just a little more love.  

Drew, you challenge me daily to be a better parent.  I always say that you are harder for me to figure out because we are so different.  But you have completely and totally changed our lives.  We can say, with no reservations, that you have us wrapped around your finger.  You are fiercely loyal but your love doesn’t always come easy.  You make people earn it, but man oh man, when they do, you love with your whole heart.  

Drew, we have so many dreams and hopes for you…we want you to grow up happy, with a desire to always do the right thing, to continue to see the world, through those big blue eyes, as a world full of possibilities.  With your determination, there is truly nothing you can’t do. 

We pray that you remain strong about your convictions. We pray that you continue to love with your whole heart…it is one of your strongest qualities.  We pray that you continue to have a passion about life.  You live fully every day and we want to see that well into your future.  You are destined for greatness…we can’t wait to sit back and watch the journey of your life.  Whether you become a fireman or a teacher, a musician or a football star, a doctor or a pilot, we are and will always be your hugest fans.  Shoot for the moon little man, it is well within your reach. 

You steal our hearts every single moment.  We love you!

Happy Birthday little buddy!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy