Friday, July 16, 2010

…one last birthday post…

 

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

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The crew of cousinsIMG_9608

 

Two of Drew’s favorite things: Papa and cupcakes :)IMG_9621

He was a little less shy about the singing of Happy Birthday this year.IMG_9622

make a wish baby boy!IMG_9625

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Why does Ethan look so old in this picture?!?IMG_9633

Lila also loves her some cupcakes IMG_9634

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Raquel heard that Drew loves Jessie from Toy Story.  Look what she did for him…..could she be any sweeter?!IMG_9640

He was so happy.IMG_9643

Drew and JessieIMG_9646

silly boy was thrilled with the Chargers bagIMG_9649

Thanking Uncle MannyIMG_9651

We know officially own every Toy Story 3 toy ever madeIMG_9654

Jett snuck off and got some scissors to break into the goodsIMG_9658

Thursday, July 15, 2010

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 :)

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Drew LOVED the book!IMG_9664

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2 hours is a long time to two little boys….luckily ipods and blackberrys are entertainmentIMG_9668

we waited……IMG_9671

…and waited….while walking around getting samples and posing for pics :)IMG_9673

and played a little football.  IMG_9687

Finally! Drew arrived, did a short interview….IMG_9694

and then we got to meet him! :)  IMG_9697

Here he is signing Luke’s book….IMG_9698

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!

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My Drew meeting his hero! :)

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Tuesday, July 13, 2010

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. 

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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”.

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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.  

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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.  

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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.  IMG_9082

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

Happy 4th of July!

It wouldn’t be the 4th of July if we didn’t hit up the La Cresta parade.

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Raquel, sporting her cap from a field trip this year and a crown for the 4th of July.  IMG_9388

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This was about the only time I was able to get Luke to stand still for a pic.  The rest of the time he was following Ethan around.IMG_9395

“Warren” aka Lawrence giving Drew some air..IMG_9400

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so happy.  and don’t you love Momo’s hat in the background? :)IMG_9404

Papa and his bike…he rode all the way to Oceanside last week.  Go Papa!IMG_9406

looks just like Lance Armstrong, right?!IMG_9407

and the parade…..superdogs…..IMG_9417

….war heroes….

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I have more pics from the Valdez’s annual party….so more to come!! :)

Sunday, July 11, 2010

…..and even more beach pictures… (aka, longest post ever)

 

here are a few more pictures from the beach….

momo and her mini me.

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luke and the ever popular muscle shotIMG_5168

we were trying to get a picture of them two of them.  Lila wasn’t having it…IMG_5172

one of my favorites of Papa and his boysIMG_5290

Luke was so excited about sand castle building. all. day. long.IMG_8886

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love the gut.IMG_8901

Drew was in heaven.IMG_8904

I am sure you will be seeing this pic on Erin’s blog but I took it and I love it, so I am posting it.   :)  Is she not the cutest little thing?!?IMG_8913

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Drew takes a ball everywhere.  EVERYWHERE.  Soccer is huge with him right now because of the World Cup.IMG_9077

My boys.IMG_9108

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Trying to get all four kids with Momo and Papa is nearly impossible.  IMG_9235

Awwww……. :)IMG_9288

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He had a permagrin the entire time.  This boy LOVES vacations!IMG_9346

and this is what Drew spent the majority of the time doing….IMG_9361

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He saw some bigger boys and tried to join in :)

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another year….another beach vacation done.  Thanks again to Momo and Papa……we had the greatest time.