Luke's Family Party pictures courtesy of Erika

We had a great time celebrating Luke's birthday with the family.  I wish we could have had more of a turn out, for Luke's sake, but I enjoyed how quiet and calm it was.  Nate's parents came and my Mom and Simon.  I asked the kids if they wanted to discontinue the family party thing (as I have several times :) ), since people's lives are getting too busy for it, and they refused.  So they must like it at least a little.  It was nice time with Nate's parents, they came a little early and so we were able to visit a lot.  I do enjoy the one on one setting so much better than larger groups.  Doesn't make a whole lot of sense with the wanting a big family thing :), but oh well.  Happy 9th Birthday, Luke! 2-2-15

So, Erika discovered that she enjoys taking pictures!  And after finally uploading my camera, I discovered that she's pretty good at it!  So, here are a whole bunch of pictures from Luke's party that have very little to do with Luke and his birthday :), great pictures nonetheless.

I think I took these of Lukey opening his presents

Kelly made him these really cute cards, this particular one was a pop-up one.  Way cute.  She's very thoughtful.

I think this is Grandpa Russ trying to convince Luke that he needs his birthday spankings.

Erika's got the camera again :)

Look, she does exist! (meaning me.  very few pictures of myself these days.... possibly a good thing, but I like having one or two here and there for posterity's sake)

The great thing about having short people take pictures are the flattering angles of course.

We served lasagna for dinner, minus the lasagna noodles.... with spiral pastas instead.

I'm just impressed someone got a picture of grandma with both eyes open... Erika, you win!

I think I already documented the story about me wimping out of making his cake.  It was going to be a really cool basketball one...  such a pity that this ice cream cake was missing the delicious cookie inside.  I think everyone was slightly disappointed, though no one as much as me.  I had to get orange writing so that the girliness of the pink didn't take over.  Luke does love strawberry cheesecake though :)

We had a little karaoke night, the girls sang a song from Rigoletto for Grandma Ruthie.

What a handsome little guy.  I love my Lukey.

Luke and Brad did a little number as well... it's the parody version of "Ready to Wack You" that goes with some video game... no, that's not really what the song is called, that's just what I call it.  I'll remember the real words later.

I think Luke had a good enough time.  

One of the things I love most about Luke is that he is himself.  He rarely does things just to please others.  He only does what he feels like doing.  I love his cuddly nature even though he turns it into obnoxiousness sometimes :).  But I love that he knows how to have fun too.  He is a goof ball.  Always has been.  We love his sense of humor and his easiness to it.  He is usually happy.  It's not always visible, but all it takes is a little tickle and he's there :), laughing his head off.  He's a great student, his teachers always talk about how they love him and think he's good at everything.  He kind of is.  One of his talents.  He is growing up to be such a cool kid.  I'm really proud of him.  I can't believe he's nine!!