Drea turns Nine

I feel like this birthday post is always the same.  I would go back and read through the previous years' birthday posts, but I am not going too.  If you want to you can, but I am sure it is the same.  I typically, say I can't believe how big she is getting or how old she is acting.  Maybe, I say she needs to slow down and stop growing.  Perhaps I say, I am getting old.  (This can not possibly be true, can it?)  Sure all of that stuff is true, but I am not going to say it.  This year I am going to do something different.  So here we go...

Drea,

Daddy is proud of you.  Daddy thinks the world of you.  You amaze me with how much you have grown.  You are brilliant.  I shouldn't tell you this already, but you are way smarter than me.  You probably already know this.  Humor me and pretend that you are not, for a little longer.

I could say so much about you, but there isn't enough room and I know I would forget something.  The one thing that makes me the most proud of you is how you care for your sister.  I know she can be challenging at times, but you look after her, you protect her, and you care about her.  Because of all of that, she looks up too you.  You may not see it, but she does.

I love your laugh.  You have the best laugh in the entire world.  My favorite is still trying to convince you to stick your arms up while promising that I won't tickle you.  You give in every time and every time I still tickle you.  Please don't stop giving in because your laugh is contagious.

I love how you have gotten into College Sports.  Maybe you really like it or maybe it's because I like it so much.  Either way, I love sharing this with you.  I hear Mommy has been catching you watching ESPN.  Amazing.

I love how many questions you ask.  It's constant.  Your mind must be going a hundred miles an hour.  You name it and you ask it.  I won't lie to you, at some point I was like please stop asking me so many questions.  But I was wrong for thinking like that.  Don't ever stop asking questions.  Ever, Ever, Ever.  Your thirst for knowledge is what makes you so smart.

You are my favorite nine year old.  I am proud of you and nothing you ever tell me will make me not love you.  There is absolutely nothing that you can say that will change that.  Do not be afraid to ever say anything to me.

Lastly and most importantly, I love you.  I know I tell you this all the time, but don't forget it.

Love, Daddy

P.S. - Here some pictures and videos of your party, you had a blast!

Drea's Birthday Cake...Stacey designed and made it

Drea's Birthday Pic with complete face paint, Thanks Frankie

Charlotte and Poppy Jo

Opening Presents

Drea and her Friends

Here are two videos from Drea's Party, the first is us singing Happy Birthday, the second is opening one of her presents...Enjoy!

Christmas Catch-up

Christmas was a busy time for us this year.  I am sure we are not the only ones.  The girls' were super busy as we tried to balance out time between families.  We typically don't travel to NJ over Christmas, but were able to this year.  The main reason we went was for my cousin Lauren's wedding.  We had a wonderful time and enjoyed seeing family members that we have not seen in over a year.

In the past we have made cookies, but this year we decorated ginger bread men.  The girls were very creative in their designs.  They were not a fan of the ginger bread.  Next year, we will just go with the sugar cookie man.

Here is Charlotte's cookie

Drea taking her time to perfect her cookie

Drea's Cookie

The girls' also continue to dance.  This year is the big spring dance recital, but there is always a smaller Christmas program.  Both of the girls danced and did a wonderful job.

This is Charlotte's dance...it is about two minutes long...see if you can find her

Here is Drea...she is a little bit easier to find