Luke is now seven.

We had a party to prove it.


In keeping with tradition there was a birthday crown. Luke, still my sweet little boy wanted to wear his crown to school. I love that about Luke. He doesn't care what other people think about him one whit. He has the confidence to do what he likes and be who he is.


Some brotherly love.

Doesn't Luke look absolutely adorable. I wonder how much longer I will be able to use the word adorable or for that, want to? He he.


For dinner, there was beef on a bun. Try not to be disgusted by the fat being thrown down the drain. This is a great meal. Easy, delicious and everybody loves it.

Beef on a Bun

3 to 6 lb chuck roast
4 cups water
1 cup sherry
1 cup soy sauce
3 large rosemary twigs
1/2 T kosher salt
1 T thyme

Put all the ingredients in a crock pot for 6 to 12 hours, depending on when you remember you want to eat that evening.

Remove meat from crock pot, separate the fat and put back in the crock pot over low heat. Remove some of the beef juices and put it in one of those fat separators.

Caramelize 1 onion

Slice kaiser rolls in half, top with meat, onions and provolone or white cheddar cheese. Toast in oven just till cheese melts.

Serve with a tiny bowl of the beef beef juices.

Viola. You are a genius.


Buy them, no need to get all crazy and make them.


This photo is in now way related to the birthday celebrations but someone is looking too adorable to ignore.

Yay! Once I can no longer call Luke adorable, there's always Jack!


Now back to the party. Balloons, cake, presents.




Wishes were made.

Lily to Owen, "I want tend (ten) of dem, de pwincess."


We take our wishis very seriously.


He wished for a thousannnnnnnnnnnd more wishes.

Chad informed him that that wish is against the wish making rules. He then changed it to a thousannnnnnnnnnd video games.


Gifts were guessed on.






Happy birthday Luke. You are very loved. You're seven year old self is incredible. You have your dad's charms. You keep us and everyone you encounter in stitches. You're always saying some clever/funny thing. Very very often you will say something hilarious then your dad and I will lock eyes to communicate something silently. No words are necessary, we just take a moment and look at each other. We both already know what is happening in that moment.

. . .how proud we both are of you.