Taylor's birthday was a four-day long party this year.  On Friday, we went to dinner with friends to Red Rock Canyon Grill.  On Saturday, just Taylor and I went to Chilis and to see the Avengers (Taylor's new favorite movie and I really liked it, too),

on Sunday, we grilled fajitas in the back yard with the Dickersons. Taylor's dad and Donna got the Fajita meat, vegetables and spices from an authentic Mexican store--the kind where you hope the one guy that speaks English is there on the day you go.  They were so very, very yummy.  I made pina coladas.  I just bought pineapple juice and cream of coconut and added ice in the blender.  So good.

And then Taylor opened gifts.  He got a gun.  Thank you to the Fabers and the Dickersons for pitching in to get this.  Taylor has been wanting one for a long time.

Taking apart and cleaning the gun with the cleaning supplies Haylee and Josh got him.

On Monday, we had a family party with just the kids.  Taylor's boss took him out to lunch and friends stopped by with well wishes and family called to sing to him.  As part of his gift, I printed out several  years of his journal and added photos to match the time frames.  Taylor has a journal entry for every day since January 2001.

And we don't even know who dropped this by!  So cute--I think I will be stealing this idea in the future.

The traditional cake.

The handsome birthday boy.

One candle came back this year!  Oh man, and he has to wait a whole year to try again.

We love you Taylor!