whobody took their friends to a game?

I know Keaton's birthday was actually a few weeks ago....but I am a little behind on my blog. :)  For this being the 'slowed down' time of year, we have sure been busy.

Keaton turned 8...and has REALLY grown up over the past year. He is becoming a little man before my eyes.  I cannot tell you how OLD he is seeming to be...and has all of a sudden become in this last 12 months. Suddenly we have a tall kid who is coordinated, and really getting into sports.  He loves to play, watch and talk about baseball and basketball.  His strength has improved so much in the last year too! It is really fun to see him grow up *but unbelievable too.  Sadly, it is hard to even remember him Nash's age....or Cruz's for that matter.

Keaton is still as sweet and kind and caring as he has always been. He is very tender hearted (sometimes to a fault....) and wears his heart on his sleeve. He is an excellent big brother and truly watches out for Lola at school...and tries to keep Nash in line at home...and is really becoming Cruz's best buddy....playing with him all the time and teaching him new tricks.  He even lowered the basketball hoop in his room so Cruz could make baskets.

I am going to share the pictures from Keaton's birthday "party" with his friends.  Instead of having friends over to our house....we went on a little adventure with them!  We took Keaton and 3 of his friends to the last UNI Panther's home basketball game in Cedar Falls.  Before the game, we ate at Applebee's and I cannot even TELL you how well behaved the kids were! Keaton was the only one who even got squirrelly...and I think that was just because he was so happy. The boys were all extremely polite and calm and happy the whole trip. 

(Jason and I decided that this trip was much easier than one with our 4 kids....)

We opened the presents before our food came....he got lots of great gifts.

I do think his favorite gift was the one that included CASH!!! 

He thought that $2 was pretty cool!

(oh, to be eight again...)

The boys all ate an excellent meal and then I had the waitress bring them dessert...and slyly handed her the candles to put in Keaton's.  (She was extremely cooperative!)

We then headed to the game. It was so much fun!  The boys enjoyed walking around and taking in all the sights!  (This birthday party was MUCH easier than one at home....right down to the ordered dessert at the restaurant!)

The boys all really got INTO the game and had so much fun.  

After the game, they got to join the other kids running around down on the court! 

They played tag (or something like that) 

and had a wonderful time.  We then loaded up in the car and drove everyone back home.  They talked the whole way home...and I think we finally had everyone dropped off by midnight! Yikes, that was late, but totally worth it.

I think he had an excellent time, and was very proud to share his love of the Panthers with his friends.  This birthday party was a lot easier than our usual ones for me too....no food to make, no house to clean, no cake to bake, no games to plan......We will have to keep this one in mind for next year....(as long as they are offering $5 tickets again....) 

 I love to see Keaton with his friends! 

He IS growing up way too fast though....