Saunders Excellent Adventures

Kyle's 18th Birthday

Part 2

Someone -- who shall remain nameless -- went a little crazy on balloons.

Kyle loves balloons and letting them go -- so why not?

Kyle opened his gifts from the family on Friday night instead of his birthday -- because Scott could come after work, and be there with us. He was meticulous, and orderly, opening the cards first and then gifts.

Kyle has been obsessed with emergency vehicles and with the people who wear the uniforms. I blame the movie, "Firehouse Dog". Every time we would go to the store, he would put one of these vehicles in our cart, and we would say, "Not today." Which didn't sit well with him, because rarely does he hear the word, "NO".

So, for his birthday he got both of them.

And no one can play with them but him!

Sunny -- modeling all the clothes Kyle wasn't interested in....she has a few layers on....

We were pretty happy -- because it's not often that Kyle plays with the toys he gets for his birthday or Christmas -- but he played with these all night long -- and every day since.

And yes -- he made videos with his phone of them with lights and siren blaring and as they drove over the carpet.

We went out to dinner for Kyle's birthday -- we go out for everyone's birthday, but this day, it was double-duty. Our favorite waitress at Outback Steakhouse, (yes, you read that right. We have a favorite and we go often enough to know most of them by name) Krystal, was having her last day on Father's Day....so she can finish school she had to change locations....

So we went to dinner at Outback with Susan and Ray Skinner, Laura and Brad Price, Sunny, Jon, Kyle and I....we told Scott he couldn't go with us, since Derek couldn't be there either -- NOT! Scott had to work. Derek couldn't come home.

Jon, Ray and Susan

Sunny, Kyle and Me

You will notice that Kyle is pulling a face in EVERY picture! He would smile really nice and then as soon as you snapped he'd pull a face, and in the delay -- you'd get the goofy face....little toad!

This is Krystal! We love Krystal...she made sure that Kyle had fries the moment that we sat down, and just kept bringing them the moment his plate was empty. She also gave Kyle a card and a $25 Target gift card for his birthday.

Krystal also goes to Mariner's spring training every year -- and every year -- for the past three, since we've known her -- she brings Kyle a t-shirt from spring training. It's really hard not to love someone who loves this boy and treats him like a king!

Laura and Brad

This is Matthew and Stephanie

they are the managers at Outback! They always stop and talk to us, and tonight they came with a "take-out" bag, with an Outback t-shirt and Outback pins for Kyle's birthday.

Opening his gift from Matthew and Stephanie.

It's really very humbling to watch the goodness of people who respond to Kyle and spoil him, and who spoil us because of him.

French fries -- and ketchup -- Kyle is becoming a "dipper".

Susan -- Krystal bringing Kyle a scoop of ice cream with a candle -- Laura

Kyle blew out the candle, but didn't take a single bite of ice cream, although he did....

There's that face again....

....put some on a spoon -- but that's as far is it got.

Jon and Ray -- the "masked men" -- Brad refused to have anything to do with them.

Laura, Loretta, Me, Susan

Who's idea was it to lift our legs? Loretta!

Susan indulging Kyle in a dance -- I told you -- no one ever tells him "No"......except maybe Brad, and then he just says, "No! Only one order of fries", but still buys him the fries.....heehee.

This boy dearly loves to dance!

Baby Raegan -- we love this baby girl!

Light sabers with Jake and Amanda

Birthday CAKE!

Everyone singing -- it brings to mind the movie, "Galaxy Quest" where the doctor mutters to the other 'crew' members as the "Captain" reviews the Thermian troups, "It's like throwing gasoline on a fire".