Over the weekend, my wife, Christy and I took our oldest son to a University of Kentucky basketball game.  Great fun!  They played the Universtity of Tennessee and won the game.  It was my son’s first trip to Rupp Arena, a place of “pilgrimage” for many Kentuckians!

I’ve begun to feel very old with this birthday – can’t believe we’re parents of a pre-teen!  He’s a great young man and I look forward to seeing how God shapes his life over the next few years.

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Some family pictures from the birthday …

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The latest exploits of our family’s labrador retriever, Bella.

Our 9 year old daughter dressed up Bella.  I’m not sure the “look” she was going for!  Notice the belt and purse (top left)!  And then the “close up” with the wig – does she look happy?!  In another “dress up” session, the dog came away with a University of Kentucky Wildcats basketball t-shirt (top right).

Bella has been a pillow for all our kids at one time or another.  Here she is cuddled up with our oldest son (lower left).  Last summer, she entertained us at the lake, chasing sticks and swimming for hours.  And she spent her first Christmas with our family this past year.

“Animals are such agreeable friends – they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.” 

- George Eliot