Derek's 10th birthday

The Ely family is now full of double digits, no more single digits in our family. :) Derek is the most amazing boy I've ever met. He is so naturally happy and upbeat. Just being around him helps me to be happy and see the best in everything, I am so greatful that I have the opportunity to be in his life and be touched by his incredible personality.

This is the start to his wonderful day.

Here is Derek and Hannah on their way to start their day.

Derek opening up his presents. Derek was excited and appreciative of every present, his happiness and appreciation are so infectious. I truly love being around him. His appreciation for the little things in life helps to make my life so exciting.

Here is the book, "Happy Birthday to You", a tradition that I have with the kids every year at the end of their special day, we read the book together. Both kids really look forward to this time and even though we read it together every year they both still love the book and the the time together.

This is the restaurant that Derek chose to go to. Again, here is another of the thousands of reasons why it is so easy to love him. He chose the restaurant, "Tio's". He knows that this is his Dad's and Hannah's favorite restaurant. This has also been a restaurant that has long family ties, as we have been going there even before both of the children were born, and we know the owners well. Derek is always so concerned for others and wants to have family unity and tradition. This has been important to him since he was a small child. I love and admire that so much in him. There is so much that I learn from him and cherish about him.

Derek chose to go to his Pack Meeting the night of his birthday. That is Derek, he enjoys doing the right thing, making right choices. It makes him happy to know that he is doing the right thing. He wanted us to have dinner early so that he could make it to his pack meeting and be where he knew he needed to be. Like I said, I have so much to admire about my Small Bear!

This is August 29, 2009. These are Derek's friends that came to celebrate him. From the left, Branston, Cristian, his wonderful, amazing, beautiful, funny, sister, Hannah, Sam, and Karl, and of course, the reason for the celebration, Derek.


Outside of our house. Derek loves super heroes. He sure is my super hero.


Outside of the house with his birthday sign. On our way to the bowling alley.



The whole gang of great friend to Derek.

Having fun and helping others to have fun, he excels in this area and I LOVE that!Derek's birthday cake. He loves Star Wars right now.One last shot of the gang. Everyone looking so cool and most importantly, HAPPY. I overheard a couple of his friends saying to Derek that they did not want the day to end. I loved hearing that.