My Baby's No Baby Anymore

Dylan on his 18th birthday: July 1, 2015!

That's it. There are no more minors in my family. Sarah is 25, Jacob is 24, and now my baby is 18. Where has the time gone?

It's hard to get a serious picture with this family!

Yesterday we had Dylan's birthday party and, miracle of miracles, everyone was able to be there. Danielle didn't get off work until after 6:00 and Sarah didn't get off work until 6:30, which meant we didn't have dinner until after 7:00, but ultimately everyone was there to celebrate.

All accounted for: Sarah, Mark, Chris, Dylan's friend Jake, 

Dylan, Dylan's friend Mary, Danielle, and Jacob.

Dylan's choice for dinner: fried chicken, rolls, mashed potatoes and gravy.

We enjoyed all of Dylan's favorite foods at dinner. He adores my low-carb fried chicken (dip in an egg/cream/spices mixture and roll in finely ground pork rinds and Parmesan cheese), he loves bread of all kinds (unless it involves cinnamon or raisins), and there are only three "vegetables" he will touch: mashed potatoes, french fries, or corn. To say he is picky would be an understatement.

Dylan reacts to his Xbox Live gold card, a gift from Sarah and Chris.

After dinner, we were all way too stuffed to even think about cake and ice cream, so we cleaned up the kitchen a bit and then gathered to watch Dylan open his presents.

From his friend Mary, he got a Mickey Mouse toy, assorted candies,

and Cheetos Puffs--which is a traditional gift between them.

Earlier, his friend Jake gave him a video game, Alien: Isolation,

and Dylan's friends Haley and Jeramy gave him a bag of York Peppermint Patties.

Dylan tries out his gift from Jacob and Danielle, a selfie stick!

As for me, I pre-ordered a game for his Xbox, Black Ops III.

He won't get it until November, but he can play the beta version online until then.

The three-layer birthday cake made by Jacob and Danielle.

Later she used peanut M&Ms to write "18" on top.

Around 9:30 we were ready to do cake and ice cream. Dylan's favorite ice cream is cookies and cream, and we got a carton of thin mints ice cream for good measure.

Singing "Happy Birthday to You." Dylan also got 18 swats and a pinch from his dad!

Jacob and Danielle found a "Surprise!" cake online that they really liked, so they worked together to make it a reality for Dylan's special day. Watch the short video below to see the surprise when Dylan cut into it.

Fun times! Happy birthday to our young man, Dylan!

But you'll always be my baby...