My Baby Boy is 42!

This is my baby boy who is 42 years old today!  Gabe...almost named Forrest by his dad.  Thank goodness I refused that one!  He's Gabe...changed to Ryan for awhile...then to RJ...but he's Gabe!

Hours after Gabe was born, we left the hospital to head home to be with Joshua.  We had about an hour and a half drive to our home...so we stopped at Wendy's Hamburgers before our drive.  Gabe has always said THAT is why he likes fast food!  INOB (In n Out Burger) and Chick fil A are probably his two favorites these days.  

Sports...baseball, football, basketball...NO SOCCER... those have always been a love of his.  He started playing Little League and was a great player from the beginning.  He DID NOT like to lose.  If his team did lose, it was usually the referee's fault.  (In his not-so-humble opinion!)

Football was only played until his high school days...basketball through his senior year...but baseball, well, that's his main love.  He played in college, was drafted by the Phillies and now enjoys coaching Emerson's teams.

He so enjoys hanging out with the other coaches and baseball dads.

He helps coach Emerson's school basketball team, too.

Gabe loves his family...his boys are so precious to him.  He's always been a hands-on-Dad!

I love it when I have my kids together.  It's so rare to have all 3, but more often, we have Gabe and Lindsey since they live closer together.  Whenever one of their kids has a party or we're in town, we all get together at one of their homes.  

It's not everyday kids get haircuts from their uncle, but Gabe has definitely turned into a great barber!  He's cut Emerson's hair for years...and now Walt's.  During COVID, Lindsey's boys hadn't had haircuts in a long time, so Uncle Gabe came to the rescue!  He cut William's and Benjamin's.

                       This is during the COVID...looks like Gabe needed a haircut himself!

They have a great set-up at their house.  On the back patio, a TV is set up so his boys can watch while their hair is being cut.

                                                              I love these pictures of him!

Gabe has always been very social...he can talk with anyone.  Betty and Jean Marie, who live next door to Lindsey, they enjoy hanging out when a gathering is happening!

                                                This was a new sport for Gabe...Pickleball!

Gabe has always been affectionate.

Always!

                            He can be rough with his affection, but also very sweet and tender.  

Gabe also likes to play around.  Here, he was watering the plants as the boys and I were playing basketball in the backyard...until, he decided to squirt his boys!

                             The boys and I had gone to INOB...Gabe and Emily had had a date!  

If you want to know anything about the news or politics, just ask Gabe!  He's usually got his phone handy, listening to podcasts or reading the news.

                            This picture...oh my!  Gabe on one screen...Walt on another screen!

          I love love love it that my kids and their spouses get along so well.  It is so priceless to me!

                 No, this is not Gabe...but it's Emerson....who could pass for his dad at the same age!

November, 2019, was so incredibly special.  Gabe and his family...along with Lindsey and her family...all came to Colorado.  

                                              Gabe taught his boys to play pool...or Billiards.  

                                                                  We went to Red Rocks...

                         It was one of those most cherished times when I had all 3 of my kids together!

                                     The playful Gabe...ready to throw a snowball at...Emily?

                                                                Maybe William...or Walt?

                            We had a major snowstorm...and Gabe was out there having a blast!

                                 Playing Ping-pong with his cousin, brother, and brother-in-law!

My brother has always loved my boys!  He was an uncle before he was married and had kids of his own.

He's the infamous UJ...and my boys love him.

                                                                            My boys!!!

                                                                     ...with their Saddie!

This was the day before Thanksgiving...but the day we celebrated.  William and Sullivan weren't in the picture because they were sick in bed...heartbreaking for their Mimi.

          There were quite a few billiard games going on.  Mom wanted a picture with her 3 grandsons!

                                                              Saddie with her grandkids!

       My baby boy...who I love with all my heart!  Happy 42nd birthday, Gabe!  I love you so much!