Pop's Soda for Luke's Bday!

My brother Luke's 11th bday is almost over, and I can't help but feel amazed that he is already such an old man! I remember when my parents told us they were pregnant. I was 13 and being a bratty teen, I though WHAT? That is impossible! We had been a family of 'The Hanaike Girls' for so long that I thought adding another little lady to the family would be crazy-would this new sibling even know who I was or care? Or would I be that weird distant sister that this kid didn't really have a relationship with?

When Luke finally was born, it was love at first sight. He surprised us all by being a he, and he has brought our family so much closer,  filling our home full of his fun and craziness. I had no need to worry about him not knowing me-despite the fact that I left for college when he was about 5 or 6, we have always continued to be very very close. We share a love for things like reading, baking, combat and so much more and we talk often. I can honestly say he is one of my best friends and I love that I can still say that!

Anyways, pretty soon, Luke will go from being one of the best brothers, in law, sons, and friends to one of the best uncles! I can't think of a more qualified 11 year old to  be so, and I'm so glad he is willing to share his birthday month with her.

Because it is Monday, I believe my family celebrated his day this weekend. While I was jealous [and a little tempted to photo shop myself into their pictures to pretend I was there], Lester and I thought we would just do something fun in honor of him today, on his actual birthday. So, we went to the actual Route 66, where they have a place called Pop's with over 100 flavors and brands of soda. It reminded me of the movie Cars, which I used to watch with Luke years ago. We weren't super adventurous-we tried 4 kinds-orange cream, guava, birch and butterscotch root beer. All were delicious and it was lots of fun. We then ate at some mediocre buffet and ended our night by watching Taken 2 at a theatre with the most comfortable seats and biggest screen Lester and I have ever tried.

Anyways, it was a fun night, and we want to thank Luke for being born so we could have an excuse to enjoy ourselves! LOVE YOU and happy birthday boy!

 [Like I said, they had lots of flavors-good ones, and NASTY sounding ones haha!] 

[this is the outside of Pop's-I guess at night its all lit up! I wish I had gotten one of Lester but he was manning the camera dang it!]

[some old pictures with me and my favorite brother!]