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Drew at age 9!

On Saturday, July 19th, 2008, Drew celebrated her 9th birthday at her favorite restaurant, Portland, Oregon's, "Berlin Inn" -- and the personal notes written on our patio tables by the staff suggested she was a favorite of theirs too!

But the birthday celebration began two days earlier, at the annual reunion picnic of the former Portland Willamette Rotary Club, held each mid-July at one of the nation's oldest amusement parks -- Oaks Park -- beside the east bank of the Willamette River, which runs north through Portland, dividing the city. The first two photos in the sequence below are a shot of Eric and Drew in a funhouse mirror along the entranceway to the park en route to the picnic, and a photo of Drew on the grass in the picnic area, with the miniature train she rode two years ago for her birthday (see photo on page one!) traveling in the background. She had a fine time on a warm and breezy summer evening.

Then, on Saturday evening, came the party at the Berlin Inn. Drew had her usual oval green bowl of turkey wieners with spaetzel noodles and gravy, served up on her own fork by Eric, while Jane took the pictures. Note the photo of the two glass patio tables which greeted us, along with a variety of party paraphernalia, upon our arrival -- special thanks to the restaurant for this unique greeting!

Drew's celebratory meal ended with a heart-shaped peanut butter cake baked by the restaurant. All this great food seemed to whet her appetite, because when she returned home after the party, she then devoured her breakfast, to end her day -- a meal she had not touched when it had been served to her that morning!

Thus ended Drew's final single-digit birthday. Bring on number ten!

The photos below are "click to enlarge" thumbnails -- click on each one you want to enlarge, then see the result above the thumbnails. But, if you prefer, you can click on the "play" arrow beneath the top photo and let the pictures turn into an automatic slide show!