Happy Birthday Eli

A couple of days ago this handsome guy turned 8 years old! Eli was a sweet baby with crazy hair and he grew to be a sweet kid with crazy hair-and crazy teeth. You gotta love that 8-year old smile! (SEE BELOW) People have always said how polite he is. Even when he could barely talk he was saying please and thank you. Now he says things like "Excuse me, since you're not using this toy anymore, could I please have it?" (that's when he's at someone else's house asking for their toys) and "Excuse me, Mom but why are always so bossy?" Like I said-polite. He is so smart and loves to learn new things. When he was in pre-k he told me "Keep it up, Mom. Way to be tenacious!" And then he told me what tenacious meant.

He has always been pretty sensitive to others' feelings. If Brent and I say the food's not good at a restaurant he says "Well be nice. I'm sure the people are working hard to make the food. They're just trying their best." When we went to a pro soccer game he cheered for the opposing team because they were losing, people were booing them and he felt sorry for them. They were trying their best, you know! His brothers all love him because he's fun and usually nice to them. He's pretty helpful and responsible. He calls when he gets to a friends house to let me know where he is and he will tell friends who come over to play that they'll have to wait while he gets his homework done. He can argue Brent and I into a stupor-we have to be on our toes when he comes at us fully armed with reasons why he should get what he wants.

He is stubborn and silly, he loves soccer, chocolate (no nuts or caramel to get in the way, thank you), cheese pizza, orange chicken, comic book-type stories (doesn't feel like actual reading) and video/computer games. He has a talent for making friends wherever he goes and, I especially, love that about him.

The day before his birthday, Brent took the day off to spend with Eli. Eli was sooo excited to miss school! They went to the dinosaur museum and to lunch. Then we took him and a few friends to see a movie. I think they had a pretty good time.

Eli was baptized on his birthday, so it made it extra fun for him I think. His buddy was baptized the same day so I think that will be something he remembers too. We were so grateful to all of our friends who came to the baptism. It is always emotional and exciting to watch your kids grow and take big steps in their lives. We made sure he understood it was his choice to be baptized. We are so proud of the choice he made and the example he set for his little brothers. It was a great day.

Eli was excited, as you can see, and not nervous at all. Garrett was so happy that his baptism suit was passed down to Eli. He told Eli he was going to have a great day just like he had when he wore the suit and got baptized. That big gap you see in his smile (which one you ask!) is from the tooth he lost on his birthday. He thought it was so cool that he lost a tooth on his birthday.

We sent out this announcement for our families who couldn't be there-I love how grown up he looks. Like a little missionary.

Here are some more pictures from that same shoot. My awesome friend did the pictures and I absolutely love them! (My other awesome friend did the announcement! Thanks you guys!)

We love this sweet boy of ours. Hope you had a happy birthday Eli! You're awesome! (I'm officially not allowed to say cute anymore. Not even to my two year old.)