Ian's Big Bad 11th Birthday

Even though it was the end of school and we were busier than ever, Ian still insisted on having a birthday and turned a big, bad 11-years old.

His sad little bike was getting awfully small for an 11-year old, so it was time for an upgrade.  I left Ian a new bike out at the bus stop so that when he hopped off the bus he had a brand new bike to ride home!

He thought his new bike was pretty sweet!

Our family has a tradition of playing Heavy Heavy Hangover and I always love hearing the options the little kids come up with for the use of the gifts they give.  This one was a gift that Ian would "pound into the ground" (it was a million count bouncy ball... it counts all the bounces and tracks how long it takes to get to a million bounces).

We went through anguish this year trying to decide on a birthday cake.  Pinterest makes it so hard to narrow down the many tantalizing options.  Finally, Ian settled on this beauty which was an ice cream cake/ cheesecake/ brownies/ oreos/ chocolate chip cookies with chocolate ganache.  It had everything and more.

This boy has been lighting his own candles since he was probably 2.

Ian had a little party with a few friends and they were able to go and play laser tag, go rock climbing, mini-golf, and play in a ball pit playground.  It was a lot of fun.

These two little friends were so happy to be along for the ride.

Charlotte and Bronson found a new found passion for rock climbing.

10 Things About Ian

1.  He is a Boy Scout now!  Turning 11 is the year that officially starts the Boy Scout journey for Ian.  Of course, his first day of a Boy Scout meeting was also the day that the LDS church announced that they would be parting ways with the Boy Scouts program.  But this is a boy who loves scouting and he is determined to get his Eagle and hopes to work hard and get it done before the church quits scouting.

2.  Ian is a handy man.  He loves tools.  He loves building.  He loves fixing things.  Ian always knows where any tool is and is his Dad's number 1 assistant when a project is going on.

3.  Ian is a hard worker.  If we have a big project, he is there ready to work without ever being asked.  He sticks with a project start to finish, no matter how physically demanding it is.  He never complains and he is a finisher.

4.  Ian is super tough.  Whenever he gets sick I can never tell how sick he is because he hates being down and he doesn't complain.  I have sent him to school more than once feeling lousy because he doesn't say anything and can muster up the strength to power through anything.

5.  Ian is a piano player!  He started piano when he was 6 and he is dedicated to practicing.  I never have to remind him.  He just does it.  He enjoys it and he puts his heart into it.  He perfected a song by the band FUN this year and even performed it for the entire 5th grade.

6.  Ian has a lot of confidence.  He is not afraid to give a talk in front of a crowd.  He loves to play sports and puts his whole heart into it.  He just KNOWS he can do anything and will do his best to make it happen.  We are always so blown away by how this kid really feels like he can accomplish and figure out anything.  Sometimes Zac will test Ian and say something like, "Ian if you were allowed to sit in a cockpit of a helicopter, do you think you could fly it." To which Ian will reply, "Yeah, I bet I could figure it out."  There is nothing he can't do!

7.  Ian loves the outdoors, camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, biking, sports.  You name it.  He loves to be outside.

8.  Ian is really friendly.  He has a wide variety of friends and makes friends easily.  He is a friend to all of his siblings.  He is Tanner's number one basketball partner and Bronson's protector and playmate.  Even though there is a five year difference between Bronson and Ian, Ian makes such an effort to play with Bronson and be kind to him in every way.  Ian even gets along with the girls and Whitlee will ask for sleepovers with him.

9. Ian is smart and ambitious.  He has big plans, goals, and dreams for the future.  He knows that he will serve an LDS mission, he has plans to go to BYU, he knows what kind of girl he wants to marry, what he wants to be when he grows up, where he wants to live.  And he works hard in school to make sure he is on track.

10.  Ian is funny.  He has a terrific sense of humor.  He always has a smile on his face.  His laugh is so completely contagious.  He makes others around him feel good and happy to be in his presence.

Favorite Food: Homemade Hamburgers

Favorite Dessert: Oreo Balls

Favorite Movie: Lego Batman

We are so happy to have Ian in our family.  Happy Birthday Buddy!