Ian's Birthday

 Ian celebrated his birthday on the last day of school!  So getting out of school was a gift in and of itself, but then he got to go celebrate both occasions with his friends that night at the movies.

Before he left, we celebrated with his choice of birthday treats, homemade peanut butter cups, which was a repeat of last year since he loved it so much.

His presents this year included a javelin from mom and dad so that he can start to learn to throw it for track next year as well as a surf board for the boat!

Bronson got him a shower for the speaker, which he loves and the girls got him some clothes.

For his birthday date this year, he chose to go golfing with mom and dad, which is awesome, because Zac and I also always try to get in at least one golf date per year.

Ian and I always have an ongoing bet on the 9th hole that no matter how good or bad we did on our golf trip, the 9th is the only one that matters and the loser has to scratch the winner's back for 10 minutes.  I almost always do better on the golf round, but Ian ALWAYS beats me on the 9th hole no matter what.  It's as if it's the only hole he practices all year.

10 Things About Ian

1. He has a surprisingly very deep voice.  He gets comments on his voice almost daily and you can bet if he meets someone new, they will comment on his voice!  He is often compared to Josh Turner and asked if he can sing country music.

2. He is a music aficionado.  He has such a wide variety of music he listens to.  He listens to almost every genre and has probably 100 different playlists.  He has something that everyone likes somewhere and he loves to play DJ.  He is very offended if you don't like his music.

3. He got really strong this past year.  He took several weight classes and people also comment on how muscular he has gotten, which makes him a good offensive lineman in football.

4. He will be starting his Senior year of football this year and will be switching to the position of center, which is a tough job, but he is good at blocking.  He hasn't always loved football, but has felt duty-bound to play on the team and he is now in his 10th year of football if you include his flag football days.  It's tough and it hurts, but he loves doing it with his friends.

5.  But he really enjoys throwing the discus and shotput, but mostly the discus.  He set a goal this year to go to State and he had to fight so hard down to the very last inch to get there, but he made his goal and went to State this year!  It was so amazing to watch him accomplish his goal.  He is excited to learn to throw the javelin this summer and add it to his track and field events.

6. He is so good and kind.  I get compliments from moms all the time that have underclassmen that look up to Ian.  He is clean-cut and chooses good language and good music and is kind to everyone.  he likes to create his own "almost" swearwords and Charlotte will claim that he flips her off frequently when we aren't looking, but we are proud of him for choosing high standards.

7.  He is funny and fun.  He has a great sense of humor that keeps us all laughing and is a good friend to all of his siblings.  Whitlee especially is always trying to tackle him and get him when he isn't expecting it.  He always wants to high five me, but when I high five him, he would say, "snail" and sneak his hand under mine and now this is the only way that I will five him.

8. He has the ability to grow a fantastic beard.

9. He picked up surfing this year and slayed it!  He is the best surfer in the family and was the first to learn to surf without a rope.

10.  He is doing an awesome job serving as the president of his Priest Quorum at church.  He is always the first to get there to prepare the sacrament and is almost always the one to bless the sacrament.  He fills his priesthood obligations so well and is developing an amazing testimony.  I am excited to see him thrive on a mission next summer.

Love you Buddy!