Ethan's Birthday

Ethan is 12! Yes, Twelve! Wowza. "Where does the time go?" Ethan invited some friends to Qzar to celebrate his special day. It was a joy to meet some new friends that he's made in middle school. How have we been so fortunate for him to connect with such great kids who also have great families?! It is such a blessing. Anyways ... to the pictures. Here they are at Qzar (aka the loudest, boy-est party joint ever - I was so ready to get out of there!)

Then home for pizza ...

... and presents ...

... and cake.

On his actual birthday we made pancakes for breakfast. I still remember when he used to toddle into my room at 5:30am and say, "Good morning, mommy! Make pancakes?" and I'd moan, get out of bed, turn on Elmo, and go back to bed for 30 minutes.

Twelve is a milestone birthday in our church. For all children it is the age where they "graduate" from Primary and begin attending Young Men/Young Women. Ethan was anxious to leave the little kids behind. His Young Men leaders have been great and the other boys welcoming. It is a blessing to grow up together in the church - the people become like family. For boys in our church, twelve is the age when they can receive the Aaronic Priesthood. And Ethan did - he is now a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood and is passing the sacrament and collecting fast offerings and doing other duties. We are proud of him, indeed. He's a good kid.