where did the time go?

I can't believe my first born graduated elementary school today and is off to MIDDLE SCHOOL in the fall!!! How on earth did that happen! eeeek!! middle school!...bring on the teenage years! (deep breath in deep breath out)

I still remember the day we brought him home from the hospital....

 and how easygoing and mellow

 and how smiley and sweet  he was (and still is)

 and how he was the first to make us a family

 and how much he loved building forts with dad.... now HE builds them for his little sisters

 

he looks just the same to me then as he does now....only a little (ok- a lot!) bigger.

 Here he is today after graduation with his bestie- M. They both got the presidential award for a gpa of 4.0 and commended on all TAKS tests- nice job boys!

 CRE class of 2011 on a cake

 His wonderful teacher Mrs.S

 His language arts TAG teacher

 His math TAG teacher

 Mrs. K- a special teacher that has helped him through out the years- since 3rd grade

and here he is saying farewell to Cactus Ranch... Congratulations J!! We love you and are SO very proud of you!

Z got Baptized...

I can't believe my boy is 8....where does the time go?

He got baptized on Saturday. Here are some pictures to remember the day...

 

 

 He helped me make the cake and cut it

 

8 layers for the 8 year old

We had a BBQ with family and friends...I did a terrible job at taking pictures for that part...

 

He got his own hymn book AND scriptures with his name on them

The next day (sunday) he was SO proud to take them to church in his new carrying bag, and he quietly read them during  sacrament meeting...made me feel all happy and warm inside

We are so grateful to have spent some time with Grammy and Grampy and Uncle Brett and that they could share that special day with us.

 

We love them and enjoy every second we get to be with them!!! 

8 GREAT things about Zach....

1. He is extremely thoughtful, generous and great at sharing (at school he will use his "points" earned to get prizes for Josh and his sisters)

2. He makes people laugh with his sillyness! 

3. He is SUPER creative and loves to build things...and (unfortunately) takes things apart too.

4. He LOVES nature, animals and most living creatures, especially his 2 pet anoles (Birch and Lizzy)

5. He is a perfectionist...enough said

6. He has been blessed with a happy spirit (one of the things Mike said when he was given the gift of the holy ghost ) and makes others around him happy

7. He is a GREAT helper and is usually the first to rush to help me when I need it, or even when I don't

8. He's a Mama's boy and has a really tender heart (he picks me flowers and makes "things" for me all the time)... he is a sweet boy!

8 random pictures of Z...

 

We love you Zachers! You really are "awesome and wise"(a poem he wrote) and you bring our family so much JOY!!!!