Zach's Birthday

After being scolded, and rightly so, for not posting something two days ago about Zachery's birthday, I have finally sat down to the long-avoided task of writing on the blog. My excuses range anywhere from technical difficulties, to a houseful of visitors and a lack of time, to the most common one which is "I don't want to". But, a birthday is nothing to ignore, so post I must!

This past Wednesday, the 15th, Zachery turned 15....did you notice that? I've been told it is his golden birthday - 15 on the 15th=) There was not a whole lot of fanfare but it was a good day just the same (at least I hope so!)

We started off with some early morning birthday presents somewhere around 9am....during the summer that is early for us=) He opened the presents from his siblings - a Hot Wheels car from Logan, assorted fire crackers from Alana and Jesse, and a HUGE beach towel from sister Monica. I told him to look excited....=)
Since we spread the celebrations out throughout the day we had more presents and 'cake' at lunch time. Zachery, like me, has other desserts he prefers over cake so we went with a rhubarb dessert to hold his 15 candles! Monica got creative, scrounged through our pantry and shelves, and came up with as many different types of candles as she could, giving the 'cake' a rather, um, distinct look.
Such a sweet pair those two!! Earlier in the day Monica painted her lips bright red and chased Zach around the house until she finally was able to leave her lip marks on his face!
He was soooo excited about his gifts=)
The gloves for softball....
and the new sneakers actually did get more of an authentic smile - I just didn't capture it on film=)
So, we have 2 years down and 5 to go in order to make it through the teenage years with out boy. Thankfully, our children have been a blessing and not a trial even now as teenagers!! We are so thankful for the growth we've seen in Zach this past year.... it's been very dramatic physically as he's grown several inches over the year and his voice has dropped an octave or so; but it's the other growth that we are even more pleased with. Zach desires to do the right thing. We have watched him become involved in doing things at church like working in the sound booth, and helping with AWANA, and we have watched him improve his grades in school even when it's the last thing he wants to do, and we have seen him mature and take on more responsibility here at home. What fun to watch our kids grow up!

Later that day the party continued as we headed to the lake for some fun in the sun. Zach wanted to invite Tim, a friend from church, and word spread from there so we ended up with quite a group of people just hanging out and playing with my rascally children. Zach received a few birthday 'dunkings' in the water from the older guys and we had a great time!

Beach Beauty....
Angostura....
The flying skinny guy....
Cute kids in the water....
Before....
After....
Fun with "Aunt Jenna"...
Part of the fun came when Tim showed up with some 'toys' that soon had all the boys, no matter what age, ready to go to 'war'!



After some lake time we headed home to make up Zach's birthday meal, he picked the Polynesian Supper, and then quickly change and head in to town for softball practice. It was a day full of birthday greetings and time with friends and we all had fun. Now if only he'd get his Math done so that he could get a real good present....HIS PERMIT!