Landon Turns 9!

Sheesh! Think I've been overwhelmed with life and school starting and four kids and a handsome husband and everything else? I haven't even blogged about Landon's birthday yet! What a terrible mother I am. {hangs her head in shame}

Well, it happened. Landon had a birthday. And he turned a whopping NINE years old!

Does anyone remember when he was a little tiny baby? Because I feel like I sure don't. I mean, I do, but I don't. And that's just sad and unfair!

Or how about when he was a little two year old who LOVED the Backyardigans and LOVED to be naked? 

We couldn't have asked for a better big brother in our family. Landon has ALWAYS loved his little brother and sisters (see below, him with Addie and him with baby Ella. I couldn't find any pictures on my computer from 2007-2009, so no baby Grant pictures, sorry!). He is always so helpful and loving towards his siblings. He has such a tender heart and finds such joy in his family.

 Remember when he used to literally climb the walls? ALL THE TIME!  (and see, he really loved being naked! I'm glad to say that's one phase he's outgrown.)

 Oh, and remember when he did Joy School with his cousin and friends? And looks so darling in his little paper cap and gown?

 Oh yeah, and remember when he had to get his two front teeth pulled, right before he started kindergarten? And it took those two teeth a year and a half to grow in, so he was toothless for quite a while!

 And he was so little and sweet starting kindergarten.

 And first grade.

 And then before we knew it, he was a big eight year old getting baptized.

And likes to play practical jokes on his mom. By waking her up with a Hulk Mask on and scaring her to death (thanks to dad for being a part of that!)

 And now he's even bigger and he's 9!! Oh man, I'm afraid my mother-heart might burst.

 He got a ton of superhero stuff from Grandma and Grandpa.

 And a RipStik from mom and dad.

 Which, he was very excited about!

 He also got some awesome Lego's that he picked out with the money he got from Nana and Grampy. And, being the kind and sweet brother that he is, he picked out something for each of his brother and sisters to buy with his own money. Then he requested Texas Roadhouse for dinner and looked so adorable on that saddle with that hat!

 And of course, all the other kids had to have a turn.

 

 

 And, much to my enjoyment, he requested a cheesecake for his birthday cake! YUM!

We are so very lucky to have this wonderful boy in our family! This year he has become such an impressive young man. He was dreading school starting, and had a couple fits about it the week before school started. However, on the morning of the first day of school he said 'Mom, guess who decided to like school this year. ME!' That's a determined spirit to be able to change his attitude like that. He's started taking piano lessons again (which we quit about a year or so ago because he hated it and would throw such fits about going) and has had a great attitude about it. He'll admit he doesn't necessarily love it, or want to go, but he handles it with such maturity and it just makes me want to burst! We couldn't be more blessed with such a great boy and can't wait to see how he grows and develops in the coming years!