Happy Birthday Ethan!

(4 year old Ethan on Valentines Day 2008)

I was up all night last night thinking about your special birthday. I know I say it all the time but I can't believe you are 8. Lately, you have been running and doing drills with dad in the back yard for the upcoming football season. Whenever I see you running around I can't help but remember when you were about 2 and we lived in Charleston. Every time you went out back you would run to the back fence, and then run 2 laps the length of the fence before you started playing. Dad and I would watch you and laugh at how insanely cute you were. Now you are out there just as cute, but way sweatier!

Time has past and you have a grown, but so many things about you are the same. You have always played with a purpose and an objective. You are incredibly creative and come up with fun things to play with your friends and siblings. You are so kind and come home from school all the time with stories of how you helped others. You love to learn new things. Recently, you have been very interested in US Presidents, and spend a lot of time reading and doing projects about the ones you find interesting. You also love to teach others the new things that you learn, and have "school time" with Kai and Olivia all the time.

We have been talking about your upcoming baptism a lot since the beginning of the year. You are very excited and have been reading your scriptures and praying more and more on your own. We are so proud of you and the awesome person you are becoming. You are such a great example to us and everyone around you. We love you more then anything in the world and feel so blessed to have you in our life. Happy 8th Birthday Ethan!