Zach Turns 11!

Time for another birthday around here. Last week Zach turned 11. As I look at the young man emerging before me I credit our Lord for the amazing character I see in him. Here are some of the many things I see God growing in Zach:

1) A growing heart for Him (Zach professed his faith through baptism this past year)
2)An unusually strong work ethic--works so diligently at his school work, wanted a lawn mower for his birthday so he could start making money this summer
3) A gentle humble spirit that sticks up for the "underdog"


Other things I love about this young man:

1) His smile that sucks you in
2) That he is constantly thinking up something to build with his dad
3) His true and amazing artistic gift
4) An easy-going personality
5) The fact both his little brothers want to emulate everything about him
6) The way he looks up to his dad
7) His tender heart
8) His big beautiful blue eyes
9) Excitement that makes him flick his fingers (just like Uncle Paul)
10) The way to love him is quality time together
11) The fact that he has his Great Grandpa Vaughn's eyebrows

Here he is with his annual birthday "cake"---Grandma Sterner's lemonade dessert







The crew honoring their brother.



Top of the wish list (right behind a lawn mower) were these heelies.



Can you tell how much he loved the video game from the Mattleys?



Reading our birthday card........


Shocked by Dad's idea for our surprise gift.........a plastic BB gun!


He was thrilled beyond words.....only the infamous finger twitching would suffice.


Happy birthday, our first born son. We love being your parents and watching you grow into the person God has created you to be. Know that you are loved so very very much!

Hannah Mops Up

Hannah has had the privilege again this year to volunteer for the lady Hawkeye basketball team to "clean up" on the floor. She and a neighbor girl have gotten to work several games this year. Their job is to sit on the court and mop up the sweat during time-outs and half-time. They get special t-shirts and we all get in FREE! The kids all get exposed to basketball at the college level, it is time out as a family, and that last time was a nail biter with an overtime and a victory. Go Hawks!!! This keeps everyone happy, most especially the oldest b-ball player in the family. :)

Here are some pictures from her last game.





Can you find Hannah?












Zach is out on the floor at half time playing Simon Says, boys against the girls. Can you find Zach? Hint, he is standing by "the bird."


Here is the proof that everyone was there (Daddy man was behind the camera).