Bryson's 8th Birthday

Bryson had a great birthday! It was kind of an extended birthday due to dad's work hours so we divided some of it up.  Tuesday before the big day we celebrated as a family of Bryson's choice; ramen noodles for dinner, family movie night of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, then chocolate dipped strawberries for dessert.  But even before all of that, as soon as Bryson was finished with his homework dad took Bryson to the store to pick out his own watch. It was a great surprise for Bryson!

 The day of his birthday mom went to the school to have lunch with him, bringing his favorite popcorn chicken from KFC.  Then came back for surprise mystery reader in his classroom.

That evening we waited for the Hall's to arrive so we could share in opening gifts as well as some delicious cake.  Bryson loved everything he received!! Thanks everyone!

 Just when Bryson thought all his gifts had been opened we had an even bigger surprise.......

(PS the wonderful red scar on Bryson's forehead is from him face-planting one the trampoline and getting a burn-ouch!)

Bryson had been wanting and asking for some kind of pet for quite some time now. At first it was a cat, then a rabbit, then a frog, then.....well I don't remember what else, but eventually he ended up asking for a hamster.  We told him that any pet he could receive would be his complete responsibility and that he would need to show a great deal of responsibility for a consistent period of time.  We felt that he had earned this and worked hard for it. He loves her and is so good with her.  We think Sonja is pretty happy with her new home as well :)

 Bryson chose a baptism cake this year.....can you tell what he is excited for!

 Bryson wanted to cut his own cake to distribute slices. Ha ha it was a little scary and this was the result.  Everyone got a piece and that's all that mattered.

 Here are the boys playing with the new awesome monster truck

 Did you hear? Bryson also just started scouts and he loves it! He has a space derby coming up this week that he is getting ready for.  He is also working hard to earn his bobcat badge.  It's great to watch him get so excited about the things he can pass off already.

Happy Birthday Bryson we love you and love having you a part of our family!

Isn't it GREAT,

Bryson's EIGHT!

This day has come way too fast, but it's been a joyous ride getting here!  I'm sure it's just a mom thing, but when I think of Bryson I still see my little 'pinto-bean' staring up at me with those soft brown eyes and that little face full of expressions.  Whenever Bryson was asleep he would have a peaceful, tenderness about him, but once awake it was all about exploring this new world he had entered into.  He melted my heart the first time I laid eyes on him and I remember how eager and excited I was to see the kind of person he would one day become.

Luckily for me, he is still learning, still growing, and still at home!  I'm certainly not eager for him to leave the nest anytime soon.  Some of my favorite characteristics about Bryson include:

His smiles!! He was always smiling when he was younger and even now he still has that happy disposition about him.  I love how the little things in life will still get Bryson SO excited that his body can't contain it and he's sharing it with the world!

Then of coarse there's his tender side that comes out always at the exact moments you need them most.  It's one of Bryson's many talents, to give comfort, hope, encouragement, forgiveness and love. 

There are a few times Bryson would come up to me, at such a young age, and offer comfort and tell me he loved me and that it would be okay.  I even have little notes from him saying, 'life is hard but that's just the way it is'.  It pained me at first to see him responsible and mature so early in life, but now I can see how it's been nothing other than a positive stretch in Bryson's life.   Bryson is also very good at making friends and being a friend.

Bryson is a thinker! We call him our little engineer as he is always coming up with something new to invent, create, or just writing about.  His mind is always going and it's fun to see him explore with his creativity and see some of it come to life. He's also eager to learn new things.

Bryson is also passionate about the gospel. He enjoys reading the Book of Mormon and knows and understands the stories well.  He is learning how to apply them in his own life as he makes choices every day.  I love that he is open and willing to get up and share his testimony of the gospel either at church, or just with a friend he's playing with.  He's gaining a strong testimony and is eager to share it. He already makes a great missionary!

Happy 8th Birthday BRYSON!

Thanks for sharing your happy, energetic, enthusiastic, tender spirit with us. We love you