My oldest just turned 11. The night before his birthday I was thinking about how I was feeling that same night eleven years ago. I knew I would be having a baby the next day, and I had no idea what to expect. I was excited, but also super nervous and scared. As I thought about that night and the weeks that followed as I took care of my first little newborn and started learning how to be a mother, I was really glad that all of that was in the past, but then I looked at that big old eleven-year-old of mine and I wished that we could go back to that night eleven years ago, and do it all again. Dallin was such a cute baby and such a fun little boy. He has been so fun to have in our family and it is all going way, way, way too fast. It breaks my heart to think that I am more than half-way done raising him, but at the same time, I am so pleased with how great he is turning out. He really is an exceptional young person.
Dallin has so much going for him. He is smart, athletic, and likable. But what I love most about Dallin is what a good boy he is. He tries very hard to do what is right. He does what Jeremy and I ask of him without whining or complaining, and he is a great big brother who is always looking out for his little brothers. We are very lucky to have him in our family!!
He had a fun birthday, complete with his traditional breakfast out with mom and dad. His choice of dinner, birthday cake, and some fun presents. He especially loved this new mountain bike we gave him. He is loving riding to school and back and riding around the neighborhood and some of the dirt trails with his friends and (as you can see in this picture) perfecting his "no hands" technique.
Happy birthday Dal! We love you!!
