Birthday Week Continued (Eli)

Turning 12 this year has been awesome for Eli. It meant that was got to be a part of the new Gilbert Temple Celebration. You had to turn 12 by March 1st so he made it by 6 days! So he's been going to mutual a couple months early since they've been working on the dance our ward is doing for the celebration. I'm so excited for both him and Emma. They are part of such a wonderful historical event. I can't believe it's tomorrow!

Anyway, Eli's birthday was on "Super Saturday". The youth went to the field next to the temple where they're having the celebration and had an all day practice. And I mean ALL day. It was scheduled from 7am-10pm! They had a lot of kids having allergy problems though because there was a ton of dust (The field may not be accustomed to having 12,000 kids dancing on it!) and so we were surprised when they were dropped off at home at 8:30pm. SO Eli wasn't "super" excited about practicing all day on a field on his birthday, but overall, he had a decent attitude about it. Dana and I woke up early with them and let him open his present. His main present is his 12 year old trip he'll be going on with Dana pretty soon, but we got him something small to open.

He's been wanting a new sketchbook for awhile so he liked it:)

The next day was super special at church. He and Emma got called up during sacrament and the Bishop announced that Emma was moving up to Mia Maids, and Eli becoming a Deacon and would be receiving the Aaronic Priesthood. Then after church Dana gave Eli the priesthood. It was so awesome. Miranda and Amy and Dan and Dal came for it. Dana gave him an amazing blessing and then the Bishop asked me to bear my testimony. There was a very sweet Spirit there. Eli was just beaming.

I'm so, so bummed I didn't take a single picture of him until later after he was out of his church clothes. I wish I would've gotten one of the group too.
Here he is later:)
 

After dinner we did our final cupcakes for awhile.
 
He was serious about that wish :)

Happy Birthday big boy!

Items about Eli:
-He's been really working hard on his grades this year and learning more responsibility with school stuff.
-He's doing awesome in karate and just moved up to gray belt which is one away from the advanced belts!


-He's also really gotten good at trumpet and chose that as his elective for Jr High next year! (Ahhh, he's going to Jr. High next year!!!)
-Dana's going to start a "running academy" with Eli this summer to prepare him for running Cross Country next year. Eli loves running with Dana and is getting good:)
-He loves to draw :)
-He already had his first time doing Baptisms Thursday at the Mesa temple (for the last time since we'll be going to the Gilbert temple now) with the Deacons Quorum. He felt sick the night before (and had to wake up at 4 am.) and was so worried he might not be able to go. Dana went too and helped baptize (he's in trouble because he forgot to take a single picture) and they had a great time together.
-He's been reading the "Harry Potter" series and really likes them. It's extra awesome when you have a wand to read them with!


-He LOVES history and sharing facts about things he learns about it.
-He's got a soft spot for babies and always wants to hold them as much as their parent will let him.
-I always say this about him, but he's just so sweet and kind. He would never intentionally hurt anyone.
-He loves inventions and loves to try and come up with new ideas. He still wants to be an archaeologist/inventor when he grows up.

That's our boy! He's doing a great job growing up- we're so proud of him!
 
Can't believe he's 12!