Jayden turns 9!

This year Jayden's birthday landed on a Tuesday.  Not a very convenient day to have a birthday.  Even though it was tough getting something planned, Skyler and Grandma Durrae managed to get a little family celebration together.  So, on Sunday we went over to her house and had cake and ice cream with that side of the family.  Life was very busy last week so on Sunday after church I quickly made a cake from scratch.... my dad's recipe, which turned out AWESOME!  Once the cake was made, I realized I forgot to buy frosting from the store so I attempted to make frosting myself, with no instructions and that didn't turn out so well... luckily my mom saved the day and fixed it. 

Jayden's birthday consisted mostly of Gears of War items and so his cake, obviously had to be Gears of War related.

Aside from his regular gifts, he had one request from me this year.  He decided to be "Finn" from Adverture Time for Halloween this year.  Skyler managed to find the hat on ebay at a low price, but finding a backpack was a whole other story.  So, in Skyler's great confidence, the two of them asked me to make a Finn backpack.  I don't sew.  I can barely make a straight line with a sewing machine, but I managed to surprise myself and everyone else when I made it.

It even has a zipper so he can use it after Halloween.

THINGS YOU MAY NOT HAVE KNOWN ABOUT JAYDEN

He has grown so much he is now the "big" brother

He is an excellent student

He is always quick to help his dad with dishes after dinner every night

He loves his little brothers and makes an effort to help or play with them

He loves cartoons and comic books

He has a soft heart

He is the funny man in the house.... or at least he tries to be ;)

Even though he has only been in senior primary for one year he is nearly done with his Faith in God.

He wants to be just like his dad when he grows up

We love Jayden very much and feel very blessed to have the opportunity to raise such an amazing young man.  He and Matthew are still buds and play together all the time, but as he has gotten older we've seen Jayden mature and learn that he doesn't always have to follow his brother.  In the last year he has really become his own person and we love who he is becoming.

Here are a few pics from his birthday