Jack's 9th!!

Today is Jack's 9th birthday!

Jack was our very first great grandchild!

He's an important part of this giant family

and an important part of this large family

and, of course, an important part of this amazing family.

I wrote about Jack on his birthday last year in this post and visiting there will take you to a link that eventually leads to other links of posts I've done for him since he was born.

Here's a small series to show how he's changed through the years.

And here's what's been going on in Jack's life during the previous year.  First of all, he enjoyed the small vacation his family took to Splash Universe in April.

He loves the water and has become a very good swimmer.  So good, in fact, he's even tried to give his mom some swim lessons.

And he's followed in his dad's footsteps and has developed a great love for football - both watching

and playing.

He's also become an excellent fisherman

pretty much independent when it comes to switching lures, bait, and getting the fish off the hook.

He loves nature and being outdoors

and playing all sorts of sports.

He also loved visiting Alligator Alley in Gulf Shores this year and holding an alligator for the first time.

And of course the visit with the big extended family was a highlight of his year too.

Jack has continued to do well in school and he's loving third grade.  His best friends are Shane, Noah, and Owen.  He loves reading and, although he's great at it, math is his least favorite subject.

But there's lots more to say about Jack than what he's been doing.  He's a wonderful, sweet, and loving boy!  He's great with his siblings,

smart, and helpful;

and always a pleasure to be around.  So Jack we're wishing you the happiest birthday ever and a year that's even greater than the one you just had.  We love you and couldn't be more proud of the wonderful great grandson that you are!