Eli's 8th!

A week ago Thursday was Eli's 8th birthday!

He celebrated at home with cake and ice cream

and dinner at Royale with Cheese in Michigan City on Friday

Eli is an important part of this large family.

And of course a very important part of this beautiful family.

Eli was our 19th grandchild and our 12th grandson.

Here's a link to Eli's birthday post from last year.    And clicking on that link will take you to more links that tell a lot about Eli 'through the years' and show lots of pictures of how he's changed so I'll just post a few pictures here

and talk about what's been going on in Eli's life during the previous year.

First of all, he finished first grade with flying colors

and started 2nd grade.

He is active in scouting, is now a Wolf Scout, and his car placed second in the Pinewood Derby!

He went tobogganing for the first time, had his first reconciliation, and started basketball.

He visited California,

Florida, and Alabama.

And in California went on a big, scary roller coaster called California Screamin' which is great because he loves all roller coasters!

He's had a very busy year and he's practiced his many talents.... like dabbing,

dancing,

and magic!  He's a good magician and a great comedian.  He has many interests and is very scientifically inclined.  He loves to watch scientific experiments and he loves to learn how everything works!

And he loves to watch the biggest change in his life this year and that's the addition of baby sister, Sarah Jane, to the family.

Eli loves her with all his heart! 

But more important than his interests and his talents and his accomplishments is the fact that he's a sweet, loving, generous, kind, and wonderful boy.  He's smart and helpful and very observant.  He jumps to do anything that's asked of him and he does everything cheerfully.  Eli has been a joy since the day he was born and he continues to be a joy to this day.  We know he had a great birthday and a great party today even though we couldn't be there but we're wishing him a very happy birthday just a little late and we're hoping the coming year is his best one yet but not nearly as wonderful as the many more to come!  Happy Birthday, Eli !  We love you and we could not be more proud of you!