Landen is a teenager?!!

 Landen turned 13 this month!  The above picture is him I'm assuming at Buffalo Wild Wings having his birthday lunch with his Dad. 

 We have been promising Landen a party for years.  Finally, we followed through and enjoyed an evening with his awesome friends at the Fun Park where they bowled, ate, and played lazer tag.  Landen (for once in his life) really stunk at bowling and had to swallow a little pride for the first 1/2 of the game.   After a little not-welcome advice and practice, he redeemed himself and finished his game well.  I have to record this because it is such a rarity that he doesn't excell immediately at his athletic pursuits. 

 Landen is a good friend and has lots of friends.  He is accepting, fun, forgiving, and easy going.  He seems to have friends wherever we go and doesn't ever worry about what people are thinking of him or if he should go into a certain social situation.  It was touching to me that at his party were 3-4 of the boys who had taken turns staying in at recess for months and months to play cards with Landen during the time when he was on crutches and unable to even play around much with them.  The boys were silly, loud, constantly moving all their large muscle groups, competitive, hungry, and wild but also respectful and good sports.  It was a great chance for me to realize that this is simply the nature of a 13 year old boy, and mine is perfectly normal:) 

I adore this picture first because my Dad is playing with my son, but also because it so perfectly depicts Landen.  He never seems to realize when he is playing with someone who is of a significant size, ability, age, or interest-and that goes both ways.  He considers it fair at all times to play as hard has he can, and assumes that most of the time he will conquer.  This last week he decided that he was going to play with the teachers bball team (they don't have one for deacons.  He went to the game, (I doubt he even asked it he could play) and played hard against much bigger and older boys and managed to score like 20 points.

Here's another example, just from a different angle.  Landen can't seem to tone down his intensity, no matter what situation he is in. 

Landen is such a handsome boy who adores silliness and humor.  He and Breck are getting to be so clever and seem to fill our dinner hour with funny movie quotes from their endless repertoire. 

I love the smile on Craig's face.  Craig LOVES having a boy and together they try to survive a house full of cartwheeling girls by keeping up on their teams, stats, and catching a game together once in a while.  Landen loves nothing more than when Craig will take the time to play anything with him. 

This was a fun experience.  Landen and his other 12 yr old cousins, Carson and McKenna decided to play in the stakes 3on3 tournament.  They were the very youngest and very very shortest of the jr. teams, and the only one containing a girl.  But they played hard, and confident, against difficult odds.  Landen even played with a newly broken finger. 

Landen is kind and tender.  Here he is working with the big cousins to make a fun scavenger hunt for his little cousins.  Landen is a special spirit. I get about an hour with him after school and before the other kids come home, which is time I treasure.  I truly consider him one of my friends.  He has a excellent mind and loves to come home and explain how things work.  He is very scientifically minded and often helps me with my projects.  He gives wonderful hugs, likes massages, and reads like a crazy man.  He is endlessly competitive, highly emotional, and still provides some entertainment when he begins doing his "dances" when things aren't going how he wants them to:)  I hope to never forget trying to watch a youtube video together about how to tie a tie one Sunday when we realized Craig wasn't going to be around to help.  Landen wears only athletic clothes and dryfit type shirts.  He doesn't care remotely for matching-only comfort.  He lives in his fleece lined hoodies.  He has a passion for music and can learn lyrics and remember songs and titles just like Craig.  With his birthday money he bought a little ipod shuffle and filled it with his favorite songs-Lyndsey Stirling being one of his preferred artists along with a number of pump-you-up-style sports songs like "We are the Champions".  Landen takes his priesthood responsibilities seriously.  He does well in school, and is even picking up the piano! 

A birthday post for Landen would not be complete without a shot of He and Pepper.  Her is Landen helping Pepper open the gift he wrapped for her.  Landen and Pepper are very special friends.  They sleep together, play together, and spend almost all their time at home together.  Pepper waits for him after school and they have their little running ritual racing through the house upon his return.  Landen understands Peppers ever need and takes great care of her.  They take walks chasing deer and exploring the canal roads together.  They play soccer and chase the cat and just have races. 

Lan's broken finger from a soccer game.  He fell down and was stepped on by a (big fat girl)  ((his words)) :)  He has adapted well and plays soccer and bball and even limps through his piano practice with the splint. 

I love how much Landen loves his cousins.   They are inseparable, truly soul-cousins.  He plays so hard with them, maximizing ever second they are together.  Pancake eating contests, air soft wars in the dark, football, volleyball, soccer, bball, frisbee, you name it.  They are sweaty most of the time.  When our trips are over he is so exhausted he can hardly function.