good day, good week, good month

Ammon turned 12 on January 11. His birthday was on a Wednesday, so we celebrated that evening after school was out. He picked his favorite meal for dinner; we ate steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, and cream corn. It was a delicious meal, thanks to Josh who made it!

After dinner, he opened presents from Josh & I, Grandma & Grandpa T., and Grandma & Grandpa P.

He got a scout backpack, new scriptures and a football scripture bag, the game "Ticket to Ride", and a gameboy game from Josh & I. He received new clothes, a new white shirt and tie, and a book from Grandma & Grandpa P. And he was given bullets for his rifle and cash from Grandma & Grandpa T.

He wanted bread pudding and vanilla ice cream for dessert. Grandma & Grandpa T. joined us for gifts and dessert, and we all sang Happy Birthday to Ammon as he blew out the candles.

This year was Ammon's turn to have a friend party. He invited 6 boys to come spend the night on Friday the 13th. They arrived in the evening, and played flag football outside until the sun went down and it got too cold to play.

After the boys came inside, we ate Taco Soup for dinner, then they all congregated in the family room to play electronics. Some of them played "Super Smash Bros" on the wii, and the rest of them played a computer game with Ammon.

After that, some of the boys played Ammon's new "Ticket to Ride" game with him, and the rest of them wrestled and watched a movie. Then they gathered around to have Ammon open their gifts.

And of course we had dessert with candles, and we sang to Ammon again. This time, Ammon opted for brownies with ice cream.

I had forgotten how much I don't like having kid sleepovers. The boys all slept in Ammon's room that night, and they wouldn't calm down. I went in at 11:00 to tell them to be quiet and turned off a movie, then I went back in at 12:00 and took away the laptop. Josh went in at 1:00am and told them to turn off their ipods, and it was announced to us at breakfast the next morning that a few of the boys stayed awake til 5:00am!! But, Ammon had a fun time and so did the boys, and now I don't have to worry about doing it again for 2 years!

Ammon couldn't wait to turn 12 because he could finally go to Young Men's instead of Primary at church, he could receive the Priesthood and serve the Sacrament, and he could be old enough to finally go hunting! On Sunday, January 22, he was ordained by his father and he received the Priesthood, and he was able to pass the Sacrament. He did a great job and it was wonderful to see him participate!

The last week of January, at the Middle School Assembly, Ammon was chosen to be the "Student of the Month". He has been wanting to receive the medal and having the honor of that title since he became a student at the Middle School in 5th grade last year. He has been aspiring for it and has been working hard, and he was so happy to finally receive the award! I was so proud of him!

January was a good month for him...He had a family birthday party, a friend birthday party, he received the priesthood and started going to Young Mens, he earned the "Student of the Month" award at school, and he bought himself an Ipod with money he's earned and received as gifts. It was all good things for him, and a great way to start the new year!