Back to school and Ben's Birthday week!

 It's amazing how quickly the boys are able to adjust to being back to school.  The first few days are a little rough, but before long they are in a routine and happy to be back with their friends.  Jacob is in 9th grade (freshman!), but still at the Jr High, Ben has joined him and is in 7th, and Micah is in 4th grade at the same school he went to last year.  They are such great boys and have been working hard!

 Ben was offended that his birthday had to be on a school day, so we celebrated for a week to compensate!  His dream for his birthday was to go see the "baby" penguins at the aquarium, so we headed there the week before school started.  We didn't realize how quickly they would grow up, they weren't really babies anymore.  Ben was in heaven though as we watched them waddle and swim about!

On his real birthday we headed to Sizzler for a birthday dinner, complete with a huge root beer float and brownies made by our sweet waitress.

 Ben had requested copies of his "Abengers" Comic book to be printed for his birthday and in a very Benjamin-like manner was thrilled to turn around a give a copy to his Grandma for her birthday.  He worked hard on it all summer to get it done in time to give it to her.

 Once dad got home from Africa, we celebrated with him, once again!!

 Love that he loved my cake!  Benjamin's own Ninja Penguin was the star this year.

 Benjamin was also ordained a Deacon while his grandparents were in town.  I was able to sit in while the bishop interviewed him.  I can't think of anyone more worthy of receiving the priesthood.  He is such a wonderful young man and I am so proud of my boys and all that they are becoming.