8 Years of Andrew

Andrew reached a milestone this year, turning eight years old!  He was thrilled to wake up on his birthday and open his very own set of scriptures (since it was Sunday, he got to use them right away).  Andrew has faithfully checked out and returned scriptures to the library each week for the last couple years, so he was more than ready to have his own.  After birthday cereal (fruity pebbles) we headed off to church.




Andrew opened the rest of his gifts after church including his cub scout shirt which he wore for the rest of the day.  The primary president, Sis. Francom came over to give him a "My Gospel Standards" poster and explain the faith in God program.  Then we had his requested dinner-bbq chicken wings, bbq ribs, sliced peppers, jelly toast, and clementines.  He also requested pomegranate seeds, but we had a raw chicken leak in the fridge that contaminated all the fruit except 3 clementines.  That little project took up too much time so he didn't get any cake topper either.  This year he picked a donut cake (again) but frosted to look like a penguin.

Andrew is our math boy-he is first in his elementary school on the 'First in Math' online program and loves to do math work books in his free time.  At his first cub pack meeting, he told everyone that math is his favorite activity.  Although he does love math, I think he would have said computer games was his favorite activity had he not just received 2 math books in the mail the day before.  Computer is the first thing he asks to do each day when he gets home from school.  Having our computer crash was just about the worst thing that has happened to Andrew this year.  Everyday (like for 3 weeks), he calls Dad at work to ask if it's fixed yet.  Andrew also loves his baby brother and is super at entertaining him.  He is always a thinker and often a peacemaker.  

Andrew chose to be baptized now that he is eight and we were all so happy about his decision!  We waited a couple extra weeks so Grandma and Grandpa Smyth could be part of this special day in addition to Muna and Papa who live here.  On December 29th, Andrew was baptized and confirmed by Daddy.  His two grandpas gave the talks and we are especially grateful that our family battle with the stomach flu let everyone be healthy just that one day--our own miracle!

Andrew received a custom made coin from the Bishop Garvin to commemorate his baptism as well.  And of course the camera died right before we took the family pictures, so when we get those from Papa (someday) we'll add those in here. We know that Andrew will do his best to remember the new promises he's made.  We are so thankful for this boy!