Andrew's 12!

Andrew turned 12 last week.  For his birthday present we gave him tickets to the Taylor Swift concert in Salt Lake.  When we were walking over to the Energy Solutions Arena he was amazed to see about 30 semi trucks parked outside.  He said, "Why does she need all those trucks?"

When we got inside I think Andrew felt a little awkward surrounded by tons of screaming girls his age!  We had to wait an hour and a half before Taylor Swift came on stage but as soon as she started singing all the songs he loves he had a great time.  Here he is covering his ears, not because the music was too loud but the screaming was really enough to make your ears hurt!

When we saw the stage it wasn't hard to see why she needed so many trucks!  What a fantastic time we had!  Taylor Swift put on an amazing show!  We were way up at the top of the arena but I couldn't complain.  The concert sold out in 30 minutes and the only reason we even got tickets is because my friend had some extras to sell.  (Thanks, Jennette!)  It was such a fun first concert for Andrew and I'm so glad I got to go with him.

Since the concert was a few days before his birthday it made his actual birthday a little anticlimactic.  We still celebrated with cake.

In our church, when boys turn 12 they can receive the Aaronic Priesthood and be ordained to the office of a Deacon.  Sunday was one of those days that I thought would take forever to get here and yet 12 years have passed in the blink of an eye.  We enjoyed having lots of family there to support Andrew.

Andrew with Grandma and Grandpa Brown

Andrew with Grandma Thacker and Grandpa Darrell

Sam, Melanie, Alex and Tiffany

Here's a recent funny story about Andrew.  Last week the weather turned off cold and wet after summer-like conditions for several weeks.  I woke up one dark morning to cold, wind and rain.  The last thing I wanted to do was go outside for a run so I rolled over, turned the alarm off and went back to sleep.  Jason got up to get ready for work and was scared to death when he got out of the shower and heard the front door open and someone walk in the house!  Andrew had woken up, put on his sweats and gone for a two mile run up a big hill in the cold rain!  It made me a little nervous that he was out in the dark alone without us even knowing but I couldn't get too upset with him when I saw he had left a detailed note of when and where he had gone.  I sure did feel like a wimp for going back to bed when he went out for a run!

Here's a look at Andrew at 12.

What he likes: hanging out with friends, running, biking, skiing, soccer, baseball, pizza, ice cream, Taylor Swift, learning to play the piano, school, science, being a Green Ambassador at school, Fablehaven books, Harry Potter (books and movies), Hawkeye football, Angels baseball games, camping, fishing and scouts.

Things he doesn't like: vegetables, rice, potatoes, sleeping in, cleaning the bathroom, babysitting his brother and sister, and writing essays

What I love about Andrew:  his dimples (they are still just as cute at 12!) and smile; his energy and excitement for life; his outgoing, friendly personality; skiing, biking, running and just having fun with him now that he is older; he's a great helper, a hard worker and an excellent student.  I sure am proud of the young man he has turned into!