Another Teenager in the House

Jared celebrated his 13th birthday in October and we now have another teenager in the house.  He wanted to go to Flowrider for some indoor surfing with his friends.  With fall break just after his birthday everyone was heading out of town and we had to push it back a couple weeks.  It was worth the wait though and the kids all had a great time!

Here's a look at Jared at 13.

He's enjoying being in Jr. High now.  He's learning to play the trumpet in beginning band and loves it.  I don't have to nag him about practicing nearly as much as I do with the piano.  Maybe that's just because it's new but I'm hoping it lasts a while.  He is also getting a lot better on the piano and had a fun time playing in the duet festival this year with his friend Maxwell.  He still loves to play rough and enjoys playing on the line in football.  He doesn't care about handling the ball; he just wants to hit guys with his pads on.  He still isn't too old to sit and play with Legos in his room for hours.  He's becoming a lot more responsible.  Skyler has turned into his little shadow and is often following him around the house when he is home.  Skyler misses him while he is at school and often asks if we can go pick Jared up from school.  (I'm not really sure why because we never have.)  He still hates doing chores around the house but did take over mowing the lawn this summer which Andrew and Jason were grateful for.  He's Deacon's Quorum Preseident at church and it's been fun to watch him take the responsibilities at church so seriously.  He always makes sure that the boys in his quorum are there to pass the sacrament on Sunday and collect fast offerings.  Raising teenagers certainly brings it's own set of challenges but I've been blessed to have these two boys in my life.  Happy 13th birthday Jared!