. Eight . Nine . Ten .

We've been talking for awhile now about what a fun birthdate for Zachary this year. Turning fourteen on 8.9.10. I know that I say this about every child on their birthday, but seriously 14? How did I get here?!

Zach's really a joy and I'm honored to have him for a son. He makes me smile and laugh, he's not afraid to just walk up and give me a hug, and best of all, he's not embarrassed to be dropped off at school and tell me he loves me as he's closing the door.

Fourteen things about Zach on his fourteenth -

{ One } Zach is always willing to try new things. He doesn't necessary love everything he tries (football) but he will step out of his comfort zone and go for it.

{ Two } Zach hasn't yet figured out how to smile for a camera. When I pull out the camera, he freezes, and with as often as that is, it makes him quite uncomfortable.

{ Three } Maybe this is more about me than him, but I'm totally jealous of his gorgeous skin. Soft and brown. He often has to tell me to stop petting his arm when we're driving. :)

{ Four } Zach loves math. LOVES it.

{ Five } He's such a great helper. I can ask at any time and he's willing to stay with his little brothers. He does most of his own laundry and always does whatever he's asked. Ryan and I are always so impressed that he may not do it with a smile, but he will do it.

{ Six } Give Zach a board and that's his sport. He's been snowboarding for six years and developed his love of wakeboarding last year and then couldn't wait to get to Oregon to spend a week out on the lake with my brother. This year he discovered the surfboard.

{ Seven } He had, for a lack of a better word, a crappy year in the seventh grade and is consequently dreading the start of school in two weeks.

{ Eight } Zach loves to read, and loves getting caught up in a series of books. He's currently really looking forward to Mockingjay coming out in a couple of weeks.

{ Nine } He was gone for nearly two months this summer which was really strange. Space camp, Utah for three weeks with his grandparents, Scout camp, then to Oregon and back to St. George.

{ Ten } Zach is an amazing hunter. Ryan always tells me how patient Zach is and how, even when Ryan is telling him to take the shot, that Zach knows when it's time.

{ Eleven } He's an outdoorsy kid. Loves to camp, hunt, ride horses, mountain bike.

{ Twelve } He wants to be an architect and has since he was about seven. He loves to build, draw and he recently finished his architecture merit badge and loved it.

{ Thirteen } Zach's funny. He always has a joke and loves to share it.

{ Fourteen } He and Clay are best friends and I'm always so happy that they have one another, especially this year as they both go to middle school.

Happy #14, Zach! We love you.