This awesome dude is our grandson JD (Joel Daniel Gardner, Jr.), whose birthday is today. JD is 8 years old! I am so proud of him. JD is an exceptionally kind and thoughtful young man, who is a terrific older brother. I have been excited to do this blog about him for a long time, and I'm glad we're back from Utah so that I can access a few pictures of him. One I don't have, however, is the one where we were at Disneyland and JD and his cousin Joseph were both chosen to be Jedi Knights and fight Darth Vader and Darth Maul! So Heather, if you read this, please send me a copy and I'll post it. 
JD is the Lego master. He makes incredibly intricate Lego creations, and he spends hours thinking through the details. He is also very talented at playing games on the Wii. I make him laugh hysterically when I attempt to play. His grandpa Stan is much better than I am--I usually end up at the end of the race, no matter how easy my part is! But JD zooms past everyone and always does a great job.
I love JD's thoughtful creativity. He made a wonderful clay set of a fork, knife, and spoon for me, that I treasure. He wrote me a note telling me he loves me that I keep with some of my most precious things. JD thinks a lot about many things. He loves to do adventurous things, and he is willing to try a lot of new things. I give a lot of credit to his awesome mother and dad, who do a marvelous job raising him and his sister Camryn and his brother Christian. JD is both very serious and very funny, and it's so fun to talk to him because he has a lot of wise ideas. I'm so glad we get to live nearby for a little longer before his family moves to Pocatello Idaho.
JD, I'm so proud of you for your birthday, and for making the decision to be baptized! You are a wonderful person, and a blessing in our lives. We love you so much, and we are proud of you.
JD with sister Camryn and cousins Joseph and Sarah! Best buddies, these guys; when they all get together they have a terrific time!
