Nathan

Well, to be quite completely honest I don't have a large number of Nathan memories because the span of time between me being old enough to remember things and him going to college/on a mission is not a long one.  However, on reflection I had to chuckle remembering a summer after Dad's collective birthday gift was the wakeboard.  I remember Nathan taking it out to the trampoline and practicing flipping with it on.  He was darn serious about learning to do that!  Ha, I also remember while he was on his mission he sent a tickle-me-Elmo for Christmas.  It came in a giant box full of those packing peanuts and we played bubble bath in it...granted, Nathan wasn't actually there...but obviously it made an impact on me who the gift was from!  I also remember when he and Amy had first had Elle, they were both so protective.  Especially Nathan though.  If you so much as cleared your throat there was always a good chance he was going to make you wear a mask!  At the time it was a little frustrating because I felt like I was walking on eggshells, but looking back those protective instincts are pretty sweet.  It's also always so fun to spend time with Nathan and Amy because they tell the funniest stories!  And they're just cool.  They've lived with us a couple of times, and I remember one summer we played Monopoly with them all the time.  We'd sit outside on the patio with lemonade or something and chat while we played.  It always came down to Nathan and Mom...they're pretty strategic players.  I still love that game, and believe me it's not because I just love playing games that last for hours.  I just have really good memories of playing with them.  I'm grateful to have such great brothers (and sisters) to look up to!  Love you, and happy birthday!