It will always be their day!

In the midst of all the chaos these past few weeks, I wasn't able to dedicate a birthday page to my incredibly awesome son Justin .  He turned 12 on August 26th, this also would have been my grandpa's 85th birthday, in grandpa's words..we are birthday buddies! 


I was never so excited the day I found out I was pregnant, it took 2 years for Blaine and I to get this news after many negative test.  He was on the phone with me when I found out and we both choked up.  Nine months later I awoke at 3AM to my water breaking and quite quickly remembered that it was grandpa's birthday too.  Once Dr. Howden arrived at the hospital mid morning for his check-up I told him this baby has to be born today, he upped my platosin and out came little Justin Gregory Keller, 7lbs 5oz at 1:55PM; he wasn't kidding when he said "I can make that happen". 
Justin was named after his grandpa Greg (my dad) and on his great grandpa's Claude's birthday; what a legacy he had standing around him and what honors he gets to hold forever.

Great grandpa made the trip from Grand Forks before the birth just to meet his birthday buddy in person, someone was on the ball and took a picture of their first meeting; thanks to whom ever this was!  What a fabulous gift and memory for me as well!

Justin waited to take his first steps until I was home one evening with him. I happened to have my camera out snapping pictures because he loved that balloon when he suddenly walked away from the couch, I think if I remember correctly I squealed and he didn't do it again for a few more days!

As I started looking for my 12 pictures to post, I discovered that all of the things Justin is so passionate about today are the things he was so eager to do at a very young age.

Hockey: Age 2

Yes, at some point the helmet was even needed even for nap time!

Football:  Age 5

First Guitar:  Age 5

These are today:
Hockey Age 11

Football Age 12

(This one was from this weekend, he played quarterback and scored 2 of the 3 touchdowns for a winning game for the Cobbers)

Him and his 3rd Guitar Age 11

Justin is a very active, quiet, down to earth kid who doesn't get too worked up about anything.  He is so good natured and has a very big heart.  (He reminds me of his great grandpa in many ways)  If I could describe Justin in just on word I think I would use the word 'genuine'; he loves with all his heart, he tells you like it is, and he makes no excuses for being who he is. 

His 6th grade picture

Man, do I love this kid! 

Happy 12th Birthday Justin!!