Blaze's 7th Birthday Star Wars Party...

We have been a little traumatized from the experiences of Paul's 7th birthday party at our house, so I was trying to talk Blaze into going elsewhere for a party, but he wouldn't budge. He had specific ideas about what he wanted to do. And it all actually turned out to be really fun! Jackson and Alanna helped out a lot and took the pressure off of me to entertain! First, they started off with making paper X-wings, led by Alanna.

Jackson drew this fabulous Yoda for "Pin the Light Saber on Yoda". I was worried that it would be too easy for them, but several of the kids didn't even hit the poster! I guess "Pin the ...." never get old!

We had a Star Wars version of beer pong going on led by Jackson. The kids loved it and would have played all day if we hadn't have run out of prizes.

It's always so entertaining to see how much bigger Oscar is than Blaze! They are only 3 months apart really!

Eating the asteroids was also a favorite. I got a great video of these kids looking like puppies chasing a tail they just couldn't catch!

And of course, a party isn't a party for my kids unless a piñata is involved! Blaze insisted on a monkey piñata, which had nothing to do with Star Wars, but he was thrilled and no one complained.

I've noticed over the years that most kids don't care about cake, just the ice cream. So we did an ice cream sundae bar and every plate was pretty much licked clean! It was fun to see them pour copious amounts of toppings on their ice cream and look around to see if anyone was going to stop them. We didn't!

Cute Charlotte!

Feisty Mathew!

Adorable Zadie!

A few years ago when Blaze ate at the Lombardi's regularly, Blaze had told Cassie that I stopped buying jam and he was always so excited to eat it at their house. I stopped buying it because my kids will put it on everything...and it's expensive. So Cassie gave Blaze his own jar of jam back then, and it was part of the present Oscar gave him for his birthday this year! It's peach raspberry and I think it was one of his most favorite gifts of all. He immediately declared that it was his and no one else would be partaking. I have already sneaked some for myself!

Sweet Trevan!

Fun loving Robert!

Love these silly faces!

Jackson used his balloon twisting skills to craft light sabers for everyone. They all thought he was pretty amazing!

Blazer's 7th Birthday!!!

I've kind of been dreading this day even though Blaze has been excited for months and months planning out the special cake and party he wanted! It's just hard to accept that my baby is not such a baby anymore! He has really found joy in reading and has been begging me to listen to his chapter book in the mornings before school. Soccer days, whether its for practice or a game are his absolute favorite and he looks forward to playing all day. Some of our neighbors in the back have taken some slats out of their fence so that the kids can go from one backyard to the next and they all play together no matter what age or sex. Blaze has especially loved playing with Charlotte behind us and asks to go play with her just about everyday after school. On the weekends when we play games as a family, Blaze is very competitive and loves to win. He's usually the first to catch on to a new game and form his own unique strategies to win. I still love that he calls me "mommy", kisses me on the lips before he jumps out of the van for school, and will get in my bed and cuddle up to me to keep me warm!

Of course, we had to have the copycat "Jelly Donut French Toast" from Penny Ann's Café for his birthday breakfast! It's stuffed with raspberry jam and melted white chocolate...yum!

Paul and Alanna were so sweet to want to give Blaze gifts first thing in the morning. Paul ordered some nun chucks for the WII, and Alanna wanted to buy Blaze new shoes, but I told her I'd be doing that. So Alanna gave him some money and school supplies instead.

Blaze has been begging for a kayak to float in at the reservoir. When I ordered it a month ago, I envisioned a fun day in the sun celebrating Blaze's birthday. How silly I was, because it was about 42 degrees on his birthday! Utah weather is crazy as ever this season. I do see an 80 degree day in the forecast, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for that!

Grandma Ce Ce and Poppy came for dinner and brought Pizza Hut, and gave Blaze this shark Snuggie along with some birthday money. He makes the best faces and had so much fun playing with the shark. Alanna got a mermaid blanket from them, so I have heard the two of them upstairs playing all sorts of make believe sea creature games!

Months ago, Blaze saw this Peppermint Bark Cheesecake on Pinterest and decided it would be his birthday cake. He's so good at picking out delicious cakes. Last year he introduced us to White Chocolate Raspberry cheesecake that has also become a favorite.

Great Gran gave Blaze a fun Star Wars card and some birthday money.

Gran Perkins's 90th Birthday!!

Gran turned 90 on September 15th! She's lucky she survived the poisoning incident though! Two days before her birthday, dad mixed up some pills and gave her the wrong ones. She ended up in the hospital and had to stay there over night. Luckily, she quickly recovered and make it home for the party!

I love having so much of our family close enough to get together often!

L-3 night at Lagoon...

James missed his work party last year for his brother's trip. It was scheduled during his brother's trip again this year, but he went late so that he could come to Lagoon with us. He has regretted missing the event during this entire year, so much that he missed river rafting with his brothers so he could go to Lagoon. I've been telling him it's really not exciting etc., but he kept insisting that I am crazy and that it really is as fun as Disney or Universal. Right...that's why people from all over the country come to visit Lagoon *eye roll!  And sure enough, after an hour of being there, he decided it was, in fact, LAME! For once we didn't have to stay at the park until closing when we practically get kicked out!

The next morning James took off to Colorado to meet up with the other Willi's to camp in Glenwood Springs. Dan sent me this picture...looks like James enjoyed himself at the Mexican restaurant instead of hanging out at the rainy campsite!

One Republic...

We went to see One Republic at Usana Amphitheatre and it was the perfect summer evening! The venue and the bands were amazing and so was the weather! I took several video clips and keep listening to them over and over again. I love Ryan Tetter...he's got to be one of the most talented musicians out there! James is pulling a creepy James looking like he photo bombed us!

After school winding down...

I love hearing the kids unwind and visit with each other about what went on at school for the day! They don't always get along perfectly, but in many ways they really are best friends!