Party Time

Yep.  It's that time of year again.  We like to P-A-R-T-Y big at least twice a year.  December and July - around the holidays, of course.  I always chuckle when people suggest we celebrate half-birthdays around here with three December birthdays. They just don't realize what the first week of July already brings...

 Jantzen wanted to open one present from Mom and Dad in the morning before he left with Aaron for his birthday breakfast.   

Yes, a can of paint.  He's been wanting a color change in his bedroom for a long time - now Mom just needs to finish the job.

 The other gift the kids insisted he open in the AM was the joint gift from all of them - a badminton set. The sounds of Tanner and Jantzen playing outside together was music to my ears - even though they were suppose to be weeding the garden with me.  Hmm, they must be familiar with President Spencer W. Kimball's trick he used to get out of doing the dishes.  

 Brinley and Anna were serious about party planning.  They went all out and even convinced me to take them to the dollar store a few days earlier to get what they 'needed' for a successful kid/family party.  Opening activity - a treasure hunt around the house.

 Jantzen reading clues.  The party was in honor of both Jantzen and Elsie.

 Lots of games and prizes for everybody.  They especially loved the cake walk - yum.

 Practicing their Toyota jumps?

 Plenty of sugar for everyone.

 Plenty of smiles from everyone.

 Then it was off to G-ma & G-pa M's pool.

 No friend parties this year but Jantzen invited his friend (Austen M.) to come swim.

 G-ma M brought out ice cream treats for everyone before we headed to the summer movie showing of the "Smurfs".

 The birthday boy's dinner menu consisted of potstickers, watermelon and grapes.  I threw in asparagus and a green salad for good measure and G-ma & G-pa M joined us for the event.

 He was very happy with the basketball from G-ma & G-pa P and the gift card for two rounds of golf from G-ma & G-pa M (especially since he chose not to buy a season pass this year).  

 And from Mom and Dad - a skateboard.  

This day was action-packed and that's just how Jantzen likes it to be.

His birthday tradition is to eat watermelon and ice cream and throw pop-its outside.

 Mission accomplished.

 This is definitely an activity everybody enjoys participating in!

 And last but not least - an evening fishing trip with Aaron and G-ma M.  It was late when they arrived home and had plenty of tales to tell - but nothing to show for it:).

 Happy 11th Birthday Jantzen!

We love you!