Suzy's 1st Birthday Party (finally posted)

Since our "Little Lady" was turning one we decided to have a "Ladybug" themed party!  It was a quick one, but it was a hit!  I crocheted her dress!  I'm pretty excited about this since it's not only the first dress I've ever made, but I created the pattern myself!  Everything at the party was red, black, and white, incorperating polk dots where ever possible!  We started with presents, then did cake and treats.  I really don't like cupcakes but it was a busy day so I had to simplify.  Plus, I think it's so much easier on the baby to eat a cupcake instead of something larger.  For the finale of the party we had a ladybug hunt!  It really wasn't that difficult because we let out about 1500 ladybugs (you can buy them for about $7 at a garden nursery) at once, but the kids loved it.  They probably loved it because it was so easy!  They put their jars into mason jars I had decorated, but I'm pretty sure most of them were let out into gardens once they were home!  Happy Birthday little Suzy!  I can't believe you're one!

Gary's Star Wars Birthday Party

Gary's 6th Birthday Party

The best party in the galaxy!

Putting C3PO back together!

Younglings dressed in proper attire are very happy!

Large training ball - when hit with light saber while using the force candy will explode out!

Once successful with training light saber the youngling earns his very own!

Training from Master Tamyo Hahun (that's me ;))

Darth Vader interrupts training, trying to convince the younglings to join the dark side.  But they use their training to defeat him!

The younglings, having completed their training, graduate and become Jedi Knights!

Celebration begins with an R2D2 cake!

Congratulations 6 year-old Gary Young!

Liv Turns 7!

I can't believe my little girl is seven, but it is so. I asked her what she wanted for her birthday party theme and she chose her favorite thing to do... Dance! So that's what we did! We had the girls dress up in tutus so they came ready to get their groove on. We played Simon Says while we waited for everyone to arrive. Simon mostly told them to do dance related moves. Then Liv blew out her seven candles and we ate cake & ice cream... sugaring up the kiddos so they'd be ready to burn some energy on the dance floor! Then we danced, played musical, did the hokey pokey, and so on. I loved hearing the girls giggle and getting those shy ones to shake it a little! The girls got to dress like stars and do a photo shoot which I will then send back to them in a thank you card! Last was unwrapping presents. I love when the kids get excited to GIVE the presents, they are so sweet! It was a super awesome party! It especially makes me happy when Liv says, "It was the BEST party EVER!"

Todd's Birthday

My sweet honey had another birthday! He actually got to celebrate for two days! While we were in Salt Lake we went to see the new Disney princess movie, Tangled. The kids were super excited about the movie when they saw previews, so Todd, being the softy he his, told the kids all he wanted for his birthday was tickets to see Tangled. So we gave him the tickets and invited a bunch of his friends to go with us. I appreciate Todd's friends,they are awesome! Afterwards we went to the nearest ice cream shop for ice cream cake. Unfortunately we weren't the only ones with such an idea, so it was a bit of a wait to purchase the cake. But luckily a restaurant across the way had the BYU/UTAH game on it's big screen TV, so Todd and his guests were able to watch the end of the game. What a close one! (The Y didn't win, but Todd had fun anyways, he's a good sport). We went home to Toquerville that night, so he didn't have to travel on his actual special day. That night we had dinner with a handful of his family! I think he had a good birthday, I sure hope so... he deserves it!

Liv's 6th Super Birthday

A couple weeks ago (on July 14th) we celebrated Liv's 6th birthday! It's hard to imagine it's been six years since my princess arrived, but she sure acts like a 6-year-old! For her birthday she chose a Mario theme since she LOVES the Mario Party games and the new Super Mario Bros on the Wii! Since in Mario Party they play mini games that are a lot like carnival games we decided to do the same! We had Bean Bag Toss, Balloon Pop, Ring Toss,Bottle Knock Down, and a couple other fun games! The kids earned stars for their accomplishments (just like in Mario Party)and kept track of them on a score card around their neck. The cake I was especially proud of, and thoroughly enjoyed making since Todd was able to stay home and take care of the kids while I made it! (And a special thanks to Allison Smith for the inspiration!) Liv was blessed with several gifts, but she especially loved her new purple horse! Thanks to all the kiddos that came (and parents for bringing them), the party was a success... Liv said it was her favorite one!

Gary's 4th Birthday

This party was a lot of fun to plan and put on. But I must say that I couldn't have done it without all the help I got from family. My dad, Linda, the boys, & Amber came down and made a world of difference. Linda and Dad helped prepare food, Nate and Amber wrapped presents for us and cut food, and Aaron spent the day cutting out most of the decoration stuff for the cars! The awesome race track was thanks to Gary and Todd. I have the coolest father-in-law! So the party started with Gary blowing out his candles and then letting guests help themselves to a dessert buffet, yum! Then we divided the kids into five teams, then they were given the task of decorating their cars. I had painted cardboard boxes beforehand, so all they had to do was personalize their "car" with letters, numbers, flames, stars, dots, etc. I was very impressed with what they did. While everything glued into place we let the kids whack open a car pinata (Gary said this was his favorite part of the party). Then Gary boy unwrapped his presents, he was showered with toys, thanks everyone! Unfortunately it had decided to start pouring rain right before the party started, so we kept hoping it'd let up... but it didn't. Luckily, that didn't stop most of the kids, they were still game to run the race track! Gpa Gary shortened the track a bit, but all the fun stuff was still part of the track. So the kids took turns racing about, smiling all the while! I think everyone had a blast, but especially Gary boy! Happy Birthday Sweet boy, I can't believe it's been four years!

Birthdays

This last week has been a busy one because Liv and I celebrated our birthdays!!  Liv, the lucky duck, has gotten to celebrate throughout a whole week!  This last weekend we went to Salt Lake again so I could meet the two new babies (Jaxton Hansen and Annalisa Lynn Taylor)!  While we were up there we got to celebrate our birthdays together with my dad, Linda, and Aaron! 

 On the 14th, her actual birthday, she got to unwrap presents from her mom and dad as well as her grandma and grandpa Young!  Then we had cake and ice cream, yum!  I have to say, though, I absolutely LOVE how Liv blows out her

 candles... she stays as far away as possible and then gives little tufts of air!  Eventually someone has to help her, but it gets done!

Then today we had a "Butterfly Tea Party" with what Liv calls "Juice-Tea"!  Her friends came over late 

morning to make their own butterflies, had sandwiches as well has cake and ice cream (and none of the kids wanted sandwiches, just the good stuff)!  And, of course, a super cute butterfly pinata!  The girls loved beating that thing, and I was very impressed by some of their swings.  Liv was as gentle as ever, she tried to 

"kill it with kindness" 

as we always call it!  So it was a great week for the two of us!  Another year down, and a new one beginning!