My little boy turns 5!!

Can you believe this was already 5 years ago!!  I can't believe my oldest is ready to start Kindergarten.  Jackson has add so much joy and happiness to life.  He is teaching me so much as a person and as a parent. 

 1 day old

 1 year

 2 years

3 years

To celebrate turning 5, I threw a superhero party.  We decorated with reds, yellows and blues.  We had batman PB&Js, POP! CRUNCH (chips), ZAP (fruit on a stick) and POW! (cupcakes) 

When the kids arrived, they picked a mask and arm cuffs.  Then they decorates a cape and came up with a "super" name.  Jackson was Ironman Jack.   Jackson loves dress up and so this element is always a part of his parties.  

We watched clips of superhero shows and then would play a game about it.  The kids had different weapons and worked together to destroy the villians (soda bottles and balloons with bad guy faces drawn on them).  I let them know that they were all good guys and they couldn't hit each other and there were NO issues with hitting other kids.  The kids traded weapons and had fun.  We had water guns, Captain America frisbee, Thor hammer, nerf guns, bean bags and a spiderman yoyo.  They especially loved when the balloons popped and they really eliminated the bad guys :)

 We also played an obstacle course in the house (a July b-day in Arizona is not as fun as in a cooler place).  The kids climbed the bunk bed and jumped down on to our giant love sac, then they traversed the lava (red blankets) on a balance board.  They climbed through a tunnel and ended by hopscotching over stones.  We also got rid of 'kryptonite' (aluminum foil painted green with glitter sprinkled on it).  Finally, we tried to break a pinata BOMB.  It was my first time making my own pinata and apparently I am REALLY good at it.  After 2 times through all the kids AND all the adults, we just ripped it open.

The party was so much fun.  There was not a single problem, even with 12 kids in the house.  I was SOOO thankful to my bestie Sandra for coming to help.  Mariah even slept the entire party!

4th of July

An amazing friend from my ward planned a 4th of July service project.  The kids painted pots, planted fake flowers and make a flag.  Then we delivered them to a senior living center.  It was such a good experience for my kids and myself.  

Jackson 'playing' with Mariah.  He is sweet and fun with her. 

 On the 4th I made red and blue pancakes (with white whipped cream).   Jackson gave me this pancake pan that makes smiley face pancakes.  We really love them.

 I also make red, blue and white stripped jello for our picnic lunch with friends.

 We borrowed my cousins pool (thanks, Sally!) for a picnic lunch with our friends the Bells.  Most everyone from Phoenix valley was out of town for the 4th of July (it was only 109 degrees I think, com'on people!)  So we spent the morning swimming.  Jackson got a snorkel set and has been loving the fins, mask and snorkel.  He is learning to swim better, farther and how to dive.  It is like swimming lessons in a bag :)

 We headed to Tempe beach park for the fireworks show.  It was HOT.  Notice Hallie's cheeks here!  The kids like the inflatables.  We saw a great show and then got stuck in traffic on the way home.  Dave's work complex is the closest parking to this place, which was great . . .until we were trying to get out :(

This was our first experience with an Arizona 4th.  I can see why people leave :)  Fireworks are more enjoyable on a cool evening in Utah!  Not sweating.  

Utah Birthday

Since I hadn't planned on being in Utah on my birthday it was pretty unexpected with not much planned.  I did get to meet my newest nephew Carter.  He was SO tiny compared to Mariah.  It is amazing to see how far she's come in under 3 months! 

 My dad was good to make me breakfast and buy me dinner.   He is such a good, fun grandpa to his grandkids.

 Here is 6 of their 11 grandkids in less than 5 years!  Our family is exploding!  My little sister, Carly,  went to lunch at Denny's with me (I just HAD to get a free meal on my Bday!)  We realized it was probably the first time we had done something alone together.  I sure enjoyed it and love that we are so much closer as adults than we ever had the chance to be as kids.  We did miss Melinda and Marcie

 We took the Heber Creeper Dinosaur train in the evening.  My friend Alissa and her kids joined us.  I loved meeting her newest addition Braxton.  our first kids are within a week of each other, our 2nds are within a month and a half (but they have the same name) and our 3rds are within a month of each other.  She is a great friend and the more I go through life, the more I realize how precious these type of friendships are.

The next day I got to go to Tucanos with my best friend Sandra.  I so enjoy being with her and talking to her.  I love our friendship and I love that we have keep in touch and seen each other often over the years.  She is a great mom and a great friend.  Unbelievably, my kids SAT in their chairs and ate for the entire meal!!  This never happens!  It was amazing and so nice!  Best birthday present they could offer me!

Hallie is trying her hardest not to lay right on top of Mariah. 

Dave ended up flying in Monday night to see me on my birthday and help me get home the next day.  He got me a snorkel and Kauai guidebook (can't wait to get to the last island!), workout tops and PJs.  All in all it was a great birthday filled with the love of family and friends.