Star Wars Party!

Ryan requested a Star Wars party this year with his friends for his 7th birthday.
Get ready for picture overload.
Thanks to my sister for being our photographer most of the party and to Grandma Linda and Aunt Maren for coming out to help.
Here is what the invitation said (along with the date/time etc.):

Episode 7

THE BIRTHDAY PARTY

The Jedi Council requests your presence at Ryan Clegg's 7th Birthday Party. We will be graced by the presence of Pizza the Hutt (Pizza), Yoda Soda (Drinks), &

Darth Malt (ice cream). We plan to destroy the Empire's latest weapon, the Death Star, and to punish the Vader piňata.

The "Jedi Entrance"

The Prizes.

The Treat Bags, Mini Light Sabers, and Lollipops (what kid doesn't love lollipops?)

Ben made the Yoda soda with Squirt, dry ice, and green food coloring. Genius right?

The Ice Cream Bar (Or Darth Malt)

Coloring while we wait for all the guests to arrive.

Some of the party guests enjoying Pizza the Hutt.

Destroying the Death Star. We filled hundreds of water Balloons the night before the party, and split up into two teams to see who could destroy the Death Star first. Although, everyone got a prize. We did not want to make anyone feel bad.

The Death Stars (made by Ben with sidewalk chalk).

Now they are destroying a huge Death Star in the middle of the street.

Now for the Vader Pinata.

Opening presents. Ryan has such cute friends. We're grateful a lot of them were able to come. It was so nice of everyone to bring him presents. He said that was his favorite part of the party. :-)

Egg Race

Before you all think I'm a freak, Ben made up this game:
Pin the Underpants on Darth Vader
It was a hit. The kids all loved it!

Grandma Linda helping cousin Shad.

Summer helping Eilee.

Pheww, we're glad Darth Vader has underpants on now.

Eating our ice cream.

Ryan being Rango

The kids really liked the Ice Cream Bar. I would definitely do that again!

Ben was our clown this year at the party. He gave the kids a choice of a Light Saber or a Sword Balloon...but they were the same thing. He Googled how to make balloons shapes - Genius - again.

Ryan had a great time at his party. And we really appreciate all who came, or who stopped by to tell Ryan Happy Birthday. It really made his day.
One Star Wars Party down
One Pirate Party to go...
(Ethan was my helper buying all the party supplies...and he was dying to buy all the Pirate stuff for his Birthday Party...in October. He is counting down.)

The "Up" House

Seriously, Herriman is awesome. I love living here. This is one more reason to love it.
The "Up" House lives in Herriman too!

I took my boys over to see it, and they loved it! They asked me if it was going to fly away.

Ryan even noticed the front door has several dead bolts (he said, "locks") on the front door just like the house in the movie. So observant.

What a fun thing to share with my kids.

The Back of the house.

So cool, right?

The Slash Pad

The Herriman Splash Pad is always crazy busy. Here is a little secret:
Go Early!
We went from 9-10:30 a.m.
At 10:30 it started to get super busy and we left.
My boys love the Splash Pad/Park. We had a great time while we were there alone.

I love sleeping children. Seriously, it's my favorite to watch them sleep. I used to do it when they were babies and I just can't seem to stop.

Ethan fell asleep hugging his larger than life dog.

Ryan has had that bear since he was 6 months old.
I'm surprised it still has limbs.

July 4th

I love the 4th of July! As I have said a million times before. We did our usual this year that consisted of: The Tooele Parade

We have a lot of family in Tooele, so it's nice to hang out with a huge group of people we love!
Then we do breakfast at Ben's Parents house. Yummy!
Later we go to Ben's Grandpa Chuck's house for a BBQ, then his Grandpa has the Deseret Peak Pool Reserved for the family from 8-10 p.m. Then we get out and watch the firework show.

Just got our jammies on after we got out of the pool.

My cute, happy kids!

The Lawrence Family at the pool.

Daddy & Ethan

We hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July also!

Pre-4th Celebration

I love July!
We had a BBQ with our next door neighbors and did fireworks on the 3rd of July. We had such a great time. I loved watching all the kids run around and play together and do sparklers and watch fireworks. I love being outside at night when it is still warm...it's my favorite.
Here are some pics from that night with friends.

There were so many sparklers, the kids actually got tired of doing them.

Courtney & Kell. Close up pictures are the worst!

The kids got up and did a victory dance after each firework. It was awesome!

So handsome.

Nice bum shot. The boys lighting the fireworks. They were a little crazy.

Ethan loves our friend Jen!

Courtney (I'm not sure what she was pointing at) with our cute friends Jared & Diana

The missionaries live across the street from us, we invited them to come watch the fireworks.

We had a great Pre-4th of July celebration!

Kindergarten Graduation

A: Ryan is adorable.
B: Am I really old enough to have a Kindergarten Graduate?

The Kindergarten Hawk Assembly was the cutest. They sang us songs they have been learning throughout the year - then they received their diplomas and graduated Kindergarten. It was the sweetest thing ever. I might have shed a tear or two.
Ryan was so happy Grandma Linda was able to come see him graduate. It really meant a lot to him.

Getting their diploma
&
Getting their Medal from the Principal.

Seriously, what's with Ethan's poses?
I love my boys. Congrats to Ryan!
I can't believe he'll be a big 1st grader next year!

Mrs. Marquard, Ryan, Grandma Linda & Ethan

The School put on a Dance Festival.
They had each grade do dances from different decades. I loved watching all the dances and listening to all the songs. I defiantly grew up in the 80's-90's, those were my favorite songs.

(Above) That's my boy - dancing with his hands in his pockets.

Kindergarten did the Hokey Pokey. (Ryan is 4th from the left)