Adventure is out there!

We threw a big birthday bash for Miles and his friends.

The theme was Disney-Pixar’s movie UP. I decided a little late to switch the party theme, so I’ve been super busy getting organized.

We’re pretty sure it’s a party he’ll never forget.

Happy 5th Munch!!

Family photos taken before the party started.

Baby Lars had just woken from his nap. He’s going, “too bright! the sun is too bright!”

And now Lars is fully awake, and no one will look at the camera.

All party ideas I copied from this photographer. I take no credit for the cute ideas. The fondant on the cake and cupcakes was made by CrumbyArt. And a huge thank you to Lara for the delicious cake!!

Luke constructed and Miles helped paint Mr. Fredrickson’s house.

“When are they going to get here??” Miles can’t wait for the party to start.

Our family room was converted into a campsite in keeping with the adventure theme.

The kids watched the movie for maybe 15 minutes. Long enough to take these photos, eat their pizza and then decide to go back outside to the tramp and play area. Many of Miles’s friends are from church and preschool. Since they’ve been on spring break for the last 2 weeks, they had a lot of catching up to do.

Miles was ready for a bigger bike now that he’s not using training wheels. We took him out to ride after the party and he rode off on his new wheels no problem.

We love you Miles!

A camping we will go!

I invited myself (and my kids, ha!) to tag along with my mom and younger brothers when they celebrated spring break in a tent. Yep, I camped overnight with all the kids without my husband. Wowzers!

The kids had a fantastic time exploring, jumping over a rattle snake (for real!), playing in the tents, kicking the dirt, playing with the dirt, eating the dirt, and rubbing the dirt into every crevice on their little bodies. I found it in ears, up noses, and under armpits when I did the strip down inside the garage and run naked for the shower when we arrived back home.

Finally made it to the campsite. 70 miles from home. Can you tell we’re still in Arizona?

Masie giving Uncle Hansan some drawing advice.

Poor, poor Miles. He took one good look at the outhouse (he kept calling it the “indoor house”) and decided he was going to hold it. And I’m not talking #1. Throughout the afternoon as he got more uncomfortable (all of my kids are super “regular”), he gained some courage and would sit on the yucky seat, but his body just wouldn’t comply. He tried about 20 times (yes, we sanitized hands after each trek out of the poop house), and he just couldn’t do it. He was moved to tears as he walked around the campsite squeezing his little bum cheeks together in pain. I finally realized it was the fear of his waste dropping down the big whole that caused him to tense up. I let Masie go while Miles looked on, and he was impressed by the soft “plunk” at the bottom. He was finally feeling more comfortable at bedtime and was able to sleep just fine. It took 3 more attempts the next morning for him to finally have success. We all shouted for joy!

My little leprechaun. It was St. Patrick’s Day.

Lyla loved teasing Grandma. Lyla would race and sit in my mom’s seat whenever she’d stand up. Then my mom would call her over for a “treat” and quickly get her chair back.

Me and the crew all fit it this.

Peaking in on our napping baby.

Yep, still in Arizona.

Dallan never would give me a straight face.

Neither will Masie.

It’s not camping if you don’t hand up the trash.

Oh my girls! They slept on the blow-up mattress with me. They slept. I did not. But I wasn’t really planning to.

Masie, not happy, when I finally said “enough jumping!”

This is early-early Friday morning. The temperature that was in the high 70’s during the day dropped down below 40 at night. They did not complain once about the cold. They’re much tougher than I thought.

I’m trying to look lively.

Hansan and Dallan making us some oatmeal.

I love this photo of my brother Hansan and my son Lars. My kids love their uncles and their grandma.