Tyler's 1st birthday party ever

I am not good at celebration holidays and birthdays.  So yes... Tyler just turned 7 and had his first ever party.  Wow.  It was so fun. I was so excited for it. The planning and time to prep for it was unbelievable.  but it was still exciting.  

The theme: Spy Animal Rescue 

They needed disguises. 

The party started with making a spy glass (toilet paper roll) and a goodie bag. 

When all 18 kids were there... 18.... wow... 

(it never would have worked unless I had Darren. He was great)

But when they were all there we sat down for Spy school.  (yes the teacher in me came out)

They were going to have to pass some tests... observation, listening, sneaking, physical, and a final test. 

Each time they passed a test they could rescue a poor animal and take it to the animal rescue center. 

First get code names.

one jar had adjectives in it, the other nouns

Tyler's spy name for the party was "White Glove"

They got their mustaches and sunglasses with funny eyebrows and headed outside.  

Picture time as spies!

First test:  Observation. 

Objects on tray, take some away and as a group they had to figure out what was gone. 

The animals were slowly all rescued through out the whole party

They had to decode clues between each activity.  

This one was in font so small you couldn't read it.  Also in spanish.  

So they used their magnifying glasses to help. 

This was my favorite photo... Sid is a little too young to read, 

but he was determined to be like a big kid.  

He was really studying those words.  

Then off to the next skill test. 

One group was inside doing a physical test.  The laser beam challenge.  

Super fun.  and it got harder and harder

Darren was outside doing the obstacle course. 

Then they all played an I spy game at the table. 

The last clue was a mirror image code.  

They had to get outside and find five clocks. when they found all five they could read the clue on the back. There was a bomb in the backyard they had to deactivate. 

yes... it was in its former life ... a cute orange pumpkin piñata sold at Walmart for Halloween! 

Now it was a BOMB!

So all in all... the party was  a huge success.  

Why was I so happy... because this cute boy was so happy!

I told him when he is 10 he can have another one!

Here a couple pictures I loved!

And I am adding my itenerary so I wont ever forget... that was a lot of work!

Most of the ideas were from others blogs on line. So I just copied them here...

1. Make  homemade binoculars in the piano room. http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/toystomake/a/blbinocr.htm

Make brown bags with names on them at the kitchen counter

1. Do I spy puzzle on floor
2. take a picture

2. Next we chose our spy code names.  nouns in one jar and adjectives in another.  
1.  NAME TAGS- markers
1. A=1, B=2
2. Green and Yellow group- go to Kitchen table 7, 18,
3. Purple and Blue Group- outside on patio 16, 21

3. TEST OBSERVATION SKILLS- Put out several objects on a tray, let them study it for a few minutes, then had them close their eyes while I took 3 or 4 away.  They then would try and write down what was taken.  Each time I added new things.  We played for 4 or 5 rounds.  
1. paper on table outside with crayons
1. In EASTER EGGS
2. Green and Blue Group- move to the garden box
3. Purple and Yellow Group- move to the shed
4. Earn one animal each time they do it right

4. TEST SNEAKING AND LISTENING SKILLS- "guard dog".  One child sits with their eyes closed and their back turned to the rest of the group. We put an object behind them that they were protecting.  Then the chosen super spy would try to sneak up as quietly as possible and grab the item.  The guard dog had one chance to spin around and catch them, so they couldn't repeatedly turn around to try and catch the spy.
1. Printed very small - need magnifying glass
2. Green and Purple Group- upstairs for the laser challenge
3. Yellow and Blue Group- go outside for laser challenge
1. Earn one animal each time they rescue an animal successfully

5. TEST OF YOUR PHYSICAL SKILLS - Laser beam challenge.  Start with just 3 laser beams, and after the whole line had a turn, I added more.  By the end the hall was covered in streamers and it was very difficult to get through.  
1. Earn three or four animals if team is successful

6. TEST OF YOUR PHYSICAL SKILLS- Obstacle Course-
1. walking on balance beams;
2. carrying an egg on a spoon or balloon between knees
3. pressing Tyler’s water gun into the ground & spinning around it three times
4. crawl/roll under a hammock
5. Climb up rock wall
6. Spiderman tunnel and fortress
7. nerf gun practice
1. Earn three or four animals if team is successful

7. I spy with my little eye search- Do until both groups are finished on back patio.
1. also can work on puzzle
1. http://www.upsidedowntext.com

    8.   The Bomb Squad  -- all of the guests  -- find five clocks in front yard

    9.   end of scavenger hunt get pinata
http://crackofdawncrafts.blogspot.com/2011/06/spy-party-make-pull-string-bomb-pinata.html

Xterra World Championship

Darren did a fun race last weekend.  

The Xterra World Championship. A triathlon in the mountains. 

Lance Armstrong came and did this race last year... So you know it has to be cool.  

This swim started at 10:00 am. brrrr...

The leaves were beautiful.  The kids and I really enjoyed the Ogden scenery.  

I hope Darren got to enjoy it too..

The run sounds terrible.  lots and lots of up and a ski resort.  

But he finished and did well.  

They have a fun little bike course for kids.  Tyler and Ella love it.  

We camped out and enjoyed the nice weekend. 

Tyler is 7 years old!

I think Tyler had a great birthday.  The best part is that we got to spend it all together as a family.  Darren got off work at 3:00 when Tyler got out of school!  

AWESOME!

We used our pass of all passes and went to a fun center in Lehi. 

The kids rock climbed

Darren had already golfed 18 holes for "work" that day but we had a good time miniature golfing 18 holes out side and 9 inside.  Darren was done golfing!  The kids love golfing!

Ella and I opted out of the water game. Tyler got wet enough for all four of us. 

My kids... back row with hands up. 

One of the fun gifts Tyler got was a white church shirt so he could look like the boys who pass the sacrament and like his daddy.  He wouldn't take the shirt off yesterday until bed.  

He looked very handsome.  

So now my boy is quiet grown up.  He lost 2 teeth in the last month.  He is doing well in school.  He has nice friends.  He is a great helper and big brother.  We love Tyler.

A quiet weekend

I want to remember this weekend because it will be a while until something like this happens again. 

Several weeks ago, Corie and Nolan took the kids for two nights.  

There is nothing quiet as nice as

-  sleeping in my own bed, 

- knowing I wont get woken up. 

- knowing I can sleep in as long as I want

- eating when I want and sitting down

- staying up late and watching a really loud movie on our Bose system 

(and knowing it wont wake up the kids)

- doing whatever I want when I want....

AHHHH!!!

Darren and I went out to eat twice- both at Mexican restaurants- 

Why???

because I dont eat out much and Mexican is always my first and second choice!

We biked in City up to the top of the mnt so w could see over into Big Cottonwood. 

Wow! 14 weeks pregnant and I made it. I sure was tired. 

I had to stop and take this great picture.  

It was so beautiful and the leaves were starting to change colors

I turned off my phone for most of the weekend. But I did make one call to Angela.  

She was leaving on an adventure... one I would have loved to join her on. 

Nepal for one month. Climbing mountains, sleeping in tents, wandering around to little villages. 

The kids on the other hand -- they didn't miss us. 

They had a blast. 

Ella's comment was - We're having a party!

It was a nice weekend.  Thank you Nolan and Corie!

Tyler's soccer team

Tyler has a great coach for soccer. Paul is driven to be a good coach.

 Tyler is getting better and better each year.  

This year we lucked out- In addition to a pretty good team we got two new players after the first game. 

I put a picture of one of their dads down below... Santiago and David grew up playing soccer. And boy those boys can play.  If they kick it, it goes to the other end of the field.  If they make a goal they run around the field like they have seen their fathers do... hands up, number one on their finger, making the crowd cheer!

Tyler takes turns playing goalie. But he does pretty well.  He has blocked a few close calls!

 This is Santiago's father.  

Darren and Tyler went to a Real Soccer game last night and watched him score a goooooal!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javier_Morales

September means more time at home

We made a quick trip to Logan over Labor Day weekend.  We got there and realized Ella hadn't worn any shoes out to the car.  So she worn Aunt Nellie's extra large flip flops all weekend.  We got to visit Great Grandma Balls too. 

Pat and Seth had lots of tomatoes.  Their garden does so well.  I think mine was too shaded this year but a huge over grown tree so my tomatoes aren't even big!  I came home an made the most wonderful easy spaghetti sauce. ( I did add some peppers and a zucchini or two).  Ella was drinking it with a straw.  yum!  My friend said she adds a can of cream of mushroom soup every time and wow! we loved that!

We also got green grapes from our neighbor.  We have lots of raisins now and I am so excited!

Ella has been very interested in babies lately.  She wants me to help her with her babies.  She takes care of her babies. 

We just lent our neighbor our bouncy swing that hangs from the ceiling.  So Ella came home and made a swing for one of her babies that hangs from the ceiling. 

We are also getting ready for fall.  We found a family of snails in the garden.  Ella is taking good care of them.  If they try to leave their bucket "home"  she carefully puts them back in and tells them to stay with their family.  She just told me they are all sleeping because they haven't moved for a day.  

Is this animal cruelty?  no.... their snails!!!!

My sister Candace had a cute baby- Liesel.  So we had some fun cousin time yesterday so she could have a minute or two with out the other kids.  It was a fun play date. 

Tyler also invented a Lego electronic toothbrush.  Pretty fun. 

School has started

School has started.  I was sad the first day of first grade when I asked Tyler if he wanted me to walk him to school or go with Dad (in his truck).  He told me he better go with Dad in his truck.  

HEART BREAK!!!

So his first day of first grade, he got dropped off at the curb and ran in to school.  

He was ready and excited!

Ella started her preschool too.  Our neighbor Tadd Snowder goes with her.  She is one of three Ella's in the class.  oh my!

Of course she loves.  She loves it A LOT!

Tyler walked out of school the other day and showed me his loose tooth.  

Three hours later he had wiggled and wiggled and wiggled it so much that it came right out.  

How am I getting so old.  

Mid week mnt bike series

We love the mid week mnt bike series.  Last year Darren placed 2nd in his division overall.  This year, he was training for his ironman so we only hit the last few races.  

  

I didn't get any pictures of Tyler. But I want to remember how proud I am of him.  Kids can do 1-3 laps.  The last race he did 3 laps.  That is big.  That is racing with kids who are bigger, and older than him.  And he did AMAZING!!!  He beat several kids who are older than him, but more importantly he tried something was hard.  

Ella did one lap.  She has new bike that is a bit too big for her.  She rides it well, but going down trails that are loose and covered with rocks she doesn't have total control yet.  She was amazing. 

This picture sums up the fun of the race.  Friends and fun, in the mnt. on bikes. 

Biking is a lifetime sport.  You can bike forever.  You can bike as a family.  Other sports are great, but you can spend every weekend at soccer games, and basketball, games, and whatever else... but Darren and I decided we want to have our kids do life time sports.  Skiing, biking, hiking, climbing.  Those are things we can do as a family and as adults forever.  Sure. we will still do some dance and soccer. but we want to do activities that as family we can enjoy. 

 The last night the kids get awards.  (the get a free raffle gift every time they race) But the awards are pretty neat.

Also I dont want to forget Renee's birthday.  and Tyler finished his Lego technic digger.  oh my.  

Pocatello

Candace and I drove up to the Brigham City Temple open house.  We met Grandma Balls there and got to go through and see the new temple.  A very beautiful building with an amazing interior.  

Then Candace and I drove up to Pocatello together to see Jenny's new house.  It is nice that she is only 3 hours away now.  (instead of 13)

I was originally supposed to do a race with Darren and his co-workers this same weekend, but this pregnancy has not allowed me to get the exercise I would like.  

So Darren rode "The toughest century in Utah" without me.  100 miles and lots and lots of climbing. 

We on the other hand had a wonderful time at Jenny's.  The kids played non stop.  We ate good food and lots of junk food :)  we stayed up late watching a great movie.  Then couldn't wait to watch the rest the next night so we let the kids run wild while we finished the last three hours of it.  If you want a great movie to watch I love all of these, North and South, Wives and Daughters and Cranford.  They are like the wonderful classic Price and Prejudice and my sisters and I love them!

Cousin time was fun.  The end of this trip means the end of summer.  Tyler starts school.  Ella starts preschool.  Life will be back to some normalcy.