Mud-run

I'd love to take credit for this idea, but I can't. The credit goes to Miss Jackie. We were talking about our boys birthdays - they are close in day, but are a year apart. She had planned an outdoor themed party, but had seen on pinterest a 'mud-run' obstacle course. My creative thinking got going....but I had no idea it would be this great and all of it was due to my husband's work. The obstacle course on pinterest took place in a wooded area....we don't have that, but we did have a yard with brown patchy grass and we were moving. :) Also we had 7, count em, 7 full 55 gallon barrels of water. They needed to be emptied before we moved anyway. Perfect. :)

We drew up a course, then discussed how to make it work. Several tours of Home Depot and we finally found the stakes we needed. A drill, string, shovels, mallets, dirt and lots of water - a recipe for a dirty, fun, boy party.
The prep work - my husband was in it, mostly because he loves a little adventure and dirt. :)

 Here it is.....a few more barrels and we're set to go.
Let's run through the course:

 the ladder

 under the swing set, under the slide, around the back

 up the stairs.....and

  down the slide!

Around the water barrels, to the green turtle filled with mud and hidden treasures:

army crawl:

 and my favorite the slip-n-slide: Jeff gladly demonstrated the correct form. (a couple of times - the boys wanted to race Jeff)

 
Then do it all again, and again, and again, and again, wanna race? again?, okay, again, again, again....you get the idea. they loved it! The color of their clothing quickly became 'brown'.

 the girls got in there too

 the boys were ever so helpful in helping Lea get dirty and stay cooled off.

 Samhith racing Jeff - you can decide who won....

 We told them to get as dirty as possible and then we'd take a picture. 

Josh, Lucas, Jonas, Estavon, Josh, Boston, Samhith

 Mo found his happy place.

We cleaned them off, sang to Lucas, had ice cream cones and I think they had a great time!

oh and sent them home with a new, CLEAN, #7 shirt.

 the aftermath - we'll be doing this party again.

Happy Abbs

 All birthday parties this year were to be sans gifts from friends. We have enough stuff and we were moving...no need to have more stuff added from friends (although they do give the best gifts), just decided to stick with family gifts this year.

Abbey is easily impressed - she's excited for everyone else to receive gifts, she's excited to give them and see the reaction, and she LOVES every gift she receives. It's fun to give her gifts. :)

 Lego super heroes

 candy

 police, FBI, CIA, special forces - badges for everyone

 a light saber! this was the one thing she asked for.

 opening more candy

 pure joy.

 because her birthday is on or around Memorial day, we get to enjoy a day off - this time at our cousins house and they now have a pool!

 the pool was a little chilly so they spent a lot of time on the trampoline - Ashley, Abbey, Lea, Lucas

 Ashley and Lea

 and in the hot tub:

Mo, Rozann, Taylee, Brianna

 Steve & Shay

 fun times with family: Mo, Rozann & Taylee, Brianna, Ashley, Steve & Shay, Lea, Lucas, Tanner, Abbey