Henry's 6th Birthday Party

Once we got through weeks of pneumonia and other fun stuff, we were finally able to set a date in August for Henry's birthday party.  He invited a few friends from school to swim at the pool and then play at our house.

 

Deciding which treat to buy...they were trying to convince Jack (the lifeguard) that one quarter could buy a candy bar that was $1.00, but he didn't fall for it.

 Walter, Caden, Jacob, Henry, Cayden

Henry and Cayden

Shaking presents

 

For many weeks, we practiced what to say when opening a present: 

"You've been hoping for Jabba the Hut Palace for months.  When you open the next present you see it isn't the palace, it's a Barbie house!  What do you say?" 

Henry:  "Thank you...but then we could exchange it, right Mom?"

Walter:  "No thank you, please.  I'd like something else."

 

Legos!

Grandma L made a Boba Fett cake that was pretty tasty.  Henry chose Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle plates and napkins, a bull piñata for the game, and Angry Bird tattoos and Princess Leia cupcakes for the gift bags - a wide assortment of fun.

Blowing out the candles

Yum!  They stayed in character while they were eating cake - which was pretty funny.  There were lots of sword fights and chases while they were playing.

 

We played a few chasing games and then it was on to the piñata.  It was a tough creature so Nate ended up having to break it up but the boys had fun trying.  I think the party was a success - Henry seemed to have a good time and we enjoyed getting to know his friends. 

Pictures by H & W

H & W having fun with the camera.

Cousins at the Lake

On August 10th, our cousins spent the day at the lake with us and it was great!  Nate drove back from a fishing trip up North that morning and made it back just in time.  We hope Pete can make it next time. 

 

As I've been going through all these pictures from this past summer, over and over I find myself thinking how grateful I am for our families - that our kids are growing up with the best grandpas and grandmas, aunts, uncles, cousins.  It makes me so happy to see that Henry and Walter enjoy being with their family.  I'll put the tissue box away now...on to the pictures:

 

Started off with a pizza lunch.

 

l to r:  Walter, Henry, Sara, Anders, Ella, Sienna

Lincoln (front)

Ella throwing for Gus

Every time I look at him, he looks older!

Finishing up playing fetch - getting ready for a swim.

 

I wish I could remember what Walter and Sienna were talking about here.

 

The Relaxation Station makes its appearance.

Nicky and Erin

 

Taking advantage of the Relaxation Station's benefits.

Elias

 

Dottie enjoying a rest and some extra attention.

 Every time I see this picture, the Gilligan's Island theme pops into my head..."A three hour cruise.  A three hour cruise."  I did admire the brave souls (Grandpa L, Nate, Andy, and Megan) who climbed aboard this cruise with a lot of busy kids, even if they weren't gone for 3 hours.

 

Ella fishing with her Uncle Andy (and Kenda waiting for some fish, too).

Spending some time with the Mimis.

Uncle Dave

 

Lincoln

More fishing

 Lots of activity

 And more fishing...

 

Walter loves looking for "good" rocks.

Anders didn't give up (he caught a fish before leaving for home).

It's a tough life for Dot.

 

Sara

 

 Sienna and Walter swimming with Kenda and Gus

Auntie Karen and Mimi Erin

Andy and Henry playing wiffle ball.

 

Henry with his catcher's mask - pretty clever, huh?

 Painting

 Nate modeling for his soon-to-be-released baseball card.

Still working on the art projects.

Auntie Karen stepped up to the wiffle ball plate, too.

Then it was time for another pontoon ride.

Sara being the captain

 Sienna with her Grandma

Ella, Sienna, Henry

Anders

Just a few days earlier, Walter got a new cast put on.  He chose two colors this time - bright green and glow-in-the-dark white...which almost made it hard to fall asleep the first night because it did glow and quite brightly.

Lincoln

 

Handsome boys

 As soon as we were back and dinner was done, it was right back to fishing.  Andy was kind to risk life, limb and eye as the fishing assistant.

Getting ready to head home.  The day went so fast.

 

Family pictures:

 

Everybody else looks great but I wish I could re-do this picture so I could put the dog down in order to stand up straight and take my phone out of my pocket. 

Thanks for the fun day - I hope we can get together at the lake next summer.