{Bike Party}

for the almost but not quite FOUR year old

Since February Lucas has asked for a 2 wheeler. A big kid bike.

Like the kids ride to school.

We took him to Toys R Us and he could ride instantly.

The 12 inch wheels were too small.

The 16 were too big.

Luckily we found a 14 inch wheeled bike that was for a boy.

We gave him this bike yesterday.

He was EXCITED because he didn't know if he was going to get a bike, he just thought he was going to get a bike birthday party.

It had been overcast and rainy ALL week Lucas was so worried it would not be sunny for his party.

We had perfect weather.

The kids started out the party by decorating bikes.

Horns, Bells, Spoke Beads, License Plates with their names on them and of course streamers.

Then they got to ride freely in the parking lot. I had it all blocked off so they had free reign of the grounds.

Then we started the Obstacle Course.

On Your Mark Get Set Go!!!

Carter walked the entire way with Bridget. He loves her I think.

There was some silly things they had to do like ride through bubbles, stop and clap 3x and ride through the hydrant.

Scarlett did it too.

They were in the sprinklers for a good 10 mintues. They all liked this.  Anna went a little crazy and drenched herself but laughed and had so much fun it was worth it.

The rest of the group just kept going and going.

Then it was time for the next game.

Everyone lined up on the parking lines.

We raced to the end.

But each time they had to use one leg or one hand until they were basically walking with the bike between their legs.

This was fun but they were all looking hot so we parked the bikes and got some water!

It was actually hot!

So we went under the covered area to open presents for a little R&R

Hahaha I love this one!

So Lucas opened his presents. He was so happy and grateful to his friends for giving him such nice presents!

So we slugged some more water and headed to the grass for some freeze dance.

Hahaha.

Nathan was grilling hot dogs so the kids had plenty of time to go crazy in the grass. 

Then it was time to eat!

Scarlett is mad at Elijah and Noah because they aren't eating fast enough. Haha

Mmmm.

The kids had more free play with the bikes and instead of cleaning up the tables Scarlett walked to each plate and finished everyone's plate.

I am mad at myself for not getting pictures of it but Veronica and I had a pretty good laugh about it.

It was time for a quick group shot.

I would not have been able to take these had it not been for Nathan being crazy behind me.

Okay Okay Ready Set Go!

Then it was Bubble Time

Then it was time for the kids to go home 2 hours of fun had to come to an end.

As the parents picked up the kids Lucas gave the kids their Party Buckets...

Inside was a 5 inch bike, some candy, a mini Frisbee, a mini yo yo, a labyrinth and a note from Lucas thanking them for coming!

I loved everything about this party. The red white and blue colors, the bike theme, the invitation.

Except for one thing...

We forgot to break out the dessert!

The kids were having so much fun that I forgot to pull them out.

So after nap we sang to Lucas and ate our ice cream sandwiches. :)

It all worked out in the end.

Happy Birthday Party Lucas!

Camping in the Springs Day Four

After a terribly loud night from the storm and thunder and lightening it was time to wake up hit the bathrooms have breakfast and pack up.

I really love this boy and his sense of adventure and love for camping, just like his Dad.

She has her own sense of adventure.

Bridget was so helpful and happy and cute this whole trip, even when she got a bloddy nose she was still cute.

My kids always fight over who gets to roll up the sleeping bag.

Chowing on breakfast.

It was a short drive home and all kids slept the entire way home even though it was 10 am they decided to take their nap early.

We had a fun time with the family and Lucas is already planning his next trip to the nature.

Camping in the Springs Day Three

We had "made to order" Omelets from Grandma and Grandpa. Ryan and Veronica took their kids to church for sacrament. We took our kids to 7 Falls. They had a great time.

I love this picture!

Here we are at Seven Falls...

When you drive up this is the sign. when we read it to the kids they were so excited to

 Listen, Smell and Look.

We took the mountain elevator and the kids got to touch the inside of the mountain!

Through out the entire Falls they had buttons to touch that told you neat things for the kids to hear.

Scarlett was so wild during this entire "field trip"

Just kidding, she slept through the whole thing.

here are the seven falls. count them!

My kids being sweet!

At the base of the falls. The kids decided that they wanted Nathan to take them to the top so that is what they did...climbed the entire way up.

They were not afraid at all. Then they climbed down and checked out the tepees!

We left the falls and got back to camp at the same time Ryan and Veronica got back from church so all of us headed to Garden of the Gods.

Bridget had no fear as usual.

Scarlett was pointing at the rooks.

This one makes me laugh.

Nathan's brothers and Elijah with Grandpa Witte.

Lucas was on his own most of the time, proud of his rock climbing skills.

I even managed to get some good ones of Ryan and Veronica and the boys!

Next time I will get them all together!

We broke off back into our cars and then we went up one more trail and to the gift shop.

When we got back we had lunch by Ryan and Veronica (meatballs) yum! and then my girls took a nap and I went with Ryan and Veronica and Lucas, Noah and Elijah swimming.

Lucas loves to swim so that was really fun for him.

After swimming we had an FHE lesson.

Dinner by us (gumbo) yum!

Then chocolate pudding cake by Gary and Cindy.

Then we took Alex with us into Manitou Springs (a major tourist trap) but fun for the kids.

They had a neat park there.

Then we went to 7 minute springs.

The kids could pump their own water and taste it.

The kids quickly learned that mineral water - pure mineral water is GROSS!

Then someone lost something at the park and Lucas found it and the reward was a gogurt. Lucas split it with his sisters, what a sweetie!

Then a wind blew in and it was FREEZING and WINDY so we ran to the car.

Where it started to sprinkle, so we had some snacks and waited for the fireworks.

We jumped out of the car fast enough to watch about 6 minutes of fireworks and then we headed back to the campsite.

There was fierce wind and so we took down a big part of the camp and as soon as we got back into our tent...it hailed! We were in our tent for a rough storm, about 75 minutes of LOUD thunder and lightening and rain and scariness and all three of my kids

Slept - through - it.

We hardly got any sleep but it was kid of fun snuggling in the tent listening to the terror outside with Nathan by my side and my three bebes snoring in the background!