Eighth Birthday Fun

Eight years ago on August 30th at 3:24 am, a beautiful baby girl was born.  She has brought us great joy over the last eight years.  We celebrated her birthday by going to The Game Stop to get a DS game, going to Chick-fil-A, going to McWane Science Center, going to the library, and watching a movie.  Oh yeah, and opening more gifts.

 Happy to be at Chick-fil-A

 Playing Dodgeball, their favorite thing to do at McWane

 Surrounding themselves in a bubble, or 

force field...Depending on who you asked.

 Trying to make a huge bubble

Making a big bubble

 Making a bubble wall

 Can you tell that we spent a lot of time at the bubble exhibit??

 Riding the large mouth bass

 Riding the slide from the 3rd floor to the 2nd floor

 Riding the Zip Line, when she said, "This is the best birthday ever!"

 Playing in the area where you make up your own play area

On an archeological dig

 A Tinkerbell Stepping Stone kit from Mommy

 A Suncatcher from her big brother

 A Beading kit from her baby brother

 A Crocheting kit from younger brother

And a Strawberry Shortcake movie from Daddy

Guitar Practice

Our oldest has been learning how to play guitar for the last couple days.  He loves to play it and picks up on it very easily.  He did it perfectly right before I took this video.  The camera made him nervous.  He did great none-the-less. =)

A Huge Surprise

My sweet baby has been asking for a DS for about a year.  She wanted one for her birthday so bad.  Matt & I told her that they were expensive, and we couldn't afford one.  But with the help of Grandparents, and an awesome sale price, we were able to get her one.  Of course, we never let on that we did.  This video takes place at the end of her birthday treasure hunt.  First she screamed out with excitement, then immediately jumped up to give me a hug.  That's where the video starts...

Her 8th Birthday Party

The Theme: Treasure Hunt/Water Slide

The party was on Sunday, August 28th.  We had pizza, a treasure hunt, cake & ice cream, presents and swimming.  There were 16 kids all together.  They all seemed to have a good time.

[Be prepared, there are a ton of pictures to follow]

The whole gang ready to go on a treasure hunt

They found the first treasure and are off with the next clue to find treasure #2.

Searching for treasure #2.  It wasn't there by the way. =)

Alex, the super-slueth, found treasure #3

Looking for the 5th and final treasure.

Running frantically to find it.

Finding the box

The treasure

What's in the package??

"A DS!!!!!" - This was screamed so high pitch and loud, all the dogs in the neighborhood started howling.  Okay, I was exaggerating on that last part, but needless to say, she was VERY excited.  She cried she was so happy.  I have a video of it, I just haven't figured how to get videos on here yet...

A tearful, joyful smile - We have been telling her that we couldn't afford one since last year when she started asking...which was true, we couldn't.  But we found this one on sale for the lowest price I've ever seen and with the help of grandparents, we were able to get it.  She was truly surprised.

Her treasure cake

Blowing out candles

Happy Birthday Girl

3 Coloring books, a Tinkerbell tote bag & a gift card to Game Stop for a DS game from Bryn, Carter & Coleson

Reading a birthday card with daddy

A set of books from her friend Analiese

A gift from her pal Nathan

Decorative beads from Morgan

Bubbles, jumprope & sidewalk chalk from her pals Tyler & Laci

Two DS games from friends Alex & Cate

Lip gloss, fingernail polish, bubble gum, hair ties & a shirt from her friend Laney

A Barbie doll from her pal Bethany

The whole gang wishing Courtney a "Happy Birthday!"

Ever wonder what 16 kids in a 16 foot pool looks like?

She had such a great day and loved having her friends there to celebrate with her.

Game Night

Our family loves to play games.  Tonight we played Apples to Apples Family.  My middle son cracks me up, he just throws down whatever card he chooses without looking at it and sometimes before the 'green' card is flipped.  And then he cracks up laughing hysterically through the rest of the hand.  He also announces when the judge doesn't choose his card.  It's always an interesting game. =)

My eldest was the judge on this one.  And my youngest is the one who put down the card.  I love that my boys think so highly of me.

This one really stumped me.  I was the judge and both choices were so good.  I seriously took at least 10 minutes deciding which one I thought was best.  Even when I chose, I wasn't so sure I picked the right one.  Which one would you have chosen?

I don't think it would've mattered what the word was for this one.  He was going to pick only one card alone.  My daughter was smart enough to figure that out.  Do you know which card he chose?

Answer for hand #2 Monster Trucks

Answer for hand #3 Mario Brothers

Celebrating 12 Years!

Twelve years ago, I married my bestest friend.  Today, we celebrated.

It started off a little peculiar.  I woke up with a migraine, while Matt was up sick all night.  He had planned a day out with our friends watching our kids.  (We love the Murphy's!!)  So, we had to make the best of a bad situation.  Our minds were made up!  We were going out on a date!!

In the morning, our sweet daughter hung a sign above our bed and gave us her most prized possessions: a pez dispenser, an Ariel pen, a happy meal toy, a homemade book and a "Happy Anniversary" party hat (you'll see much more of that later ;)

The sign that was hung up in our room.

Apparently, when they put up a sign that says "No Trespassing", they mean it.

After getting out of the pen, we decided to go south of the border.

We finished up our authentic mexican meal and jumped in the car, only to find that our alternator died.  A very nice couple jumped us and followed us to AutoZone to make sure we got there safely.  Next on our agenda...Putting in an alternator.

After working so hard in 100 degree weather, we had to cool off by taking a swim.  Word to the wise...Don't stand too close to the edge of a deck.

Our day ended with Matt hurting his back and me picking up our kids and going to home group.  

The moral of our Anniversary: When life hands you lemons, wear a party hat, go to as many places as you can, and make the best of it!