BMX Birthday Party

Jake chose a BMX theme this year. He had a lot of "input", which was really cute. He wanted the walkway to be lined with racing flags, he wanted cake pops for "appeRtizers", and he insisted in a race (we compromised with an obstacle course). He was SO excited for his party....of course, I loved every minute of planning with him :)

As requested, walkway lined with racing flags.

BMX shirt, courtesy of Auntie Julie :)

Daddy drawing the obstacle course finish line!

Girls table!

This is one of the few times they were sitting still....

Ready to go on the obstacle course!

I have the worst luck with pinatas....they never hold up, no matter where I buy them.  This one only lasted one hit (the loop that it hung from broke off).  Soooo, Brian had the idea to just hold it for the kids to hit.  I was sure it would end badly, but it was fine and the kids had fun ;)  

We had some very special visitors who we haven't seen for almost 10 years and they happened to be in town!  Thanks, Kenney family for coming to party with us!

Waiting for cake!

Not loving the birthday attention when we were all singing to him....

The dirtbike track he's been hoping for!

Trying out the new ramp!  Thanks Papa, Tutu & Auntie Kelli/Uncle Rob!

One HAPPY birthday boy!  Rockin' his new racing plate (thanks, Pappas family!)

Here is what Mia thinks you should do on a ramp.....perform!  Apparently she thinks it's a stage. 

For those of you who are interested, here are some pictures from the party decorations.....

Next time I will put a disclaimer in this popcorn.....it looks cute, but really is a taste that only kids would like.  It's flavored with Koolaid.  I had so many adults come up with funny faces asking (as politely as they could) what the flavoring was!!

Thanks, Auntie Kelli for the awesome cake pops!

BirthDAY!

Can't believe my baby is FIVE years old! We let Jake choose whatever he wanted to do on his actual birthday.....

First, he requested that I make pancakes in the shape of a BMX bike....when I told him that I couldn't quite swing that, he settled for donuts :)

The official birthday "outing" for the last few years has been bowling....so that's where we headed.  This year, his BFF, Mason met us there as a surprise to Jake.  He had requested a carrot cake for his birthday....I don't recall him ever trying it, but I made in anyways and he did love it.  

Mr. Pickes with Gatorade for lunch.

And Chili's for dinner!  We asked the wait staff to sing to him......he was hiding his head behind Brian's arm while they did it, but he LOVED it!  Funny kid. 

Jake, we are thankful every SINGLE day that we have you in our life.  You are a smart, funny, adorable little man and we can't see what the future has in store for you.  You still love skateboards, bikes, baseball, and pretty much anything that can be done outside.  You still don't like change (just like Mommy and Daddy), but are getting better with it.....your mood swings make me fear your teenage years, but under it all is a little boy with a heart of gold who loves nothing more than to cuddle.  You tell me that you'll never be too old to snuggle with me......I'm going to hold you to it!  

Love you more than anything and thank you for making me a mommy 5 years ago!

Cabin 2012

Sadly, we only made it up to the cabin one time this season.....between our move, and the fact that there has been NO snow, it's just the way it worked out. We arrived on Friday afternoon and took a walk in the sun in our t-shirts......by the next morning, it was a snow and wind storm that closed down the resort at Bear Valley!

Ready to GO!

This was the last time Mia was smiling when the skis were on....she got "spooked"  (thanks, Daddy!) on the first ride down the hill and that was it.  No more for Mia.  Next year we'll try again!  Darn she looked cute all ready to go!

On the lift with my favorite little man!

Brian's skis broke around the time that we started taking Jake skiing and we've never had them fixed.  So, I've been the one to teach him to ski and I've loved every second of it.  I learned to ski when I was young like him and have such great memories of ski trips with family and friends over the years....I look forward to those times with our kiddos.  And when I see him actually SKIING and doing so well, I am so proud of him!!  Here is a video of the first half of the hill....he did great the last half too :)

Birthday Dinner

We had the traditional birthday dinner at Grammie and Gramps' house....this year, Jake chose broccoli, asparagus, pork chops, and rice-a-roni. I only mention it because in years past, he's chosen things like Fiber One cereal for his favorite birthday "dinner".

Here he is, opening his amazing gift from Grammie and Gramps.....a trip to Disneyland for his (and Mia's).  Not sure he quite understood it, but I'm SURE they are both counting the days until the trip!

Once Mia realized she had a "bear on her booty", she had to show us all.