It's Party Time!!!!!!

Aspen loved the things we did on her actual birthday but she was excited to have her party.  And of course, since I planned the party at a splash pad/park, this weekend was the weekend St. George decided to go into a heat wave.  Not like it is not a permanent heat wave in July and August.  But we endured 113 degree weather during our party.  Luckily there was cloud coverage so it wasn't that bad.  I just made sure that we had lots and lots of cold water, 10 gallons to be exact. 

Grandpa Higgins and Sheila had come down on Friday night and were staying out at Sand Hollow.  So I met them in the morning and they took the kids out to the lake before the party so I could get ready for the party.  I wasn't as prepared as I thought I was for the party but I got it all figured out.  I forgot that Greg loses track of time so I ended up heading over to the party without them and Aspen ended up being late to her own party :/

I had gotten a couple of Aspen's classmates phone numbers at graduation so Allie and Emma from her kindergarten class were able to come.  My entire family except Jonah was able to make it.  When Aspen finally arrived, she was so excited to see everyone there.  She had asked if we could make her party a surprise party.  She had gone up to Kenzi's birthday party at the end of May and Kenzi wasn't there yet.  Rosalee told the girls to go run and hide and when Kenzi got there yell "Surprise".  That is what Aspen wanted.  It was kind of hard to deliver seeing as how everyone was in the splash pad.  But she was happy none the less.

The theme of her was Hello Kitty.  She told me that last year before her birthday and she stuck to it.  I have no idea where she learned about Hello Kitty but I will grant her wish.  She got a couple of Hello Kitty things, a dress from Grandpa and Sheila and a diary from Emma.  She also got a few more dresses and 1D pjs from me, a Liam (One Direction) doll from Issy, a 1D poster and princess carriage from Darcee's kids, books from Gpa and Sheila.  I know she got more presents but I am drawing a blank because it has been so long.  Sorry Aspen :(

After the party, the kids and I went out to dinner with Grandpa and Sheila and chatted.  Grandpa got everyone an ice cream and if I remember correctly, the kids drank Gpa's drink all night.  The kids had fun though hanging out with Gpa and Sheila.

The kids were pretty wiped out when we got home and didn't put up much of a fight to go to bed.  On Sunday we went to church.  The kids and teachers were excited to see them again.  After church, we went out to Sand Hollow to see Gpa and Sheila.  I should have put the kids in their swim suits.  Colt fell a couple of times and came out wet.  Aspen did pretty good at not getting too wet.  It was really hot that afternoon so I can't say I blame the kids for wanting to get wet.

It was a great week topped off by a great weekend.  I had so much fun with the kids and Aspen's birthday.  Pictures to come when my dad can find out where he put them :)

Mommy & son date

With the day before being all about Aspen, I thought Colt would enjoy some time with mommy.  And what better way than to take him to see some monster trucks that smash cars?  He actually went with Uncle Jay, Alijah and Jeramiah to see a couple of the monster trucks at radio broadcast locations earlier in the day.  And of course with it being a radio broadcast there was free ice cream, which ended up spoiling dinner for Colt :)

 

I had planned on taking Colt to the show by myself but Darcee and Jay actually won free tickets with pit party passes just a couple of days before so they were able to join us.  Darcee allowed Colt to use her pit party pass so he could go meet all of the drivers.  While the boys did that, Darcee and I held our seats.  Those bleachers were not comfortable so by the end of the evening, it was impressive that we had lasted that long.  The boys had fun getting pictures and autographs from the drivers.  Only problem was that we hadn't brought anything for autographs.  So the boys got their shirts signed.  While we were waiting for the show to start, I told Colt he could get a something to remember the show by.  So he picked out a monster truck, that he played with during the show :\

Colt didn't enjoy the show, at first, as much as I thought he would.  When we watch a video of what would be going on at the show, he loved it.  It was very loud (and of course I didn't bring anything) and almost right off the bat a truck rolled and ended up on its side.  So they had to try and get that truck fixed and off the field.  The wind was also blowing like crazy.  So the dirt bikes weren't able to show us what they could do.  But we did watch the "4-wheelers" race around for a little bit.

After awhile, Colt started to enjoy the show.  Mostly because Jay let him use one of his cameras to take pictures.  He was happy after that.  I think over all he enjoyed the show.  While my boy and I had a night out, Aspen had a sleepover with Kayleeya at Grandma's house.  Aspen and her sleepovers, she loves them.

 

Aspen's 6th Birthday

Thursday was the big day - Aspen's 6th birthday.  She woke up to a little present hanging on her door.  It was a a Hello Kitty bag with candy and tickets to go see Mulan at Tuacahn in August.  She was pretty excited.  So I had told Aspen that we would do whatever she wanted on her birthday.  I gave her a few options but she chose to go out on the boat with Uncle Jay and his boys.  So that is what we did.  I had only planned on being out on the boat for like an hour to an hour and a half.  Well we ended up being out like 3 hours.  But the kids had so much fun.  We swam out in the deep end.  The kids jumped off the boat.  Then we went tubing.  Oh it was such a fun day.  After we finally got back from the lake, we had to go get some lunch.  So again, it is Aspen's choice and she chose Denny's.  There was not a single piece of food left on the any plate.  The kids were hungry as well as me and Jay.  After Denny's, we headed home to relax a little.  I took Colt to karate and then came home to do birthday cupcakes and open a present.  That night I took Aspen to see Starlight Express at Tuacahn.  She really enjoyed it.  She especially loved the girl train, who just so happened to be a Cedar High graduate.  While Aspen and I were having a mommy/daughter date, Colt was back at home having a sleepover with Jeramiah and Alijah.  All in all I think Aspen really enjoyed turning 6 and had a lot of fun on her birthday.

 Let's just jump in the lake shall we :)

 Just a little family fun on the tube :)
I just had to keep checking on Aspen to make sure she was still with us.  I think she liked riding on the back and dragging her feet in the water.

 Jay assisted in throwing everyone into the water.  The kids loved it.

And a note to my dear Aspen.  You are one of the two people that I cherish and love so much.  I love that you are such a helper.  You get along really well with your brother, although there are times when he drives you crazy.  You are very good to him.  I love how you get so excited to do things.  I may have passed on a little of my birthday madness but it is a good thing I am your mom :)  I love how you keep me on a schedule.  You know when we go to McDonald's and your gymnastics and Colt's karate and if we don't do the schedule, you let me know.  I love how you are not afraid to meet new people and make new friends.  I hope you don't ever lose that.  I love you to pieces and can't imagine my life without you.