Archer's First Birthday

Before we get to the celebrations, you just have to see how this guy has grown over the last year:

Archer has definitely changed our house for the better. It's been a busy year, but in many ways we've seen a kinder, more loving side come out of his three older brothers as they've assumed the role of teacher, protector, and entertainer for him. That's been so fun to watch.

And Archer himself is certainly worth celebrating! Here's how we did it:

Cupcakes!!! That look like Archer's favorite thing in the whole world: Balls!!!

And presents!!! (Not that he cares what is in them...)

Balls!!!

He picked it up pretty quickly.

A different kind of ball!!! (Are you sensing a theme to this little boy?)

Cupcake time!

"Archer is SO big!"

First time to have frosting...

He approves! Looks like he belongs in our family.

One year of smiles and wiggles in the books. Here's to many more! 

Ellis' Lego Party

We had scheduled to have Ellis' birthday party September 5th, a full 10 days before Archer's due date.  Seemed safe enough.  But, Archer had other plans, and there was just no way we could do a birthday party with a 3-day old newborn!

Ellis was such a good sport about his birthday celebrations being messed up and shifted around.  He pretty much just viewed Archer as his special birthday present!

Luckily, the big Lego Birthday party was only postponed a couple of weeks, not cancelled.  In typical Jenn fashion, and with plenty of support from her parents, it was a smashing success!  Here is what we did:

First off: would you look at that cake?!?  Pure genius.  The Lego pieces on top are molded from died white chocolate, so you can imagine it was pretty rich to eat.  Not that the kids minded.

Lego-themed party favors 

The Lego-head-shaped plates were a special touch from Grandpa Dave.

As each kid arrived, they go their name tag and then got to do Lego coloring pages as we waited for all the guests to arrive.

Of course we had to have a few treats before we got started as well.  These are Rice Krispie Treats with white chocolate and M&M's on top.

We then sorted the kids into 3 groups by having them draw a red, black, or blue Lego piece from the bag.  Each group went to a different station for various activities.

Lego Bingo 

Build your own mini-figure (which they then got to take home!)

Lego memory

Lego, Lego, who's go the Lego?

Hot potato (winner got to keep the Lego set)

The "bop-'em-on-the-head-new-name" game

And, of course, more snacks!

Notice that each plate has a custom face? 

Followed by cake

We CANNOT believe that Ellis is 7!  He's such a delight and is chock full of personality and determination.  He knows the names of every kid in 1st grade, and most of the rest of his school to boot.  He never lacks for friends and loves to be with people.  

To be perfectly honest, his best birthday present really was Archer.  Ellis is always the first jump up and pop in a binky, give him "3 hugs and a kiss", or anything else he can do to help the baby.  It's been so fun watching Ellis and Archer interact, and we're so lucky to have a big 7-year-old around to lend a helping hand.

Henry's Army Party

This year, Henry was due for a big birthday party.  I feel bad that Ellis usually gets the big parties, and then Henry's birthday usually gets overshadowed by Thanksgiving.  His birthday fell on Black Friday this year, so we had a friend party the weekend before Thanksgiving.  After much deliberating, he decided to have an army party!

This was the cake we enjoyed planning and making together.

Ben Borrowed some army clothes from a friend in our ward, and he became the best birthday party drill sargent ever.  It was nice because he could keep the boys in line, and it was all part of the act!

I greeted the recruits and gave assigned them to the Red or Black team for the party.

They ate their pizza fast, so they could get on with the more important stuff.

Sergeant Ben filled them in on all the rules, and that from this point on, everything they did in Boot Camp would count toward their ranking.

He led them in some basic "attentions."

The soldiers then had to scope out the enemy from a far distance by counting the enemy soldiers.  Unfortunately, they knocked the soldiers over before I got a picture.  :)

Parachute drop

They had to get the paratroopers to land in the laundry basket to score points.

Grenade toss (with green balloons filled with beans)

Push-up contest

Finn takes a quick pause for a bite of pizza.

This is Frankie, our wounded soldier.  The boys set out to rescue him by completing an obstacle course.

First, they ran across the gym and back.

Then they army crawled.

Then they had to carefully cross the land mine course.

Through the ropes

Grab Frankie, and run him to safety!


Finally, the moment of truth.  Army rankings determined their weapon-selection order.  No tears were shed over this . . . at first.


Once they had chosen their weapons, it was time for the big war - the thing all the boys talked about at school for weeks!

Players with pennys were dart moneys - they had to pick up all the darts for their particular round.

Ben grew out his beard just for this party...

I wouldn't mess with these guys if I were you.

And with that, he's one of the coolest nine-year-olds ever!

Happy Birthday, Henry!