Ryann's Secret Agent Party

I used the free printables from this Secret Agent Birthday Party and then we just modified it.

It was really nice to have this party at the church where we could use multiple rooms. First we had our Agent Briefing room where we gave them their passports, helped them come up with code names, and took their finger prints.

Next they learned how to diffuse a bomb. Using two long sticks, they had to carry a black balloon across the room and into a cardboard box. Then they had to pop it using scissors on the other end of the stick. 

Next they went into the gym for speed training. They each took a turn racing with a timer.

Then came target practice. Thankfully, we already had a pretty good collection of Nerf guns and darts. Randy made the perfect little targets using some small boxes from Christmas lights.

Then we went back to our agent briefing room for deduction training. Randy taught them how to do a simplified Sudoku. 

Our agility drill was back in the gym where we played dodgeball. 

For code decryption, Randy taught them how to to translate a code that assigns a shape for each letter. The code was a message that said, "I have the presents, come to the stage."

On the way to the stage, there was complicated laser alarm system (red yarn between the two walls) that the agents had to navigate. 

That was the start of their real mission. They had to go through a tunnel in the dark from the stage out to the gym. Then, through the walkie, they had instructions to walk only on the lines in case there were land mines. The kids were quiet and careful, just like real agents would be. They were instructed to go to the corners of the gym where they found nerf guns. Then, mysteriously, the thief came out stomping and wearing a black paint ball mask. He shot nerf darts and the kids shot back, defeating him. Surprisingly, the thief turned out to be Randy, their trainer, WHAT?! Nobody saw that coming. As he was dramatically wounded on the floor, Randy told them he didn't know where the presents were because he had used a computer to generate the location. There was a puzzle written on the chalk board of one of the rooms. They ran there, saw the code and used their deductive reasoning to figure out where the presents were. Yay! The agents completed their mission!

Ryann opened presents, and then we all went to the kitchen for cupcakes and milk. 

Can't believe she's 8! Happy Birthday Ryry. Thanks to everybody who came and celebrated with us!

Best Halloween Ever!

I think it was a combination of warm weather, older kids, and stretching out our holiday activities over two weekends that made this our favorite Halloween yet. A week ago, we had my race, our family party, and then our ward party. I sort of felt like we were all finished with Halloween, but then last night, the trick or treating was a dream come true. We went to my parents' neighborhood, saw some celebrities, (kid history!)  and had a great time in a lighted, safe area with friendly people out trick or treating all around. We loved the feeling of community there. We drove to a few places to visit relatives and our favorite preschool teacher. 

The pumpkin painting and carving was so easy this time; The kids are growing up! They thought of their own ideas and knew how to get out the materials and keep them clean. I really didn't have to help much at all. Even Ian was very careful with the paint. Amazing!

Buzz Lightyear

 Strawberry Shortcake

 Ginny Weasley

The Marsh family party was a carnival this year. We had hand-dipped corn dogs, nachos, caramel apples, churros--everything a carnival should have! The kids played games and got tickets for prizes. They loved it. One of our favorite things every year is the doughnut eating contest. Ryann plays hard and I think she has won every time. Attagirl!

Now we just have to recover from all the fun.

Lucy's birthday

Lucy just had a frozen party

We made some hard candy to decorate the cake, and molded some white chocolate to decorate the cupcakes. (If I were to make the blue candy again, I would do only half the recipe.) 

We had a great group of kids for a game of freeze tag. We also played hide the glove (Lucy's idea) just like you do in primary where you sing louder when they get closer to finding the object. The kids knew all the lyrics to "Let it Go" and "Do You Wanna Build a Snowman."

She's really into secret agents right now, so here she is all dressed in her agent clothes with a frozen theme.

She woke up with an excited giggle about presents and was completely adorable this morning when she opened one from us. We gave her a walkie-talkie, a clip, binoculars, some rope etc. She said, "Thank you! It's just what I wanted!" Randy gave her tons of attention all day, sending her on secret missions and attaching all her gear to her belt. Our cousins even played secret agents with us when we went with them to the pool.

Ian's favorite thing at the party was playing with the water. 

Fun things

Let's start with piano. Ryann started piano in January and had her first recital a few weeks ago. She nailed it. Randy and I were smiling big and feeling so proud of her. She has come a long way in overcoming her fear of performing in front of people and she has been great about a practice routine. We definitely have our moments when it's not so fun, but mostly I'm just bustin' my buttons over this girl.

The family day hike. I love this event sponsored by our city. They serve breakfast and have activities all along the trail. Our cousins go too and that adds so much to the fun.

 Strawberry days!



We had a fun family outdoor movie night (The Lego Movie) Then the next morning was the parade. Ian loved dancing to the music and drums. He also learned to throw candy at people. Super cute.

 After the parade, we had a bbq/water party at our house. Since it was so close to Ian's birthday, we called it his birthday party too.

He LOVED the water.

Sometimes teaching a tradition to a toddler brings out the strangeness of the tradition.When I held the cake and glowing candle right in front of Ian at the end of the song, he leaned forward kinda slow wondering if he was supposed to take a big bite out of the cake. :) Then when everybody helped him blow out the candle, his face turned sad. Like we had just wrecked his brand new toy.

  PS This lemon cake is my new favorite. Lemon cake mix with lemon curd in the middle and lemon butter cream frosting on top. So sweet but so tart. Yum!

Graduation

Randy's graduated with a Masters of Art from BYU. He has worked really hard the last few years, teaching full time with homework after school, and classes on the weekends. His evenings and Sundays were mostly filled with bishopric responsibilities. Still, he's been a great daddy and somehow found time to be with us. I'm very proud of him. 

The opening song at the ceremony was, "Because I Have Been Given Much" and, as happens to me often these days, my emotions kept me from really singing most of the words. We feel very blessed by his BYU experience. 

My mom tended Ian so that it would be a bit easier to attend. Ryann, Lucy, and I wandered campus for a while before the meeting started. They loved exploring BYU. 

 They really, really, really wanted to go on the bridge. So exciting.

 Randy's parents:

What a happy day!