Great Grandma Van Zee's Birthday Party

I'm a little out of order, but that happens sometimes.  Still catching up from the chaos!  When the weather was still nice and warm we headed down to Pella to celebrate Great Grandma Trudy's birthday.  It was a BEAUTIFUL day, so we decided to have a picnic dinner at a fun park in town. 

Birthday parties aren't complete without the hats!

Lauren loved playing and running around with all the kids.

Ethan was such a good baby as usual.  AND he is obviously in LOVE with his favorite Aunt!  Look at that cute smile!!

The park had great paths for the kids to ride their bikes on.

A huge wooden playground kept Will super busy making friends and playing games.

Blowing out the candles....... WAY TO GO GRANDMA!!

A yummy fried chicken dinner with all the great sides and birthday cake for dessert.  I think we all left yawning with full tummies!!

Happy Birthday Grandma!   We love you SO much!!

More Birthday Fun.

Since Kate and Will's birthdays are only 1 day apart, Brett and I make a BIG deal about each of their special days so they don't feel like they have to celebrate their bday's together ALL THE TIME.  They each got to pick where they wanted to have dinner on their special days.  And of course.....they both picked "Old McDonald's" as we refer to it in our house.  Nothing like fried, greasy food 2 days in a row!!

We always sneek into each of their rooms the night before the big day and decorate to start their bday off with a bang!

Kate chose to have a sleepover with a couple of her friends for her bday.  Friday night was crafts, pizza, movie and popcorn.

And presents of course!  She got the jeep for her American Girl Doll.  So excited!

The following morning I took the girls to the Iowa School of Beauty for Hair, Make-up and Nails!  Here's  the BEFORE.....

Getting the beautiful UP DO!

And here is the AFTER!!!  Lots of pins, hairspray, colors and fancy nails.

Will chose Chuck E. Cheese for the 3rd year in a row.  He's a little over the top about it, and I am a pro at planning a
Chuck E. Cheese bday party if anyone is seeking a party planner.

Friends, pizza, games and cupcakes.  Can't get any better than that!

Will was a bit nervous about the guy in the Chucky costume.  So he spent some time hopping from Brett's lap to my lap during the show.

Kate and a few of the "older kids"  had a great time too.

We of course got our 3rd inflatable bday crown.

And an inflatable guitar too!

We had a spiderman theme this year, however, Will picked out "Under the sea" cupcakes for his dessert.  It's his bday, he gets to pick out whatever he wants I guess.

The fast blowing air in the ticket blaster still intimidates Will.  So his brave sister stepped up to the plate and did the blaster for him again this year.

Go Kate Go!

The kids had a great time once again!  I'm guessing we'll keep our record going next year.  I might as well book his 6th bday party for next year now.  Maybe they'll give me a "Valued Customer" discount?   Never hurts to ask, right!

Kate & Will's Family Birthday Party 2013

Flashback to Labor Day weekend everyone!  We had our annual bday party for Kate and Will.  Hard to believe my little girl is 7 and my little boy is 5!!!   Where did the time go!

It was a beautiful day!  The kids had tons of fun on the waterslide and tire swing in the backyard. 

My Aunt Cindy and her granddaughter Sienna were able to join us.  Sienna loved seeing baby Ethan, the newest addition to the family. 

Yummy burgers, chips and fruit were the kids' choice for the menu.

Like I said, it was a beautiful day to be out on the deck. 

Will thought it was hilarious to stuff his cheeks with grapes and run around making monkey sounds during the meal.

Kate was just silly most of the day.

Lauren just loved hanging out with all the kiddos!!

Kate & Teagan don't get to spend near enough time together!  They both get so excited any chance they get to have fun girly time with one another.

We had to have a pre party talk with Will about not asking "When are we opening presents??"  100 times during the party.  We told him that we wouldn't do gifts until after dinner.  Well, it worked!  In fact, my Mom even commented on how shocked she was that Will hadn't asked about the presents yet.   Little did she know about the BIG talk we had before anyone arrived.

Kate got a new puppy "Honey" to go with her American Girl doll.......SUPER EXCITING!

All the kiddos sitting for a picture.

And all the desserts to pick from!!!  WOW can I say sugar overload!!

Krispy Creme's and chocolate Cupcakes were the big picks for this year.  I have to say,  the donuts are such a HUGE hit every year.  I think the family may get disappointed if Kate or Will ever changes their mind.



"What will I wish for this year??"

Blow Will!!!

Possible Xmas card Pick?  Maybe not with Papa's crutches in the background!!

A little history here....... Way back during my college days in Springfield, my  Mom and Aunt would come down to visit Brett & I for long weekends here and there.  During 1 of their awesome visits, a Krispy Creme shop opened up.  I had never had a krispy creme, so we were pretty pumped to go on opening day.   After our visit, we posed outside the shop with these same silly hats on to remember the fun experience.  So when I pulled the same hats out at the party, we had to repeat the picture.   We may be 10 years older, but still look pretty awesome in the hats if you ask me!!

So.... we made everyone pose in the hats,  starting with the great grandmas.....

Then Papa and Gary.......

and finally Grandpa and Aunt Becca!

Sienna had a ton of fun and ate lots and lots of sugar.

And so did Ms. Lauren!!

Will was super excited about all of his new superhero and Jake and the Neverland Pirates toys.

He convinced Papa to get down and open and play with his new toys with him.

The night ended with a game of Pop the Pig!  It was another successful bday party at the Van Zee house!