Birthday Party

Maddy's birthday was a big event for our family. We had a big party in which we celebrated both her first birthday and Jason's 30th birthday with all our family and friends. Jason's 30th was a surprise, which we managed to pull off. I apologize that is has take me a week to post, but after you read through all that we did last weekend you will see why it has taken me a full week to recuperate.

The backyard during the party. We rented a tent and a ...

...bouncy house. The kids loved it!

It was also the weekend of Howell's big balloonfest (a hot air balloon challenge). Maddy's birthday started with the hot air balloons flying right right over our house at 7 am.

Haunted House Balloon

All the festivities really started on Thursday night with my family arriving in the fifth wheel. We had 11 adults and 7 kids staying at our house for the weekend...it was a blast! Friday the kids enjoyed the beautiful weather outside.

Brooke, Jack, Maddy, and Izzy playing in Maddy's new wagon
(We did end up with a small accident in the wagon. The wagon tipped over at one point when all the kids where in it. Maddy flew out onto the concrete and ended up with a bloody mouth and scratch on the side of her face.)

Jaelyn, Izzy, and Brooke going for a stroller ride

In the afternoon we went to the Hartland Aquatic Center for some swimming.

What a crew!

Maddy, John V, Brooke, Izzy, Jordy, Jack, and Jaelyn

Jordyn and Maddy after swimming in their matching coveralls

Friday evening we enjoyed the balloon launch from our back yard. The balloons where flying south so we didn't see them up close and personal, but it was still awesome seeing all 56 balloons in the air at once.

As I mentioned we were all up early on Saturday (Maddy's birthday). The hot air balloons woke us up as they were flying over our house. You can hear the burst of air. The balloons were so close we were actually talking to the pilots. It was a great way to start the day.

"Today's my birthday!"
(Apparently she thinks she's turning 21, not just 1.)

The kids played on the bouncy house, in the sand box or pools all day, while all the women except Brooke and I went shopping. The rest of us prepped for the party and enjoyed the weather. Izzy, Brooke, Jordyn, and Andrew (a friend)

Here they come!

We had a good turn out for the party. Here are some pictures of our guests....

The DeWittians

The Bailey and Grandpa Kreider

The Marmons

Friends and Neighbors

Maddy's boyfriend Benjamin

The Kriegls

Grandma Nancy and the birthday girl

Maddy clearly has a drinking problem

Take your hand off the beer

Maddy did a great job with her birthday cake. No surprise to us that she would dig right in. Here is a series of pictures capturing the event...

Cake/Cupcake Display

"Is This For Me?" Yeah!

Check out the VIDEO!

"This is Fun!"

More video...YUMMY!

Beating the Drum

Bang BANG!!

"Yeah for Me"

YEAH!

"Forget eating with my hands, when I can just put my face in it!"

"Here Dad I'll Share With You."

"Hey, I Can Pick This Thing Right Up!"

"I'm Getting Full...Here Doggies!"

The Final Product

What a hoot! I've never seen a kid enjoy a birthday cake like that before. I have to say her and Kendal where about as opposite as you can get with their birthday cakes. After cake, Jason and Maddy opened gifts. Maddy received a ton of great gifts and Jason got a lot too. He got a bunch of old man gifts, which will definitely come in handy now that he is almost 30. Thank you to everyone who came to the party and for all the wonderful gifts!

Jason and Maddy opening gifts

Maddy showing off her new sunglasses

Us with Brooke, Brad, and Baby Spins
(Probably our last picture before we meet Baby Spins)

Saturday night we had a nice camp fire. We enjoyed hanging out with our family and friends playing camp fire games. Mike especially loved all the games! The night ended good too because Brad finally said we could all come to his picnic, even Mike. (Sorry its an inside joke for all of us who where there.)

The guys composed a special birthday song for Mads that night too. ENJOY!!!

Sunday morning was kind of a downer now that the party was all over and we had to clean up. Some of our family stayed for the day though so we still had a fun filled day. Jordyn and Brooke started the morning by making Brad a mask out of stickers. They just loved Brad and Brooke and didn't want them to leave.


Some of the other kids played with Grandpa on the floor.

Grandpa Jack, Izzy, and Maddy

After lunch, we took the kids down to the balloon fest. We enjoyed a kite show, dog show, and shaved ice. It was a nice walk down to the carnival and the weather was hot, so when we got home we all went swimming in the pool.

Jordyn, Izzy, Maddy, Brooke, Jaelyn, and John V

Sunday night we enjoyed another amazing balloon launch right over our house. All the balloons flew right through our subdivision at an elevation just high enough to miss the roofs of the houses.

Here's two video's of them flying towards us.....
A couple flying our way!
One block over!

They apparently had a touch down spot just north of the sub before they elevated high into the sky. It was awesome. Soon after we all crashed from 3 days of fun. We truly had just a perfect weekend. I couldn't have imagined a better time. All the kids we great, the weather was beautiful, and the company was priceless. Thanks again to everybody that joined us for Maddy and Jason's party. We are truly blessed with some of the best family and friends.