A Star Wars Party

Time to play catch up! Back in June we celebrated Landon's 5th birthday! He is all about Star Wars (playing Lego Star Wars on the Wii to be exact) so he wanted a Star Wars party. It was lots of fun planning this party but now I know why I don't do this every year! :)

Landon was super excited to deliver his invitations...

At first Landon wanted to dress up as his namesake, Lando Calrissian. I bought the blue and gold fabric and was about to make the costume when Landon informed me that Lando doesn't wear that. Apparently he was picturing this Lando (the Skiff Guard)...
and not this Lando...
So we settled on Obi Wan (since I was already making a brown robe and I found some scraps of tan felt in my box of fabric and brown pants from his Robin Hood costume...which were a little small considering that was Halloween 2008!). Don't worry, Uncle Dave. We still have the fabric and now I have a little more time to perfect the Lando costume...hopefully to be worn this Halloween.

My friend let me borrow these cool posters since she had just done a Star Wars party for her son.
Basically the idea for the party was for the kids to go through Jedi Training. When the party guests arrived, they got to choose a green, red or blue lightsaber (made from half a pool noodle and 2 inch pvc pipe and coupler that I spray painted silver). Get ready for Jedi cheesiness at its best (most ideas came from here and here)...

The first activity was "Which Star Wars Character Am I?" I printed out cards with the pictures (because most of the kids couldn't read!) and names of some Star Wars characters and as the kids came, I pinned a card on their back. They had to ask the other kids questions like "Am I a Jedi," "Am I a droid," "What color is my light saber," etc. to guess what character was on their back. It was probably a little too hard for kids this age to think of questions to ask so there was lots of hinting from adults :)

The next activity was using their Jedi mind powers to "Pin the Lightsaber on Yoda." Obviously some had a little bit more of the Force with them than others...

Next, they honed their lightsaber skills by keeping a balloon afloat using their lightsabers...

Next up was the obstacle course. I was worried this one wouldn't happen since 15 minutes before party time, the weather decided to turn ugly and we had a downpour for about 10 minutes. Luckily it didn't last long and cleared up by the time we needed to go outside. That meant I wasn't able to set up like I wanted to but oh well, it worked! They had to jump through the Black Hole (hula hoop covered in black plastic), use their lightsaber to blast through the asteroid shower (bubbles), make their way across the plank over the Sarlacc Pit, and finally defeat Darth Vader in a duel (had I not procrastinated, Darth Vader would have been life size, but we had to make do with a pint-sized, 2 inch action figure).

After they completed that, they were presented with a Jedi robe. My original idea was to make everyone their own robe, but I couldn't ever find enough cheap fabric. Walmart had this brown fabric for $1/yard but only had 7 yards. Each robe takes 2 yards so I just ended up making 2 different sizes for the kids to take their Jedi picture in (which will be edited and made into thank-you cards, hopefully to be done SOON!).

The final task was to "Destroy the Death Star." Making this piñata was the biggest pain of the whole party planning. We did the first layer of paper maché one night and then I added a second layer the next day. I hung it on the basketball hoop outside to dry which was a mistake. It was in the sun and evidently the balloon expanded and ripped through the paper while it was still wet. Of course I didn't find it until it was hardened in its ripped apart state so I immediately began blowing up another punch ball balloon and started the process again. I was scrambling the next day after it dried (the day of the party, of course) to finish the decorating part of it so it didn't turn out as well as I had hoped but it was still pretty cool.

Even the littlest Jedi took a swing at the Death Star...

The destroyed Death Star...

We finished off the party with presents (lots of Star Wars lego sets and no duplicates!), cupcakes and Yoda soda.

2010 Bear Lake Half Marathon

What I learned from my first Half Marathon:

*Never say you can't. If you would have told me last year that I could run 13.1 miles, I would have said you were nuts. Last year when I trained for the triathlon, the furthest I had run was 4 miles. And it felt like I was pushing my limits with that. I remember when people would say "I just ran 5 (or whatever) miles," I would be totally amazed. I never thought I could do it. Don't limit yourself...you can do anything!

*It’s so much more fun when you make it a Girls Getaway with your BFF’s, whether they are running with you or are there to cheer you on! What could be more fun than an hour long drive with 7 ladies in a minivan (preparing for our New Mexico getaway in January for Wicked), staying in a condo at Bear Lake, hot tubbing, and glitter toes. I love these girls!
Sorry, no hot tubbing pics :)

*Heavenly Father answers your “please let it stop raining” prayers. It seriously rained for like 24 hours before the race, stopped just as the race started and then started up again about 15 minutes after I crossed the finish line. The one mile stretch on the unpaved road caused some mud splatter on the legs but I couldn’t have asked for more perfect running weather.

*Orange Burst goo isn’t that bad. Walk at the aid stations. It takes a few extra seconds but running while you’re trying to drink doesn’t work out very well. I think I got water/Gatorade three times during the 13.1 miles and downed a goo at maybe mile 8? It’s all a blur to me now.

Around mile 10...Smiles and thumbs up are a good sign

The signs were how many miles were left...only 2 more to go!

*Make reasonable goals…because then you’ll feel REALLY good about yourself when you beat them! During my long runs, I would usually run about a 10:30 mile…sometimes a little faster. The Tuesday before the race, I ran 3 miles at a 9:15 pace, but I always go slower on my long runs. I was secretly hoping I could finish in 2:10 (a 10 minute mile) but knew 2:20 was definitely doable.

Official time: 2:17:49 (181 out of 359 overall; 27 out of 63 in my age group)

Next 1/2: Top of Utah-August 28th. Two halves make a whole, right? ;o)

Quick Trip

110 miles' worth of gas: $15

Raspberry and Oreo Mint shakes at La Beau's: $8

Sunset over Bear Lake: Priceless

School's. Out. For the Summer!

Wahoo, summer is finally here! Well, weather-wise it is definitely not summer. But today was the last day of school so that is definitely a reason to celebrate. The girls had a half day of school. The sprinklers were on at lunchtime at the school so we headed over to join in the last hour of school craziness.

Mr. Markworth is seriously an awesome principal! Check out his outfit...

Spring Piano Recital

Ashlee and Brynlee performed in their piano recital on May 27th. It's fun to see their progress and we love to hear them playing. Ashlee is a bit more diligent at practicing and will often sit down to play at random times during the day just to play for fun, but Brynlee is definitely progressing quickly as well (she just complains a bit more when it's time for practicing) ;o)

Ashlee played Pirates of the North Sea and Puff The Magic Dragon...

Brynlee played Runaway Rabbit and Forest Drums...

Preschool Graduation

We completed another successful year of preschool at Rainbow Corner on May 19th. Landon is our newest preschool graduate. He is a smart little cookie and is excited to start Kindergarten in the Fall. Kindergarten...Really?! Wow.

Spring Soccer

This year Ashlee, Brynlee and Landon played Spring Rec Soccer. It was a little (okay, a LOT) crazy for those 6 weeks but we managed. I coached Ashlee's team and unfortunately Ashlee's and Brynlee's games were usually at the same time, but not the same place. I think I got to watch one of Brynlee's games and made it for the last quarter of the last game. Rob and the boys always went to Brynlee's while I went to Ashlee's...go figure :o)

We finally remembered the camera for the last games. Of course, Ashlee's and Brynlee's were at the same time, but Ashlee was supposed to have a make up game at the end of the season so I told Rob to take pics at Brynlee's and we'd do Ashlee's later. Well, that make up game never happened. Luckily, I did take team pictures for Ashlee's team this year...

After the last game, Brynlee's coach handed out awards. Brynlee's award was "Outstanding Ball Control". She has really good dribbling skills and ball control. Most of the girls on her team were still whacking at the ball as soon as it comes near them but Brynlee is catching on to the concept of taking the ball somewhere. Brynlee also had some pretty nice saves in the goal and scored a few times as well.

(Some days mom forgot to pull her hair back before heading to Ashlee's game...oops!)

This was Landon's first year playing. He was a bit hesistant the first game to play (after sleeping in and wearing his jersey and shinguards the whole week before his first game) but quickly caught on to the fun. Luckily his games usually weren't at the same time as the girls' so I got to go to most of his.

Bet you thought that one was Landon. Nope. It's Gage, his twin that is about 11 months older than him :) When we first moved into this neighborhood and met Gage, I thought "wow, he looks just like Landon." And at the time Landon was only 15 months old. The main difference between them is Landon has blue eyes and Gage has brown.

Ballet Recital

Ashlee has taken ballet for 3 years now. Saturday was the end of the year recital. The first video is her technique class, dressed in classic black and pink and the second one is her performance class. She loves ballet!

(picture scanned in from her teacher)

CrAzY HaIR Day

Today is crazy hair day at school. After I did the girls' crazy hair, they asked "Are you going to take our picture and put it on the blog?"

Not totally crazy. I couldn't get Brynlee's hair to stick up even with loads of gel and hairspray but they liked their crazy do's! They nicknamed each other "Notty" and "Whalespout".

A Secret Admirer?

Last night as I was getting in bed and pulling back the covers, I could tell there was something on my pillow. I'm pretty much blind once my contacts come out but I could still "see" something on my pillow. I grabbed my glasses from the nightstand and this came into view...

hmmmm...a secret admirer?? It's been awhile since I've had one of those :) I love it. I happen to know that this little secret admirer is known around the neighborhood for dropping off her artwork, ringing the doorbell and running...usually with friends. I think it is the cutest thing ever and she does it just to make people smile. She has gotten a few thank you cards in the mail from neighbors who say it brightened their day to get such a sweet surprise on their doorstep. I know I went to bed with a big smile on my face and a grateful heart for my sweet little B Rae.

Pie Eating Contest

Brynlee was a Principal’s 200 Club “Ten In A Row” winner again! (previous ones of Brynlee here and Ashlee here...Brynlee also got to play the Wii one time but I didn't take pics) This time the activity was a pie eating contest with the Principal and the 10 winners. The older group (4th and 5th graders) went first and didn’t use their hands. It was HilARiouS! I wish I would have gotten pictures of that one. Brynlee’s group used their hands and poor Mr. Markworth had to eat another pie. He asked for adult volunteers to take his place but no one took him up on the offer!

My camera stopped recording in the middle so it’s in two parts (warning: turn down the volume or you'll get an ear full of screaming elementary school kids).





Afterwards, I was talking with Brynlee and she said, "I think I'm gonna throw up."

Easter Weekend

We spent Easter with Rob's family down in Draper. We drove down between the sessions of General Conference on Sunday and enjoyed spending time with family. After conference was over and dinner preparations were made, the kids did an egg hunt and then the yummy feasting began! Thanks to Christie for the pictures since I was lame and left my camera at home!

Grandma with Kyle and Trevor...

Trevor aka Buzz Lightyear...

Brynlee and cousins checking out the horse in the pasture behind Cheryl's house...

All the cousins (although all not interested in taking a picture)...


On Monday we braved the weather forecast and went to the Hogle Zoo. It did hail on us towards the end of the visit, but hail was much better than pouring down rain! The kids loved seeing the animals, especially the baby elephant. It was so cute! Trevor still talks about the baby elephant...baby. elephant. so cute.













After the zoo, we left the kids at Cheryl's house and did a little IKEA shopping. We got a dresser that I've been wanting for awhile...got it home and started putting it together and we're missing a piece to one of the drawers...ggrrrr! But I still love it! We'll just have to make another trip down, I suppose! I also got some new running shoes at SL Running Co. I registered for a HALF MARATHON with some friends. Excited but nervous! It was a good Easter weekend.