Kase is 3!

For Kase's 3rd birthday he was dead set on having a Firetruck party!  I did all of my OCD party planning MONTHS ago.  I had a file set up with all of the creative details; the food, the invites, the decor, the cake, the games the party favors... Etc..

AND THEN....

We went to a Demolition Derby!  The firetruck party was OUT THE DOOR!

Now this little turkey, I call, "son" wanted a Demolition Derby party!!!  And I only had 2 weeks to plan it.  A bit crazy for a party planning mom!  But he was DEAD set!  So, I had to get creative.  I mean come on... how is one to throw a Demolition Derby themed party?   Well, here is how- 

I decided to do brown and lime green for the colors.

 A Demolition Derby cake.  I didn't have to be perfect with my frosting strokes and leveling.  It was afterall, an dirt arena!  Kase loved his cake!  

 Chocolate covered donuts were "Spare Tires".  I had a friend make these fun labels for the food.  If you click on the pic, you can see the label closer.  It says, "Kase Krasher" on the side of the car!  ha ha

 I had to have SOMETHING healthy... so Kase wanted grapes.  So, here are a skewer full of green grapes called "Dip Sticks".  ha ha

 The punch was "Anti-Freeze".

I must admit, I impressed myself with the party favors.  :)  Little labels on each bag said, "Thanks for Crashing in!"  and the little place card in the corner of the pic says, Derby Prizes.  Inside was a Hot Wheels Car that looked like a "derby car", a can of orange 'Crush', and a couple little pull back cars so they can have a derby at home.

For the invites, I just made them out of a pic from the Manti Derby we went to.  (sorry its sideways, I couldn't get it to flip).  Put a cheesy poem with it and called it good.  (People like cheese right?!)

The activities were easy peasy!  We went down into the dance room with some Hot Wheel cars and had our own DERBY!  It was awesome! Super loud, but fun!  The boys loved that part!

Every good little boy party needs a pinata right?  So we had a demolition derby truck as the pinata.  The kids scored big time!  

 Here is the gang of boys and their siblings to help out.  ha ha  I mean just look at those cheesy smiles in the middle!  Did someone say CANDY?

 Kase and I

 3 of the best kids this side of the Mississippi!

 Grandpa love

 K5 

(love my family)

And to top it all off, when we had cake, ice cream and presents... the highlight (for the adults anyway) was watching Kase's reaction to opening each gift!  He was SO excited!  I laughed and laughed!  Even when he would open a measly ole card, he was so happy!  It was like he just opened the one thing he had been dreaming of his whole little life!  -But over and over!Big squeals of delight, his smile couldn't have physically gotten any bigger!  Pure joy! It was my fave part of the day! 

Clampetts go Camping

 Here is the gang this year!....  I chose our crazy pic for the blog, well,... because I love it!  And because I can!  ha ha  We camped on Strawberry Ridge in the best campsite EVER!  Lots of trails, lots of hiking, campfires, good food, and good family fun!

 Kyle and Kase on the Motorcycle

 Konnor with his new helmet and riding like a boss!

 Grandma Kathie and Kaylee

 Kaylee girl riding like a boss!

 On a hike with Grandpa!

 Brother/sisterly love!

 Kaylee and Auntie Kellie

 Kyle DID A ROBINHOOD SHOT!  Yes!  He shot straight into another arrow!  Of course we saved it! 

 Konnor and his awesome bow skills!  Look at that face!

 Kaylee and Kase on a trail!

 Hiking snacks!

 On a ride with the whole family.

 Look at that view!

 

Kim, Me and Cheeseball Kase!

On a hike, we all thought this huge rock would be a perfect resting place!

It was a really fun week!  

Sad to not have everyone there, but it was fun to be in the mountains doing fun things with family! 

Boys Only Camp!!

Listen up peeps.  It's high time that I hi-jack Karen's little blog and let the world know how the Brothersen boys roll.   For those of you that can only learn by pictures and video (you know who you are) here is the youtube link...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uflZpmlxEJc

Konnor, Kase and I went camping up on top of Lake Mountain near the Fairfield VOR over the weekend.  Since it was Labor Day weekend and the Archery Deer hunt, all 3 of the normal spots that I had previously scoped out for good camping up on that mountain range were taken already.  We had get crafty and resort to "plan D" in order to find this little spot.  By the time we got there on Friday night, the sun had already set (though not dark yet).  I hurried and set up the tent before making a fire for our dinner.  The boys ate fire roasted hot dogs and ham steaks.  I ate ham steaks and a can of chili that I heated up by the fire.  I only took a couple of pics before the light was too dim for shooting stills, but there wasn't enough light for video.  We all had a fun night in the tent, and I got up early to take pics of the morning sun light.  When the boys woke up an hour or so later, we shot some video and took some other pics.  Enjoy the video!

- Kyle

Drinking from a firehose!

Ok... so that may be a little dramatic, but thats what I felt just now as I looked back through my pictures on the computer to figure out what I need to blog about.  ha ha... THERE IS SO MUCH catching up to do, too much.  So I may skimp out on a few cool pics, but you will get the idea.
Our summer has been fun, full, busy, and short.  We camped what seemed like every weekend.  (not really every weekend, but close)  It started at Girls Camp, then Payson Canyon, Strawberry Ridge, Yellowstone (which should get its own post), Day camp for Kaylee, Brothersen Camp, Kaylee's baptism, Clampett Camping trip to Strawberry Ridge,  Digicert party, Demolition Derby and Back to school!  Im sweating just typing all of that! 
But the whole point of this post, is to say.... I will post some pics here soon about all that!  I love my family and this summer spent with them was priceless to me as a wife and mother.  I am so thankful and relieved that we can be together forever! 

1st day Of Kindergarten!

 My adorable Kon-man is now in KiNdErGaRtEn!  I cant believe it!  

Just a quick warning:  TONS OF PICS BELOW!

 Just look at that smile!  Geesh... thats enough to melt my heart!

 Take note to his backpack!  It has Buzz Lightyear's retractable wings! 

 Kase wanted in on the pic action!

 At school:  it was a little rainy and bright, but Konnor is still smiling!

 Grandpa came and surprised him!

 Mommy hugs before class-time!  If you have never had a child go off to kindergarten before, remember this- Wear sunglasses!  You are going to cry watching your baby march off in a line full of kids going to take on the world! 

 We went a little early to take pics and play!

 THIS is my personal fave pic!  I mean how often can you capture a shot like this!!!?!!!  

I call it "I'm SO excited to go to Kindergarten jump!"

 His BF happens to be in his same class!  Lucky ducks!

He smiled at me, waved, said, "I love you mom" and marched in the door!  

Sure love him and hope he always remembers how awesome he is and that his smile can light up a whole room!

First day of 3rd Grade!

 She was SO excited to go to 3rd grade!  She has a well loved teacher this year!  I heard he is the most requested teacher in the school!  When Kyle gave her a blessing last night for the new school year, he asked her if there was anything she was nervous about... and she replied shocked and said, "No dad, I am just so excited!  Why would there be anything to worry about?"   ha ha.  Love her!

 Two of her best friends have this same shirt, and they all wanted to wear it together!  Maybe after school we can get a shot of all of them.  ha ha. 

Last night I made a fun dinner with A, B, C's, and the Magic School bus came and filled their lunch boxes with fun school stuff, candy, chap stick, and jewelery!  They were So excited to wake up to that!

 I did the usual pic morning at home and at the school.  But when we got there we saw there was a PARTY going on!  There was fun music on all of the speakers, balloons, red carpet, every employee cheering and giving high fives along the way!  This new principal knows how to have a great time!  Kaylee was SO excited!

 Kaylee on the red carpet!

 Kaylee being welcomed in the door with more party people!

Fun signs everywhere!  We really do have a fun school!  Hope my sweetheart has a great first day!

Now next week is Konnors first day of kindergarten!  Crazy how quick life is going by!  I love these children I have been blessed with!  Hope they spread their wings and fly to make a difference in the world!