The Great Muddy Escape

We had several major events take place this weekend, one of which was a "mud-run" called The Great Muddy Escape. The race took place at General Sam's Off-Road park just outside of Huntsville. All funds collected were put toward the local YMCA. There was a live band, lots of food, moonwalks, slides, and stuff for the kids. Participants had the option of running the 5k race (no thanks) or the family fun run. (You can guess which one we opted for). Lucas and I ran with our good friends the Sullivans. Nicole, Cody, Skylarr, Lucas, and I had a blast! It was cold, but we came adequately prepared with proper underclothing. And, after we got in the sunshine it wasn't bad at all.

Blayne's Birthday Bash

Our little buddy Blayne has a birthday just two days after Lucas' birthday. This year, he specifically wanted a Halloween carnival birthday, so his mom and dad fixed him up! They had all sorts of carnival games, pumpking painting, and everyone dressed up. We had so much fun with our friends. We are so thankful that God has put our families together. We never knew that two years ago such a strong friendship would be formed on the tailgate of a truck while watching our then four year old boys play tee ball, but it sure has. Tim and Brittany (and their boys) are so special to us.

Lucas went as Batman, and Cason was Clark Kent (Superman).  He had the most adorable little black frame glasses that really completed the outfit, but he would not leave them on.

 I was a baseball all-star, and Heath was... well... He was supposed to be a 50's greaser.  The wig was kinda funky though.  A lot of people thought he was Elvis, ha! We were going for more of a Fonzie-type look, but oh well. It didn't take him long to shed the hair and jacket!

There were several celebrities amongst us that night.  For example, some of my favorites:

Mildred the lunch lady (most of the night he walked around stirring his pot of slop (chili)

SpiderWOman

Woody, from Toy Story...isn't he a doll?

my very own little Batman

Iron Man (married to SpiderWOman.. who knew!)

Iron Man, Thing One from Dr. Suess, and The Cat in the Hat



Scooby-Doo! always one of my favorites!

Cason enjoyed eating pizza!

We had fun talking with friends, playing games, and face painting...

Blayne's cake was really cool, and very tasty! Cason loved these mini cupcakes, too!

Cason and his pal Jaxon. These two have been friends since they were infants. If they are anything like their daddies, we will have our hands full for sure!

The Buhler family... Tim, Brittany, Mason, and Blayne (and soon to be home with them after ten weeks in NICU ...baby Bryson!)

Heath and Tim having a good laugh... who knows what subject they were covering this time. We are so blessed with such great friends! 



Champs

These three kings of the ring will always be champs in my book!

Party Time

I know, I know. You have been patiently waiting for a birthday party post...So, I am a few weeks behind.

This year Lucas' party was a little different that what it has been in the past. Ever since he was two, or three, we have had a birthday bonfire complete with roasting your own hot dogs, smores, you know - the works. Here are a few pics - look how little Cason looks!! He was just beginning to walk (at the ripe old age of NINE months...geez!)

We are currently right in the middle of a severe drought, which in turn puts us right in the middle of a BURN BAN. In other words... no bonfires for our party boy.

Instead, we sprung for a giant inflatable boxing rings and oversized gloves.  Everyone (kid and adult) had so much fun! I won't overload with pictures, but man... it was a blast!

 As always, Lucas had so many good friends come to celebrate.  I wasn't able to get a picture of everyone, but here are a few:

Raymond, Lucas, and Bun

Missy and Paxton (love this picture!)



Coach Cory providing a little football instruction...

While the kids bounced, fought, and wrestled, the grown ups talked and ate hot dogs! 

After dark, we had a scavenger hunt by flashlight.  Earlier in the day Heath and I hid all sorts of things in the woods beside our house.  Rubber snakes, lizards, bugs, paperclips... it was so fun! The kids loved it! My camera battery was dying so the flash was doing something funky:

After that, it was time for cake and presents! I know it sounds so stupid, but I struggled with this cake thing for days, literally.  Every single year, I have made my boys birthday cakes. (and have done a dang good job if I do say so myself!).  But, this year... on top of everything we have going on, there just weren't enough hours in the day.  True, I could have stayed up till 1 or 2 in the morning... but Heath convinced me that NO one cared... except me. So, I gave in. Kroger made the cake (and THEY did a dang good job if I do say so myself). I did make the camo paper stars... if that counts!

 What is wrong with me?? I even left the cake in the stark white obvious grocery store bakery box! I could have at least put it on a pretty platter. But you know what?? Our backyard full of 4,5,6,7,and 8 year old boys sure didn't notice or mind one bit!

I did not take pictures of Lucas opening presents, 1. it was dark; and 2. I have hundreds of pictures of Lucas opening presents. I did, however, have to snap this one:

Leave it to Jay ... He wrapped the present in an empty dog food bag!




Thanks to each and every one that came out to celebrate our little man with us!