Kelly and Stacey Jewkes 

 They passed a sign up sheet around the ward for people to sign up to host a gathering with a few other families or couples in the ward. I signed up not really knowing what it was. I then got a paper at church a month later with a specific day and was asked to find another person to co-host with and that we needed to invite 4 other families to join. Me being the crazy person I am, decided to make it a couple mystery date night. I bought a kit online that broke down everyone's parts and characters. The trickiest part was getting the correct amount of couples commited and coming for it to work out. We had a few people back out last minute and were scrambling looking for others. But since everyone was assigned that day, it was a lot harder to find people than normal because they were already going to someone else's house. 

But after a few days and stress thinking it wasn't going to happen, Paige Bangeter and I finally gathered the right amount of people and delivered the invitations. Each person was assigned a specific character and had instructions on how they should dress. Most were just assigned to dress in 1920 clothes/dresses. As I put together all the papers the instructions let me know which paper's not to read so I didn't know who the murderer was.

Paige and Phil Bangeter

When everyone first arrived they were given more instructions for their specific character. Things they were supposed to find out, details about other people that only they knew, as well as some money they could use to bribe other characters to give them info.

We had some snacks left out for everyone to munch on throughout the party

Torri Smith ended up earning the most money in the end by people bribing her to give info.

These two played the part so well. They along with many others made the game so much fun.

Heather Cindrich was murdered and her sweet husband carried her through the secret door into my bedroom where she changed characters and became the investigator in the game. Heather was so funny and really really played dead! She made her husband Evan do all the pulling and lifting to get her into the other room. They both brought so much laughter and fun to the party.

Torri and her husband Ryan Smith were a big part of the game and didn't hold back at all. They both had a lot they had to accomplish and say and they were such great sports about it.

I think everyone in the end had a lot of fun.

This past year Connor has been really into Star Wars, so we did a Star Wars themed birthday party per his request. We started out the morning with Connor and Kaylee helping to decorate the marshmallows to make them look like storm troopers. They had a fun time making them and they turned out super cute. I went easy this year and just got store bought cupcakes from Dicks Marketplace.

Ashlynn had fun eating all the marshmallows while we decorated.

We then let Connor play his favorite Star Wars game on the Wii for a bit. Kaylee joined in. She wasn't really into it when he first started playing it, but over the past few months she has started to get the hang of it and really likes to play. Kaylee prefers playing it alone however; because her brother plays it so much so he likes to be a little controlling on where they go and who they need to fight etc.

Ashlynn wanted to play too; so we gave her a remote control and let her pretend she was playing along.

Dad took the day off work and went and picked up his gift from us....a NEW BIKE! Connor had been asking for a Rocket bike just like his best friend Jed. According to Connor the Rocket bikes are really really fast.

The bike is a little big for his tiny little body, but he hops on and rides it pretty good. It should last him for a bit.

Dad and Grandma Tenney went and picked up the water slide we rented and got it set up in the backyard. Since the party didn't start till after lunch, we invited Connors friend Jed to come over early as well as the across the street younger neighbor twins to come play with Ashlynn.

Ashlynn has been loving having friends pretty close to her age live across the street. They have a summer birthday so they barely make the cut off to go to school a year above Ashlynn however; so that will be hard when they are in school and she isn't. But for now, they love playing with each other and they are so cute to watch interact with one another.

Connor came in to help me with the last minute set up and decorations. He had to try out the photo prop and make sure it looked cool ;) Since it had been a busy morning, we made the kids come in for quiet time while Ashlynn took her nap before the party started. Connor still get's pretty tired if he doesn't take a minute for some quiet time.

Thanks Pinterest for all the creative Star wars themed ideas.

Connor invited a few friends from school as well as some neighborhood kids and previous friends from before we moved. He always has a huge list of kids he could invite, and its hard for him to narrow it down. That kid can make a friend with anyone with his sweet and tender heart. He is just so easy going and gets along with everybody.

Here are a few action shots of all the fun the kids had playing on the slide

I put dad in charge of doing the games with the kids. I forgot what we called this game; but we put one of the star wars toys we had lying around in some water and froze it. The kids then got to use squirt guns to try to get the guy out of the water. 

L-R (Carlos, Light, Connor, Taylor, Everette, and Evi)

Jed and Eric

June

Grandma Tenney

Uncle Nate

My amazing friend Nina was in town from Texas during Connor's party, so we invited them to come join!! They didn't have swim suits, so we let them borrow some. It was so so good to see Nina and catch up a little at the party.

Aunt Anya and cousin Light

Opening presents 

(far left is Jaxton and to the left of him next to Taylor is his cousin Logan)

Taylor, Evi and Katelynn

My sister Angela came a little later with all of her kids. It was a fun day.