Pumpkin Party- KyKy is 3!

Happy 3rd Birthday Kyler!  My fall baby boy, couldn't have picked a better month to be born, leaves, pumpkins, cool weather, love this time of year.  We did a pumpkin patch theme this year with tractors, and it turned out great.  It was the last big hurrah at our house before it sold, so we went out in style!  I had small pumpkins for the kiddos to decorate with felt stickers, and since it was raining we did a candy find in a big pile of hay in the garage (who's smart idea was that anyways??).  We had pizza, apples with homemade caramel dip, and some other sides, and tied it all together with cute pumpkin and tractor wheel cake pops. 
Everything went great, and other than our house getting a good last final beating, we had a happy 3 year old who loved his party!

So excited for everyone to get there he coudn't quit shaking

One more shot of the birthday boy-- "I three!"

I should have known that the boys wouldn't want to sit long enough to decorate pumpkins, but the girls sure took advantage of the craft time!

Ariana's final pumpkin

Ky loved his balloons, and he loved setting them free even more a few days later! He also said GOOD BYE to his binky the morning of the birthday, because 3 year olds don't have binkies anymore. 

Hai's and her final pumpkin

It takes two!  Becca and Memi and the twins

Sarah hanging with Mart and Tay

2 of Kyler's future girl friends  Ariana and Kendall

The kids barely took a break long enough from running around to eat

Chris the "balloon man" he blew up 12 pumpkin punching ball balloons for all the kids eagerly awaiting their turn. I think I started crying I was laughing so hard, I guess you just had to be there...

Close up :)

Kader

So yes it was my ever so brilliant idea to have the hay in garage, BUT in my defense I did tell Chris to do a half bale, and so either way it went down as not such a good idea because even though it looks fun, we were cleaning up hay for WEEKS!!

What a proud moment when everyone was singing happy birthday to him.  He was beaming and didn't stop smiling the whole time.  I loved it, it really did bring real tears to my eyes in just seeing him shine with excitement, there have and continue to be some harder days with this kid and to see him this happy in his little moment was so cool for me.

The cake pops, yum!

Don't get confused with sleds out, but you can see what this turned into. 

I guess the bigger the mess equals the more fun you had. In this case this party was over the top! :)  Glad we could celebrate the BIG 3 for Ky's with some family and friends.  We are now taken over by Ninja Turtles, a balance bike, and some cool new clothes and other fun toys!  Woohoo!

Remembering Grandma Gloria

Grandma Gloria will always be remembered as a very giving, loving, compassionate, and sincere woman.  She was a true grandma when it came to making her grandsons feel loved and spoiled.  Since she lived in Palm Springs while Chris was growing up there were lots of trips to visit and she came up for the holidays.  Chris and I got to make a trip there to visit before we got married and had a blast, and were also happy when she moved back to Longview, and made a trip with Crew to visit her down there.  She always went over the top to make us feel welcome and made sure we had plenty to eat and fun times to be had.  I had the privilege of knowing Gloria since Chris and I started dating 16 years ago, and she always made me feel apart of the family by sending me sweet notes and cards in the mail, and always had a gift under the tree for me at Christmas. When I think of Gloria I think of "giving" and that she did.  Even as the great grand kids started stacking up she kept up with the loads of things she sent up and got for them.  So sweet. 

She lived in Bellingham the last couple years in the care of Spring Creek, and it was hard to see her struggle with dementia and her health, it would have been great to have some healthy years with her closer, but we cherish the many memories we do have. 

Gloria Jean DeMers

Gloria Jean DeMers, 86, born June 28, 1926, in Tipperary, Iowa, passed away Sept. 23, 2012, in Bellingham. She moved to Longview in 1935 and graduated from R.A. Long High School in 1944.

She married George Rasmussen in 1946 and they divorced in 1959. In 1966 she married Jack DeMers and retired with him to Thousand Palms, Calif. She enjoyed traveling with him all over the United States. Her other hobbies included crocheting, golf, reading and crossword puzzles.

She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Leslie and Chuck Price of Lynden, Wash; a stepdaughter, Cheryl Smith of Gresham, Ore.; two grandsons, Chris Price and Cole Price; a stepgrandson, Steve Gerry; a stepgranddaughter, Criss Gerry; and six great-grandchildren.

We gave this picture to Spring Creek as a thank you for the care she received the last few years.  It was hard to see her go, but we know she is in a better place now. 

Here are some pics I found thinking back to some of the memories Gloria had with our family in the last 5 years.

Right after Crew was born...

Grandma loved to treat us to dinners out when she visited... Crew and Grandma Gloria

Duke, Grandma, and Crew

Crew, Grandma, and baby Brodes

Grandma and a rare shot with Kyler

Mother and Daughter

Chris and Gloria

Happy Birthday Grandma Gloria!

Celebrating Ky's first birthday with Kader and Becca

Helping Brody blow some bubbles

Grandma Gloria taking in all the action from her great grand kids

The last group shot taken on Mother's Day 2011- Oh how we love you and miss you Gloria!

We made a family trip down to Longview for her service.  Just as Gloria would have wanted it, aside from the emotions of why were there, we tried our best to celebrate the time together as family and make the best out of the many memories we all shared.  So Cole and Becca, Chris and I and our 6 kids, 6 and under, caused quite a scene with getting to the hotel and getting settled.

The hallways and stairways were ran down and the boys kept us all on our toes.  I am sure Gloria had a few chuckles herself looking down with a smile.

Some downtime before the service

Lots of pool action to burn that energy!

Kys lovin it

Kader checking things out

Two peas in pod- double trouble!

BoBo and his many spidey jumps

Cole taking hot tub duty

Mr. Kallen

Little Miss Kennadi

The graveside service was very short and sweet.  Chris had prepared some things to say about Gloria which added a nice personalized touch.  It was pretty emotional, and I wish I could have heard it all, but again Gloria I am sure got some good laughs seeing Becca and I try to contain the kiddos in the wide open space and distractions.  Cole and Leslie were able to be with Gloria the last hour of her life which made us all feel good, and I am glad Chris got a chance to share some memories.

The Mastead Restaurant in town was Gloria's favorite place to eat, and so we found it fitting to celebrate afterwards with close family.  You can see the twins in the background, and of course the 4 boys made dinner interesting... :)

Tom and Cheryl, Criss, Janet, Dixie and Connie, Leslie, and Steve

Cole, Steve, and Chris

Good looking group!  Mother and her sons, I love this!

We ended the day back in the hotel where the kids had plenty more running down the halls, swimming, and jumping back and forth on beds.  They sure do know how to have a good time, and I have no doubt the 7 cousins will have a blast growing up together.

We did manage to get some family pics since we were somewhat coordinating....Oh Cruiser

We had a great family getaway, aside from the circumstances of why were there, it was nice to get out of town and spend some quality family time with everyone.  Chris and Cole even took all the kids to the park while Becca and I got some shopping in. I am glad we could all make it and celebrate Grandma Gloria in a way that she deserved.

We love you and miss you Grandma Gloria!