Our Surprise Fireman Party....

 

March 12, 2011

 

Well....after OVER two years of trying to get hired as a firefighter, Tyson has MADE IT!  A nearby  City Fire Department hired Ty and we could not be HAPPIER!!!!  It has been very hard to sit back and watch the disappointment, time after time, as he has applied and been rejected.  His patience and endurance has paid off.  YAY!!!! 

 

While Howie, Ty and the kids went to a movie this afternoon, the girls and I had this fun idea. We decided to throw a SURPRISE party to celebrate this wonderful news.  We had VERY LITTLE time.  As soon as the movie ended the kids would be heading home.  We stopped by the store and ran through the isles (Like crazy women I might add)  filling our baskets with anything and everything that went along with our firemen theme. 

We were in and out of the store in a matter of minutes and ran to Ashlee's house to begin the decorating. 

 April went to work on some signs to hang for decorations...

She can whip out signs faster than anyone I know and they always look GREAT!

We found fun hats and badges for the kids.... 

 We were able to find a Fire Truck Pinata and some cute goodie bags for the kids....

 We found a "RED" Velvet cake and Ash hurried and decorated it with the Maltese Cross.  The symbol for firefighters.....

 Banners were hung,,,,

balloons blown up.... 

 The pinata was stuffed, fruit cut up for our yummy fondue,  and before we knew it the house was completely decoraated and we were ready for our BIG surprise!  Not too shabby for only having a little over an hour to plan, shop,and decorate  before the guys got back with the kids.  We ROCK at parties  :)

 My party crew....

 Now all we had to do was wait!  It was a perfect time to play with our newest little guy, Nate.  He was perfect as we rushed around the house frantically throwing this party together. He just sat there and watched us. 

 Now it is time to play.....

 Picture time with our little firefighter...

 Nate with his favorite Aunt!!!

 Smiles for Grandma T....

 Such a happy little boy....So content!

Ash goofing off.......Making Nate laugh!

Our little fireman!

 

 

Surprise!!!!

 

Once they arrived the party began!

 The kids got all decked our in their party attire...

 They each had their own hat and fire badge...

Karah Boo....

Brayden Jack....

Alysssa....

Luke...

This is such a blurry picture but as I have looked over these pictures I have VERY FEW of Luke so I decided to post this anyway.  I love his blurry little smile.

 Nate wants to be just like Daddy when he grows up!

 

 

We are so happy for Tyson.  This has been a LONG two years.  Way to hang on to your dream of being a firefighter and not giving up. 

 

It was not only a celebration for his new job but also a way to celebrate both his and Howie's birthdays. 

 We found this fun hat for Howie.  He is getting up there in age.  WOW!!!

I love my "OLD GEEZER!"

Our Fire Crew!

What a CRAZY bunch of kids....

I love making these memories with our grandkids.  I cherish these times together sooooo much!

Karah has a new hairstyle...compliments to her fire hat!

Playing with her static....

Yummy pizza!  That made for a QUICK meal!

April and her little buddy....

Snuggles with Nate before the games begin...

She was so tender with her new cousin....

Kissin' cousins....

 Let the games BEGIN!!!

 

 

Fire Toss.....

 

 It was pretty hard to get the sock through that little hole...

 They had fun taking turns....

 Howie got the "almost senior citizen" advantage.  He is such a CHEATER!!  lol

 The game was much more fun once we had a TARGET to aim at.  Thanks Ash for being our guinea pig. 

 April was SPOT ON when she was aiming at her sister's face!!!!

 

 

HOT Potato....

 I was quite surprised at how well the kids played together.  When they were "out" they sat nicely on the stairs and waited patiently.  That is NOT like them!  No tantrums tonight! YAY!!!

 

 Nate doing the "Hot Potato" dance with Papa Howie.  No smiles in this video but earlier he was all grins.  Such a pleasant little guy.

 Papa Howie LOVED spending time with Nate. 

 It was fun to watch them play together....

Pinata Fun....

 They took turns swinging their ROLLING PIN at the pinata.  Keep in mind we had to improvise with our games because it was such short notice.  Their blindfold made them look like they belonged to the KKK!

 Nate was all smiles during the Pinata game...

 Well the kids had NO LUCK when it came to opening the pinata.  Uncle Tyson had to take a turn to show them how it is done!

 With ONE swing....It was broken!!!! 

What BRUTE strength.

 I love how some of them CAREFULLY selected their candy.  Not me!  If I was a kid I would have been gathering it up as fast as I could.  The more candy.... the better!  With some of them they were more concerned with QUALITY instead of QUANTITY!!!! 

 Man there was a TON of candy....We didn't realize how much we stuffed into that pinata!  These kids are going to be wired!

 This supply should last them until Halloween!

 

 

 

Chocolate Fondue......

We thought it would be fun to have a chocolate fodue for a snack.  YUMMY!

 

Alyssa patiently waiting for the CHOCOLATE!

Cookies, doughnuts, marshmallows, macaroons, fruit and pretzels.....Doesn't get better than this!

Heck with chocolate! 

This girl is a LOVER of fruit! 

I think she is in heaven!

Fun memories.....

Alyssa's ALL TIME FAVORITE food has got to be CHOCOLATE!!!  She is lovin' this treat!

I think Luke liked the cookies best....

My marshmallow man!

This was a very fast and fun treat.  I recommend it for any party.  YUMMMMMY!

 

 

Firefighter Pictionary.....

We ended the night off with a game of pictionary on Ashlee's TV.  Everything that was drawn had to do with firemen.  Fire hydrants, dalmation dog, hose, fire hat, fire truck, ect.

 I was quite surprised at how well the kids all did with this game.  I was not sure how it would go.  FUN, FUN, FUN!

 House on fire....

Lukie's turn.....

 Stop- Drop- and Roll.....

 

 

 Tyson we could not be more proud of you.  We are extremely happy for this new adventure you are about to begin.  We know you will do an amazing job.  You are a wonderful role model for your sons and we love you a TON!  Congrats and Happy Birthday!