Pierson's 8th Birthday!

Pierson had a great birthday this year. He loves having his birthday on Pioneer Day and loves the parade, races and fireworks happening on his big day. Since his birthday fell on Sunday this year, he really lucked out and got 2 days of celebrating. Here's a look at the 2 day party...

We started off the morning watching the parade and then headed to the park for one of Pierce's favorite activities of the day, the big races! Our kids LOVE this and look forward to it from one year to the next. Here's Madi in her big 5 year old race...


Last year she just pranced along with out a care in the world, this year she got a little more serious and ran a bit faster! She won 2nd place and was SO excited!


Pierce had so much fun and took 3rd place!

We cooled off and relaxed at home for a few hours until it was time for the "friend party". I knew there was no way I was up for pulling off our usual style of friend party since I can't even get my laundry all done- so we changed it up this year. We did a small party with his best buddies and headed to Laser Mania. It was such a hit! The boys loved it!


Here they are in their laser gear - Dad, Joey, Pierce and Grant

Then we headed to Ice Burg for shakes. The kids were so excited to get their own big shake! I think this has changed they way I'm thinking for birthdays, this was the easiest party ever and they had so much fun!



Pierce was very excited about his very cool new BYU shirt from Joey!


He also got a great Star Wars Lego Set from Grant. Presents in the car, hand them a goody bag, I'm telling you, easiest party ever, thrilled kids and thrilled Mom.
Here we are for a group party shot, joined by our buddy Tommy.

That evening we headed to Pizza Factory for our traditional birthday pizza. Here's Pierce with his big #8!



That night everyone was excited for fireworks, we met up with Grandma and the Halls at the cemetery. We sat on the ground around Grandpa and Todd's graves and enjoyed the night. Weird as it may seem, we decided this was a great place for us- it was a great view of the fireworks and Ryan and Jeff pointed out- it's the only piece of land that we actually own! (Jeff & Crystal own 2 plots next to Todd and we own the 2 next to Grandpa. We had good reasons to buy plots!) We might as well make good use of it! It was actually nice and peaceful to be there. A new tradition was found!

Matthew, Pierce, Madi, Brooke, Danielle (visiting Grandma from Ohio) and Harrison

Jensen loved the fireworks! Grandma held him and he just starred at them the entire time, totally enthralled!



The real birthday morning. Enjoying his favorite traditional breakfast muffin.


Pierce had plenty of fun Sunday morning playing with his new Legos and was then excited to go to Primary and be sung to on his real birthday! After church we had the Halls over for his birthday dinner, lucky for me he picked cheeseburgers so Ryan did most of the work. Then Grandma, Uncle J.D. and Amanda, and Deli, Jackson and Hannah joined us for cake and ice cream. He surprised us all by choosing Costo's red velvet cake this year. (It's what Daddy had for his birthday, and the kids loved it!)



Here he is with best buddy cousin, Matthew and his birthday buddy cousin, Jackson. Jackson turned 5!


Does he look happy or what? Can you tell he loves his new BYU shirt? (Thanks Joey!)



He had a great birthday and was excited about some cool new Star Wars toys and lego sets (Thanks Luke and Grant!)He's also been talking about Laser Tag ever since and can't wait to go back! We had a great 2 days celebrating Pierce, we can't believe how grown up his is! We love him so much!