Anthony’s 9th “Friend” Birthday Party

Anthony really wanted to have a friend birthday party this year since last year he only had a family party.  LaReita planned a fun bike ride from our home to the Spanish Fork North Park down a newly paved bike path that practically runs from our street right down to the park.  Yes it is “down” as in “down-hill”.  One party-goer (Bethany) did have a minor bike accident but was able to continue on and get to the park.  We all told our bike crashes to make her feel better. (Hopefully it did.)

And after the cake (brownies) LaReita went with a few boys to see where the bike path ended.  On a bumpy dirt part, Samuel crashed right in front of LaReita’s tire. LaReita couldn’t stop fast enough to keep from rolling over Samuel. So she ditched her bike, and twisted her ankle.  There was some pretty good swelling, and will be for quite a few more days.  It was quite the adventure!  (Before she left the house, she kept having the prompting to find her bike backpack that had a camelbak of water, and her emergency oils.  She couldn’t find it, but at least grabbed a small first aid kit, which certainly did come in handy.  Another lesson learned in following promptings!  And wearing bike helmets!)

The kids played for about 30 minutes once they got to the park.

Bethany and Benjamin
Bethany and Benjamin

The party did have its ups and downs:

Carlos, Sam & Anthony
Cesar, Sam & Anthony
Cesar, Sam & Anthony
Cesar, Sam & Anthony

Then Dad arrived with the Pizza, Pop and Puffs (Cheetos)!

Party!
Party!
Matt, Jacob and Cesar
Matt, Jacob and Cesar

Next it was time for CAKE!

Anthony and his "cake" (frosted brownies).
Anthony and his "cake" (frosted brownies).

Next: PRESENTS!

Jacob, Matt, Kooper, Anthony, Bethany, Benjamin, Sam
Jacob, Matt, Kooper, Anthony, Bethany, Benjamin, Sam
Anthony, Kooper, Carlos, Benjamin, Garett
Anthony, Kooper, Carlos, Benjamin, Garett

And more presents!

Kooper, James, Anthony, Benjamin
Kooper, James, Anthony, Benjamin
Jacob, Kooper, Anthony, James, Bethany, Benjamin, Sam
Jacob, Kooper, Anthony, James, Bethany, Benjamin, Sam

And more bike riding:

Sam tried nearly all the "big boy bikes".
Sam tried nearly all the "big boy bikes".
Benjamin on a "big boy bike".
Benjamin on a "big boy bike".

More fun:

.

Getting ready to bike home.
Getting ready to bike home.
Jacob had his cake, but ate it too!
Jacob had his cake, but ate it too!

Winding up and heading home:  David had to bike home because of LaReita’s swollen ankle.  (She took the van back.)  First time Dave has biked up a hill since last summer.  He came home and said, “I’m going to go die now,”  and crashed on the downstairs couch for 2 hours.  Carlos, Cesar and Kooper stayed at our house for another hour or so to play with the new toys.   One of our kids asked, “Where’s dad?”  Kooper said, “Oh, don’t bother him right now. He’s busy dying.”  Oh the funny things kids say!

They all fall down!
They all fall down!
Mom in the picture.
Mom in the picture.

What fun! Happy 9th birthday Anthony!