Manti is 4!

This past summer, while in Arizona, Manti had a very special day.  He turned 4!  He missed his friends from Cheyenne but made up for it by having a party with all of his cousins.  Since we were there with family I thought it would be fun to throw him a surprise party.  We started the day of with our traditional birthday donuts.  A little later Troy took the boys out for some fun.  They went to lunch, a movie and got hair cuts.  Emree and I stayed behind to get everything ready for Manti's BIG surprise.  Being in Arizona, in July, left one option for a party....a WATER party! We made an obstacle course, sponge relay, splish, splish, splash (aka duck, duck, goose), water balloons and water guns! We topped off the party with a big pinata, cupcakes and presents.  It was great day and the kids all had a blast together. 

(I do not have the time or patience to put the pictures in order but enjoy!) 

The first picture was when he peeked through the streamers and everyone yelled "surprise". The second, tears and fear! Wasn't quite the reaction I thought we would get. 

We let Uncle Hiram finish breaking the pinata due to cousins needing to leave.  I think he liked it!

They picked up every single piece! 

Manti using his shirt for the candy loot. 

Grandpa Rob came to the party and Manti was SO happy. Birthday hugs. 

Loving all the presents he got....such a lucky boy.

No fancy cake this year...just cupcakes as he is NOT a fan of cake, just frosting.

HE IS FOUR! (enter tears from Mom) 

This picture is perfect! This is how my day is 24/7 with these two.

All the kids played a few rounds of "Down by the Banks"

Splish, splish, splash....They used a little spoon for the "splish" and then dumped the rest of the bucket of water over the person for the "splash".  So funny!

Emmers soaking up the sun! (Believe it or not, she has grown so much since then)

Poor Kylie took a water balloon right to the head and didn't even cry. 

WATER FIGHT!!

Sponge relay....boys vs. girls....girls won of course. 

The water guns were a hit. 

The birthday boy taking a swing at the pinata. 

Part of the obstacle course. They started off by sitting on a water balloon, shooting down a tower of cups with the water gun. hopping over the noodles, carrying a bucket of water on their head and finishing off down the slip n slide.  All while being sprayed by the hose.  

Manti is such a people person.  He loves to make new friends and reunite with old ones.  He loves to make people laugh and is very tough.  The funny thing is that he can be VERY sensitive too.  Every birthday I reflect back on the day he was born and feel so blessed to have him here.  Our families made the party a big hit.  Even with their busy summer schedules, they took time out to come celebrate Manti.