Last Friday we hosted one of our favorite evenings of the year . . . our annual Backyard Back-to-School Bash. This was our 7th one to host, and it was a great time as always!
In the past, I have created a FB event to invite people to the bash and keep everyone updated on what they needed to know. This year, however, I decided to text an invite instead of mess with a FB page. It worked out just fine and was easier for me. Most of the people we invited this year have been before, so I also didn't feel the need to send out as much information.
Every year I think we aren't going to have many guests, but every year it turns out just fine. This year was no exception! We ended up with a beautiful evening and a good crowd.
This year - for the first time - we had friends who were dropped off by their parents or drove themselves. Sigh. This means my kiddos are getting too big!
Bren, Easton, Jacob, Gavon, Jaxen, and Oliver
Sadie, Brecklyn, Blake, Brooke, Harper, Bri, Abby, Abby, and Kyrie
Another shot of the girls with Brecklyn looking a little more normal, lol.
Set up for this event has gotten so easy. I remember the first several years we hosted this, it would take us a whole day to get everything ready. Now, the kids are older and are fantastic helpers, and we just don't do as much as far as decorations, crafts, games, etc. Even cleaning up after everyone leaves is much easier and faster. This year, we even trimmed the menu down a bit to just hot dogs, veggies, fruit, and s'mores. We didn't do chili or the trail mix bar, but our guests all brought sides and it was great!
As soon as everyone finished eating, the kids got the volleyball games going. As much as they loved the quad-ball, they like volleyball even more because more can play at a time. Maybe next year we'll do both!
Something special this year was that Lisa and Chloe came down to Oklahoma for the party, AND Jeremy was in town visiting. It was fun for me to have out-of-town family here!
Chloe and Bri
Jeremy, Mom, Chelle, Lisa, and Dad
Of course, Jeremy enjoyed meeting many of the kids' friends. He had some special words for Bri's "friend", Jaxen :-).
I'm pretty sure Bri wasn't thrilled with the situation!
Aside from volleyball, our guests also enjoyed the playset and playhouse like they always do. I'm glad we still have kids young enough to enjoy those activities, too!
Deon, Gracie, Caroline, and Julia
Harper, Bri, and Chloe
Spencer, Stormi, Caroline, Julia, and Deon
Tia, Jody, Dana, Chelle, and Lisa
Harper and Bri
Jeremy handed out many ducks at our gathering. The kids kept seeking him out to get them!
G-Jo, Jeremy, Spencer, and Stormi
Jeremy giving Spencer and Stormi some instructions regarding the ducks.
Sarah, Chelle, Michelle, and Anna
Anna and Chelle
Brianna, Tia, and Lisa
At one point, Caroline fell and busted her knee at the playhouse. Tia took her inside to get it cleaned up and bandaged. Jeremy decided to join in on the fun, haha.
The fire is still a popular spot during the party. I think we went through four bags of marshmallows this year!
Grampy, Brecklyn, Easton, and Bri
Brecklyn, Sadie, and Brooke
Brooke, Caroline, Julia, Koda, and Brecks
Deon, Julia, Gracie, Caroline, Brecklyn, Brooke, and Sadie
Blake and Brianna . . . Blake has outgrown Bri!
About half-way through the evening, the adults challenged the teens to a volleyball rematch. The teens talked a lot of smack about how they were going to beat the adults this year, but it didn't happen!
The adults came away victorious for the second year in a row!
Tiffanie, Brad, Ross, Chris, Mark, and Renee
Most of our guests left around 9:30pm, but there were a few who stayed a little later. Lisa and Chloe spent the night at our house, and the Smiths and Harper also stayed a little later. The kids enjoyed hanging out on the driveway in the front, but the adults stayed inside away from the bugs.
Chloe, Brecklyn, Brenson, Brooke, Harper, Brianna, and Jaxen
Those who joined us for the fun were: Grampy, G-Jo, Jeremy, Lisa, Chloe, Ross, Tia, Sadie, Caroline, Mark, Anna, Gavon, Blake, Sarah, Oliver, Abby, Gracie, Renee, Britt, Kyrie, Michelle, Koda, Julia, Deon, Easton, Harper, Abby, Jacob, Dana, Stormi, Spencer, Tiffanie, Brad, Jaxen, Brynlee, Lizzy, and our crew.
This event has become very special to us, and we hope we can continue it for some years to come. It is a blessing to host our friends, laugh together, and just genuinely enjoy each others company!
