5th Annual Backyard Back-to-School Bash!

It's a little hard to believe this was our 5th Backyard Back-to-School Bash to host, but I can say with all confidence that they just keep getting better and better! 

When we plan these events, of course we have no idea what the weather is going to be like. We can pretty much count on it being hot, but other than that we don't know. This year, it was not only hot but extremely humid. The sky looked pretty ominous at the beginning of the evening . . . like it might open up and just pour rain. However, as the sun began to set (and give us quite a show), a breeze picked up and the air cooled off. We are so thankful it turned out to be a beautiful evening! 

As usual, we had a hearty guest list and a great turn out! Our menu was the same as in years past: hot dogs, chili, veggies, fruit, chips, s'mores, and a trail mix bar. I think I mentioned last year how things have shifted a lot from almost all younger kiddos to many more older kids and teens. Because of this, we didn't even set up the obstacle course this year. We were sure, however, to set up quad-ball since that was such a huge hit last year!

Judah, Gavon, Steven, Zack, Bren, Kyle, Chloe, Bri, Ashlyn, Brayden, Abi, and Arryn

So thankful for these friends!

Anna, Ang, Lisa, Tia, Chelle, Kristin, Shana

Jason, Chris, Jason, Mark

We set up several yard games (no new ones this year, though), and of course the fire is always a popular spot.

Neo, Zac, Gracie, Eli, and Bren

Zack, Bren, Zac, Neo

Eli spent a lot of his time perfecting the marshmallow roasting . . . or something!

Zack and Bren

Jason, Chris, Eli, Britt, Renee, and Bren

The older kids (and a few adults) really enjoyed quad-ball. There was a line of people waiting to play the whole evening!

You can barely see in this photo how the sky was so pretty.

And here, too!

While the older kids played quad-ball, the younger kids kept the playhouse and playset busy!

Love the sky in this photo of Jalaam and Samuel!

Brecklyn, Brooke, Lia, Sadie, and Caroline

Brecklyn, Brooke, Lia, and Caroline

Blake and Jordan

Chelle and Angie

Landon, Kristin, and Russ

Shana and Chelle with Brecks in the background

Gav, Blake, and Jordan

Some of the big kids taking a break from quad-ball and taking over the playset!

Abi, Bri, Samuel, Arryn, Judah, and Hayden

Brooke, Caroline, and Avery

Mar and Chelle

Lisa and Kristin

We had a table set up for rock painting and games. Brecklyn, Sadie, and Brooke enjoyed it!

Chelle and Anna

Anna painted these rocks for us. I'm going to put them in our front flower bed.

Chloe, Ashlyn, and Bri

For my record, those in attendance were: Grampy, G-Jo, Russ, Lisa, Chloe, Ross, Tia, Sadie, Caroline, Angie, Jesse, Neo, Zac, Lia, Mark, Anna, Gavon, Blake, Jason, Shana, Zack, Jordan, Landon, Kristin, Ashlyn, Brayden, Kyle, Steven, Samuel, Renee, Britt, Kyrie, Paul, Rebekah, Hayden, Avery, Ty, Eli, Gracie, Jason, Judah, Abi, Arryn, Jalaam, and our crew. 

I can't say enough what a blessing this event has been to us. We LOVE sharing our home with some of our favorite people!