Birthdays x 4

Our family has become relatively large. Not according to most Mormon families, but considering we started off as 5 and now we're 12, we're HUGE! Last year everyone had their own birthday party. Mine last year was the "crazy" birthday. Since we are such a gigantic family now, we're combining birthdays. We have 3 in January, 2 in February, 5 in March (including Alex's siblings), 2 September, and 1 lonely June and November birthday.

I mean, talk about spring fever... did anyone count it out?

The Venue:
We convened at the blessed Costco in Bountiful for the party. "Costco?" you ask with a raised eyebrow and an incredulous tone. Why yes. Isn't it normal to have birthday parties at a special location? And isn't Costco special? You can buy tires, the best chocolate muffins ever, salmon, and the most ridiculous amount of toilet paper all in stop. Amazing I say.

Dad gave each couple $10 to spend on dinner. Cheapest meal he has provided for the entire family in years! Where can you get a hot dog and drink for $1.50. I had a chicken bake because hot dogs give me the throw-up shivers.

The Event:
We divided into teams, each team had one of Geoff's kids (or their own) to slow them down for help. We were Team A for Alex [Alex, me, Mara], Team B [Geoff, Janene, Ben], Team C was Alex's sister and fam [Nicole, Phil, Carter], Team D was named Team Destiny [Debbie, Dan, Megan].

Each team was given a list of 10 items to find in Costco. The clue was either the name of the item or a hint.

Objection of the Game:
Match the item number and write the price. Items ranged from dog jerky, to pillows, sticky notes, soup, life jackets, mac 'n' cheese, etc. We had so much fun running around trying to figure out the items. I'm sure we looked a little out of place racing up and down the aisles without a cart. Team A was the only team to find all 10 items within the 30 minute time limit. Just stating the fact. Not braggin'.

We sang a very somber and embarrassed "Happy birthday" to Mom, Alex, Dan, and Carter IN COSTCO. Talk about embarrassing. At least none of us were teens when that would have been mortifying. Still...I had a slight flush on my face I think. We had a Costco cake and everything.

The Booty:
First place: Team A won a $25 gift card to Costco.
Second place: Team B won a LED lantern
Third place: Team D won fabulous granola
Fourth place: Team C won chocolate covered pomegranate

Thank you Mom and Dad for doing the leg work of finding the items and creating the treasure hunt. Thank you Costco for inadvertently hosting our birthday party bash. It was great. See you next year!