Rudy's 5th Birthday Party

Rudy ready to make a wish

Nate and I took a little drip  down to Elk Grove to visit John, Andrea, Toby and Rudy, as the Mader's put together a party for Rudy's 5th birthday.  It was a great opportunity to catch up with them and let Nate have a day to play with some other kids.  We wound up spending almost the full the day there and had a great time.

Hard to believe Toby is in college now, funny to hear myself say "I remember when he was ..."

Nate awaiting the entertainment and head bashing about to ensue.

John hanging the Pinata.

Darth Vader's head, soon to be a victim of head bashing by a young rebel alliance.

Rudy's ready for the chance to swing the bat.

The rest of the party waits patiently in line.  Although the main even will be over when the biggest kid swings.  As he proudly says, I've been working out.

Nate scores some candy

While the candy may have poured from Vader's head, there's enough left hanging to provide some additional fun for the kids.

It's a hit!

Rudy takes another shot at it.

Nate keeps at it.

John taking it all in.

In addition to the Pinata, they had a Slip N Slide and a pool for the kids to play in.

The two sides decide to battle it out in a prolonged water fight.  The sliders versus the poolers.

Rudy stops for a little nourishment

What you don't see is this is Rudy's 5th bite, at some point he'll actually swallow, but for now it was how quickly he could get back to the water fight.  Felt like watching a NASCAR driver making a pit stop. 

Nate stops for a hot dog as well.  We were in our Outrigger canoe club shirts.

It's been awhile since we hung out, outside of a golf course.

Nate and his godfather John.

Nate was willing to pose for a few photos, but was more interested in the cat across the way diggin in the flower box.

Nate and Rudy winding down after 5 hours of playing.

Happy Birthday Rudy

The Pinata fragments still provided some late afternoon fun.

Darth Vader has been split in two, representing the conflict within.  "There is good in him, I can feel it."

The piece that Nate is wearing looks like he should be welding.

Episode V, the Empire struck out!