Weekend Parties

Every year the staff at our church throws a "Dream Team" party to thank all of the people who have volunteered throughout the year. Now that Vince is part of the staff we had the opportunity to help serve instead of only attend, and it was actually a lot of fun!

The theme this year was State Fair and Vince I worked at the bottle toss booth.

During dinner we waited on a few tables and I also found volunteers for the pie eating contest.

My family was well represented because I got my sister Hannah to volunteer, and I signed up my cousin's Husband, Sam, while he was away from the table.

I will never do that again! Even though Sam won, he still ran off the stage and smeared his chocolate cream pie covered face onto the side of mine..... I smelled like chocolate and my bangs were sticky for the rest of the night!

One of the funniest games for the evening was when some volunteers covered our pastoral staff with whipped cream and then used squirt guns to "shave" it off.

However, the biggest hit of the evening was the mechanical bull riding that took place in the center of the room.

On Saturday we were able to celebrate my niece Ramzee's birthday with a party at Build-A-Bear.

Deklan picked out a cuddly puppy and I had the idea to name him choo-choo because he's obsessed with trains and that's what he calls them. I told Vince and he had an even better idea. We named him "Chew-Chew" since he's a puppy.

Grafton wanted to name the black cat he picked out Levi (of course), so Vince named him Levi #99 seeing that all of his toys and his fish already share that name.

After Build-A-Bear we went to the food court where the kids snacked on Dilly Bars and Chocolate Chip Cookies.

We thoroughly enjoyed our weekend parties, but once we got home from church on Sunday we spent the rest of the day taking it easy!

Party Weekend

This weekend we celebrated Grafton's 4th Birthday two-and-a-half weeks early so that his Grandpa & Grandma Brown could attend before they leave for the summer.

We kept his party really simple by grilling hamburgers and hot dogs and only inviting immediate family.

It took two tries, but Grafton did blow out all of his candles!

The party was very laid-back.... Just the way we like it!

Grafton received some great gifts (pool toys, a scooter, Leapster, clothes, art supplies, games, a light saber, and more!)

Once all of the presents were opened, he was in a rush to to play with one particular gift....

His bubble machine!

Turning four has gotten a little to his head though. When I put him in bed after his party he informed me that since he's four now his bed is too small and he needs a bigger one. Where does he come up with this stuff?

After his party on Saturday I switched from Birthday Party mode to Baby Shower Mode and helped organize a shower that took place on Sunday afternoon for a great friend of mine.

The theme was Mama Bird and little birds, birdhouses, nests and eggs were the main elements in the decor.

For lunch we served fruit kabobs, pin-wheel sandwiches, cucumber sandwiches, cheese, salad, cupcakes, cappuccino punch, water, and hot tea.

Putting everything together was a little hectic when our host came down with the flu and we had to move the location to the church, and then our main organizer became severely dehydrated and spent the entire day in the hospital. However, we all regrouped and it came together beautifully!

New Moon Party

If you were reading this blog back in November, you probably recall me going to see the midnight showing of New Moon with a few friends. Well, since the DVD came out this Saturday, it was only appropriate for us to get-together and watch it again!

My sister Rachel hosted the party and I was a little startled when I walked in her house and noticed a special guest out of the corner of my eye.

We really made this a New Moon party with themed plates, posters, magazines and pictures. We also enjoyed pizza, caesar salad, and plenty of movie candy & popcorn!

Rachel made us really comfortable by combining the couches from her living and family room and providing us with blankets and snuggies to cuddle up and enjoy the movie.

After the movie and before heading home we we gathered around the guest of honor...

and indulged in a few more snacks!

Christmas Parties

Vince and I have attended two Christmas Parties so far this month. The first one was put on by our church to thank all of the people who serve throughout the year. The theme was "Candyland" and we sat in the Chocolate Swamp Section.

The party consisted of dinner, gift giveaways, Thank-You's from the staff, and a life-sized game of Candyland.

I didn't didn't take many pictures, but did manage to take a couple by the christmas tree with my hubby, mom, and sister.

Our second Christmas Party was for the YAC+ Group that we host and it is our only adults only event throughout the year. We had delicious Mexican Food, incredible desserts, and plenty of coffee. I don't know why it is, but the wives sit at one table and have our "girl talk" while the guys sit at the kitchen table and have their "guy talk". It never seems to be that way when you're dating.... The husbands were very nice to surprise us by brining dessert to our table because we were too busy visiting to get it ourselves.

We ended the evening by playing "Seen It: Squabble" (the wives won!) and visiting some more.

I can't wait to do it again next year!

A Dinosaur of a Party

To celebrate Grafton's 3rd Birthday, we invited our immediate family and Grafton's closest friends (including their families) over for a dinosaur themed party.

For dinner we grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and served them along with pasta salad, watermelon, and chips & salsa.

While we were waiting to eat, some of the kids entertained themselves in a bounce house.

Dinner Time!

The kids were happy to help Grafton open his presents.

Grafton's Grandpa H. made him two dinosaur cakes.  They were delicious!

Make a wish!

After all of the traditional birthday festivities, we spent the remainder of our evening in our swimming pool.