Bunco Christmas

I know when I've gotten two texts/emails from Ron in the course of several days to update the blog that I have indeed left you lingering.  What can I say?  It's Christmas and all the shopping, planning, partying, wrapping, going to and from has gotten the best of me.  We've had four Christmas parties this week alone, not to mention I have four houses under contract (hallelujah!) all closing within a months time.  Tonight, I'll share photos of my Bunco groups Christmas party last Friday night the 3rd.  We planned a progressive dinner in my neighborhood and took the party on the road for the different courses throughout the night.  Our bunco group meets once a month and it is truly a "girls night" we look forward to for weeks in advance.  I love these girls and I'm so fortunate to have such a great group to be a part of!

We had appetizers and salads at Lindsay's fabulously decorated pad.  Lindsay even had Santa surprise the group with presents!  All the ladies received Santa hats and the guys got lumps of coal!

Our spouses all enjoyed hanging by the fire pit

We enjoyed cobb salad, shrimp cocktail and captain rodney dip which has become my new fave

After our starters, we headed on to the my house for the main course, we had mainly pick up finger foods, it was delish!

Rachael, Joni, Allison, Claire and I

Claire, Emily, Angel and Laurie

After dinner, it was off to Rachael's we went for dessert.  By this point we were all completely stuffed and miserable.  Rachael served spiced rum and sparking grape juice for three of us that are pregnant.

This get together was the first time all of our husbands were allowed at one of our bunco festivities.  Needless to say, the night was much tamer than our usual gatherings.  It was a great night and a great start to the Christmas parties that followed which I'm now excited to say are over!  Now, we can focus on the holiday and returning to NC in a few days to be with family.

My Boys

My boys are best buds.  They have a blast being silly together.  This is how every night in our household usually goes and it is so much fun.  I'll let these photos speak for themselves...

and the sweetest of them all

Just had to throw this in there, since I've put out our Christmas nativity scene, Grant won't leave it alone.  He plays with all the animals daily and it has provided hours of entertainment for my little guy.

Earlier today I heard Grant saying, "Go cowboy, Go cowboy," and didn't think much of it.  Tonight I looked behind me and died laughing.  This is what I found.  Boys...

Kid's Christmas Craft Party

Grant and I hosted a Craft Party for all of his closest friends at our house this morning.  He's just now getting to the age where he enjoys organized fun and I thought it would be exciting to have a party just for the kiddos.  After all, they do get left out a lot of the holiday celebrations and stuck at home with babysitters! 

Grant and I ready to party!  In honor of my Mom, I wore an apron.  You couldn't catch my Mom growing up at home without her apron on!

Laurie came over the night before to help me prepare all the goodies which are all pinterest inspired.  "Pinspired"  My newest website obsession.

Chocolate covered marshmellows were a hit and left the kids with pink mouths

A good 'ole classic

Snowman donuts!  After much thought we decided to leave off their mouths.  They looked better and more recognizable this way.

Reindeer cookies.  These cookies were supposed to be made out of nutter butters but I found the traditional nutter butter cookie hard to find.  Instead we used Keebler elf cookies which were delish.

Sippy Cups for the children

Onto the crafts, we made snowman magnet picture frames

and colored as Elmo watched on

The nativity scene stickers were a hit, I think any stickers at this age would have been popular

They were able to make their own scene on construction paper

The elf hats and snowflake ornaments were a little harder to construct

Emma and Savannah coloring.  Right before this picture was taken, Savannah looked at Emma and said, "Emma, I've missed you!"  She is so sweet that little one.

Ward enjoyed playing outside most.  Here he's taking a rest and a drink after pretend mowing our lawn.

and eventually... the majority of the kiddos ended up in the sandbox.  Each and every one of them was covered from head to toe in sand but they had a blast!

Sweet Chloe played hard and ate lots of chocolate!

and for a rare glimpse at a few of the mama's.  Angel took place in a 5k before the party and came in third!

Now, we're looking forward to the grown up parties!  ;)

Friendsgiving

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving with our dear friends and neighbors, The Lowery's.  From Texas, they were not able to spend the holiday with their families either so we came together and gave thanks.  Ron made his first turkey and did an awesome job, it was delicious!

Our festive table

Ron actually made the majority of the food given I was down with my back.  Laurie brought over sweet potato casserole, potatoes and dessert.  Gotta love the silver gravy boat in between the corningwear and Pyrex, not to mention the lack of a butter dish.  Hey, Ron tried.  Didn't want to drag out the good stuff.

Grant and Luke enjoyed their Thanksgiving feast!

and like most men on Thanksgiving, sat back and relaxed with a little football after stuffing themselves silly!

A little later, we made forts and watched Christmas movies

In your face!

Sorry there are no adults besides Ron in the photos, I was not feeling my best and we had a laid back, casual kind of holiday.  Thank you Laurie and Drew for helping make this year's Thanksgiving special!