last year in the 20's

This year I wanted to do something fun for Erik because he has been working and going so hard. So I did a surprise party for his 29th birthday, it was a surprise until Ethan the night before said, "Please bless dad will be surprised at his surprise party. and then looks and me and said oh sorry mom" and I just bust up laughing.

 The spread, Fruit, mini Cherry Cheesecakes, Snickers Cake, and ice cream

Some of the guests, My friend Teri is who's house we did this at, and I dont even have a picture of her or her husband Jake. They were a big help, got water balloons ready for the kids and Jake is a DJ so he had some good music going on in the back ground. There in the back is Craig, Erik's mission buddy that was the biggest surprise. 

Erik said that was the  best Birthday he has ever had so I guess I did it right this year.

Annual Girlfriends Christmas Party

This is what I will miss most about Portland! I have LOVED these party's this is my 4th one and every year this is what I look forward to! They just get better and better! This whole post came right off my friends blog- so its all of her hard work of cropping and editing these fine pictures!! It was so fun!! I am so going to miss this!! 

Thank you soooo much Emily and Alisha!! 

Here is 2009

Here is 2008

Here is 2007 and Here (it was my first one I blogged a lot about it)

Here's what they did this year: 2010

(the invites)

(back row: Carrie, Tori, Alisha, Holly, Tanya & Mandy front row: Emily, Tina with her tongue ;), Brittany & Brenda)

(the place settings and centerpiece)

(the table)

(appetizers, meal, and dessert)

(desserts & serving pieces for our dessert exchange and somehow I am missing pics of two more desserts) I got to take home the top left picture!! I LOVE IT!!

(the Christmas countdown that we made)

So much fun!! I really hope some day I can do this for some gals! It really has been so much fun! 

Thank you again you two!!

Girlfriends Christmas Party 09

 Every year my friend Emily and Alisha plan this Christmas party and it is something I look forward to all year. It is sooo much fun and the best food EVER! As you can see in the pictures!

 These were the invitations we received. And this is a little craft/favor that everyone made and went home with. It's a recipe book with several of the favorite recipes complete with pics from the party over the years. I cant wait to try the Cajun Candied Salmon, it was soooo amazing!


Appetizers:

• Frothy Pink Grapefruit Strawberry Drink
• Tomato, Mozzerella & Basil Skewers drizzled with Balsamic Dressing
• Roasted Red Pepper Dip on a Crusty Baguette

Dinner:

• Christmas Salad
• Cajun Candied Salmon
• Lemon Rice
• New Wave Green Beans
• Fruit Salad with Cherries
• Orange Rolls

Dessert:

• Mini Cheesecakes & Brownie Tarts with Carmel Frosting

Everything was AMAZING!!

The traditional dessert exchange which is always fun and exciting. Everyone goes home with a fun holiday dessert for their family and a cute new serving tray. This year we had a banana cake with carmel and burnt butter frosting, peppermint bark popcorn, chocolate covered oreos, adorable pretzel rod snowmen, homemade oreo cookies with peppermint, peanut butter and jelly bars and fudge, red velvet cupcakes, and a chocolate cheesecake cake.

I took home the banana cake with the Carmel and burnt butter frosting!! Oh it was heavenly!!! I had to give half of it to the missionary because I knew I would eat it all! 

It was so fun I will miss this the most when we move away from here!

Halloween=Monster Munch!

I received some of this today from a friend with a Halloween Costume Party invite!!

Ohhh it is soooo good!!!

Since I have lived here I have been going to my friends Halloween party and it is soo fun! But I am stuck- I don't know what to wear- The first year I got creative and made this... (I was even 8 months prego)Last year I don't really remember what I did, I know the kids were animals and I don't even think I dressed up... So if any of you thinkers out there have any good idea for me for a family theme that I could make- you know because I have no $$ then sent your ideas my way! I love Halloween and dressing up cant wait!! here is the delish Monster munch recipe:

Monster Munch {Halloween Popcorn Mix}

Recipe by Our Best Bites

1 package Almond Bark (1 lb)

12 C popped popcorn (about 1/2 C kernels or 2 bags of microwave popcorn)

1 C candy corn

1 C dry roasted, salted peanuts

1/2 C Reeces Pieces

Pop popcorn and place in a large bowl. Much larger than you think you need. The largest you have. It will make mixing easier! Pour peanuts, candy corn, and reeces pieces on top.

Take a large knife and break up almond bark. Melt according to package directions. I just chop it up a little and microwave it in intervals until smooth and melted. Pour over popcorn mixture.

Stir until everything is well coated and then spread out onto waxed paper, parchment, or foil. Let sit until completely dry and then break up into clumps. Super Easy!

Girlfriend Christmas Party

-still trying to catch up!

(click picture to enlarge)

The Menu:


Appetizers:
Brie in Puff Pastry w/crackers
Fruit Skewers
Stuffed Mushrooms
Frothy Pink Grapefruit Strawberry Drink


Dinner:
Christmas Salad
Orange Rolls
Holiday Mashed Potatoes
Broiled Asparagus
Crock-Pot Turkey
Pistachio Pudding Salad
Ice Water w/Cranberry Skewers and Limes


Dessert:
Chocolate Pot de Creme

This is the second party, if you want to see last years click here
I had so much fun with the gals, and am so blessed to have such Great friends!
Thanks Emily and Alisha!

Crative Christmas

This is Heather and I on our way to Enrichment, I had to take a picture because we have been told by SO many people that we could be sisters! She is really pretty so its a nice complement for me. Heather is the mom of Maverick who Ethan says that he is Mav is 5 and so Ethan is 5 and his name is Maverick now!

(Thanks Alisha for the picture and the amazing night!)

This was our Quarterly Enrichment last week and it was so fun and pretty! Everyone brought a gift that they created at home, I made a bag, and received a pottery cup with Hot Chocolate! It was so fun to see all the fun things people created!
This is how it went:

7:00 Munching and Mingling
7:30 Program:
President Uchtdorf's Talk: Happiness, Your Heritage
Musical Number: The Little Drummer Boy
8:00 Creative Christmas Gift Exchange
8:20 Dessert Served

The Menu:
Spanikopita
Mini Quiche
Vegetable Tray w/Ranch Dip
Grilled Pineapple w/Sugared Ginger
Pears w/Sugared Cranberries
Baguette Bread w/Oil and Vinegar
Meatballs
Wassail

Dessert:
White Christmas Cake
Vanilla Ice Cream w/Raspberry Topping

The big 3

Ethan turned 3 today, but he is telling everyone he turned 5. And that his name is Maverick- Because yesterday we had a birthday party for him and his friend Maverick who has the same birthday. And then added another friend who also had a birthday last week. We had a jungle safari party for them, we played monkey, monkey, Lion, they had to pull the tail of the lion before they sat down. Then bing bag toss into the lions mouth. And pin the tail on the lion. It was fun, Ethan was shy at first but warmed up towards the end.

Some of Eth's favorite friends playing the games.

The other birthday boys.

Some of Ethan's likes at 3 are:

- Asking LOTS of questions... Whats that mean?? Whats that do??
- Sing songs and play his guitar. (I am a Child of God, Family's, and I love to see the Temple, and Skeeters and the Bed Bugs songs)
- Favorite color is Green.
- Going to Poop track with Dad (behind our house where the cows live, he named it that)
- Answer my phone. (sorry everyone who calls)
- He LOVES to play school and loves to learn- He is a smart cookie.
- And he still loves to get sung to at night, and loves his moms kisses!

Party Halloween Style

(click on to enlarge)

Here's the fun things we ate at the party, so much fun and So cute!

Here's the Menu:
Mini-Mummy Wraps (with blood and brains for dipping)
Witch Hats with Bubbling Cheese Dip in the Black Cauldron
Owl's Eyes Crescent Rolls
Spider Olives
Graveyard Pudding
Ghoulish Green Wormy Witch's Brew
I-Scream Dessert
Skeleton Cupcakes
Mummy Cookies

Monster Fingers Cookies

We had so much fun at the party, the kids played musical chairs and read storys, sang song, and ate some aaaaaaamazing food!!

We went trunk or treating after a extremely long day. Sadie fell asleep on the way there and Ethan was so grumpy because he had no nap, so I don't have any good pictures of them but this is what I got. Friday night we just stayed home and played games with Erik's family who all came up because Eriks grandma's passed away.

Halloween Party!!

Click on it and you can see the cute wording!

The best part of Halloween for me is party's I don't know if it was because of my sister's birthday in Oct. and we always had a sweet party for her. or just because I love to fight my way to eating a whole donut in less then a minute!!! This year I got this SO CUTE invite, and cant wait to dress up the kids who you will just have to wait for the pictures to see how cute thier going to be...

Birthday Surprise

Well, Here we are in good old Preston!! YAAA-
Thanks babe, for modeling the sign for us!! -Look at those guns!Ethan was dancing for us after Tuck and him switched hats!

Abbi and Hailey both got to ride in the parade and Rodeo I got such cute nieces!!

We went to the Rodeo both nights Friday night with the family, and the next Erik and I went by our selfs it was great to not worry about the kiddos!

I tried all night to get a cool bull riding picture then I handed it over to Erik and he got this, I thought it looks sweet!

My nieces Riley, and Hailey enjoying the good old Carnee

Daddy has the magic touch! And her feet just looked so cute in her shoes. And yes her legs are that big!!

My mom must know what I make.... Thanks for the present mom! And for the fun time!

I had such a great time I saw a bunch of family, friends and even got to go to one friends baby blessing so that weekend worked out so good!
Thanks Erik you are the best and I love you so much!