Cinco de Mayo Party

We had a Cinco de Mayo party with our neighbors.  It was lots of fun. 
Note to self... don't get pinatas again.  It always ends with multiple kids crying.  Also luckily there were no head injuries.

Mom & Dad's Anniversary Party

The 40th Anniversary party turned our really nice and the weather even cooperated!  Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!  We love you!

Bryce's Birthday Party

We had a small party with family on Saturday to celebrate Bryce's birthday.  I made soup, but I had to make waffles too so that there was something the birthday boy would be willing to eat something.  After lunch it was time to blow out candles one more time.  Bryce loves watching the Curious George show on PBS and so I made him a Curious George birthday cake.

Bryce was really excited to get to open more presents.  I wish I had been taking a video because he opened up a gift from the neighbors and started to freak out because guess what was inside... another TIMER!  This one is a little digital timer for the kitchen.  He did a crazy little dance and was pretty much overjoyed.  Once again, it was difficult to move on to the next gift... but he was convinced.

The kids had fun playing with play-doh and playing hide-n-seek.  Bryce says thank you very much for the fun gifts!  And thank you to Jade for all her help getting things ready for the party!

Tara's Bridal Shower

Last weekend we had a bridal shower for Tara.  Dawn and I drove up to Cheney on Friday and got there in time to help Aunt Peggy get things organized and ready for the party on Saturday.

The tables looked so pretty with Grandma Pat's "Peach Blossom" dishes.  Aunt Becky created some lovely flower arrangements for the tables.

Tara had a bottle of champagne that we needed to "test" to see if it might be one she wants to have at the wedding.  We all liked it!

We had mimosas, four different kinds of quiche (all delicious mom!), fresh fruit, salad, and cinnamon rolls.

It was a great day to spend time with family and friends.

Dawn, Tara, Grandma Pat & Peggy

Back: me, Becky, Shannon, Dawn, Salli | Front: Tara, Grandma Pat, Peggy

After a brief rest, some of us got together again that evening for a Bachelorette Party.  We met at one of Tara's favorite hangouts, the Flying Goat where her friend and maid of honor, Kira, had some fun activities planned.

Next stop was the Peacock Room at the Davenport Hotel.

After a cocktail, we all went up to the Terrace on the 4th floor of the Davenport where Kira had arranged for a champagne toast.   She also had balloons that we each wrote a message or wish for Tara and Aaron on and then let them all loose.  The sun was setting and it was so pretty.

After releasing the balloons and sipping some champagne, Dawn, Shannon and I took our leave, but the rest of these fun ladies hit the town and sounds like they had a great night.

CONGRATULATIONS TARA!  I am so happy for you and can't wait to celebrate with you again in less than a month!

Claire's 7th Birthday Party

We celebrated Claire's 7th birthday last Friday.  She asked for a Pac-man theme and we had a fun party with family and friends at our house.

The birthday cake and cupcakes turned out pretty cute... and tasted good, too!

Claire received so many nice gifts.  Thank you everyone!

She got all the candles out with no problem.

I think all the kids had a lot of fun.

Jade put together a scavenger hunt in the grassy area across the street from our house for all the kids.  Thank you for all your help Jade!

We saved the presents from family who weren't able to be at the party to open later.  Claire was pretty excited about the new outfit and beads from cousin Harrison and his parents.

This is a re-enactment of the Punch-box that all the kids got to do to get a prize at the party.  I didn't get any pictures at the party because it was a little crazy, but there were some "punches" left so Claire and Charlie finished it off the next day.

A Baby Shower

Chetan and I hosted a baby shower for Manibhu last weekend.  It was fun to get to see her and meet her bump.  We are all so excited to meet this little one in a few more months!  Congratulations to the expanding Ande family!

Chetan came up with the idea to have a "nest" theme and it all turned out so cute.  She found some lovely egg-shaped soaps and I found the tiny nests to put them in for each guest.  We ate lemon-blueberry crepes, muffin melts, a delicious salad, and fresh fruit.  For dessert we had strawberry shortcake trifles.  Not being a big fan of traditional shower games, we just had each guest write a blessing for the baby and family to be put in a special silver bowl, and we did each cut a piece of string to guess the size of Manibhu's bump... I'm happy to announce Chetan and I get to share the bragging rights for closest guess.  In lieu of a guest book, everyone signed a story book for the baby.

v