it's 2016!

How in the world is it already 2016? 2015 flew by! I've still got a million and one blog posts to catch up (including our Puerto Rico trip way back from March), but I'm starting fresh and will get to those asap. I've got to start somewhere and what better way than to start the new year of this blog with our New Year's Eve.

We hit up Temple Square in the late afternoon before it got too crowded and cold. As always, it's beautiful! Then we headed home for a party with Dad, Michael, Sarah, Cheri and Lance. We had a blast playing One Night Werewolf and Dominion until the wee hours of the morning. We banged pots and pans and toasted at midnight. Lots of yummy appetizers and hanging out with the family is the best thing about New Years. We can't wait to see what 2016 brings!

christmas kick-off party

(November 27}  We threw a Christmas Kick-off /Ugly Sweater Party the day after Thanksgiving with my family and a few of my aunts and cousins. We made a huge mess, but lots of memories! We cheated and hot glued our houses, but that led to some very sound structures and intricate details. I was impressed with all the creativity. And the sweaters. Us 2nd-generationers really pulled it together for this one. Scott and Nicole won. Oh snap! 

^blurry photo, but had to document his outfit (loaned from our friends)

Our Christmas houses: candy cane cottage (me), candy cottage (blake), half-done cottage (Evelyn), minimalist mansion (Brandon--his fun comes in building, not decorating).

Ok-2-berfest for Miss Evelyn

As soon as Evelyn woke up on her birthday, she started singing Happy Birthday to herself. What a little doll. She's always making us smile. She found quarters in her shoe and then we had muffins and chocolate protein shakes for breakfast.

After playing in the morning, we got to go to lunch as a family to the "brown store" aka Harmons--  our kid's favorite. Brandon let them pick out a birthday treat and they both loved carrying their treats to the checkout. We caught the fountain show quickly which Evelyn had everyone commenting on how cute she was dancing to the music.She loves music and her little jig was just too adorable.

She took a long nap which allowed me to finish getting things ready for her party. I've been planning Evelyn's 2nd birthday --an "Ok-2-berfest" for months now. A million ideas came to me but I wanted to keep things {mostly} simple and do most of the prep ahead of time. I don't like spending too much time on my children's birthdays on party prep.

We invited Grandma and Grandpa Sunday and Grandpa Dave over to celebrate with us. Evelyn was sure spoiled with some fun girly gifts-- a doll and stroller, a pink car, a Halloween book, some clothes, and money towards a new swing for the swing set in the backyard. Blake picked out a Minnie Mouse vacuum for her and I'm not sure who was more excited.  I'm glad she got some girly toys because soon she will be outnumbered with 2 brothers!

Our "Ok-2-berfest" consisted of a German-inspired menu: brats (J Dawg style), semi-homemade pretzels with cheese sauce, black forest cupcakes with pretzel toppers, Haribo gummy favors, and a blind root beer taste test. It's funny how root beer tastes so different compared to each brand. We all loved trying each one, especially Blake and Evelyn who don't get soda very often.

Watching her blow out her candles was adorable and hilarious. She finally got it! Check out her funny faces. 

Happy Happy Birthday sweet girl. We love you. 

hollie has fallen in love

Hollie is getting married next month, so we threw her a shower! We had a fun group of family and her friends. Our theme was "Hollie has Fallen In Love", so I decorated with fall colors, pumpkins, leaves, a caramel apple bar, and pumpkin desserts. Sarah made amazing rolls which we all couldn't stop eating. She got some fun stuff--kind of makes me want to get married again to have a shower. We missed Emily, but can't wait to party it up when she gets here soon. I sure love these fun and beautiful sisters of mine.

"Look at my funny face, Mom!" as we were setting up. 

a backyard fancy schmancy 6-course dinner

The same day we got back from our anniversary getaway, our friends were hosting a 6-course dinner for Melanie's 30th birthday. I'm glad we were able to sneak in a family trip to Krispy Kreme in between before we left our kids again. 

But this dinner party. It was so much fun! Yes, I totally judged a party by the decor, but what can I say? It was fun to see how well they thought out all the details from a cute banner, to fresh flowers, to gourmet food. I love planning parties, but it's just as much fun to go to one! We got all snazzied up (in practically the only dress I still fit in) and enjoyed the evening eating super delicious and fancy food and meeting new people. We even got to do some dancing on the lawn before heading off to get our babysitter home. I forgot to get a picture of Brandon and I, but that means we'll have to do another fancy dinner party again soon. Well, maybe after the baby so I can feel fancier. :)