:: Celebrating 40 Years

My folks celebrated a very special night last night, and we considered it an honor to be witnesses to 40 years of marriage.  (Have you ever tried to find cards that say "40th Wedding Anniversary"?  Let's just say there aren't many to pick from!)

Alaina's store-front sign

Growing up, us kids would sometimes "put on a restaurant" for my grandparents or my folks, so this was the perfect opportunity to demonstrate this example to our children.  So we put on a restaurant for them - the Davis Family Olive Garden.  The kids and neice Alaina (decked out in black/white and aprons) made menus and were the waiters/waitresses.   By candlelight, we served salad, breadsticks and Chicken Parmesan.  After dinner, more of the extended family joined us for homemade apple pie and ice cream.

 

 

We do not take lightly this heritage we have been given.  God willing, in another 31 years, maybe Josh and I will be able to do the same for our children. =)

:: Harvest Party

This year we hosted a Harvest Party out at our place, the weekend before Halloween.  Every single person, regardless of age, showed up in a costume.

 

Audrey and Me



Josh & Jack

Each family brought a game for everyone to do, so there were relay races... scavenger hunts... pumpkin painting... a photo booth... pinatas... cookie decorating...

 

Ellie



Hannah and Grandad

Jordan, Marshall (Axel) & Jenni

...Scooby Doo action going on...

 



cookie decorating

 

Audrey & Mumum

...much to the delight of the boys there, Batman and the Joker even made an appearance!

Justin & Jordan

We also had "da boyz from da hood"...

 



Keith, Jonny (Whitney) & Josh

 

as well as the fairies who were their wives...

(lets just say they need fairies for wives, with getup's

like those!)

Joanna, Me & Cara

...and LOTS of delicious food.

 



It was a blast, and I think we may have to do it again next year!

 

:: Shower time

Last weekend I hosted a baby shower for one of my little sisters.  She is having her first baby,

which made it extra-special.

 

 

I was so excited to make tissue paper pom-poms from these directions from Martha Stewart.  I've always loved that woman. =)

And the paper garlands were easy.    I saw this picture, and knew I had to make some.  I used a hole-punch, then sewed them all together, using a long stitch on my sewing machine.  Acctually, my 5-year-old daughter really enjoyed sewing them...and many more.  Now her room is adorned with brightly colored construction-paper garlands.  It's like confetti-on-a-string.  I love it.

 

Blaize & Axel.  Cousins are the best kind of friends.  =)

 

 

The food was scrumptious.  Mini pumpkin muffins, salted nuts, mini cheesecakes, chexmix, and my sister Cara's absolutely best chocolate cake (not pictured here) heaped with berries of all kinds, drizzled with more chocolate.  Did I ever mention I LOVE chocolate?  It makes me happy.  True thing.

 



 

 

These mini-cheesecakes were divine!  And so easy. I found the recipe here.

(Thank you, Mimi, for the wonderful lanterns!)

 

 

 

Us ladies enjoyed having a night with each other, our babies and daughters.  She got some thoughtful gifts.  All-in-all, it was a wonderful night.