Halloween 2015

Is it just me or is Halloween celebrated more than any other holiday?  We were in costume 7 times in one week.  By the time trick of treating rolled around, I really wanted nothing to do with anyone's costumes and had already eaten my yearly allowance of peanut butter cups.  It was a bit anti climatic. That being said, it was a really really fun week fueled by sugar and pony glitter.

Halloween party at the nature center where the turtle pet a real life turtle.

Yeah this was the best picture I have of Rainbow Dash and Ninja Turtle.  Nick and his dad helped the kids pick out their costumes at Costco.  They were very impressed with themselves.

I was also a My Little Pony and Nick was a Ninja Turtle.  This is at our friend Victoria and Jon's party

I call this photo of baby Lila and Baby Graham, "Beauty and the Ape" can you tell who is who?

Gracie Turns 2!

Our little Gracie bear turned two at the end of August and we celebrated with a small park party, complete with 19 kids under five.  Fun was had by all except Gracie who asked to "go home" after about five minutes and chose to sit at the food table reading with her 5 year old friend Colbie for pretty much the entire party.  Fisher on the hand thought it was the best day ever.  Have I mentioned they are a bit different?  Sorry Grace Louise next year I'll just bring you and Colbie to the library for your kind of fun.

At two Gracie loves, loves to look at books.  She is spunky and tall for her age.  After a slow start, her language is most excellent, probably because of said obsession with books.  She still has dark denim eyes and crazy hair she refuses to let me brush.  She has trouble with hands to self and is often seen beating up her older brother who is (mostly) too kind to retaliate.  She is obsessed with Fisher.  She wants to always be with him or on top of him or making him mad.  I love her determination, confidence and devotion to people in her inner circle particularly her grandparents and dad.  Alright.  Enough.  But, if you can't brag on your kid on your personal blog on their birthday when can you?

Here are some pics of said reading rainbow park party and my favorite two year old little lady celebrating her big day.

The crew.  Note if you are going to have balloons at a party I suggest one for each kid to avoid tear city

This was a very simple party, except feeding 30 people rainbow lunch is never really simple.

Some of my favorite mom peeps, ready and able to party at 10am on a Thursday morning.

This was a serious cake.  It tasted seriously good too.

Unwrapping Fisher's gift to her

"Thank you Feesher, thank you"- Gracie while hugging her brother in excitement.  She was obsessed with his gift that he picked out himself.  I guess our siblings know us best even at the tender age of 2.  Or maybe its because my pretend mop and scissor gifts were lame.

Three favorite peeps

Before the chaos

Gracie partying with Colbie

I mean she is cute

I don't know what they are doing either Gracie

An Argentine party candle is always a hit at any party- Thanks Jann and Horacio!

Moptop

All fun and games

Angela's Bachelorette Party

Angela and my cousin Andrew are the only married couple I claim credit for introducing.  As such I found it mandatory to attend Angela's bachelorette party despite being 8 months pregnant.  Because super pregnant ladies really add to the bachelorette party atmosphere.  Said no one ever.  It also helped that Angela's sister and my friend Julianne planned it in Grand Haven.  I mean I had to go to as many events as possible and despite my larger than life size had a blast.  Maybe because it's hard not to have an awesome time at a Gonda/Schaal celebration.  They know how to host a party

Jules and her mother ran with a "fishing" theme in keeping with Angela's new last name, "Fisher" and the beach location of their rented Grand Haven house.

Friday there were drinks at Vandermill, followed by Sunset at the beach.

Saturday the other ladies braved 90 degree heat for swimming and relaxing at the beach while I worked on the nursery.

Saturday night we took a sailboat from the harbor to Lake Michigan and enjoyed a spectacular West Michigan sunset.

The sunset was followed by drinks and dancing out on the town.  I partied until 12:30am.  I was proud of myself.

I had a great time.  Angela's friends were delightful, and it was hard not to be thrilled for a bride so obviously happy at the anticipation of marriage.  I should really set up more couples.  If only so I can attend more awesome bachelorette parties.  Although who am I kidding?  It would be hard to top the execution of this bachie party.

Perfect night for a sail

No detail over looked

Mother of the bride, bride, maid of honor

Angela's crew, at one point Jules commented that no one seemed to be drinking much, I suggested that maybe there was a reason many of them are doctors while we work(ed) in sales.  

Julianne in me in front of the famous Grand Haven lighthouse

Creepy.  Cardboard cousin at the bar.  

The bride and my cardboard cousin in front of our little rental house where they met for the first time. 

A Sprinkle for Sarah and Lila

Sometimes by the time you get to blogging an event you co-hosted the anticipated guest of honor has arrived!  Welcome Lila! You are an excellent dinner companion, here Ashley, Sarah and I are celebrating her birth at a new restaurant last week.

In mid-May Ashley and I hosted a sprinkle for Sarah and baby Lila at Ashley's house.  I insisted on a sprinkle because Lila is a second born and I'm against second baby showers.  Just so we are all on the same page.  However, every baby deserves to be celebrated and I have way too many opinions that no one should pay attention to.  Especially when they get in the way of Sunday afternoon wine and mini pink tutus.

The event was a ton of fun, beginning with the crafting of these invites.  I forgot how much I like to make things besides TMNT weapons.  You can't tell from the bad photo, but the elephant paper was handmade and really very beautiful.

The fun continued with an island stocked with bite sized snacks and a guest list of great friends new and old.  Remember that I am roughly 22 weeks pregnant in these photos and not just putting on weight.

I'm not convinced Ashley ever wants to host an event with me again, even something as low-key as a non-shower, sprinkle.  But by the end of the day, I think she admitted the precious little mini cake with custom crafted Lila cake topper added invaluably to the event.  It really wouldn't have been the same without it.

Until our next celebration ladies!

Destination Atlanta

A quick weekend visit to Atlanta (without kids!), brought food, relatives and heat (so hot!) together in celebration of baby Loy's upcoming birth.

My sister in law, Melissa planned the shower with a Mexican influence.  We feasted on enchiladas, guacamole and queso from Alison's favorite Mexican restaurant, while enjoying decor direct from Melissa's recent trip to Mexico to visit Nick's youngest sister Erica.  They  commissioned artisans with whom Erica works with to make brightly colored pom pom garlands and bought some whimsical stuffed animals in the local market to serve as center pieces and favors for guests.

I loved catching up with Alison's in laws and friends, many of whom I have met at her wedding or other events.  Baby Loy has quite a contingent of fans in Atlanta already, which makes living so far away a little easier.  Alison will have a great network of support as she enters this next chapter, even if I'm a little jealous they will all get baby Loy snuggles before me!

hostess Melissa with Alison and Jann post shower, Mexican animals on the mantle

The Lardo/Stewart/Derenthal/Loy representation at the shower.  I insisted on wearing a sombrero, Lily is the only one fun like me.

Parents to be

Pregnant ladies at the shower

Where's My Invite?

My invitation to this exclusive dinner party was lost in the mail.  Apparently a plastic Gorilla is better company.  I don't like hard boiled eggs anyways. 

Olympic Fever

It's that time of year again!  This house is excited for the Olympics.  We kicked off the events with an Olympic themed playgroup party complete with fruit in the color of the Olympic flag, popcorn flame torches, an international cheese plate, a podium in front of a giant American flag and a future Olympian cardboard cut out for photos.  Attendees dressed like athletes.  Gracie wore an Argentine soccer jersey while Fisher wore his pajamas.  Apparently one of the benefits of hosting a party is you don't need to get dressed.

Adding interest to these games are several local west Michigan athletes competing in everything from Luge to Hockey.  It reminds me I must take lots of pictures of Fisher attempting sports so he has something for his Olympic athlete montage.  Although the fact that his great grandpa was an Olympian wrestler already makes for an interesting back story for Bob Costas.  Thanks Grandpa Bob!

Holiday Party

We hosted the first annual Wrinkles/Lardo Christmas party this past weekend.   25 adults and 10 kids, 4 and under stormed our house with Christmas cheer.  We are so thankful that a little ice and snow storm didn't keep them away.  Also thankful that my under cooked turkey didn't kill anyone.  Note to self in my next kitchen I might need 2 ovens. 

The Wrinkles family always had Santa come on Christmas Eve and my family always had a carol sing.  We married the two family traditions and did both.  Nick was upset we didn't have a piano and live music for the sing along.  Next year we might have to convince Jann to come with a keyboard!

I was so busy (drinking wine), I didn't take any photos.  However Sarah sent me these not to be missed goodies from the photo booth and Santa visit.

Good friends make for an even Merrier Christmas.