Pinterest Party

This past Monday night I hosted a Pinterest party. I have been seeing these, on Pinterest of course, and was really excited to plan one. I chose 5 different, cheap and easy, crafts for us to make.  I invited several of my friends over (we missed the ones who couldn't come) and we had a blast!!  Each lady was asked to bring a Pinterest inspired recipe. 

Our crafts were a "home" sign, tile coasters, "the giving plate," magnets and napkin rings. 

The craft supply table 

I made a lavender sugar scrub for each lady to take home in their goody bag, any my friend Mel made these adorable bags with apples and caramel dip. So cute!

We enjoyed our recipes before getting busy on our crafting

The little ones had turkey coasters of their own to make.  Only Aubree and Chyanna seemed interested in making the coasters.  Avery and Jack were too busy playing.

The first craft we made were the coasters.  It takes 3 coats of modge podge that has to dry 15 minutes in between coats, so we worked on them off and on.

My sister in law, Becky, my mom, and Deidra concentrating on their plates .  My mom was hilarious.  She likes to think she is not crafty, but she proved to be.

Gay, Amy and Tiffany getting their craft on

The coasters turned out so cute! And each one cost maybe 20 cents to make!  My kind of craft!

I am so thankful for each one of the ladies that attended and they are all so special to me. I really think they all had a great time! It was an incredibly fun night and I am already thinking of ideas for our next party!!  Thanks to all who came!  And to the few who couldn't - I still have plenty of materials so we will have to plan a make-up party date :)

Fall Retreat 2014

Our 6th annual fall retreat was the first weekend in October.  It was a unanimous decision to go back to Pegasus Ranch.  It is the perfect place for families and there is something for everyone to do!

I arrived around 3pm to get everything unloaded and start getting things ready for the weekend.  This is something I love to do! Not long after I arrived, David and Vickie came and helped me get things ready.  The first order of business, was to hide the drum set.  Last year, we kept trying to hide the drum sticks, but the kids kept finding them.  David was kind enough to move the drums into the laundry room before any of the young ones got there, and my (along with everyone else) nerves appreciated it very much!

Friday night we had tacos and all the fixings for supper.  For some reason I didn't take may pictures Friday night.  That was the easiest Friday night meal we have had yet!

Between 5-6pm, more families started arriving.  

 Both the play room and game rooms were the hot spots for the kids.

 Saturday morning breakfast

I followed this little girl around while she was waiting for her friends to wake up and join her.  

 The lunch menu was brisket, pulled pork, hash brown casserole, baked beans, salad and rolls

 These three were pretty hilarious 

 Rod and I went for a walk

We kept with our tradition of painting pumpkins

 

 The kids braved the water...

Saturday night supper was hot dogs and leftovers from lunch

SMORES were a hit with everyone!

Lanny set up the projector outside for our Saturday night singing.  It was perfect!!

 Chuck let us on a Bigfoot hunt.  Lucky for us, we didn't find him!

 Evan preparing for his Sunday morning lesson

 We worshiped at the ranch house before loading up and coming back home

Pegasus Ranch does such a great job with their Fall decorations

 The crew - there were 49 of us there at one time or another:  The Richardson's, Mathews, Butlers, Rays, Phillips, Davis Childres', Michael Childres', Newhouse, Jordan's, Gordon's, Buford's, Graves, and Carter's.

Our retreats just keep getting better and better!  We had three families that were first timers this year:  The Jordan's, the Gordon's and the Buford's.  It was so great to have them join us and they had a great time along with everyone else!  And it is because of  ALL the fun and loving families like these who take time out of their busy schedule, to spend the weekend with like minded Christians, who make this weekend a success!!  It was an AWESOME weekend and I can't wait until next year!!

Mel Turns 40!!

Today is my sweet friend Melanie's 40th birthday.  A couple of weeks ago, we threw her a surprise party.  I  was so afraid that I was going to accidentally give it away.  I would double check every text and every email I sent out to others regarding the party to make sure I didn't accidentally send to her.  But everyone did a great job at keeping the secret from Mel, and I honestly believe she couldn't have been more surprised!  She is such a special person and does so much for others, that we wanted to show her just how loved she is! 

Amy and I spent a couple of weeks planning and getting the decorations and food lined out.

We put several signs up with fun facts of 1974.  A gallon of gas was .53 in 1974!

Evan had the most important job - getting Mel to the church building!  And he played his part perfect!

 This picture is hilarious to me.  It looks like Rod is Elsa off of Frozen, and casting out an ice spell on everyone.  He was really just telling everyone about the food table and photo booth.  And Mel is still in shock.

 

Evan didn't even realize it, but he dressed perfectly for the 40th celebration!

The photo booth was a hit!

 It was so fun watching everyone dress up with the props and pose for the camera

 Mel had several gifts to open

 Happy Birthday Mel!  I am honored to call you my friend.  We love and appreciate you!!