House Warming Party!

When we first moved into our VERY FIRST HOME (still SO exciting!!) we talked about wanting to have a big party with all our friends and family. But it got pushed back because of life events and then Christmas. Finally we figured we should just do it before it got too late to have one! So we organized a House Warming Party and invited everyone (nearby) that we loved! We had it as a OpeN House style, so people could come and go as they please and not feel pressure to stay the whole time or come at a certain time. It worked so perfectly that way! 

I spent the few days before making decorations and buying and preparing food! I worked 18 hours that week also, which made for a hectic week getting ready! But finally on Friday night we were pretty much ready, besides for the food stuff the next day. I made bunting out of paint chips and hung them around the house. And I also made these party favors - mason jars filled with popcorn with signs the say "Thanks for Popping By". All set and ready to go!

The next morning we woke up and snapped into action! I started cooking/baking up a storm and Jon did last minute cleaning. Q did this and when I asked her what she was doing she says "I putting my babies to sleep so they nap before the party". Haha!

I didn't take my phone out until halfway through the party and so I didn't get pictures of the people who were there are the beginning! But Tim and Lois and Hanna and Calea and Aimee and Nana and Hazel all came up early and helped me get the food set up on the table! I was happy for the help so that I could run upstairs and put on nicer clothes before people started arriving! They also brought us presents which was so nice! Calea and Aimee bought us new throw pillows for our couch, Hanna brought us a wooden bowl that Ian had made, and Tim and Lois bought us a new ladder (for Jon) and really pretty colorful serving bowls (for me). So lovely and thoughtful!!!!

Trish and Emery were the first to show up and I was happy because I hadn't met Emery yet! Jon did, but I wasn't at camp when they were there. She is such a special baby! Q instantly loved her of course, wanting to give kisses and hold her.

Calea took this before people started arriving - so very sweet! A little girl dancing with her Great Nana

House Full of People! Love it

It was so fun to see our church friends mixing with our camp friends. There was enough people there that it wasn't awkward and people could hang out with whoever they wanted.

There was so much food!! I am like my mother in law that way - I would way rather make sure I have more than enough than run out! I was pretty proud of the spread! Fun party food is my favorite

There was lots of kids there - most of the camp kids went upstairs and played in the spare room, but the littler ones stayed downstairs and played in the "playroom" aka under the stairs hobbit hole, and with the play kitchen in the living room. At one point Q looked all around and saw her toys everywhere and comes over to me all distraught and when I ask her whats wrong she says "mama those kids make my kitchen BIG BIG mess everywhere!" and lets out a huge sigh. I had to laugh at how dramatic and serious she was. I told her that sharing our stuff is a good thing and that making messes is okay! She doesn't get that, she is really not a messy kid. Everything has a place and she likes things in order. Pretty funny. Having Ady there was good for her, they played lots together.

My lovely Sharon

Just missing Dixie! They were there too, but we took the picture after she had left! At one point I was filling up food and I could see Mary and Dana laughing and talking and I dropped what I was doing and headed over because I wanted to be a part of their conversation haha! The only downside of hosting a party - I couldn't really have a good long talk with any one person. But I love my friends for coming! These women are the best and I adore them.

Such a cute picture!!! It was so fun to have so many people that we loved there! We figured that we had around 50-60 people pop by! It was awesome. Hectic and busy, but really really fun!

Once a good chunk of the crowd thinned out and it was just camp people left, I pulled out the pina colada and strawberry daiquiri mix and made some blended drinks. It was the first time in over a year that I have had a real drink and I was quite excited haha! Delicious.

People were amazing - lots of people brought wine or beer or ciders for us, others brought flowers or plants and Mary gave us a picture frame. We have such great people in our lives!! It was really fun to have them all over at the same time ish! The 'come and go' was really the best way to have the party!

Matt and Vanessa and Derek and Brad and Lisa all stayed later - Vanessa and Lisa picked up all the garbage and recycling and did my dishes while I tackled all the toys! What awesome friends. The boys entertained Q, and she was loving it. She squished herself in beside Bradley and Matt and was pretty cute hanging out with them. Then we made our Survivor picks for this season! Matt is the reigning champ in a well deserved win, but I look forward to taking that title this season ;)

Opps, out of order, this was from the beginning of the night, but I love this picture!! It really does feel like such a privilege that I get to call these woman friends. They have all known each other for a lifetime - I'm "new", but they still love me. They are such quality people and amazing friends.

Lisa was her usual amazing self, and after doing all my dishes, she then sat down and read a story to Q. Quinny was really hyper because it was late and I'm pretty sure she knew if she sat still that she would fall asleep on the spot so she just kept moving. She calmed down once Lisa started reading

We got Q to bed and they stayed until around 11ish and then headed home. Jacob stay late and didn't leave until around 1ish talking with Jon, but I went to bed much before then! This mama can't do late nights anymore :) The party was a success and I was so glad that everyone was there. What a good night. Thanks friends and family for helping us celebrate the milestone of buying our first home! We love this house and we were very happy to share it will people we love!