40 posts tagged “party”

Cody's 1st middle school wrestling meet was this weekend.  I dropped him off at the bus around 7 and was surprised to find my emotions get the best of me yet again.  How could my baby be old enough to go on the bus for a sporting event?  The rest of us including my dad, brother, and his girlfriend drove separately.  Cody only had 2 matches that lasted about 80 seconds total between the two of them because Cody pinned his opponents so quickly!  It was awesome to see the confidence he has and how quickly he took care of business.  Of course, the two 8th grade wrestling managers who are adorable each had to give him a hug to congratulate him.

Saturday night, we went to the local "Food and Wine Festival".  We got to dress up and went with my brother and his girlfriend, Amy.  She just moved back to town from Missoula so it was a good chance for us to get to know her.  We saw lots of people and ate lots of food.  I even found myself a non-alcoholic wine so that was nice.  The bad part was there were no tables to sit at.  They had a few bar tables and a few very uncomfortable benches but my feet were killing me an hour into it. 

There was also a silent auction with local artwork including several photos.  I'm debating donating one myself next year.  I'd have to see if any of my favorites look good blown up.  Sadly, I've taken very few photos this year.  We didn't get a picture of ourselves but we looked just like this :)

 

Thumbs Down:

1. I stunk at golf league again this week.  I also golfed Monday and Wednesday and apparently my problem is nerves at women's league because I golf much better when I'm not at that!
2. My Great Aunt Betty passed away this week.  She was 84 and had Alzheimer's so it was a blessing but always sad.  She looked a lot like my Little Grandma so I always felt closer to her when Betty was around.  I'll be going to Billings with my parents for the funeral tomorrow.
3. Big Ben being accused of rape by some gal in a civil case because the DA won't even prosecute.  I don't buy it for one second.

Thumbs Up:

1. Lily had her 1st sleepover of the summer last night.  It worked out especially well because then the boys and I went golfing.  After that, Cody babysat Jace while Ray & I met my parents down at the Pub.  My mom's best friend and husband were in town for the first time in 3 years. 
2. They've finally started roofing the house and the stucco guy should be coming soon.
3. It's been a pretty uneventful week so I can't think of anything else!

Wednesday was the 6th grade class's family picnic.

They have a fun song they sing for grace to the tune of the Superman Theme Song.

Thursday night was 6th grade graduation for Cody's class.  It was held at the Basilica and was mainly a Mass with the 6th graders leading most of the service.  The prelude consisted of 6th graders singing, playing piano, and instruments.

Cody was part of the Procession of Roses.  The first rose was a bud which represented the kids as they entered preschool.  The 2nd rose which Cody carried was starting to bloom which represented the kids now.  The last rose was in full bloom and represented the kids as adults.

Cody and Nick U. were song leaders for 5 songs.

I really wanted to tell everyone else not to sing so we could just hear them ;)  The Priest did a really nice sermon about the importance of parents and grandparents in the kids' lives.  Then, they presented the class with their graduation certificates and gave out awards. There was a special recognition of our family since we're moving.

At the end of the service, the whole class sang their class song, "Awesome God".

Of course, I got teary numerous times throughout the program.  More than Cody graduating was the fact that Jace & Lily won't get to go through this ceremony and it was so wonderful.

After the ceremony, there was a reception with food and a slideshow of the kids' journies since preschool.

 

 

 

Cody had a fabulous teacher for 6th grade.

After the reception, the parents of one of Cody's classmates had a party for them until 1 am!  They got to hot tub, play Rock Band, karoake, etc.  It was a very special evening for the kids.

Saturday night, we had a going away party for the kids.  We rented a place in town called the Bunker and my friend's husband DJ'd for us.  The first 1/2 hour, the 6th grade girls were in one spot,

the boys were in one spot, the 3rd graders were playing tag, the kindergarteners were doing a craft project or being shy, and others were eating. So, I had our DJ, Gndsgang's husband, play the YMCA and the Hokey Pokey.  That finally got the kids dancing. Some kids played foozball, some watched TV, some cooled off on the deck, some ate, and others just goofed around! There were a total of 40 kids there and the party lasted 2 hours. This is how everyone felt at the end of the party.

Our wonderful friends, Bluebird & husband, hosted a wonderful Going Away party for us at their home last night.  The amount of food was just crazy but very delicous.

They even had a cake.  I didn't realize we were color coordinated until I looked at this picture. The party went from 7 - 12:30 am.  I think there were about 24 people there.  Next weekend is the kids' party!

Because we're going out of town this weekend, we had Jace's party early.  Would you believe we actually had it on Super Bowl Sunday?  It was our only option since he wanted a sledding party so we just did it early in the afternoon.  The snow was perfect.

Lily watches the boys sled.

 

 

I'm pretty sure this was good luck for the rest of the day.

 

 

 

Jace's godparents gave him water polo which he'll get great use out of at grandpa & grandma's pool when we move.

After cake, cocoa, & presents, the kids headed back outside for some more sledding.  The sledding hill is on the golf course and there was a wind funnel at the bottom of 2 hills.  We saw 3 kids in different groups lose sleds to the wind.  The sleds would blow over the top of a hill and just keep going.  Each kid returned from their chase without a sled.  So, I kept reminding our kids to hang on tight to their sleds.  Ray & I were watching from inside the warming house when Jace lost the grip on a sled and it started blowing.  He lucked out and it stopped long enough for him to jump on it.  Then, he had to carry it up the opposite hill which had a stronger wind.  If only we'd have remembered the video camera we could've won "Funniest Home Videos".  Instead of carrying the sled to the side so it would slice the wind, he had the sled facing into the wind.  He was leaning way over trying to get up the hill and then the wind would blow him back down over and over.  We were laughing so hard!!  After about 5 minutes, he made it to the top.  Later, he came inside and we saw Lily trying to do the same thing.  I told Jace to go and help her because there was no way she'd get up the hill with the sled after the trouble he had.  Turns out girls are smarter and she carried the sled so it sliced the wind and had no trouble at all ;)

Of course, the finale of the day was watching the Steelers win a very exciting Super Bowl.

It's New Year's Eve! How are you celebrating tonight?

We're packing up to head home and then will go over to a friend's house for awhile tonight.  I doubt we'll stay long because they have cats and I'm allergic.

My schedule for the day:

• 10:00 get the kids' haircuts
• 11:00 drop off used toys and clothes at a friend's house.  She's having a "charity party".  Wonderful idea.
• 12:00 meeting at church
• 1:00  take kids to see Santa
• 2:15  babysit neighbor boy
• 4:00  take the boys to the dentist
• After supper - drive through Christmas in the Park

In the middle of all that, I need to do all the laundry plus pack for 5 people to be gone 8 days including ski gear.  We're supposed to leave tomorrow morning but there's snow coming in again so we're trying to decide if we should delay it or try to beat it tonight.  You can imagine trying to leave tonight would be an even greater challenge.  Which leads to the question as to what I'm doing wasting time blogging about it!

Opening presents the morning of her birthday

New birthday outfit from mom & dad

Talking on the phone to Grandma Judy

Party at the local gymnastics club.

 

 

 

In the pit.  It reminds me of "Where's Waldo"?

 

 

Cody was trying to see how much he could still do from his state gymnastics championship 5 years ago.

Ice cream cake

 

 

Lily had one friend spend the night and her parents got them matching nightgowns.

Liliana turns 6 today.  We did an early family dinner at Applebee's last night and her party will be Friday evening.  I shared some photos of her 1st five years here.  This photo is of her this morning before school in the new outfit grandma & grandpa got for her birthday.  It also has a matching hat & gloves for skating.