Have you missed me?

Well sorry. But I've been busy. I mean crazy busy. After school trainings, teaching classes, meetings at church and oh yeah, don't forget about my job and those two kids I take care of on the rare occasion that I am home. It has been exhausting!! I think that things are finally slowing down for me and this is the time of year when there is a light at the end of the tunnel. (Can you say 72 more days?!?) But it hasn't just been things outside the home that have kept me busy. Since just before Christmas, about 2 and a half months ago, we have hosted TWELVE gatherings here at our house. Sheesh! No wonder I'm beat. Here's the run down:


Party #1: The Annual PLU Girls Christmas Party (27 people). This is a tradition that has been going on for more than a decade (I know, unbelievable, right?!) I am lucky to have such amazing friends and although it is hard to see each other often, the Christmas party brings us all together each year. Now that we have kids, they come too. The girls all draw names for a gift exchange and so do the kids. The husbands participate in a good ol' fashioned booze exchange. We have made many Christmas party memories over the years (DTR, anyone?) and I hope that it is a tradition that lasts forever. I love you girls!!

Party #2: A play date with my high school friends (16 people). Thanks to Facebook, we have reconnected. It has been fun to get together and let all of the kids play. This time the kids played upstairs, did holiday crafts and ate lunch. All in all, a successful play date except for the little guy who burned his hands on the wood stove and needed a trip to the E.R. I think it's about time for another one, don't you?

Party #3: Christmas Eve (13 people). This is a family tradition. My mom's birthday is Christmas Eve, so we always do a big family dinner, go to church, and come home for cake, ice cream and presents. Then we all spend the night under one roof so we can wake up to see what Santa left.

Party #4: Christmas Day (15 people). Pretty much a continuation of the Christmas Eve party. We have a big ol' breakfast and then dig into the mountain of presents. By the time we are done, it is time for lunch and everyone packs up to go see other families. Love, love, love our traditions!!

Party #5: Dinner with friends (16 people). Thanks to the birth of little Scotty, Megan's mom Val flew out to visit. We had a little dinner at our house (but of course Val cooked!!) so that everyone could see her before she went home.

Party #6: New Year's Eve (16 people). We played games like crazy people. Nuff said.

Party #7: Family Dinner (9 people). Every Sunday we eat dinner with Robbie's family, usually at his mom's house. Since Robbie wanted to cook a turkey we did it at our house.

Party #8: Firehouse Birthday Party (63 people). My theory on birthday parties is since I only have to do one per year, I better go big. Yeah, it was crazy but it sure was fun!

Party #9: Ben & Abby's Birthday Dinner (11 people). Their actual birthday. A dinner with family. Homemade pizza. Yummm!!

Party #10: My Dad's 60th Birthday Party (19 people). Friends and family I don't see often enough.

Party #11: Julie's Baby Shower (18 people). This was a fun gathering to help prepare for her new baby boy. Looking forward to meeting him!!

Party #12: My Long Lost Friends (11 people). I was feeling like I hadn't seen people for way too long so we invited some people for a relaxing night of catching up. Perfect!!

So there you have it. Eleven week, 12 parties, and (wait for it...) 234 people. I love it!! I have always loved having people over and now that I have the house for it, I can't get enough. But looking forward, my calendar is empty so let me know if you want to plan a party over here. I am already getting excited for summer. One word: Barbecue.