Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Blake's 16th Birthday

For Blake's 16th Birthday, we had a surprise Murder Mystery Party for him. It was so much fun and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes to host events, dinners, or whatever. We all had the best time!!! The murder took place in the kitchen, so we set up the scene as best we could. Obviously, there is the body in the floor, a knocked over chair, and we put up the yellow caution tape throughout the kitchen. It was so fun!
The cake - it was really good (and HUGE!)
Kat was the aunt of Anthony (the victim) and Dylan was the security guard for the family. He was an old man, so we painted his hair gray. I tried to do his eyebrows too, but that didn't go so well. He had gray paint everywhere!
Funny - Kat was the murderer and Dylan the accomplice!
Linda the housekeeper, Dee the executive assistant and Kat, the jealous Aunt!
Marty was the chauffer
Little old man, Dylan.
I was the detective and knew everything beforhand so I could keep the game flowing properly.
Grandee read some books to Logan while we were waiting on Blake to arrive.
Aunt Sara was an artist and Anthony's fiance who was having an affair with the chauffer - it was so funny!
We had tons of food!!!
All of us gathered in the kitchen waiting on Blake to walk through the door.
Chappell was the chef!
Uncle Yon was the ex - Butler who was fired for stealing.
Still waiting...
Here he comes!
SURPRISE!!!!
He had no clue that we were doing this for him and he was so happy. He must have thanked me ten times throughout the night. He even asked me if he had told me that he always wanted to do a murder mystery party (which he hadn't). Apparently, he was just telling one of his friend the other day that he wanted to do one.
Still in shock!
Logan was so excited to see his biggest brother!
Happy Birthday to you....
Make a wish!
Present time!
It's hard to tell, but he got a new gun for hunting with his dad or Patrick.
This was a serious discussion on the proper handling of the gun.
And, the case to go with it.
Happy Birthday, Blake.
We all love you so much and were so happy to be able to spend your 16th birthday with you.
Lots and lots of love,
Patrick, Mom, Dylan, Logan, and Little Hamp

Thursday - December 18th

I wanted to have a couple of plates made for Hampton's first Christmas, so on the 18th we headed to Mad Platter to get that accomplished. Sara, Chappell, I-dada, and Sara Grace met us there. Hampton did very well and I was so grateful for all the help with him. I don't know how I would have finished the plates without the help! Hampton getting his foot painted
He was quite content to let us paint him. (Logan was never this cooperative!)
Aunt Sara with Sara Grace
We made a Christmas tree and a Penguin - this is the painting for the penguin.
The almost finished product. I had them do the writing because that alwas takes the longest and is more difficult for me!
That evening we went over the Aunt Chappells for dinner to spend some time with the family. We decided it would be fun to give Logan and Sara Grace their first bath together. It was really cute. Logan likes splashing her and did not like sharing the toys. He tried keeping them all in his little corner. We are working on the whole sharing thing!


The finally tried to read a book together!
How do you like Hampton's new hair do? We have started spiking it after his baths at night. I am not sure how long it will last since it is getting longer...but it is cute for now!

Monday, December 22, 2008

December 13, 2008

Dylan had a wrestling tournament in Irmo and I got to go for most of the day. He had 3 matches and won the first two and lost the last one which gave him 2nd place in the tournament for his weight class. I was so proud of him. He did an awesome job. Patrick got some great pictures of him, but unfortunately the are kind of dark - sorry about that. Dylan and Papa stretching and getting ready.
Some last minute words of wisdom and encouragement
Here we go. I don't know who is more nervous when he wrestles - me or him.
Wow!
Dylan trying to flip the boy onto his back so he could get the pin.

Somehow Dylan's headgear fell down and covered his eyes while he was in this position, but he never lost his composure and hung in there, turned it around and got the pin! Woo-Hoo!
In between matches, I went over to my mother-in-laws to have Christmas with Patrick's uncle. It was so nice to see him and his wife, Gale. This is a picture of Linda and her brother, Bubba.
Sara Grace in her super cute little outfit!
Logan wore his reindeer hat and scarf when we got home and didn't want to take it off while he watched the Backyardigans....so funny!
Because Dylan got two pins during his tournament, he got to put two more on his beenie. He looks so cute in it!
He was so proud of himself!

Little Hamp after a long day of activities!