Noelle's Stuffed Animal Party

Noelle has been planning a stuffed animal party since January.  At first, I thought it was a fleeting plan.  Something that she would do just playing around in the toy room, or something she would talk about but then give up on.  February came and went, and still that stuffed animal party was high on Noelle's list of things to talk about.  Then March and April slipped by.  Not a day went by without Noelle telling me something else that we would do at the party.  So...  When May seemed to be coming to an end and she was *still* planning this party, I decided to give in.  

We had a stuffed animal party.  It wasn't as grandiose as Noelle had planned (she wanted a lot of things that I didn't have the time or energy to do), but I think it was still a success.  Here are some pictures from the gathering.

We made party hats!

We played games.  (Don't laugh or judge them, I spent a bunch of time making them!)

Pin the carrot on the bunny!

This is random, but cute... Oliver pulling Charlotte on his trike.

Bean bag toss!

Ring toss!

Then they decided to make MORE hats. After that, we had a party treat of rice crispies.

The finale of the party was indoors.  We did the freeze dance with our stuffed animals.

In the end, everyone had a great time and went home exhausted, though probably not as exhausted as I was!  I'm so grateful for a daughter that is creative and thinks up things like a "stuffed animal party".  I'm also grateful that I was able to put it together for her.

My Grandparents' 55th Anniversary Party!

My grandparents are in town.  They live in Powell, Wyoming and it has been a few years since they have been able to make it down to Arizona.  And it has been even longer since I have been able to get up there to visit them.  Needless to say, we were excited they came!  To make it even more exciting, this year is their 55th wedding anniversary (April 4th is, actually), so my mom decided to get all the Arizona relatives together to celebrate.

Saturday was the big day, and our house was the place.  Along with my grandparents, we had my mom, Terry, my brother and his family, and my Cousin Carol and her family over.  The theme was a fiesta, so we feasted on yummy food and enjoyed each other's company.  I don't have too many pictures from the evening, but here are some of the ones I was able to get.  (I wish I had been better with my camera).

Melanie and Grandpa Hopkins (her Great Grandpa):

 Me and My Grandpa:

 Some of the cousins: (Cj, Oliver, Noelle, and Melanie)

 Some decorations:

 Some of the kid party goers (I don't have any pictures of Carol's kids, I'm bummed because my girls fell in love with Teagan):

Melanie:

 Noelle:

 A sick, but happy Oliver:

 Cj:

 Rodney:

 Preston enjoyed getting to know his grandmother.  Saturday was the first time either of my boys had met their great-grandparents.

 The anniversary cake (my contribution to the food):

 The happy couple (I believe the picture was taken right after my mom told them to kiss.  That is why both of them look like they are blushing slightly).

 My mom organized a fun gift for my grandparents.  She put together (with assistance from the entire Hopkins' family) a scrapbook for them.  It is in two parts, the first being pictures of my grandparents when they were little up to their kids becoming adults.  The second book is full of pages from the individual families.  It turned out really nice.

It was a really nice night.  I really enjoyed visiting with my grandparents and my family.  The food was great, the kids had fun together.  It was a good time!  Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa, for falling in love and starting this beautiful family!  We love you!