Painting with a twist

Last week I finally used a Groupon that I purchased back in November.  I am SO glad I did not let this expire because it was one of the most fun things I have ever done. I went with 4 other women, and we did a painting called "Red Blossoms". It was not my favorite when we looked at the selection, but they only offer one painting per night and well this was the night that everyone who bought this Groupon could go before it expired.

Of course Leah and I carpooled, and we were late getting there because Jackson had an ear infection and Brecken can not stand the sight of his mother leaving these days so it took a million years to get out of my house. It was a little intimating walking into a room filled with canvases on easels while everyone was staring at us. But I saw my friend Jackie smiling, and I wanted to get my glass of wine poured and eat a cookie or two. We sat down and chatted for a minute before the instructor started the class. She painted one section at a time and showed us how to do it in front of the class and then you let your creative side go.  I loved watching Leah paint as she is also an art teacher, and I adore the paintings I have seen of hers. As the wine flowed I started to admire my own painting. A lot. I went from giving it to my own mother to keeping it to myself in a matter of 75 minutes. Sorry mom. I did have good intentions. At one point the instructor came over to help me a little, and she picked up my canvas and it hit me over the head. She apologized, and I laughed and said "That's okay, you just gave me an concussion." She did not laugh or say anything. I guess it was one of those times where I think I'm funnier then I am. I loved painting, drinking and laughing with these women. I will do doing another class like this soon.

Can you find me?? I'm next to the girl with the brown painting...:)

Jackie, Leah, Beth, Me and Danielle

I'll Have Another!

It is that time of year again where we break out the checkbook, make ridiculous bets on horses and have mint juleps. This year Kevin and 4 other guys rented a RV and went up to Kentucky for the big day. I am SO jealous!! In two years hopefully I will get to join them on this adventure that I experienced not so long ago. This year the women and children of the men who left on the trip came over to my house to have a little Kentucky Derby party of our own, which included a sleepover. We had 4 adults and 7 children. Phew! We put on our prettiest dresses and our biggest hats and had some fun. We made bourbon balls, sausage balls, baked Marconi and cheese, grilled asparagus and banana pudding for desert. So yummy!! After we put the last child to bed at almost 11 PM, we continued to laugh and drink MANY MANY drinks until after 2AM. I woke up early and picked up my disgusting house and watched the kids while my friends slept. It was so fun to see the kids playing in the morning. It was a glimpse of what sleepovers would be like. It was my favorite part of the party.

Kelly and Baby Harper!

I love these ladies!

Leah, Me and Jackie

These ladies still look good at 2AM

Kevin did not win any money and he slept (wink, wink) through 5 hours of the races. The most fun part about the going to the Derby is betting of course and trying to sneak your booze in. Kevin succeed in doing so this year as some of the others did not succeed. They finally made it home about 6:30 PM. They drove an almost 8 hour drive with no air conditioning. You can imagine after having the crazy two nights that they had had, that the last thing they wanted to do was CLEAN the RV and take it back. Yuck! After a week, I think we all have finally recovered from our Derby experiences.

This hat was actually Paul's but Kevin sure did look good in it!

Kevin during his 5 hour nap...Don't these ladies look lovely???

We are always having fun!

My goodness is it already May 10th?? We have started the birthday chain leading to very special days for all of our friends! Our first birthday party of the spring season kicked off with little Landon. Brecken and Landon are almost like brothers. Brecken LOVES Landon to pieces. So much he won't stop touching him and hitting his head and so on. Landon does not like this so much. It is already like siblings. Landon turned 1, and he had an AWESOME Qdoba/Mexican fiesta! It was so relaxing, and the party went so smoothly. Leah is definitely an organized mama. The kids got mustaches and sombreros for their "gifts" ,and once the pinata finally broke, it was filled with candy and little tiny animals for the kids to play with. Landon's grandpa got him the BEST gift ever, a cozy coupe, and it was the hit of the party.  Landon also ate his first bag of chips (Jackson had 10), and Brecken took a 2 hour nap on his daddy's chest. What a happy happy "birth"day!

Brecken with the birthday boy Landon!

Molly and Jack

Our hostess with the mostess....mustache

Little Bethany Lane looks so cute with a mustache.

Caleb turned 3 on May 1st!! Last Friday they had a drive in movie birthday party. I really can not explain how awesome this party was. While all of the kids ran around like maniacs in the backyard, NOT one fight broke out between them. There were some broken hearts caused by my little heart throb Jackson, but luckily he redeemed himself and hugged sweet Lera and made up for any hurt feelings. Shanna and Dave had all kinds of movie theater snacks such as popcorn, boxed candy, pizza and mozzarella sticks, and boy oh boy it was so yummy! They put up a sheet, and had the movie Car's projected on the screen. It was so fun. Caleb got some great gifts, AND he got a motorized JEEP. It was cute seeing all four toddlers driving, and then watching the movie in their cars. This was one of my most favorite birthday parties yet!

The beautiful birthday boy! We love you Caleb Eugene!

This picture cracks me up. Jack was hilarious with his popcorn and Caleb was such a maniac behind the wheel. Makes me a little scared for what life brings in about 12 years.

Lera and Jack. They love each other. Boyfriend and Girlfriend by age 15 is my prediciton.

I love this little girl, Isla.

Oooooo...the first date.

Oh boy.

Michelle, Natasha and the girlies!