Ward Halloween Party

Matthew the Dragon was tired before the party even started and then was a bit stunned by the noise, my blue hair, and Mark's gray-painted face. He was further disillusioned by some popping balloons.

  But he was surrounded by his good friends, Eva the Ladybug,

and Sydney the Bumble Bee

 Minnie Mouse Isabella's friends included: Snow White Chiarra, Super Girl Ally

and Pirate Scarlett.

Apparently on a play date earlier in the week, Mickey (Ira) and Minnie had discussed holding hands since they were both going as mice, but this didn't happen at the party. In fact, other than the photo op, there was minimal interaction between the two.

 Our Bishop and his family (minus 3 kids).

 Trunk or Treat - the big event

 Mark as Partly Cloudy with a Chance of Showers. Matthew disapproved of his costume,

 and of his photo op in the Baby Pumpkin. All around unhappy camper...

 Post-party candy conference with the girls.

One party down, more to come...

Grape Harvest 2012

Last year I missed the harvesting of the grapes because Matthew and I were hanging out in the hospital. So this year I was really looking forward to it. Isabella joined the other kids who were roaming the property. When I found them, they were all at the basin of the dried up pond looking at a deer skeleton...that's country living for you.

Grapes! This year will probably yield 4-41/2 tons, which is a good year.

Matthew braved the cool, crisp morning in his too-small beanie cap. He liked the tractors.

We learned a bit more this year about how the workers harvest the grapes. They work in teams and are particular about who's on their team, since they get paid by how many tons they pick. They want teammates who are fast.  It is a race.

Isabella lost us on the property at some point, so she paid a visit to Grandma Joan's. She got a waffle smothered in nutella and then a ride in the golf cart to come find us. Pretty resourceful, that one.

The grapes were loaded onto the truck by 9 am, and off they went to the winery to be processed.

 This tractor used to scare Isabella, even when it was parked.

 Apparently she has no issue with it this year.

Harvest Party

 I am no party planner, but I've always wanted a reason to have an outdoor party at this 100 year old farm house with accompanying farm and vineyard, where we currently dwell. It's the perfect place, says me.

This boy's FIRST birthday was my excuse to host a Harvest Party--to celebrate his life, and our  bounteous blessings, with family and friends.  (And so I could add "party planner" to my social skills resume.) You can learn a lot from planning a party, as I learned.

Lesson #1: Keep the decorations simple. 

Bales of straw, (hay is twice as expensive) covered in blankets, makes perfect places for sitting, but you don't want too much seating--as this would discourage mingling. 

Mingling-very important.

Martha Stewart suggested filling our planters with pumpkins and gourds. That lady thinks of everything. Isabella and I decided to have a contest to see who could decorate most like Martha. 

  

No contest, really.  

 and a garland made of Indian corn.

Lesson #2: Prepare some food, potluck the rest

I made chili, Mom made butternut squash soup, and everyone else brought appetizers and desserts. I loved it. The food was delicious and there was plenty of it!

Apple Dip bar, good idea in theory, but keeping caramel warm and melted is a high maintenance task.

Still, they were fun to decorate.  

Throw in some little "acorns" made from a hershey kiss, mini nilla wafer, and peanut butter chip, stuck together with peanut butter (mom's idea). Very harvest-y.

Lesson #3 Arts and Crafts and Games are essential for keeping the little people busy. 

Decorating pumpkins

Q-tip art: painting Fall trees

(Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate...)

Witch Hat Ring Toss, featuring the Moore brothers.

A bounce house, if you will,

and a hay ride, of sorts.

Last but not least, every harvest party needs a fire pit for s'mores!

Lesson #4: Invite those you really like.

Family came from LA

BFF and family came from Sacramento

and there were lots of friends from Napa. (This was one of my favorite moments-I walked to the back of the house to see my friend Kelly and her son James relaxing on the back "lawn", something we don't even do. There's nothing better than company feeling like they are right at home.)

Nobody puts babies in a corner-unless they're having fun playing on a comfy blanket.

The party was great, people were having fun--until we spotted a paparazzo hiding in the bushes.

and then there was the crazy lady who showed up and started washing our windows

She was very enthusiastic about the whole thing--and do you see these windows?! S-p-o-t-l-e-s-s.

Family, friends, good food, fun games, an adorable birthday boy, and windows that are cleaner than they were when the party started. Now that's how you host a par-tay.

The post-party cousin photo shoot.

It took some effort

to coordinate smiling and looking at the camera,

without being distracted by locomotives passing through.

Jack patiently worked with his two younger cousins...

...but Isabella just fell asleep,

and Baby M got surly.

Party over.