Keeping Summer, Social

Our most recent Relief Society activity was a Summer Social. We battled triple digit temperatures that day, but our ladies were troopers. Those who joined us enjoyed a great meal of mini Philly cheese steak sandwiches, refreshing salads and yummy Paces Dairy Ann Popsicles. 

After enjoying our meal, we all played a few rounds of an icebreaker game. Each Popsicle corresponded with a funny get-to-know-you question. I learned so many new (random) things about the sisters at my table.

Thanks to my committee for the all the help with food, decor and set up. Another great activity!

Joy in Womanhood; Bloom Where You're Planted

A new calling in the last two weeks put me smack in the middle of planning our ward's Relief Society Birthday. We decided on the theme "Bloom Where You're Planted" and wanted to have our sisters reflect on the many joys that come through the various stages of Womanhood.


We started the program with a beautiful version of "What Heaven Sees in You." We adapted a program that walks through the several stages of a flower's bloom, and further made it our own with 3-4 sisters (in various stages of life) sharing some of their current joys and times they chose to bloom where they were planted. I loved hearing what each sister prepared and felt somewhat akin to each of what they shared.


We served Cafe Rio Cheater Pork Salads, which were such a hit with our sisters. Birthday cupcakes from Granite were so yummy, I was even short several. Sorry, sisters!


The decor was so masterful. I have a lady in my ward who can literally do wonders out of what seems like nothing. We brainstormed the concept and then, wow, did she deliver. The blooms were free and cut from a very generous neighbor's tree. Love!



I'm so grateful to have such a talented and willing board. We're about to have some serious fun this year, ladies!

Ring in the Season

The changes in my life and schedule this year sure allowed me to reevaluate the way Cole and I have celebrated Christmas in the past. It may just be the addition of a babe, but boy, am I excited to celebrate Christmas.

We decided to kick off the month by visiting the Festival of Trees. We had never been and it didn't disappoint. We got to see more than 800 different elaborately decorated Christmas trees. Extravagant and amazing don't even begin to cover the caliber of trees and the intricate displays. It was also incredibly humbling to see the pictures and read the stories of loved ones who had been treated at Primary Children's Hospital.


I should have taken more pictures but each aisle seemed more impressive (and crowded) than the last. Crew did enjoy a new point of view, though!

We could have spent hours there but it was off to set up for the ward Christmas party that night. We were given the awesome task of creating centerpieces that cost a total of zero dollars. Luckily, I had some very classy stuffing left over from Cole's Halloween costume. Add that to a few of our favorite Christmas decorations, and you have a totally free centerpiece. Everyone raved about Crew's new Lil People Nativity. Call me crazy, but I kept my eye on that one. I didn't want some cute kid going home with our Baby Jesus!


The evening's special guest had a fellow imposer. What? Not the real deal? Could have fooled me!

Although I have to say, Crew was less than impressed with the Jolly ol' Elf.

We are a little bit sad that the Activities Committee is being disbanded but secretly excited that we will enjoy next year's ham and funeral potatoes from the comfort of a metal chair. :)

Yeah for the start of Christmas fun!

Ghoulishy Good Times

This week our ward hosted a Fall Party/Costume Parade at the ward house (don't you love how PC we are?). We started out with an easy dinner of sloppy joes and salads while everyone arrived and got settled.

Being on the committee, Cole and I got to plan and MC the entertainment aka "Minute to Win it" games. We had a couple games for the adults including Junk in the Truck and Dizzy Mummy. So glad we have good sports in our ward!



I had no idea how excited the kids would be by the games. We did Hanky Panky, Dizzy Mummy and the Paper Dragon. Even after the party, the kids were asking if they could take turn trying out the games.


Right after the games, the kids got to parade around the gym in their costumes while collecting candy from the adults. I was able to catch a few favorites for a pic. While I don't have pictures to support it, it is worth noting that the world is indeed safe...I counted no fewer than nine Buzz Lightyears ready to fly off and save the day.



At first I was bummed we didn't get to decorate cars in true Tunk or Treat fashion, boy, did I change my mind when we looked outside. Over the course of the party, it snowed an inch!

And of course, our favorite lil monkey!