mamma's hands auction

last weekend was the mamma's hands auction. our friends, the rands, host this auction every year to help struggling single moms in the seattle area. we love to support those women and our friends. the auction is held at the newcastle county club which has the best view of seattle. ever. it really did look like the emerald city (seattle's nickname) that night. 

britney, me and denise.

the food was pretty great and the company at our table, even better! becky and jon (rands) and my mom and dad.

at the auction they have a dessert dash. each table donates towards mamma's hands and the table that donates the most gets first dibs on the desserts. my aunt megan and i have figured out the formula to making the most desirable desserts (because we just want to win!): chocolate+height+chocolate+gaudy+CHOCOLATE! hence my creation for this year: chocolate caramel pretzel crunch cake.

for the pretzel crunch part i crushed up pretzels, tossed them with melted butter, sugar, and powdered milk. then baked the mixture in the oven until it was toasty. it was insane. and my cake went before megan's. so it was a success!

we loved helping those in need AND having a wonderful night with family and friends (all feels a little ironic.....).

cinco de mayo

we hosted our annual cinco de mayo taco party on sunday. i couldnt handle my excitement that it was hot and sunny! definitely made it feel more legit.

i loved using these mini pinatas for the place cards but they cost a pretty penny so they only went to the adults.

the boys got their own little cactus filled with jelly bellys.

before our friends arrived, i made my boys suffer through a few photos.

sully and me, being serious about cinco de mayo.

tagg is such a good sport.

and sully is just nuts.

how much more proof do you need?

right when the thompsons arrived, i finished preparing the taco ingredients, fried up some chips (no one wants stale mexican food)

made the guacamole

sliced the limes

and made our absolute favorite drink: diet 7up with frozen limeade. so good.

tagg

blake

ella and kaitlin

tagg got the idea to tape the mustaches to the mini pinatas. he got the double sided tape and did it all by himself without even telling me. such a crafty guy! i've taught him well.

my pride and joy holding his pride and joy.

after the dinner was eaten, the pinatas were busted, and the kitchen was cleaned,  kaitlin and i made churros.

there's something about fried dough coated with cinnamon and sugar that never gets old.

just ask taggy.

it was such a fun night. the boys had a blast.

happy cinco de mayo from our favorite little chicos.

tagg

tagg started tball a couple weeks ago. he is on a team with all of his little friends and has so much fun.

 

this was his first practice. i was so proud of that hit!

last week we took the boys to a mariners game. tagg had such a great time that his double chin even made an appearance. my favorite.

he loved safeco field. especially all the food it offered.

tagg is five and he loves to: build blanket forts, dig in the dirt, race around on his bike or scooter, go to mcdonalds, write his name, practice in his numbers workbook (he's his father's son), conduct family home evening and take cute pictures with sully. tagg really is the best brother to sully. i serisouly cannot wait for tagg to go to kindergarten and watch him start his little life. 

 

i love my tagg.

amy turned thirty

my friend, amy, turned thirty last week so her husband asked if we would help throw her a surprise party. i want my friends to feel special on their birthday aaaaaaand i love any excuse to get one of those BIG balloons! so of course, we said 'yes'. win win.

hanna put up this little picture wall of amy. super cute. 

gold glitter makes everything better.

i had been wanting to make these fringed paper lanterns. they were so easy. i love them so much i am trying to figure out a place in my house where i can keep them up year round.

if you want your guests to arrive on time tell them it is a surprise party. everyone showed up RIGHT at 8pm. while the men talked, the girls helped me finish making the bruschetta until 8.30, when the birthday girl (in the red) arrived!

i told the men they didnt have to sip out of those girly straws. but that i wanted to get a picture of them doing it before they tossed them.

amy's favorite snacks/treats.

kevin and trish brought "minute to win it" games. i think our group (or maybe its just me) is a little too competitive for friendly games such as these. 

exhibit a.

after games, it was time for amy to blow out her candles. 

then it was kinect dancing. and if you think is painful......

here are the men.

it was a very fun night and i hope amy will always remember her 30th birthday! xo

easter

this year, craig and i hosted easter dinner at our house for his family. it was a very relaxed, sunny and special day. at the last second, i threw this quilt on the table as the tablecloth. it was a perfect punch of color .

before everyone came over for dinner we went to church. im pretty sure it doesnt get any more heavenly than a sunny easter sunday in seattle.

im glad i set the table the day before because i spent the afternoon after church preparing the dinner. 

i found these little egg cups at crate & barrel the night before (could NOT believe there were any left!) for a dollar a piece.

i wanted something light and springtime-ish (not chocolate) for the dessert. so i made my aunt's cake with homemade lemon curd, seven minute frosting and toasted coconut.

i need to make it more often...

after dinner and dessert, grandma cheri surprised the boys with an easter egg hunt in the backyard. she is SO good to them.

i honestly dont know how that day could be topped. i smile just thinking about it.