Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Twilight Party '08

"Friends come and go, but some stay for a while and leave footprints on your heart and you are never ever the same." -Author Unknown

It all started with an invite from a girl in our ward that I didn't know all that well. It was about two years ago and she invited me out for ice cream. She had invited quite a few people but there were only four of us that were able to make it. Jaime picked us all up in her car and we drove to the local marble slab and proceeded to have one of the funnest nights of my life. All four of us had been feeling a bit lonely and we found in each other something that we had not been expecting. We were an odd group, but we clicked. I became the queen (I won't tell you of what), Emily the story teller, Jaime the party girl, and Lyssa the funny one. Our group soon expanded to include more girls from our ward and we started the ultimate party group. We had Christmas parties, girls nights out, dinner groups, and sometimes just sit around and chat times. We worked out together, laughed together, and some of us acted like immature, moody, high school girls (I won't mention names;)). While some of us found our soul sisters, we were all friends.

A year ago Jaime, and Emily left our group and headed off to Idaho and South Carolina respectively. We had 8 crazy nights before they left (okay so the only really crazy thing we did was go to hooters and I couldn't be there since Nathan was having ear tubes put in), but we had a Will Ferrel SNL night, Pizookie night, Spa/Smoothie/Surprise Baby Shower for Bobbi night, Fondue night, Caso Rio on the River walk night, and more.

And then our friend Emily recommended the Twilight books. We didn't expect the results the readings of those books would create. We fell in love with Edward and decided we had to have a twilight party. The party planning started almost a year ago.

During this last year many of us have gone different directions. Jamie moved across Texas, I bought a house about 20 minutes away, and the ward we had all been in, split. I don't see the friend's I made that are still in town as much as I wished I could. I have had really mixed feelings about attending fun times with them and getting to know the gals in my new ward. I have been doing pretty good at balancing, but it means a lot less time with my party girls.

But this past weekend (starting on Thursday) I was all about my old girl friends (Although Emily, who started all the fun could not be with us, she was in our hearts!). Jaime flew in late Wednesday night, Jamie drove in Thursday and Katie flew in Friday. Thursday morning our three very full, exceptionally fun days began.

Thursday morning we met at Hillery's house and Lyssa, Kate and Emma, Jaime, Hillery and Sadie, and Caden and I headed about 45minutes away to the San Marcos outlet malls. The outlet mall there was ranked the number two shopping place in the country by some magazine (sorry I don't remember). We spent about three hours there hitting only the most important of stores (Gap, Children's Place, etc.) before we headed back home to get ready for our couples dinner group that night.

We headed out to Rudy's (The Worst BBQ in Texas!!!) and met there at 6:30pm. After that we sent the hubby's home with children while the rest of us attended a headband party. I didn't think I would be interested in the headbands, but I was amazed, they are so awesome. You'll recognize mine in some of the future pics.

Here we are at Rudy's. I had bought matching oufits for the boys (first time ever!) and of course Caden's are too big for him.

Jill and Quin Rupp.

Jami and Brain Black

Lyssa and Jaime

Hillery, Andy and Sadie Ray

Jamie, Paul and Eric Smith

David and Amber Martin

Joe and Lyssa Zimmerman

The whole group

Friday morning we had an "emergency playgroup" so that the out of towner's could meet all the new babes born while they were gone, and see how much the other's have grown. And then the work began.

I like to be in charge of things (shocked? nope, didn't think so ;)), and during the initial stages of Twilight planning I volunteered to make a fabulous Italian Dinner, and a Twilight Jeopardy game. The game was ready to go, but the food, unfortunately could not be made too much ahead of time. I spent the next three hours tenderizing and frying chicken (I beat the heck out of the chicken, I cannot stand a dry, thick chicken), frying Italian sausage, chopping pepper's, onions and garlic, and shredding cheese. I also had to try and get gussied up during this time and have to say I think I did pretty well. I left for our hostess with mostess' house (Jami you are amazing, thank you, thank you, thank you for all the hosting!). I baked the chicken parmigian, mixed the fruity red punch, Boiled the noodles, heated the sauce and sausage and sauteed the veggies. While I did that Hillery set and decorated the table, made the Caesar salad, Jamie buttered and broiled the French bread, Jaime decorated with the amazing Jazmin inspired decorations, and Lyssa's matted quotes from the books. I am a bit childish in that I tend to get over excited (some might call it giddy) when people really like my accomplishments. Everyone loved the dinner, and later the jeopardy game. I had so much fun planning all of it I am so glad it went so well.

The books that started it all.

Crazy decorations.

Hillery, Jaime and Jami helping to prepare for dinner.

Wall Quote.

Waiting for me to hurry it up and get dinner on!

Hillery's fab place settings with Jaz's menu cards. Awesome ladies!

The menu.


Eating dinner... mmmmm....

Jaime made these fabulous bags with items in it representing each character. Can you guess which character goes with what?
-cake mix (fudge marble)

-jaw breakers

-eclipse gum

-red finger nail polish

-vampire teeth

-tennis ball which says it is the greatest and strongest toy for a dog

-belle perfume

Lyssa, Katie and Jaime


Please, don't look too closely. I was wearing a very sparkly dress.

Our three Jeopardy finalists. Jaime got a gift certificate to Olive Garden (I am still waiting for it Jamers!). Jami is getting a massage from me and Jazmin got some amber made jewelry and book mark.

All the crazies together.
Starting in the back from left to right are:
Jill, me, Jazmin, Amber, Jami, and Jamie
Front: Lyssa, Katie, Jaime, and Hillery

And then, the craziest of the bunch decided to go see "Baby Mama" at 11:55pm. It was so much fun.

Me, Katie and Lyssa. Jaime and Jill were also there. Like my PJ's?!

Saturday morning I woke up at 7am after only 4 1/2 hours of sleep and headed over to Jill's favorite bakery for breakfast. After breakfast we headed down to the riverwalk to take our newest friend (and a fabulous addition to the group), Katie, Lyssa's older sister, to see the San Antonio sights. Our first adventure was on the river tour boats in which we became a bit too loud and were told by a stern, grumpy old guide that, "this is a narrated tour," and that we needed to be quiet. We felt like a bunch of high school students caught being naughty. Needless to say, he didn't get a tip from any of us, even if we were being a bit loud.... I will never forget the expression on Katie's face when she asked, "Is that the Alamo?!" It is pretty small, and not what anyone ever expects. Next we stopped at our favorite and most popular Riverwalk restaurant, Casa Rio's, the same one we ate at a year ago during our crazy nights.

Katie shushing us after the driver's rude comment.

Lyssa, Jami, Me, Jill, Jamie, Katie and Kate (Jaime behind the camera)

Me (I have got to git rid of the crinkle nose smile!), Katie, Jami and Jaime

Eating at Casa Rio's
Katie, Lyssa, Kate, Jami
Jaime, Jamie, Me and Jill

Kate was such a good baby! I kept forgetting she was even there.

On the boat ride, trying to be good.
Jamie, Jill, Kate and Lyssa


We spent quite a while talking and chatting at lunch (although the waiter was still even slower at getting our checks to us and we eventually had to hunt him down). I had been quizzing Katie about her life (she had assured us she was fine with us asking questions), and her difficulties since her car accident five years ago that left her paralyzed from the hips down. I won't go into too many details, but if you would like to know more you can visit her blog that I will be posting on the side. At one point she was saying, "I was sitting in sacrament and asking 'Why, why, why, why...' When it hit me that we are not here to know why, we are only here to endure it." Okay, so those are not her exact word's, but you get the gist. I had already been feeling overwhelmed by this wonderful person's accomplishments, but that hit closer to home and I had to leave the table for a moment. I rarely have public break downs, and I can usually escape to the bathroom, but not this time. Jaime came over and held me until I quit crying and shaking. It only lasted a short time before I was back to normal, but she really has made me realize some new things about myself. But that will be for another post.

After lunch we headed our separate ways and I went to the USAA family day for a couple of hours with Scott and the boys (I will post pictures soon) before heading back to Jami's to regroup to go get pedicures. The pedicures were fun, but also a ruse to get Jamie, and Jaime out of the house while we decorated for a surprise baby shower for both of them. Jamie is expecting her second and another boy and Jaime is expecting (what she thinks is) her last baby and is not finding out what it is. We had little decorated cans to donate money since we didn't want to load them down with presents to pack home. We made cards and ate cake and ice cream and just had a fun lazy night (seeing as we were all exhausted). We spent the last half hour there eating popcorn and watching the latest "Office" which I was a bit disappointed by. I packed up and hugged my dear friends, and prayed that I would see these special girls again sometime in my life.

Jamers getting pedi's. On a side note, they are all expecting :)!

Katie and I relaxing.

Card making.

Jami, Jaime, Hillery and Lyssa

Prego Jamers again!

Exhausted from so much partying.

Getting ready to watch "The Office".

And so here I sit, sleep deprived, with an amazing pile of laundry ready to be folded behind me on the couch, and feeling a bit emotional. I love these girls so much, but I know that we are all in very transitional times in our lives and will be scattered throughout the country in no time at all. I know some of them have created very close and special bonds and won't easily lose touch, but will I? I only new Katie for a couple short days, and am so inspired by her. Lyssa and I are close, but have grown apart this past year. I love Jaime, we are a lot alike, and sometimes that makes for a great time, but sometimes we are on different pages. Jami is amazing, but I haven't had a lot of time to get to know her. Jamie married a good friend of mine, and I love her tons, but she is off to Houston and her new life there. Jill is so quiet, but we also have a lot in common. Amber is so sweet and does a great job cutting my hair :), but I feel like I only know the smallest things about her. Hillery is hilarious, Jazmin is awesome and fun to tease, but I wish I had the chance to get to know them all better. Is this end? Of course I have links to their blogs, but I know a group like this doesn't come along very often., and I hurt to lose even the smallest friendships we have made. I wish being a military brat had made it easier for me to let things go, but if anything it has done the opposite. I know friendships like these are few and far between, I wish it didn't have to end.

I love you guys, thanks so much for an over the top, packed to the brim few days. Let's do it again sometime....

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

i totally feel you on this! i made amazing friends with jackie and marlyse and jackie is moving to houston and marlyse is gone for a summer internship and i know what you mean about the dynamic never being the same!! you inspired me to get together with them again ASAP!

Bobbi said...

So far, I've read three different reports of this weekend, and all three have mentioned the rude river boat driver. I wonder if he has any idea how much he's being bashed in the blogging world. How funny. Looks like a fun weekend! I so wish I could have been there!!!

. . . . . . . . . said...

Wow. I am SO jealous. This is the mother of all girls nites out. I'm going to have to do that. Cool.

The Blaisdell Family said...

I'm so glad that my "I'm fed up with life and need good friends NOW" started such a wonderful group of friendships!:)

It was fun reading through this "novel" in such great detail. I'm too lazy to write like this, so thanks for doing it for me:)

I am a 100% loyal friend to people who are loyal to me. You have no worry about me not keeping in contact with you in the future or not trying to get together. I would say 99% of the time when I lose contact with a good/close friend it is because of the other person not doing their part to keep in touch. So I'm on board all the way if you are girl:)!!!!!

That sure was one awesome weekend!! It was like 8 Crazy nights mini style. I'm so happy that Emily started our Twilight frenzy!!!! I'm just glad that it was only Jamie and I that had to come in because everyone else was already still in the area; it made it easier. Next time though we need to plan where we are ALL childless for a few days!


P.S. You REALLY did do a great job with dinner and the game. That was so fun and I can't wait to make that dinner for Craig and my dad on Father's Day!! My mom will appreciate the Twilight Punch, I got her hooked on the books too!

The Blaisdell Family said...

Oh, by the way it's "BELLA" perfume. I've just noticed that everyone keeps putting Belle. I wish I could have gotten bigger samples of it, I LOVE it and I'm not a big perfume fan.

And also Hahahahaha about me "thinking this is my last one". You stinker!! You're too funny. I miss you already and it's only been a week!

Angela said...

I was just thinking about you Christine and hoping your are doing well. I have to say I love this post. Way-to-go! I've always wanted to have a girls-weekend experience, and after reading about your activity I feel like I've lived vicariously thru you. You have a flair for writing, and I could here your voice in my head while reading. Take care! your friend, Ang.

katie said...

Such a great post that even though I've read and thought about that weekend a million times, I can read it over and over again and not get sick of it!
Lunch was a great hour (or 2) for me as well. I forget the fact that we never know what we will say or do, that will afffect someone and when I say something that does and I see it, it makes me so happy...happy that I've helped the other person and happy that what I am doing is actually worth something... :) so thanks!
Dinner was great...jeopardy was great...the whole night was great!
Thanks again for an awesome weekend and as far as the frienship goes...you're stuck with me---I'm in!

Lyssa Beth said...

Oh Christine! We of course will keep in touch..we are only 20 minutes away! ;) No even when we move who knows where in a year, we will still keep in close touch! You have been a great friend and one who has been around since I moved here...You and Karrie were like big sisters to me! We had fun times in Riverstone :) This post was awesome girl!

Jamie Smith said...

What fun times! I love the history you put of how we all became friends. It took one brave soul to just call and invite people to do something and then it just went from there!

You did such an amazing job with everything! I can't get over all the work you put into making the twilight party such a success! It was so much fun!

Thanks also for the fun shower! Y'all were so sweet to do that for us!

The Candlands said...

Okay, you totally don't know me because I googled Twilight Party and your blog came up...but I'm not a freak, I swear! Haha! I am throwing a huge "Breaking Dawn" party for the girls in my ward and I was wondering if maybe you could email me and I can pick your brain about some of the awesome things you did at your party?! My email is nayskers@hotmail.com . Thanks!

Deneigh

Anonymous said...

Random Person. I googled for Jeopardy Game and your blog came up. I loved your twilight party. I am planning a Movie Premiere Party, and would love to ask if you do not mind umm, if I ask you for the jeopardy game. Like what questions did you ask and what were the categories. Please email me at joanskat@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

opppssss.. my blog

mixandmatchblog.blogspot.com

tannerandteresa said...

I am also trying to plan a Twilight party and found your blog. I was also wondering if you would share your jeopardy game with me. My e-mail is teresa.christensen@gmail.com

Harris Beach Bums said...

I too would love to find out more about the Jeopardy game. Did you find it or create it. It looks really fun! My email is leanneharris@cox.net

Unknown said...

Hi -- I'm also very interested in finding out about your Jeopardy game. My daughter and I have had a wonderful time reading the books, and she wants to have some friends over, and I thought this would be a perfect game!! Please e-mail me at toldyme@gmail.com if you are willing to share...thank you, thank you, thank you!

Anonymous said...

Greetings from UT and the SLTA (Salt Lake Twilighters Anonymous--theslta.com). I was doing a search for Twilight party ideas and your blog came up. Fabulous job ladies!! You would do our group proud. If you are ever in UT and want to party with us, let us know! We have tons of fun and laugh the night away. We too have found friendships that are amazing.
Long live Twilight!

Amy said...

You seem to have quite a popular blog now! My friend found it for me because I am hosting a Twilight Scentsy party. WOuld love your ideas for games. How'd you do the red and black decorations on the ceiling? Love it all. You need to have a Twilight party post.
Your group of friends sound great. You're a lucky friend!!
My email. amynava80@yahoo.com
Thanks again.

Amy said...

You seem to have quite a popular blog now! My friend found it for me because I am hosting a Twilight Scentsy party. WOuld love your ideas for games. How'd you do the red and black decorations on the ceiling? Love it all. You need to have a Twilight party post.
Your group of friends sound great. You're a lucky friend!!
My email. amynava80@yahoo.com
Thanks again.

Anonymous said...

What character in Twighlight are you? I'm most like Esme according to the test on Facebook....HELP...Please share your amazing talentS...I am a Small Group Leader that's hosting a Girls Night out to the movie and I could use any insight, like the cool JEOPARDY GAME.
e-mail: sherry@keeneinsight.com

OLC Small Library Division said...

could you tell me which characters were reprented by the objects in your blog? Iwant to try that for my party!

email me at jfording81@verizon.net

thanks!

Kiwanisnatali said...

Hello from rainy California,
I was searching for ideas for my sisters upcoming 18th B-day party. She would like to have it themed to Twilight.
I really like your Twilight goodie bags- I was wondering if you would be able to let me know which characters went with each of those. Also if you could share your jeopardy game, I could see that going over very well the girls.
Thanks again for some amazing ideas. I look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers- Natali

The Blaisdell Family said...

Dear "Kiwanisnatali"

I'm the one who did the party bags for our Twilight Party, so I hope you don't mind me replying:) I didn't include items that just related to characters like what was stated, but more so just related to the book.

Here's the breakdown:

marble cake: Edward
Jaw breakers: for the characters strength
Eclipse Gum: because of "eclipse"
Red Nail Polish: Alice because she such a girly girl and red because she's a vampire
Vampire teeth: you get that one:)
Tennis Ball: Jacob, because they refer to him as a "dog"
Bella Perfum from Mary Kay: Bella

Hope this helps! I couldn't find anything online for party favors so I had to think of these on my own. I had to stick to a budget other wise I would have done more. Like Bandaids for Carlisle, etc...

Let me know if you have any questions. And have fun!!

Rebecca said...

hi, i am having a twilight/new moon party and i noticed that you did a twilight jeopardy. would you mind sharing your jeopardy questions? please email me at amor-y-tinta@bellsouth.net. thanks so much :) :)

The Trumans said...

Hello! I am also having a new moon party and would love to know your twilight jeopardy game info/questions anwsers. Please email me at fistfulofcoupons@live.com THanks--love all your awesome ideas!!

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