2nd Annual Ritchey Holiday Party

Well, better late then never, right?!?! The party on Saturday was another great success! 40 people in attendance and an absolute blast. I've spent the last month preparing for this party... losing sleep trying to come up with new ideas and items for the scavenger hunt list. Well, all the lost sleep and stress was more than worth it. There's nothing I love more than a house full of the people I love most.

I spent all day last Friday baking and decorating the house. My mom came over bright and early and helped me bake 6 batches of cookies (which is supposed to yield 324 cookies... but I have a feeling the number was closer to 300 after all the batter that was consumed. Barf.) and set up the tables and iron all the tablecloths. I couldn't have done it without her.

And talk about MULTI-TASKING... I was up to my elbows in cookie batter, rolling balls of batter and dipping them in sugar, all the while the phone pressed between my cheek and shoulder and I managed to put a deal together! I had to quick wash my hands, throw on a dress and rush out the door to get some signatures! I put the dogs in the garage (so they wouldn't eat all the cookies) and left my kitchen just as it was! It was a profitable, fattening day!

I put the cookies in these adorable red, glitter chinese-to-go-looking containers as party favors for guests.

They looked beautiful under the tree.

Like our "star" on the tree?

The entire playroom was disassembled and stored in the guest bedroom. We were able to set up tables and chairs.

And our wonderful Stephanie came back, once again, to bartend our party. She's SO much more than a bartender... we couldn't have pulled this party off without her. She's incredible! There's nothing this girl can't do!! And how adorable is she?

I LOVE THIS GROUP PHOTO!

AND I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE ALL THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE IN IT!!

Need I explain?

After the group photo, I stood on a table and gave instructions on the evenings events. There were four teams of five couples. Each team had to solve a list of "Hink Pinks" (word games) and as soon as they solved all the clues, they could leave for the scavenger hunt. The incentive was to solve the hink pinks as quickly as possible so that you have more time to get all of the items on the scavenger hunt list. And boy did it get competitive!!

The host and hostess with our answer sheets waiting for the teams to finish so we could "grade" their papers!

While the teams were on the scavenger hunt, roaming the neighborhood knocking on strangers doors and collecting random items, and singing/dancing random things like "All the Single Ladies", John, Stephanie, Jen and I stayed back and prepared the house for Round #2!! The elves were hard at work setting out the dinner buffet and printing the group photos and putting them in frames for party favors (THANK YOU JEN!! xoxo). The presents under the tree looked so pretty!!

I can't stop thinking of how blessed I am to be able to fill our wee little home full of such wonderful people. Honestly, how did I become so fortunate to be surrounded by such amazing people? I love you all so much and feel blessed to have each and every one of you in my life.

I love the holidays. Makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.

We have A LOT to be thankful for this season. One of the many things I'm thankful for stands not even 3 feet high and is becoming his own little person... with his own little personality, likes/dislikes, and such a fun spirit. He brings us more joy than we ever thought imaginable.

Another one of the many things I'm thankful for "stands" not even 3 inches high and has created a warm shelter in my belly for the next several months.

Oh how I can't wait to meet this little one.

SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR.