Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Channeling My Inner Monica. (Gellar, duh.)

Token Ashley-with-a-baby photo.

I know I've mentioned it before - but I have a big, happy family that enjoys some sickeningly sweet relationships and lots of get-togethers. Nearly every weekend - it's someone's birthday, graduation, baptism, first communion, or just a Sunday lunch together.

And? I love it. I love being around those who are a part of the fabric of my life - those who formed me and helped raise me. I love being around the little ones running around, seeing glimpses of my future and my past all at once. I could go on and on about how much my family means to me - and wax poetic of the magic I feel when my friends meet my family (it's like a melding! of so many things I love! Little Sibs weekend in college? I lived for that, man.)

And this weekend, we had our very first family gathering at our OWN place.

This, my friends, is a big deal.

Sure, we've had friends over to dinner before - but to have 12 people come to our house?!

I wanted to share with you a few things I learned from "hosting" my first grown up family gathering (Which: ohmygoshIamtotallynotagrownupahhh!):

. 4 sets of dishes, silverware, and glasses might be okay for just my husband and me - but it's time to lug out the box labeled "Extra dishes!" when the family comes over.

. Procrastination is inevitable and my sister and I are capable of amazing things:


. Little boys want to run around. And that's all the need to make them happy.

. If you put up a blockade to keep little boys out, they'll be more inclined to knock it down.

. My grandma is the sweetest, kindest, most selfless woman ever.
She came early and helped us get ready. Then she cleaned ALL THE DISHES. She's a saint.

. Making roasted potatoes, apple dumplings, green bean casserole and tiramisu for 12 people seriously depletes the pantry. It would have taken us months to finish off the sugar, flour, green beans, and apples.

. Taking pictures of four little boys under the age of 3? Insanely difficult.
. I need more seats. And more tables. Maybe folding chairs? A folding table? Some kid plates and utensils? Whatever, the coffee table made a fine seating place.

. My little brother - the one known for hating children and babies - is starting to treat his cousins like a...dare I say...big brother...

. Our next door neighbor isn't as cruel as he seems - he invited the little boys over to play football (which the almost 3-year-old tried to toss in the basketball hoop. What a cutie.)

. I'm so glad we live near these people again...

. Because at the risk of sounding totally cheesy - family is amazing and wonderful.Okay, okay. Enough with the pictures already, lady!

17 comments:

  1. Very cute post... that seemed like an awesome time with your family!

    My grandma is the same way... always doing the dishes when she's the guest. I don't think I'll be that nice when I'm the grandma, haha.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Haha how utterly adorable! LOVELY post!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Aghh - why are grandma's like that! They always like doing all the work, I say NO! hehe. I'm so scared to have a ton of people over to our house, good job!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Awe, miss Ashley.

    I ADORE the pictures.

    Super glad the first gathering at your place went so well.

    You're a gem.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Such cute pictures! Your family looks like you have so much fun together. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. congratulations on your big get together!!!

    i feel sad for people that don't get to experience family get togethers like you and i do.

    you family looks wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow how fun! I wish our place was big enough to fit more than just us inside. There is no way we could host that many people! I love all the pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh my gosh those little kids are adorable! I can only imagine how difficult it is to sit them down for a picture or keep them still. The first picture, the kid has some boogies in his nose though.

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a fun gathering! This was such a sweet post -- Yay for family! That's so neat you have such a big fam! I want pictures of all that delish food you cooked up! You are the best little cook! Oh, and your earrings are so cute btw.

    haha -- I like what mrs. priss said -- "I don't think i'll be that nice when I'm the grandma." For realsies!

    Glad you had such a wonderful time with your family!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm really big on family. They are one of the most important things in my life. So, this post really touched me to see others that I look up to loving their family just as much. The picture with the caption about how hard it is to capture 3 year old boys ... it made me giggle out loud.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great post! I love the pics! You have a like a sitcom family or something!

    ReplyDelete
  12. ah! such a cute post! i totally want to come hang out with your family now... we dont have a single baby in our family! my 23 year old sister is the youngest! can you believe that?
    btw- you are going to be the cutest mom ever. seriously.

    ReplyDelete
  13. what a sweet post. It looks like you are blessed with a pretty amazing family. Congrats on being a real grown up :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. such a nice post!! and those babies are too darn cute!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh my goodness, so cute! I think I have to master Thanksgiving dinner on my own before I could attempt the feat that you pulled off here – it looks like you had an amazing time =)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I seriously love Grandma's, they are the best!

    ReplyDelete
  17. How fun! I do not have a family anywhere near as big as yours, but it looks like y'all had a great time! And I love the lessons learned!

    ReplyDelete

C'mon, leave a comment. They're the best part!