10yr Anniversary Bash!!

 Man, I loved this party. Craig has been talking about having a 10 yr Anniversary party for at least the last 5 years. Even though I love to party and throw parties more than almost anyone, I was a little nervous to get on board. Mostly, because i knew it meant a LOT of work for me and I didn't want to do it unless I could do it right. Craig just wanted tacos, donuts and dancing. I wanted a memorable party. Both of us really wanted something that would be really fun for our friends.

We realize that throwing ourselves a party is a little narcissistic and celebrating 10 years of a marriage that is going to last for eternity also seemed small in a way. BUT, before AND during our first 10 years of marriage we have built amazing friendships with people who have been there and will be there for us. My favorite Winston Churchill quote says that you shape your home and then your home shapes you (ok, he acutally says building, but i like it with home). I feel that this also applies to making friends and building friendships. You "make" friends and then through their support, lessons, wisdom, and friendship, they help make you into the best version of yourself. So this party was to celebrate all of you that are our friends. Including, EVERY SINGLE person that couldn't make it. You were missed. You are still a huge part of our life. We didn't ever except anyone to travel here for us. We love you for considering it.

To those that came...it was epic. For us anyway! so thanks for being there and dancing your socks off!!

 We emailed out the save-the-dates 2 months before and then mailed the invites a month before.

{we had at least 60 of our 98 guest text us to ask what "party attire" entailed. Ha!!}

 pre-party prep. Brittany did me up right. She is amazing. As I rushed her, she would remind me that I would have more pictures taken that night, then the next 3 months combined. She even stole me out of the party for a few minutes mid-party to give me a "second look". :) Love that girl.

 I rented the farm tables, chairs and black and white murals from Pow Wow Designs down the street from the hanger. I loved it all. (but kinda wished I'd splurged for delivery!) good thing my minivan is good for something. The boys and I went to the farmers market at 7am the day of the party. I bought armfuls of flowers. Mostly bouquets that my mom, Parmley,
Emily and I chopped of and put in 12 big short vases (with some arranging in there.)

A few weeks before the party I dyed some strips of sheets to hang on the sides of the hanger doors to kinds look like curtains. We gave out sparklers as the party favors. Most of our guest had kids and I figured it'd be fun to take home something for their kiddos. My dad got them for me in Phx and Bekah and crew wrapped them up in a sheet of parchment paper tied with dyed string. 

Let's talk about this awesome hanger for a minute. Obviously, it made the party. Our friend Dee has a few hanger at this small airport where he restores planes. He was SO nice to agree to this crazy party in his work shop. 

 Trevor Davies, craig's cousin took pictures for us and I love how he captured all of the details (and dancing!)

I set up this little lounge area for hanging out and seating overflow. Most of the furniture came out of Heidi's living room ;)

 I sewed 90! napkins out of my hoarded ikea fabric (chloe and Brit helped me out!)

 I love all of our family pics. Jon Moe took them for us before the party. (AND he picked up 15 dozen donuts from Peterson's donut corner for us before the party!) lifesaver!!

We had a sitter meet us as the party and whisk our kids off about 15 minutes into the party. At the last second, I grabbed parker and had him stay. He danced the night away and had the time of his life.

this picture kills me. CHEESE!!!

 It meant so much to us to have our parents there. They made the day so much better- Mitt and Ann hosted us and all of our out of town guests and friends all that day at the beach house- fed us lunch and took care of everyone while we swam and swam in the ocean, played sand volleyball, and hung out on the beach. My dad single handily did all drinks at the party. He made all those lemonades and picked up tons of ice before the party and then refilled the water all night long. It ended up being a super warm night and people danced liked crazy- both of which we didn't anticipate and both of which made us go through ice water so fast. my mom arranged and packaged the centerpieces and got all my kids to the party- not an easy feat. they also stayed way too late helping us clean up and load after the party.
We are so lucky to have such great parents.

We had dinner catered by San Diego Taco Company. They did an awesome job. All I know is John B. ate 14 tacos!

 We danced to "love of my Life" by the everly brothers. one of two slow songs the whole night.

 Laurie made us a donut cake that we cut into at some point in the night.

we had parker help pass out these fun feather masks halfway through the dancing

 we danced to the same song we did at our wedding. "the way you look tonight"

The runners on the table was this thick, black tar paper I got from home depot. We put little cups of chalk out on the table for doodles and we end up with some sweet love notes.

Thanks to everyone that helped and to everyone that came. And thanks Craig for being the love of my life. I got to have the party of my dreams with the boy of my dreams.