Cullyn's 6th Birthday

Cullyn's 6th Birthday will be one I won't seen forget.  It was the year we surprised him with a 4 Wheeler and he hated it!  I mean completely refused to put the helmet on or take it for a spin. #ParentingFail  Lucky for him, he also got a metal detecter and a pair of gloves for digging, a pair of baseball gloves, and some other treasures he had been requesting. 

Cullyn was most excited for his first ever Friend Birthday Party.  We rented out the local movie theater and invited his entire class {when we ask him who his best friends are his response is 'everyone!  I like playing with everybody' Bless his heart!  So he and his favorite 20+ friends watched Wonderpark on the big screen.

Favorite Things Party + Best Chocolate Fondue Recipe Ever!

Last week a few of my favorite gals came over for a Favorite Things party.  We hung out until after midnight, which is unheard of for me!  

If you haven't been to one yet, you basically just invite a few of your favorite people and everyone brings a favorite item {we had a $10 limit}.  Once you know how many people are coming, you have everyone bring that many of their favorite thing.  For example, I brought 5 prayer journals.  Each person went home with 5 of their friends' favorite things!  Super easy and tons of fun!  

One friend was sick and one was traveling, so I'm hoping to throw another party, Happy Hour style, this summer!  If you don't get to catch up with your girls as much as you would like, this is the perfect party for you.  Adam put the kids' down at 7, and the girls came over for fondue and an evening of chatting & sipping wine in lounge wear around the living room -- my perfect night! :) 

Here's the chocolate fondue recipe -- just in time for Valentine's Day! 

My favorite things to dip are Rice Krispy bars, pretzels, marshmallows, fruit, brownie bites, vanilla waffers, graham crackers, but the options are endless!  

Here's our favorite Fondue Pot, if you don't have one yet.  {ps...perfect wedding gift!}

Jordyn's 1st Friends Birthday Party

Jordyn had her first friend birthday party this year.  Since she's in Kindergarten, we invited her dance friends, a girl from daycare, and a couple of friends from school.  We kept it pretty simple and lucked out with the best weather possible!  The kids played, painted pumpkins, and ate McDonald happy meals {per the birthday girl} followed by cupcakes.  It was a great day, but I'm pretty sure we'll go somewhere off property for the party! ;)

Walking Tacos + S'mores Bar

Our friends hosted the cutest little fall party at their house this fall!  We enjoy walking tacos followed by a s'mores bar and drinks around the firepit.  We lucked out so much finding this group of friends.  I'm finally feeling settled in Ankeny after almost 10 years!