Cornhole Tournament

The DeMartinis wanted to have an adults-only activity and Mikayla suggested that, in addition to having dinner together, we have a cornhole tournament. That sounded super fun. After grabbing dinner at Zupa's and eating at Mom's house, we went outside to play cornhole. We played as couples with Blake and Bryan as a team. Mikayla had set up a bracket and winning teams moved on to play again. Although I haven't played cornhole before, Kent and I won. We are the Cornhole Champions! It was super fun to be together without the distraction of our children, who we love, but who demand a lot of attention.

Winners!

Adult Only Date Night

This evening, Kent and I went out with my mom and siblings for an adult-only date night. We have a good time together, and without the children demanding attention, we are really able to enjoy each other. Today we met at Black Sheep Café (not Kent’s favorite) and then went to Heber’s Hatchets to throw sharp implements at large pieces of wood. I thought dinner was good but throwing hatchets even better. There is something deeply satisfying about vigorously hurling a small axe at anything at all. We laughed as we played a couple of games and congratulated Sharae on being The Tall Hog at the Trough. We each got to throw the hatchet five times, and whoever had the highest score was named "Tall Hog." Sharae got the most points, even through two rounds. It was an unusual activity which we really enjoyed. I think the kids would like it, too. I may bring them to throw axes too.

Murder Mystery Dinner

Mikayla wanted to have an adult-only Murder Mystery Dinner for her birthday, but we only got around to doing it this evening. We were each given a character description and had to come costumed and in character. I was Simone Quatella, a famous chef and Kent was Louis Armsweak, a jazz musician. His description was "Louis is a top performer on Bourbon Street. He is never seen without a brass instrument (Kent brought Brandt's trombone), his bowtie, and the large handkerchief in his shirt pocket." My description was "Quite the expert in French cuisine, Simone proudly dons her chef hat and apron, to let everyone know of her accomplished skills. She always carries a little tea towel on her arm." 

We put together a delicious meal with a charcuterie board, tri-tip, salad, asparagus, and chocolate pavlova for dessert. We introduced ourselves, had a course, read some more of the mystery and formed ideas, had our main course, read some more, had dessert, and revealed the murderer. 

So whodunit?

It was me. I was angry with the victim who had not given me money I felt I deserved. I feigned innocence, blamed others, tried not to look guilty. In the end, I couldn’t convince anyone (including myself) I wasn’t the murderer. It was great fun, silly dressing up, nice to be together, good to talk.

Simone Quatella and Louis Armsweak

Mia Cheri (exotic dancer), Rufus Reme (plumber), Dooley "The Dealer" Slicke (gambler),

Selma Page (reporter), Alligator Dundee (swamp hunter), Louis Armsweak,

Mama Carriba (fortune-teller), Simone Quatella, Grace Fulle (debutante), and Beau Monde (playboy)

Adult Christmas Dinner

This evening we gathered at my mom's house for our adults-only Christmas dinner. I love to gather with our siblings to eat and talk and laugh without the concern or interruption of little people. Not that I don't love the little people, because I do. But it's nice to have time without them to strengthen our relationships. We ate crown rib roast, Yorkshire pudding, mashed potatoes, salad, rolls, and chocolate raspberry Pavlova for dessert. It was lovely to be together.

I took no pictures. I don't think anyone else did either.

Adults Only Dinner Party

This evening, Kent and I had dinner with all my siblings and mom. It was especially fantastic tonight because ALL my siblings were there. Bryan came because Melissa is out of town, working in her capacity as a traveling nurse.  It's been a really long time since all of us were together, all at the same time, and it made us all happy.  We ate delicious food, we laughed and laughed, and we didn't worry about the children at all. It was so wonderful to have us all together. It's been far too long.

I was in charge of dessert.

It being Christmas, I made a gingerbread cake which we ate with caramel sauce and whipped cream.

Both delicious and beautiful!

Quadruple Date

Tonight, Kent and I went out with Eugene and Sharae, Christopher and Tysen, and Mikayla and Guy.  We went to Top Golf, a driving range where you can play different games as a group.  Christopher described it as "like bowling, but with golf."  We really just wanted to be together in an adults-only situation because almost every time we are doing a family something, the children are there demanding attention and needing.  So tonight it was just adults, and it was really a good time.  The golfing was fun, but almost beside the point.  We ordered food, talked, watched Olympics, laughed, and just had a splendid moment together.  I hope we do it again soon.