Busy weekend

Last weekend was a busy one. I spent Friday night baking a cake for a Christmas party and then cleaning up the mess--I seem to be a messy cook. Saturday morning we got everyone dressed and went out for breakfast at Mimi's Cafe before driving to Hot Springs for a family reunion. We stopped by L's parents' place first, where the kids played with Grammy & Bobba and their cousins Luke & Katie. Although Luke and Katie are several years older than our kids, they are so sweet to play with them.

Luke and Rhett playing Pick-up-Sticks.

Lane's Dad with the "Garner Reunion" cake.

Bob & Alexee at the reunion (it was held at a BBQ restaurant in Hot Springs).
Alexee & Katie. Alexee wanted Katie to do everything with/for her--get her plate and drink, help her eat, hold her, take her to the bathroom, etc. Katie was a GREAT help!
Rhett with his cake and an empty paper towel roll that he was playing with.
There were about 40 people there. Many of them I'd never met before. Bob did a great job organizing everything, and everyone had a fun time.
Rose Mary holding Crosby. C needed a nap, but he was still really good. He only started fussing right at the very end as we were leaving.
The five of us + Bob & Rose Mary + (Lane's brother) Lance and his family:
We hurried back from Hot Springs to get ready for my Pokeeno group Christmas party. It was a couples' party and lots of fun--great food and great company! The guys ate and watched football and the girls ate and talked.

Scott and Mary had prepared so many delicious things:

This was the cake I made on Friday night. It was my first time ever to make a Red Velvet cake, and I was happy with the way it tasted. Mom gave me the idea to shred white chocolate on the top (for "snow") and Paula (Dean) gave me the idea to dip rosemary sprigs and cranberries in water then sugar for an icy look.
The group of girls (without Lianne :( she couldn't make it to the party--we missed her!)

L to R, back: Mindy, Katie, Wendy, Stacy, Cameron, Becca & Mary

L to R, front: Tracie, Nancy, Ali & me
Sunday we went to church--had a wonderful service--and then I went to a Sip & See for my friend Madelynn and her new baby boy, Clayton. I love baby showers. The hostess had her house decorated so pretty for Christmas:

I loved this floral arrangement: white hydrangeas and white tulips, evergreen sprigs and white sticks from the top. It was tied with beautiful ribbon and had blue ornaments hanging from it.

Congratulations, Madelynn!