White elephant party

Last year, my cousin Steph and her husband Lance threw an AWESOME white elephant party. We really enjoyed it, but definitely noticed that we were the only young married couple there - we didn't know pretty much anyone but Lance and Steph.

So this year, we decide to launch the "slightly younger" version of their kick-butt party and invited a bunch of marrieds-with-no-kids from our ward and some of our old favs from the Capital Ward. It was a great turn out - somewhere around 35, I think. There was a ridiculous amount of amazing food - I think Kelsey should get a special mention for her basil, tomato, mozzarella skewers and Erin for her pumpkin cream cheese roll that was gone like *that*. Sadly, I did not take photos of all the incredible food. Bad, I know. Especially because I tried two new recipes that were sooooo good. Don't worry, I'm making them again soon and I'll be sure to take photos then. But I found great recipes for pastry wrapped frankfurters and spinach and artichoke dip. Mmmm, mmm.

While I was slightly worried some people might forget to bring gifts, this didn't prove to be the case. What can I say, we have awesome friends! And the gifts ranged all over the place. We had some really nice ones like Target gift cards, bath and body works gift baskets, silicon baking cups (which Hans and I fought hard to win!) and some really hilarious ones like an ugly Christmas ornament, monkey slippers, a belly dancing kit, and a pineapple. The other gift Hans and I obtained should probably not be mentioned here.... sadly, no one wanted to steal this from me.

Thanks to everyone for coming and for making it such a great night!

Marshmallow shooter?!

Target gift card that she ended up losing. Don't worry, she got back the Banana Grams... that she brought...

Oh, it's a pineapple, all right. And a knife!

Andrew didn't get to keep his marshmallow shooter. The McFarlands took that home to use on their kids.

Mandy originally opened the awesome monkey slippers, but they were stolen several times before she finally stole them back for good.

Strangely enough, several people managed to grow impressive mustaches AT the party! Something in the water, I guess. Tim's particularly creepy, I find.