Friday, November 30, 2012

Family Night: Harvest Party!

Technically this was not a Family Night activity at our house - but I think it would make a great Family Night so I am sharing it here! There is so much variety you can do with a Harvest Party! It can be just you and your own children bobbing for apples and doing a sack race, or it could be with close friends and larger scale.

I know I have shared about how much we love being part of Classical Conversations {frequently referred to around here as CC!} and as we entered our third year, God provided an opportunity for me to start a group closer to home. Thus, we are in a new group this year, I am finding my way in a new experience and it has really and truly been blessed of God and such a blessing to us! We have made sweet new friends and have found a beautiful community that God orchestrated.

As I was working on the calendar for the year, I realized we would be gone all of December and wanted to figure out a way to do a party in lieu of a Christmas party. It seemed a natural choice to continue the Harvest party tradition and let that be our big seasonal party! One sweet mom in our group gifted me with taking the planning over and what a blessing to have her show up and set it all up - wow, the gift of beauty in such sweet form.

Here are a few favorite scenes from our fun {and wonderfully chilly!} morning together. Photos are a mix of beautifully edited pix from my sweet and talented friend Jen and mine are {as usual} straight-outta-the-camera:

















 




We are definitely grateful for these dear friends and what a joy filled my heart at having them all in our little place where we do life daily. And, I think it is safe to say as we move into celebrating Christmas that we have enjoyed this Fall to the FULL! So thankful and so blessed.

12 comments:

Sally said...

What a wonderful time you all had! Your children -- all the children -- are precious! And that last shot of reading just brings such a smile to my face! And did I spy a Clemson shirt? My DH got his PhD at Clemson a few short years ago -- move to another state and I still can't get away from the orange! hahaha! (just joking!! I end up seeing every Sunday, as my preacher is a big Clemson fan and usually sports the tiger paw in some way)

I hope you all have a wonderful December!

Leanne said...

how fun!! I love seeing all the pictures of you, too! I love the idea of doing a Harvest Party instead of a Christmas Party! so much less stress!

Monica Wilkinson said...

Thanks, Leanne! I'm thinking we may have to repeat this next year even if we are here for December :)

Sally: David and his brother both went to Clemson, this shirt was recently handed down to us - so orange has appeared! :)

It makes me smile again to remember this special morning!

~katie~ said...

How fun, Monica! Love all the smiles! (I seem to remember Melissa telling me about these fun donut races?!) Our new CHEER group is having a Harvest Party today in just hours! =)

Your party looked like it was a blessing to all and that it glorified God in every aspect ~ two goals of our event!

Blessings on your weekend~
Katie

Marie said...

Looked like your part was a success--great idea. Thanks for sharing the pictures. I wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season.
Love,
Marie

Michele said...

My favorite photo is the last one with Emily reading to the other kids. Precious!

*carrie* said...

So glad you all had such a wonderful time and that the tradition continued. Hooray for teamwork!

Wendi said...

Fun! I love the idea of a harvest party instead of a Christmas one. The calendar is always overflowing in December.

The picture of Rachel in the wagon is wonderful!

Leanne said...

did you make the burlap wreath? I LOVE it!!!

angie said...

Wonderful pictures of your time together with CC friends. I'm glad the weather was fitting for a harvest party.
I'm assuming the votive candles were a favor for the moms. What a great idea--we love party favors as much as the kids!
Looks like you've built a team for continuing the harvest party tradition, including Emily as guest reader.

Monica Wilkinson said...

Leanne: Thanks! Yes, the burlap wreath was the Mom-craft at our party! My sweet friend had found the idea and cut all those strips of burlap so that each mom could make one! It is soooo simple. Tie strips of burlap around an embroidery hoop = cute + done!

Katy said...

Oh my!! Looks like such a fantastic time! :) LOVE your creativity (and energy to accomplish it all!). :)

Warmly,
Katy