Welcome to the Luau~ JenBob Style!

Okay - how to explain how much fun we had this weekend? Where to even begin? Bob and I decided that we wanted to have a special party for our family and our closest friends - something to celebrate the end of the summer, and the beginning of our favorite time of the year - FOOTBALL season and the fall. We also wanted to share our new home with our loved ones, and give Larry and Darin (Bob's brothers who live in our basement) a special night they would always remember. And what better way to accomplish this than to throw a party - Hawaiian style!!

And so after weeks of preparation, catering real Hawaiian food from L&L Hawaiian BBQ, renting tables and chairs and decorations from various party stores, and spending almost 12 hours cleaning up the yard, trimming trees, and putting everything together, the day of our luau finally arrived - last Saturday evening. We had a pretty good turn out, even though not all of our family members were able to make it. I was so happy to look around my yard and to see the faces of all my family who did come. And my friends whom I have always considered to be part of my family. The kids ran around and played with the toys in the gift bags that my husband had put together for them. The food was delicious. We lit bamboo torches which were spread all around us to make the atmosphere more "Hawaiiany" (even though I have a major fear of fires, especially around so many trees and dry grass. We only had one minor incident when a torch fell over, but Shannon was able to put it out quickly with water, thank goodness. I'd hate to loose my new house so soon LOL~ ) But anyway, the whole thing was just so much fun, and so wonderful to see and spend time with my loved ones all evening long. Everyone received a lei as they entered our backyard, and I gave them all a hug and kiss. ;-) Larry made papaya ice cream slushies for desert, and also cookies to share. I wanted the party to last forever - it was fun to chill, relax and laugh alot. Thank goodness my mom had her camera with her, and was able to catch lots of moments that I would have missed otherwise. Thanks mommy!! ;-)

But the best part of the evening was a special guest star that arrived to sing and perform for us while we finished eating. It was Hawaiian Elvis himself!! He sang to us and played the guitar and entertained the children. Wow, he was amazing. (I always knew that Elvis was still alive LOL~) I took many vidoes of him which I will share more in future entries, but the one I wanted to share tonight was Elvis singing to my mother. It was pretty hilarious! ;-) Please excuse the loud, obnoxious laughter that you hear - the camera lady was tickled too pink. You may want to turn your volume down, ha ha! But Elvis was awesome and he was worth every penny! The kids were dancing with him, and being his "band." It was too cute!

More to come later! I'm exhausted now and need to get some sleep. We have so much left over food to store, and so much party mess to clean up. But I LOVE cleaning, so it's not a big deal. ( I know, I'm a weird soul) It was all completely worth it, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. In fact, Bob and I are thinking that this will become a tradition for the JenBob - a party that we will throw once a year. Next year - a Mexican fiesta!! ;-)

Happy Happy Joy Joy!!!