The Storm Before the Storm

Hi kids.

Abby (back right) and the MHS Varsity Pom Team hanging out in some pool. 

We're leaving for Florida in less than a week, and had originally entered into this sole, remaining weekend with some hope that it would be kinda chill and that we'd be having some semblance of downtime available so that we could start getting our affairs in order. Friday certainly wasn't - Kris and I knocked out errands, chores and appointments all day, then the family crashed in the basement and watched a movie at the end of the night. Saturday, as it turned out, would be even busier: a Midland High Varsity Pom 'Team Bonding' get-together over at some random girl's house (I had to run Abby all the way up north of Auburn for that one), Alayna's 17th Birthday (Observed) Party/Sleepover, and two high school Open Houses from the Tribe (Drew and El.)

We hit the ground running at 11am and didn't stop until past midnight.

Here's a look at yet another insane Saturday for the Houghs - enjoy. . .

Kids start to roll in for Alayna's Birthday Party, which kicked off around like 3pm. We'd end up having like six girls stay the night in the basement.

Our first open house of the day started at 4pm, up at Midland City Forest in the chalet (which I didn't know you could rent out.)

Abby came with us to the two open houses this afternoon/evening while Alayna stayed behind at the house to receive guests for her party.

Kris and I have been taking notes on different folks' open houses this season (decor, food served, drinks offered, etc.) - we have Alayna's to plan out next summer and don't want to screw it up.

Because we had a couple different things going on today, our plan was to show up to El's open house right when it started. Unfortunately this meant that we were the first in our tribe to arrive, and the only other people there were Amy's and Brad's sides of the family (made all the more awkward because they divorced two years ago.) So we sat out on the deck to get some sun and wait for other folks to arrive.

The Johnsons rolled in just as food - pulled pork, of course - was being served.

Then came the Colliers (minus Ryan, who was out in Auburn shooting another wedding today.)

Ella, Abby, and Isla (who Abby used to be close friends with back in like 5th and 6th grade.)

Brad came out on the back deck and joined us after a bit and showed us the 'secret' cooler where there was beer instead of just pop. I wasn't aware that PBR had a 'light' version.

Kris, Courtney and Mees were cluckin' up a storm so it took us forever to get out of there. Kris snapped this of Erik and I not-so-patiently waiting for the wives to come out to the cars so we could move on to the next open house. 

Nor surprisingly, Abby opted to ride with the Johnsons.

(Glad this was documented on two, different phones.)

Next up: Drew's Open House, over at the Bos residence.

Mitch, manning the grill as usual.

Turnout for this one was much, much lighter than the Barden's one - we've had friend get-togethers (not even parties) with more people - but the amenities (food and drinks, pool, etc.) was better.

Colliers rolled in right after we did. Time for a second dinner.

Erik checks out Drew's photo boards.

We hung out at the Bos residence for, like, and hour or so before heading home to do the usual cake-and-ice cream thing with Alayna and her assembled posse.

She had requested a 'Hear Me Out' cake for her 17th Birthday. This concept, which originated on social media last year, is essentially people (or things) you find attractive that are outside what would be 'conventional' for you. Alayna had stuff like Luigi Mangione, the quadratic formula, and cartoon characters on there. Cristina and Maddie helped her cut out the pics of all these people and tape them onto kabob skewers to place in her cake.

Abby, Ella, Amelia and Lexi broke out Just Dance 4 on the Wii U. Just like the kids were doing at a birthday party almost a decade ago.

Once again, time to sing Happy Birthday. . .

Alayna and her requested Hear Me Out (Cheese) Cake.

She wanted seventeen candles on her cake, but we shot that down that real quick. Zero chance we were risking that much fire directly below all that wood and paper.

Left to Right: Rita, Cristina, Alayna, Maddie, Lexi, Ella, and Abby.

While I got all the ice cream, cupcakes, and cheese cake on plates, Kris managed to get some pics of the girls dancing in the living room. The Cannonball was not amused.

With kids fed, the birthday song sung (sang?), and all the food put away, Kris and I said bye to the girls and headed back over to the Bos'.

Mitch was still grilling up burgers and dogs on request, but most folks were already full by that point.

The Pro.

Kris and Erik (probably talking about Disney), with a bunch of Drew's high school buddies milling about in the background.

The Real Housewives of Midland. Courtney, Kelli, Lori, Mees, and Nagatha Cristie.

Ryan showed up later in the evening, once he had finished shooting his wedding. By that point everything was pretty much wound down - just Houghs, Johnsons, Picvits, and Colliers over at the Bos place.

MHS-themed cupcakes from Gourmet Cupcakes (some place in town everyone raves about.)

(I couldn't resist.)

Not sure if these anti-mosquito lanterns actually work or not, but they look pretty cool. Like something out of Star Wars.

Meanwhile, back at home, Alayna nabbed a selfie with the Johnson kid down in our basement.

Mitch, holding court in the BBB (Bos Backyard Bar.)

At the end of the night, sitting around and having a few last drinks before throwing in the towel.

There you go, gang - one, last Saturday of summer chaos before we set off down to Disney. Next time we check in, it'll be from hot-as-hell Orlando, Florida. . . 

- Brian 

Murder at the Disco

Welcome back, party people.

Our friends, the Larsons, hosted a ton of people over at their house last night for Danielle's 40th Birthday. This was, without a doubt, probably the most elaborate party this friend group of ours has ever had, and that's saying a lot considering all the Christmas, Halloween, and St. Patrick's Day parties we've had over the years.  Probably sixty people (and no kids), tons of decor, lighting, elaborate costumes, a fully-catered dinner, an open bar (including a 70s bar with a fully-functional turntable - more to come on that later), and - to top it all off - a disco-themed Murder Mystery game.

I do not wanna know how much they dropped on this party, but holy shit was it fun.

I'll let the pics and video do the rest of the telling - check it out. . . 

I was assigned the role of Fullavit Muggeridge, a British classical music critic working for the BBC.  The only stipulations for my character's wardrobe was that I had to wear a tie, since my character despises disco. . . so, you know, it was a pretty fitting character for Yours Truly.  I managed to find this old 70s suit at a local Goodwill, and it was in spotless condition and fit like a glove.  The Rx-free glasses I bought off Amazon, while the tie and bellbottoms I had from college.  The wig I recycled from my old '80s mullet one I used for our '80s Halloween Party a couple years ago, I just tied it back in a ponytail

Kris got this velour suit from Danielle - some clothing rental company where you can pay $30 and rent a high-end outfit, then return it when you're done.

Morgan and Danielle, the Birthday Girl.

Erik and Courtney

Some of the complimentary booze they had on hand for disco-themed cocktails.

Mitch volunteered to serve as the party bartender for the evening, a role he truly relishes.

Wasn't about to wear lapels without donning a Masonic pin. . .

Ryan and Mees.  These two were characters as well - he's a pilot and she's a stewardess (or 'flight attendant,' if you wanna be woke about it.)

A couple of the Larsons' neighbors, who were characters as well.

Yes, they framed the menus.  They got super fancy with just about everything you could think of.

Mitch and Steve

More of the Larsons' neighbors.

Alicia and Steve

Kris and I pose for yet another pic.  I offered my photography skills for the evening, and set up a tripod and flash in front of a giant disco-themed backdrop they had spread out over their living room.

Lonnie Big Balls and Stefanie.

Mitch and his creepy, porn-star mustachio.

Danielle's sister and her husband.

More of Danielle and Morgan's neighbors.  These two actually live in my buddy Rob Chritz's old house on Rapanos.

One of the Larsons' neighbors brought a keg of home-brewed craft beer over and set up a kegorator in the Larson's garage.

The Real Housewives of Midland (only one missing is Deanna, who had to work.)

Danielle's mom and step-dad.

Susan and Tom

Mitch and Kelli

The Dads

Brad and Amy

These three wanted a picture because they all showed up in more or less the same shirt.

Holding court at the bar (which, within days, would take up residency in the Hough basement. . . but more to come on that later.)

The game begins.  Folks had scripts and tasks they had to do (tell so-and-so this fact, try and convince so-and-so to do this, etc. etc.)

Omkar and Mitch

Characters try to determine who the killer is.

Ryan and Tom

The Larsons' recently-renovated kitchen (Morgan did the entire thing himself, believe it or not.)

Even though I was a chief character, Kris ended up doing most of my parts because I was handling camera duty.  Wives are good like that.

Selfies.

And the killer is. . . Tom.

Time for the birthday cake.

It's a miracle this chick didn't catch on fire.

Gourmet cakes for everyone.

Feasting on sugar

Tom enters his trademark 'platinum' phase.

Hens, clucking.

Omkar and Tom

This bar for sure came in handy.

Kris gets an earful.

Ryan isn't too sure about Erik's blaxploitation get-up.

Kris and Kelli

Kris, Stefanie and Courtney

Danielle's sister, mom and brother

Tom gets handsy when he drinks too much.

No one wants to hang out with Omkar

More gay vibes on the dance floor.

Danielle and Kris

Mitch, taking a break from bartending, and Lonnie

Amy and Erik

Total chaos.

Courtney, Mees and Kris

Ryan grabbed my SLR at one point and had me pose a bunch of weird pictures so that I was in some of the evening's pictures.  So, um, here's me pouring. . . something.

Going through cabinets.

Hugging Danielle's sister (who I don't know at all - pretty sure this creeped her right out.)

And now Danielle.

My marriage summed up in one picture. . .

Mitch gets a talking-to from the neighborhood drunk.

- Brian