Kiss Me, I'm Irish

When I was a wee lass 

(see I really am Irish)

I remember going camping somewhere with my family.

This was a very pivotal time in my life as I was trying to decide what my favorite color was.

As we were driving through the woods I remember seeing all the green.

Green bushes, grass, leaves.

It was everywhere 

and I loved it.

I even tried to convince Heather that her favorite color was green too.

And she believed me...for a while. :)

I have loved green since.

So its only appropriate that I LOVE St. Patrick's Day.

My mom always made it a big deal,

I mean it helps that we have Irish blood in us.

She would dye the milk green, the butter, sour cream.

We would buy green shirts the night before to wear to school

and we bought a new one every year.

We had a party each year.

I always wore a "Kiss Me, I'm Irish" tattoo to school.

(Although, on a side note, no one ever did kiss me...)

I love this holiday.

Have I emphasized that enough yet?

This year, however, I was hundred of miles away from my mom.

And so Jarom suggested that we throw a St. Patrick's Day party.

My very first, big girl party.

So we threw a party together for Jare's family.

My brother and sister in law and niece were here from Utah

and so we had the party while they were here. 

We decorated the apartment with all of the lovely decorations that my mother supplied.

(Thanks mum)

We did a potato bar with green sour cream, green butter, broccoli, and other toppings.

I made green clover jiggler's (jello).

My mother in law made sugar cookies.

We had a ham and a salad.

We also each had our own Leprechaun names. 

And my sister in law and mother in law brought a bunch of stuff for us to wear. 

It was the first time all of Jarom's side of the family has been together since our wedding.

And it was so much fun.

Jarom was so wonderful in helping me clean and get everything ready.

I really did marry such a good guy.

It was so fun to have all of our nieces and nephews together.

Little Tyson is such a hoot. This little guy has got so much personality.

Green plates too. Green everything as much as possible

After dinner we did a little sugar cookie decorating.

My mother in law made little rainbow and clover shaped ones.

Caleb is in the highway patrol and had to get to work but was able to stop by for a little bit.

We were all super happy about that. 

Lou loved our little balcony and pretty much stayed out there all night. 

We also put out chocolate coins all over the place for the nieces and nephews to find.

They loved it!

Mum looking all Irish in her hat. 

Wade and Dad

Beck, Jessee, and Lou bug

Budrikins got hit with the swing a couple hours earlier and was bleeding all over the place.

It was a little bit of a rough night for the Hardwick family.

But we were grateful to have them regardless.

Beck is super good at this decorating cookies thing. 

Jare and Lou

She lives in Utah so we love when she comes to visit.

Reagan and Grandma

Reagan with a pile of frosting.

The only right way to eat a cookie. 

And Lou trying to catch the balloon.

I have been so blessed with my in laws.

They have been so good to me and I am grateful to have them so close.

Throwing our first St. Patrick's Day party was a great success.

We may or may not throw another one next year.