Super Bowl Watching Party 2012

Our annual Super Bowl party is always at the Whittle's house. But this is not an official Life Group function. The Super Bowl party is a time to chillax and kick back. New friends and old friends come to hang out and we throughly enjoy ourselves. 

Jen Rosene made these delicious oreo truffels 

We had so much food! But the fondu was the biggest hit!

We did not have sitters at this event like we usually do at official Life Group meetings so the kids were on their own to roam free and wild. 

 Rats and kids make the party complete. 

Serious men watching the game.

Their silly wives talking and giggling. 

We picked Super Bowl squares blind. Then Drew and Grayson drew the numbers. 

Girls texting each other while sitting right next to each other. 

The boys hangin' out. 

The baby girls.

 I love how all the ladies in this picture are not even looking at the game. 

The big girls put on a play upstairs and at half time made us all come up to watch it. 

There is something so odd about a 50 year old cheerleader, but Madona rocked it.

Everyone stops what they are doing to watch the half-time show. We just genuinely enjoy each other's company and spending down time together. 

The final results of the squares game.

Another fun night had by all even it was unofficial. :)

Guy's Night!

The guys decided to get together for a fun night of food and well, more food.  First, fresh made guacamole and salsa appetizers.  Then Longhorn burgers and home cut potatoes slices.  Throw on some chili and homemade pork-n-beans and have your best made man meal.  Not to be outdone without dessert which was a decedent hazelnut flavored cheesecake with 50 cent whip cream on top.  Here's to guys night, the most succulent tastes of the year!!!

Thanks John for getting us together to talk about music and make some inoffensive jokes. 

 Posted by Max

Girl's Nigh Out - Casserole Exchange

Sorry, I totally forgot to take pictures on this night, but it was fun. We met over at Erin Stubbing's house. It was Mandy, Erin Stubbing, Kristy, Sulayne and Erin Cryer. I'll tell you how to do a casserole exchange incase we want to do again and we forget. :) Basically, each person makes 4 casseroles/easy to put together meals (could be sloppy joes, hearty soup, bbq chicken, etc..). Everyone brings the 4 casseroles with them to the exchange and you leave with 4 different ones. You could make 5 and keep one for yourself. They need to be in disposable tins—enough for the biggest family to eat. So in a 9x13 or 8x8. Print out recipe and instructions (whether it’s ok to freeze or not). At the exchange, each casserole is assigned a number, and you write that number down 4 times. Everyone will draw 4 numbers and take those casseroles home. This eliminates everyone picking one and leaving one so no one’s feelings are hurt—unless there are allergies.


An interesting topic we talked about though was when our kids begin to mature and change. Our Life Group watched the Mary Flow video addressing the issues of how important it is to not make the topic of sex taboo or body changes shameful. Talk about it openly and honestly. Some good books that were suggested are the American Girl books, Ready, Set, Grow!: A What's Happening to My Body? Book for Young Girls by Lynda Madaras and Linda Davick, The Care and Keeping of You by Valorie Schaefer, The Care and Keeping Collection (American Girl) by Dr. Lynda Madison, Is This Normal?:Girls Questions, Answered by the Editors of the Care and Keeping of Your (American Girl).


It was a fun and enlightening discussion and it's nice to not be alone while we figure out how to help our kids as they grow and change into the tweens and teens God wants them to be. We are able to help each other as our role as parents shift and change from less of a nurturer to more of a guider and helper.