I just love a good party!

A few weekends ago, we celebrated my niece and nephew's 5th and 2nd birthdays, respectively. My sister and brother-in-law put so much love and hand-made goodness into the "Country Hoe-Down" theme, and everyone had a real boot-kickin' good time. The party was held at my house (for all my grumbles, I have to say that this house does parties well) but the details all came from my sister's heart!

This was such a happy party, full of fun and joyful details, but take a gander for yourself, why don't-cha:

Here was the scene just before the chuck-line opened. I loved the red and blue checkered fabric that my sister bought in bulk. It became tablecloths and even napkins (my mom hemmed all of these napkins!). The lunch was really so yummy as well, if you can read that menu, every single item was delicious (I made the BBQ sauce) (and yes, Lisa--we "borrowed" your corn and cilantro salad!).

The children each received a boxed lunch:

Goodie bags are an integral part of every country birthday gatherin' and these ole boys were chuck full of kiddie goodness. The desert wildflowers that decorated the whole house were gathered by my parents on the drive "down" that morning. I thought they were so pretty so I left them out for several days after this before we realized they were the source of our terrible allergies. Oh well, they were pretty.

The entrance to the house displayed some cute portraits of the birthday Lad and Lassie (photography by their adoring auntie) and some cowboy hats, in the case that you might a'forgot your own. And some bandanas 'cause country picnics can get pretty darn-tootin' warm. You might need to wipe your brow. 

Oh, hey! There's the birthday mama herself! (This is my sister and party creator extraordinaire) I'm drooling over her boots (thrift store) and her long legs (seriously, we are so genetically different. . . ) and isn't she just adorable?

I had but one job, and that was to run the photo booth. Here is a product of my labor:

Horse piñata 

"Little ones go first--no grabbing--there's enough for all y'all so nobody push--no you may not eat that right now--give some of those to the smaller kids--wow that's a big bag of goodies--DON'T LET THE DOG EAT THAT!"   Ah. . . .piñata aftermath. So classic.

But will you just look at those precious cupcake cups!

And a custom horse-shoe candy on each one.