If I could sum up in one word the first installment of Supper Club for the new year I’d say…”FUN”. We hosted the the January edition of the supper club on Saturday and everyone seemed to have a blast. The meal included a veggie platter from Bobby Jo, Chili, Potato + Ham Soup and bread by Sue, corn bread from Elisa and brownie ice cream sandwiches from Annette. Needless to say it was an extremely tasty and filling feast.

The kids all ganged together and played with various toys and games. At on point the games and toys became second hat to a new game called “Pile on Nathaniel”.(see pic) Thankfully no one was majorly hurt but there may have been some bumps and bruises.

Kids attempting to pile on Nathan.

Kids taking a break after a crazy time downstairs.

There were some highs and lows today. The lows were when Tom and I went to the “1st Annual Chris Doherty Ping Pong Tournament”. Naturally we expected some level of disorganization and we were not disappointed. They announced that 150 participants had signed up for the tournament and obviously they were a little shocked by the turn out. The tournament began and there were games being played by each age bracket including the “Open”. We signed up in the Open bracket and after watching other players in the bracket we realized with went in a bit over our heads. Those players were very good. Anyway, we sat and waited to play while our bracket was slowly being neglected so we left before either of us got to play…three hours later. Other players were upset with the organization of the event but hopefully it will be better planned next time. Ok, enough of that rant…

Supper club was at the Rootes house this month and it was the high of the day. Sue attempted to make rice in the crock pot but for whatever reason it was not done by the time we had to leave. I dropped Sue and the boys off at the Rootes and ran to the nearest Chinese food joint to get some rice…3 quarts of rice. Bobby Jo put together a great meal of tacos, southwestern chicken soup and margaritas. Annette brought chips, salsa and taco fixings. Elisa made some cupcakes decorated with icing in the Mexican flag colors. Sue made up a sour cream dip for chips and some ice cream cupcakes for dessert.

Following the meal we went for a walk down an extra secret path from the Rootes home that led to the area high school’s outdoor basketball court. After almost being run down by a rogue 4-wheeler we played games of four square, P.I.G and some Tip-in game I was not familiar with. Oddly enough we never broke into our customary rounds of Knock-out. Everyone seemed to be gearing down for the evening so we headed back to the house for a little dessert and discussion. Nathaniel and Bobby Jo were great hosts and Supper Club was another success.

Kids playing in the sandbox. Hannah not keen on the paparazzi.

Tom averting his eyes as he plates up.

Elisa and Chuck conducting a soccer clinic.

A little chaos at the high school hoops. Tom, are you playing defense in a game of P.I.G.?

There was a trampoline, cut-throat, knock-out and cheese cake. That is just some of the happenings at the Shreve’s house this Supper Club evening. Tom deep fried a turkey but due to premature removal which was due to misreading of the clock which was due to too many Yuengling Light’s…I don’t know where I was going with this…but anyway the turkey was great. Elisa made some very yummy twice baked potatoes, Bobby Jo made delicious green bean casserole and Sue finished it of with her signature cheese cake. Tom also spun out a very tasty first attempt at normal stuffing.

Before we dined the kids worked off some energy on the trampoline. Normally there is a two or three person rule on the trampoline at a time but on such a fine day most rules were overlooked. Nathaniel, Tom and I took on a few games of cut-throat at the pool table while the women folk discussed things.

After dinner Nathaniel, Tom, Shian and I went outside for some knock-out on the basketball court. We got a few games in before we broke into two on two play. Nathaniel and I got smoked but it was fun…and just for the record the little kiddie basketball hoop is OUT OF BOUNDS! There.

We all went back inside to dig into the cheese cake. With a few pieces each in our bellies the kids got super-charged and were running around the living room like a mob of Tasmanian Devils. I wish I got a picture of this because it was amazing that someone didn’t walk away with contusions or worse. Kids were running full tilt from one end of the living room to the other as whoever felt brave sat in the middle with their eyes closed trying to catch the runners.

Everyone is in bed now and my eyes are slowing falling. It was another successful Supper Club.

Elisa encouraging the chaos on the trampoline

Everyone enjoying the cheese cake…Tom, get your spoon out of the dish!

Can you smell it in the air? No not Tom’s feet, it was SUPPER CLUB at our house. Everyone arrived around 4pm and within a few minutes we were digging into a great feast. Sue made a roast in the crock pot that was amazing, Bobby Jo made a potato lasagna dish that tasted just like pierogies, Elisa made a delectable salad and Annette made a yummy Andes Mint cheese cake. Everyone must of liked everything because there really is nothing left. I even think there are bite marks on the kitchen counter!

After some screeching and rough housing the kids (younger than 13) went to the basement to play and the other kids (guys) stayed upstairs and played Wii. First Ryan dominated the field while playing tennis. He’s like a ping pong ball all around the room when he’s playing. Then the guys decided to “get the band back together” (Blues Brothers) and started playing Guitar Hero World Tour. We did a little rotating through the instruments but for some reason I got stuck with vocals….LIVING ON A PRAAAYER! After some playing we talked about having a “Wii Club” and then I apparently blurted something about eating more meat…don’t really have a clue what I was thinking. It does explain why the parents were keeping the kids away from me though.

Anyway, it was very successful and everyone had a grand time….see pictures.

Ultra competitive basement basketball.

Jullie, Hannah and Dominic

Gabby, Jullie, Charlie and Hannah being chased by the Greg monster

The Band rocking out. Wizard, Ryan, Nathaniel and Tom

Dominic and Harley on a date.

Animal carcasses, pumpkin painting, obligatory game of knock out and great food….yep it was our monthly Supper Club. The Roote family hosted our get together in their beautiful home and it was a wonderful time. The evening started with some finishing touches on the food, conversation and kids running around everywhere…pure chaos. We had a great meal of ham, mashed potatoes, pineapple stuffing, glazed carrots, brownies and cupcakes. Elisa made the cupcakes look like ghosts with about 3 inches of white icing and two tootsie rolls for eyes.

The indoor activities were cut short by a renegade squirrel that played Russian roulette with power transformer…the lights went out. The whole house got on their shoes and jackets to brave the chilly evening in the back yard. It quickly got dark and we had to rely on the neighbors luck of having their house at the beginning of the next transformer to run an extension cord to Nathanial’s halogen work light. We then started the pumpkin painting, knock out, soccer and discussions. The kids had a great time and everyone stayed fairly warm either running after kids, playing games or huddling around the halogen light.

Here are some pictures:

Everyone getting ready to dig in.

The crew heading outside due to suicide squirrel.

Pumpkin painting fun.