The Grover Party Lake House!

When we bought and recently renovated our house, we designed it with the intention of having a big space to entertain for many years to come, and for all different types of occasions.  We knew we needed an open concept kitchen and large enough to accommodate all of our soirees.... and we knew that once everything was complete by Summer we would be using it a lot.  We just had no idea, how much entertaining we would actually do!

Let me put it this way..... this summer we have had either a party, a BBQ, or small friend dinner gathering almost every weekend! That's A LOT of boozing and cooking!!! 

Brad and I joke but in all seriousness, ever since summer started in June, every time we have a gathering at our house, our friends either arrive by foot, boat, or bike!  That's how close we are to the village, and that's how people prefer to get around during the summer days and evenings! Unfortunately, all my cooking in our new kitchen made me a slacker behind the lens..... so I have barely taken any pictures of these gatherings.   The new kitchen has inspired me to get very adventurous with cooking, and I have been having SO much fun!  At one party I made carnitas with all the trimmings (paired with Skinny Girl Margaritas).  At another gathering, I made pulled pork sandwiches and sides.  At another dinner, I went Mediterrean and made Moussaka, paired with Mojitos!  Such fun!!

These photos were taken a few weeks when our friends, the Johnsons' from Colorado, were in town and we all got together.... (this was the evening I made the pulled pork!)

The guys playing "Stones"... a new style of bacci ball.

and the ladies....

Two weekends ago, we had yet another gathering, but this time the boys' buddies came over!  We invited Taj's best friend Charley and her family over, and Jax's new buddy Paxton and his parents!  We had a ball all playing together!  The initial plan was to go boating and then back to our house for a Burger Bar.... but we had thunderstorms all day, so instead, the kids played in the kiddie pool and adults had more cocktails to go with their gourmet burgers :)   I was so excited to have my new mommy friends Lesley and Faith over with their hubbies!  We all clicked and had fun hanging out.  We played so late that at the end of the night, we threw all the kids in the bath together!  At the end of night, like 10pm, Taj excitedly shared how much fun he had with Charley!  I know we will be doing this again soon; Those two are smitten with each other!