Birthday Party Planning

(Updated Thursday June 20, 2007)

JUNE 23rd: The Annual  HEY MOMMA, NO DRAMA, PIG-SLAYIN', BIRTHDAYIN', BEER-DRINKIN', CANOE-SINKIN' Scoob-Fest!

Ok. It's about time I made this post, so I can get started getting things rolling for the birthday shin-dig this year. Most of you know we're doing a pig-pickin' this year down at my Mom's house on the water. I REALLY want the scoobs to come. I'm doing it at Mom's because on my 24th birthday I cooked a pig at my place here in Greenville and Mom got to come and hang out with all of us and she really enjoyed the pig, the Scoobs, and it was just an awesome day. So she asked me to cook her one for her birthday at home... and I tried to turn that into a tradition for her each year. Last year I wasn't about to do it because I was in Africa, so I missed her birthday altogether.

My birthday is on the 24th of June and hers is on the 7th of July. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to be here on the 7th of July, so I'm trying to get it done sometime before I leave and my birthday happens to be a day that I know I'll be in the state. It's also April's mom's 50th birthday, the day after mine. SO, we're celebrating my 30th, her 50th, and my mom's 50-something-ith.

For those of you who don't know, my mom has a single-wide right on the water and a pretty huge yard. We've always had a blast down there when we do this, so I really want you ALL to come. It's probably going to be the last chance I get to have a get-together until October, because I'll be leaving early July for Africa again.

I'm going down there either Friday the 22nd or early Saturday the 23rd. The pigpicking itself will be on Saturday. Usually I start the pig around 8 AM and it's done around mid afternooon. In the meantime, a few people usually bring boats down, canoes, kayaks, and volleyball gear.. so we're usually all doing something all afternoon long. The water is beautiful, the yard is full of soft green grass, so whether you're into laying in the sun and drinking margaritas, or canoeing with the boys as we race up and down the coastline, it's fun for all. That's all the sales pitch I have, so PLEASE consider trying to come. I promise you'll enjoy yourself.

 

WHEN: As I said, the pig-picking is Saturday all day long, but you're welcome to come down on Friday. I'm figuring most will want to come down on Saturday and if you want, we have worked out a discount rate at the hotel in town. The Duke of Dare has been having my mom do their taxes for thirty years or so, so she's worked us some cool rates. There ARE plenty of room at this time, but we need to get head counts NOW for who' staying overnight so we can inform the hotel. My mom has offered to get the rooms in her name, so those staying will just need to pay her for the room.

Each room is $77.00 per night and has two queen-size beds, so we'd planned on doubling-up to make it affordable. It's too much to ask people to pay almost a hundred bucks to hang out for a day, but if we do it road-trip style, and choose who wants to shack-up with who in advance, we can do it really cheaply. April and I will be getting a room so at least one couple can crash with us in our room. That makes it $37.50 for the other couple or a little less than $20.00 per person.

WHY STAY? Well, after the party has come and gone and I clean up the yard a little, we usually take all the 4-wheel drive trucks and head for the beach. We run down south to Oregon Inlet and put in on the sand and scoot down the tide-line to hang out and have a few drinks at on the beach.... drop the tailgates, turn on some beach music, pop a few tops, and just have a good time.... nothign rowdy, but it's a once-a-year thing that we can't always do too often, so we try to maximize the day's hours as much as possible.

Alternative to Hotels: My mom has made the point that ANYone who wants to is welcome to stay at the house, though floor space is first-come, first-serve. A few of you, Wess for example, are bringing a tent and gonna camp out in the yard.. which is perfectly cool with us. I'd do that too if I had a tent!

PIG: I'm going to get Jody Griffin's pig cooker on Friday and April is going to pick up the Pig in Washington from Acre station. I REALLY need an honest-to-god head count in order to know how much pig to get. Last time we had a 120 pound pig... and that's probably too much unless the crowd is big, so just let me know be responding to us or here on the blog.

Things to bring: Nothing is required of you if you can come. You're already spending money to travel there, and possibly stay in a hotel, so Mom, April, and I will pay for the necessities. However, if you're ranklin' to cook a side disk or you WANT to help out, there's going to be lots of small needs to fill, such as coolers for drinks, drinks themselves, side dishes, etc.

List of Potentials: (Red=Confirmed/Black=Unknown)

(This is where I'm trying to list everyone and note if they can or can't come. Please let us know so we can plan for you.)

• Tommy/April/Marisa (Hotel)
• Tim/Claire, Anne Marie/Murph (Hotel) 
• Kris/Danielle (Hotel)
• Cathy/Frankie (Hotel)
• Mom/Raymond (House)
• Joe/Bridget (Hotel)
• Mom/Hannah (House)
• Jean/HG (visiting only)
• Amanda/Josh (visiting only)
• Zack/Heather (visiting only)
• Miranda/Jimmy (visiting only)
• Leann/Daughter (House)
• Jacob (visiting only)
• Bryan/Amber (visiting only)
• Wade/Girlfriend (visiting only : bringing boat)
• Jodie/Jamie/Christy/Kim (semi-confirmed)
• Faris/Brandon/Gail/Jeff (Visiting only)
• Wess (Tent.. lol)
• Nancy Brown, William, and Emily (visiting only)

Responsibilities

• Pig and Pig Cooker: Tommy
• Inflatable Mattress: Tommy
• Ski's and Vest: Tommy
• Paper Plates, Accessories,etc: Raymond/Mom
• Boats:  (let me know if you can bring one)
• Tables to put food on: Anyone got any sturdy folding tables?
• Others to be determined.

 

MAJOR UPDATE:

Here's the food list that I have so far. I need volunteers. Just make a comment about what you want to bring and I'll edit the post to put you in there.. first list, first serve.

Update 6/12/2007: Thanks for the offers so far! Almost done!

• Yellow Corn (In the husk) OPEN
• Potato Salad:  Miranda
• Potato Salad: OPEN
• Deviled Eggs: Faye
• 1 Dozen Deviled Eggs: Bridget
• 5 Bags Chips: Marisa
• Ice: Ray
• Pasta salad: Amber
• Cole slaw: OPEN
• Veggie tray w/dressing: Bridget
• Veggie tray w/dressing: OPEN
• Baked beans: Brenda
• Bread/Rolls: OPEN
• Bread/Rolls: OPEN
• Banana Pudding: Gail
• Ice Cream Cake: Brenda
• Cucumbers in Vinegar: Bridget
• Honeydew Melon: Tim/Claire
• Watermelon: Tim/Claire
• Hot Dogs: Brenda
• Hot Dog Rolls: Bridget
• Brownies: Jean
• Brownies: Amber
• Other Dessert: OPEN
• Macaroni & Cheese: Nancy
• Green beans: Jean
• Butter beans: Faye
• 12 pk drinks – mountain dew: Brenda
• (3) 12 pks drinks – Coke Classic: Marisa
• 12 pk drinks – pepsi: Ray
• 12 pk drinks – Other: OPEN
• 12 pk drinks – Other: OPEN
• Sweet Tea: Brenda
• Paper plates, forks, cups: Brenda
• Napkins: Bridget
• Condiments: Brenda

If you can think of something that need to be on the list, add it as a comment. (PS: Dont add unless you're volunteering! lol.) We're trying to fill all the slots for this stuff at LEAST, so be creative with additional stuff and help me finish off this list.

Thanks!

 

Highlights from Years Past:

 

 

 

 

 

So.. please please please come if you can. If I've forgotten to add you to the list, it's not on purpose. ALL are welcome to attend and all are wanted! The more the merrier.

 

RULES:

• The only rule I have is no one gets SO drunk that they cause a scene. This is a fun-filled, drama free weekend on the beach. No babysitting of grown folks. If you want to have drama, go somewhere else, because you WILL be ejected from the event! lol.
• Pets: Lots of us have pets and mom has a big yard, so a reasonable amount of pets are acceptable. If you want to bring your dogs, just be aware that when the food is served they will need to be stakes, or roped up in the back yard so as not to cause a mess while we're trying to eat.
• Kids: While I'm sure SOME of the language will get a little raucous once in awhile, the general idea here is to have a good time. If you would like to bring children, we will have plenty to entertain them with as well.