Murder Mystery Dinner

About six weeks ago, Britt was telling me about a Murder Mystery Dinner she hosted while in Rexburg, I think she did so to egg me into wanting to host our own Murder Mystery Dinner. I asked Logan about doing so and he gave his blessing, not knowing what I had in mind. Unfortunately for me, he'll ask more questions next time. The planning consisted for painting several rooms in the house, hunting down candelabras, chandeliers, candles, dishes, sending invitations, putting together individual clue sheets, not to mention costumes. The End Results....

Each plate had as a party favor, a chocolate gun.

We had 21 people for dinner.

This was the first time I've really used grandma's crystal goblets.

Drinks on ice.

I love the candelabras, and the harlequin wall.

Brittany decided we needed to find pictures for our large variety of frames. We search on line for days for Post-Mortem photos from the 19th century. Yes, they are family pictures taken after the death of a loved one. The deceased is dressed and propped and posed for a family portrait.

Second hand junk art we found, as the story line stated the murdered millionaire was an art dealer.

The clues...

We painted the entry way, burgundy and printed more post-mortem pictures.

and we lined the hallway next to the dinning room with more post-mortem pictures. Brett added his special spider web touch and blue lights were put in the light fixtures.

We found this portrait and designated him our deceased millionaire, framed his picture as a tribute during the reading of the will.

and our greatest treasures was this chandelier, which we cut the electrical wire out of and put candles in their place and hung from the ceiling of the living room.

Now we are ready for our guests....One couple said after seeing the amount of work we had gone to, "We're obligated to have a good time". I believe everyone had a very good time, who knew so many people could ham it up.

Dinner

"Neal" the Chauffeur

The victim, The Maid, Neal's Mother.

Having been recently deceased, I had nothing left to do, but visit with "Eleanor" the mother of the deceased millionaire. I suppose I thought I was really done, after everyone had gone and I was cleaning up, as maids do, I discovered all the cheesecake I forgot to serve.

Many wheelings and dealings and bribes took place in the entry way. I believe even the officer was crooked and on the take.

The chef, "Sam the Cook" seemed to be everywhere, listening in on all conversations, searching for secrets to share and sell.

"Faith" the sister of the deceased millionaire confronting his daughter "Elizabeth".

"Elizabeth and the "Lawyer Reilly" sharing secrets, probably conspiring.

For "Allison" finding money was not problem to her, if you left it lying around, she would find it.

"Barbara" the accountants wife flirting with "Sam the Cook", trying to steal secrets, and I don't think we're talking secret recipes.

"Jessica" the ex-wife and the newly widowed wife, "Jasmine" and "Katherine" one of the twin daughters, threats are being made. Looks as if it wasn't a happy loving family.

"Elizabeth" with the "Butler" and her latest flame, "Neal"

The mystery is solved and awards were handed out.

THE ACTORS

"Allison", "Barbara", "Faith", "Katherine", "Josephine"

"Faith", "Eleanor" and "Katherine"

"Officer Welsh" and the former ex-wife and business partner "Jessica"

(So the deceased millionaire apparently divorced Jessica because she could not have children...wonder what he would have thought if he knew she was 4 1/2 months pregnant.

The Youngs

"Katherine" a Twin Daughter and "Adam Nichol" Son-in-Law

The Rafaels

"Jean Thoughtful" Family Psycologist and "Sam Cook" Chef

The DeMartinos

"Michael" a Nephew and "Tanya Tease" Personal Assistant
The Finks

"Barabara and Bob Bucks" Accountant and Wife

The Hages

"Jasmine" the Widow and her lover "Fabio the Pool Boy"

The Mannions

"Jon Jacobs" Good Friend and "Faith" Sister to the deceased

The Gettys

"Elizabeth" Twin Daughter and "Reilly Ravish" the Lawyer

The Jacksons

"Neal" Chauffer and son to the Maid and Butler and "Allison" the Oldest Daughter

The Strazzos

It was a great evening, lots of fun and laughter. We enjoyed the company and the silly story plot. We are fortunate to have such good friends who are willing to dress up and come play with us.

a special thank you to Janelle for coming and taking pictures.

and us...the Butler and the Maid.

LaNea's Blessing

Having been home a couple of weeks we were more than ready to jump onto a plane again and

head to Texas for the blessing of LaNea. Jill went all out to make sure everyone was comfortable

and had their own rooms, even to her own discomfort. It was a full house with adults everywhere all doting on one little girl, which they are now paying for with one little girl that wants to be held at all times.

Click here for April's blog and pictures of LaNea in her dress.

When we arrived Friday, LaNea was so happy, just couldn't help but take pictures of her.

I was trilled that mom and dad (Great Grandma and Grandpa)
we able to fly out and be there for the blessing. They
also took off to find ancestors that lived close by.

It didn't take long after dinner was cleaned up for Halli to find
some paper, scissors and markers to begin her pluther of cards she made and freely handed out.

You can always count on Grandpa Logan to provide hours of entertainment.

He would hid in the off-set hallway and jump out at Lexie...she knew he was there

and loved running past him.

Which turned in to running down the hallway and jumping into Grandpa Logan's arms.

Then Lexie found it funny to tease Grandpa and run the other way just when

he thought she would jump into his arms.

Big hugs and more chasing.

That in turn, turned into playing Mother May I with Halli, sorry I didn't get her in the pictures

She was so concerned with being fair, Peyton moved up this far in the hallway,

so Halli had Grandpa Logan take 5 big steps which brought him right up with her.

and Lexie did summer saults, well she attempted them.

Who would have imagined all the fun one could have in the hallway?

Yea, a picture of Kevin and he's soo happy. Was ESPN on?

Random samplings of everyday events that took place during the week.

Halli and her school friend in their poodle skirts.

I love how Peyton is looking up at her big sister, she truly adores her.

The girls loved all the attention with so many adults around handing it out in large doses.

Great Grandma and Peyton.

And nothing is better than laying on Grandpa Logan when one doesn't feel well.

It was pure joy to be with everyone and enjoy the company. I am thankful for airplanes, computers and cell phones, but they still can't replace having family close by you.