Forever PLAID

 The Irvine Tartan

    I grew up in one amazingly cool family.  The Irvine/Stevens/Mitchell clan is quite the sight when we get together at my aunt's house.  This past Sunday we had a family party (nothing unusual to have weekly parties, but the themes are continually changing) and the theme this week: PLAID.  Oh yes, everyone got decked out in as much plaid as possible.  No one cared if the plaids clashed - and many did - so long as you were the person wearing the most plaid.  I really wondered what Karen's neighbors thought as they watched a bunch of people spill out of cars in lots of crazy colors.  Unfortunately, I didn't win the competition for wearing the most plaid.  I was pretty disappointed since I have a good amount of plaid stashed here and there in my closet - including a brand new (as of January) kilt from Scotland!  Even though every piece of plaid that I wore to this party came directly from Scotland, I disgraced my family by ordering a kilt in the ancient Buchanan tartan, rather than the ancient Irvine tartan.  I'm still hearing about it months later, and probably will continue hearing about it for the rest of my life.  Don't get me wrong, I love the Irvine tartan, but I really like bright colors (especially when I'm dancing) because they stand out more.  Anyway, I think my dad won the competition for wearing the most plaid.  He really hates getting dressed up for these events, but he made us all proud by going all-out this time.  The outfit: plaid 3-piece suit, plaid tie (in the Irvine tartan, of course), plaid scarf, plaid "cummerbund," which he claimed doubled as a jewish prayer sash since he wrapped it around his waist (it's really just another plaid scarf), a plaid shirt, and a plaid hat.  Basically, it was plaid over-kill.  I, on the other hand, pulled off a splash of plaid with grace and style.  I wore my kilt and scarf, as well as a swanky pair of plaid tights.  This party was the first time I've worn them, and I must admit, I really like them!  Maybe after one year of living in Scotland I can acquire just enough plaid apparel to beat my dad the next time we have a plaid competition.  

Regardless of all the plaid, the party was a blast.  It's always fun spending time with my extended family.  It just recently expanded with the addition of a wee little one about two weeks ago.  My cousin Alison had her fourth child - James Paul Mitchell - and I'm sure that in no time at all he'll be running around with the rest of the grandkids, keeping all the adults entertained.  The following pictures offer a good sampling of the festivities.  If the weather had been more agreeable, there would have been a caber toss in the backyard in the true spirit of highland games, but the indoor stuff suited everyone just fine.  Guid cheerio the nou!!!

Jeff and Joani Stevens with their kids, Drew and Ella.

Stevie Mitchell with three of his four kids: Michael, Beth, and Megan.  James is the new arrival in the Mitchell clan, and he spent most of the afternoon sleeping.

Paul and Karen Stevens....never a dull moment with these two!

Clan Irvine!!!  Always proud of some Scottish heritage....Irvine OR Buchanan.

My tights are TOTALLY cooler than my dad's plaid pants.  C'mon people, how often do you see tights like that?!?!

I absolutely love this picture!  Steve has acquired a new little buddy, which is hardly surprising.  Kids just love him.  Michael had a blast discussing how many fish were inside the grapes sitting in the strainer in the sink.  Interesting.  These two kept themselves entertained in the kitchen, while the rest of us enjoyed some delicious Scottish shortbread.

Let the games begin!  Every couple tried their hand at the bean bag toss.  As usual, in our competition, Steve won.

Another favorite picture.  Go Linda Jean!  She was a little excited when her bean bag landed closer to the target than my dad's.

THE END.