Night at the Museum

Jakob's company is getting pretty large now, so they are starting to do random drawings for events and I'll admit, I'm not a fan. Our Gala's are limited but I was excited to go to the Prairie Fire Gala. Jakob was looking extra handsome and I threw on some heels in an attempt to be "cocktail" appropriate while being 30 weeks preggers.

Richard, Jakob and Braden. Funny how even with a random drawing these three still ended up getting tickets. 

The Crew. Joanna, Braden, Richard, Kelly, Jakob and Myself. Too bad the photographer cropped off the dino's face. :/

There was a silent auction and Jakob bid on some fire hat thing from some Christmas movie of his childhood. He didn't win, much to his dismay, but we had a fun night out dressed and talking to adults!

Crescendo

 Jakob was able to get us tickets to the Crescendo Fundraiser this year. This is hands down my favorite event that Tortoise sponsors each year. this year we had dinner first, then we watched the performance, and then we had dessert afterwards. (Missing a few of the crew.)

The performance was amazing as always. It is put on by the UMKC each year and it showcases thier arts program from dancing, to choir, to music. It is incredible! 

Practicing our duck face. 

Jakob and Richards yearly awkward photo that Ben jumped in on!

The desserts were amazing and they had these little cones which made for perfect unicorn horns. There was an older lady sitting next to me and she asked from what company we were from after I took this picture. I  told her and she told me that she was one of the families who offered scholarships to the students!! WE had a great visit and she was giggling away. 

I should have asked her to be a unicorn with me. It was a top notch night! I love the Kauffman Center!

Gala

I love Galas. I love getting dressed up, going on a hot date and hanging with fun people! This Gala was for a school academy and it was blue themed.

We had a really fun group! I loved meeting Emily and her fiance (Left) and Kevin and Richard (on either side of me) are always fun to hang out with.

Kevin Richard and Jakob.

We had a great night, dancing and visiting. I went to go to the restroom and I came back and all of a sudden I realized something was wrong. Kevin and Jimmy had gotten into a fight (over what we don't know) and punches were thrown. After that things got very dramatic very quickly and it was quite the fiasco. Not that I don't enjoy these people or respect their way of life but I am SO grateful that Jakob and I don't drink. That we were both sober and level headed. Despite the drama, it was a very fun evening!

Night at the Museum

We got to go to the annual Night at the Museum Gala. This one was a bit more formal than last year. A classy looking group!

 Jakob, Richard, and Braden.

The theme this year was Virtual Reality, which was pretty fun. I've never had a VR experience. We got to swim with dolphins.

And experience Stonehenge. That was an interactive VR experience, and we got to meet the creators. 

Everything else was eclipse themed. 

Myself and Joanna. 

It was a great night with these crazy cats. Can you spot Jakob's hand? Always a good time :)

Crescendo

  I know I've said it before but I'll say it again, I love Jakob's company. We get to do so many fun things and see lots of things we otherwise wouldn't and this was no exception. 

We were lucky enough to get tickets to Crescendo which I think has to be our favorite event of the year. It is put on by UMKC and it is fantastic! This year had so many wonderful performances it was hard to choose a favorite. Also sitting in the front row is always fun.

Not only is the performance wonderful but there is a dinner afterwards that is always on point. I was swooning over these glitter table cloths!

 

Yes, that is glitter on my dessert. :)

 Meet Richard. Jakob and Richard started at Tortoise the same week. He is ridiculous but a funny guy. 

Duck face. It was a wonderful evening that was much needed. Who doesn't love getting dressed up, seeing amazing performances, having wonderful dinners, and spending time with grown ups?? Can't wait until next year.

Prairiefire Gala

 Last year we went to a Black Tie Gala at the Priariefire Museum. I was super excited when we got tickets to it again! While the museum itself is a but of a let down, the food was AMAZING last year and there was a really nice program with performances. 

 When picking a dress last year I went for a fancy cocktail dress but this year I was pretty excited to go a bit bolder with a red floor length gown, complete with a train. I put my hair in a fancy up-do and Jakob looked dashing in his suit and tie (we need to get him a tux!)

We get into the museum and I very quickly realize that this is NOT in fact a black tie event.  It wasn't even really a cocktail event it was more along the lines of a youth fireside. Most women were in a casual skirt. Some even wore a pant blouse combo. I honestly probably could have gotten away with jeans and heels. So not only was I the ONLY one dressed up, I was wearing a bright RED dress. Needless to say I stood out and at first it was a bit awkward, but then I decided, heck... I look good, let's be confident! One just can't wear a red dress without some confidence! 

Thankfully the rest of Jakob's group dressed up a bit. Here are some of the men that Jakob works with, and their ladies.

There was also no dinner this year or a program, it was quite the let down. There was an open bar and a buffet of appetizers, which they couldn't keep full because there were so many people, who I am assuming thought that it was going to be a dinner as well. But, we did get to go out for a fun evening with Jakob's work colleagues and I did get to wear a pretty dress. By the end of the evening, I was still hungry so we hit up a frozen yogurt place which was entertaining to go into in a formal gown. I think I'll wear a gown more often. It was fun to dress up and fun to spend an evening with grown ups!

Orchestra Gala

 

 Jakob and I got to dress up and head out to our favorite Gala yet. (Mind you dressing up for the 20's was fabulous!)

 

We went to see Crescendo! We were front row... litterally and center stage. It was awesome. 

The music was amazing, i love the dancing! It was just wonderful!

Then we had a wonderful dinner and this was our view. Our table was right by the window overlooking the city. It was very pretty and I wish these pictures did it justice!

This woman was sitting across from us and from the side I had to do a double take to make sure Mom Tobler wasn't in the same room. Her name was Gale and she was kind enough to pose with me for a picture. 

Such a fun evening with my wonderful husband. I just love free, dazzling date nights!