Sounds like a lot is riding on your family's view of the evening-- is this simply a social event, or are they self-appointed judge and jury?  Hopefully your relationship is rooted enough that it can stand a bit of stormy weather, if some should happen to come up.  Be prepared with a list of safe topics so you can 'guide' the conversation toward calmer waters if it takes an anxious direction.  Good luck.

No.  Even if they don't like him we are not breaking up.   The last time I went on a double date with my sister and brother in law my date and I spent the evening in his car fighting.  He decided to go home and wanted to drive me home.  I told him that he was not my keeper and I could stay out all night if I wanted to.  I proceeded to do just that.  And we never spoke again.  He returned some items that he borrowed from me through his mother.

Oh yeah everyone at the dance tbought we kept going out to the car to make out.  It couldn't have been farther from the truth.

Wanting our friends to meet family is an important step.  But a long evening can get overwhelming.  Not only for him but for you too.

My suggestion is to have a plan with you and the boyfriend.

6 arrive for drinks and dinner, play with kids.  you both could bring your sister something.  Perhaps a bottle of wine or flowers or some candy.

8 help clean up together with sis.  Good night to kids

8:30  plan on leaving ( if you leave i topen ended then the evening can go on for ever.)

I would also be prepared to trade cute funny stories with sis about growing up together.  Anticipate she may pull out the odd embarrassing one ( older sisters do that) but have a few cute, not nasty ones of your own.  It will help him relax if he can laugh about  silly things you did as kids.

And on the way home, if your sister pissed you off, just relax with him and trade irritating sibling stories.  Most of us seem to have a few

I just saw this thread, Serena. How did last night go?

I'm with lastpointe - hope you relaxed & it went well Serena!

Our plans changed.  I met his brother and sister in law instead.  That went well.   Next weekend maybe we will get together with my side.

Sorry for the late response.  My weekend lasted until Wednesday.

So this finally happened on Saturday. It was uneventful. I bought flowers for my sister andd bf scored points by giving them to my sister from himself.

 great to get it out of the way.

Flowers are a nice touch, no matter who they are from

Flowers are great. Personally I prefer roses to a tulip or a daisy.

Is that a good thing, Serena, that it was uneventful?  To me, I would think yes.  It's interesting how people can get themselves so worked up about stuff that often turns out to just be a yawn. 

Yes, in this case, uneventful is a good thing. My bf even helped my niece put together a baby jumper