Rachel's Having a Fall Baby!

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to host a baby shower for my sister Rachel, who is due in just a couple of weeks! Since the shower was on October 2nd and Rachel loves Fall, some friends and I decided to throw her a Fall themed shower.

Not only did it turn out beautifully, but it also saved us time and money on the decorations because we used items we already had.

Our friend Janet made two diaper cakes for the centerpieces that we used on a couple of tables.

On the other two tables we used a centerpiece that several of us made at a friends house last year.

Our friend Nicole made the favors. It was a goodie bag that had pumpkin and leaf shaped gingerbread cookies inside. On the tag it said "thank you for celebrating Rachel's little pumpkin!"

The food we served was absolutely delicious and everyone kept raving about how good it was. Our Fall themed menu consisted of Chicken and Dumplings, Baked Potato Soup, salad with dried cranberries and candied walnuts, apples with caramel dip, cornbread muffins, cranberry punch, warm apple cider, coffee, and pumpkin roll for dessert.

We had a nice, leisurely lunch and then it was time for a game.

We played a competitive game of Baby Shower Bingo and used candy pumpkins as the place markers.

Once the game was over I did a short devotion and talked about Fall being a time of Harvest and how Jaxon is going to be the beginning of the new Harvest coming in Rachel's life.

The remainder of the shower consisted of Rachel opening her presents. She mostly received diapers, clothes, and bath items. This will keep her well supplied for a while!

Now that the shower is over, it's time to come out baby Jaxon!

Party Weekend

This weekend we celebrated Grafton's 4th Birthday two-and-a-half weeks early so that his Grandpa & Grandma Brown could attend before they leave for the summer.

We kept his party really simple by grilling hamburgers and hot dogs and only inviting immediate family.

It took two tries, but Grafton did blow out all of his candles!

The party was very laid-back.... Just the way we like it!

Grafton received some great gifts (pool toys, a scooter, Leapster, clothes, art supplies, games, a light saber, and more!)

Once all of the presents were opened, he was in a rush to to play with one particular gift....

His bubble machine!

Turning four has gotten a little to his head though. When I put him in bed after his party he informed me that since he's four now his bed is too small and he needs a bigger one. Where does he come up with this stuff?

After his party on Saturday I switched from Birthday Party mode to Baby Shower Mode and helped organize a shower that took place on Sunday afternoon for a great friend of mine.

The theme was Mama Bird and little birds, birdhouses, nests and eggs were the main elements in the decor.

For lunch we served fruit kabobs, pin-wheel sandwiches, cucumber sandwiches, cheese, salad, cupcakes, cappuccino punch, water, and hot tea.

Putting everything together was a little hectic when our host came down with the flu and we had to move the location to the church, and then our main organizer became severely dehydrated and spent the entire day in the hospital. However, we all regrouped and it came together beautifully!