(not for me. yeesh!)
So three MONTHS ago...yikes I'm a bad blogger...I threw a surprise baby shower for Katie(cupcake). Her husband, the delightful and ever so sweet Steven, asked me in April/May (?) if I would help plan and throw a shower for Katie. Let me say that I love this family. I met them in person August 2009. I don't think I was very good company that weekend, due to personal/work related things, but they were so sweet. I feel that a bond was instantly created and I knew that we would continue to be great friends. I don't know if I ever properly thanked them for that weekend and distracting/supporting me, someone they just met. But it really meant a lot to me. So glad they liked me too! I get really nervous about that, I feel I am pretty realistic online, but you never know.
So I sent out a TON of emails to people Steven and I knew were Katie's friends online just asking for a card or something and I was pleasantly surprised how many friends sent cards and gifts for our friend!
To make things even more exciting Jeremy drove down from Canada to be here for the shower!! He arrived Friday evening and we got right to work making a garland and decorating. I've known Jeremy online for a few years but we have never met in person until then. So it was very exciting for me to have him there. What a great friend! And we determined that I was the first internet friend he met in real life (right? or did I make that up?). Good thing I am not a psycho. Cos you have to be pretty brave to drive 12 hours to spend a few days with someone you only know online. But he is a sweetie and we had a lot of laughs! A little on the shy first, but that may be cos I get really chatty when I'm excited. I probably spooked him a bit.
Saturday morning we picked up a cake that Steven had ordered from a local bakery and then we set up a ton of food and waited for The Haddox family to arrive! Steven and I had told Katie that we were going to the fair and I was excited for them to see my apartment cos they never have! So it was a great cover up, and would have worked out that way surprise or not!
Now for pictures...Katie was completely surprise. And I found her reaction to Jeremy hilarious. Like "oh hey, what are you doing here!?" I'm sure it was sensory overload!
I made the pennant banner with Riley's name on it and then Jeremy and I made the paper garland behind it out of paint chip samples in the baby room colors. I love it so much, it's still hanging in my living room. I gave the banner to Katie and Steven.
The cake. From Brown's. SO GOOD! And fit the decorations perfectly!
The food! I tried to get foods Katie was craving, but she really wasn't craving that much. Frozen grapes would have been a pathetic spread so I added a few things I thought everyone would like. I know Steven liked hummus and that Paisley loves those crackers. And I made artichoke dip. YUM! The "table cloth" Is just scrapbooking paper/cardstock in their baby colors. (You can see some of my scrap stash in the background)
The gifts and cards! Thanks friends! Do you spot yours?! So fun!
My wire wall, more scrapbooking paper and our garland! And a little coffee print from Amy! (Thanks, love!)
The gang! My cute friends. And the only picture of people. Pathetic!
And then We went to the York Fair! I had to attempt the inevetable fair pictures.
My first sun flare! I was so excited!
And then some very nice man gave Steven his gigantic prize. Paisley loved it. But we "accidentally" let it on a bench. Don't tell P! That thing was hilariously massive!
It was a really great day with great friends. I hope my party planning lived up to Steven's expectations and they Katie was surprised and had a good time! We had dinner at a local restaurant and then had to say goodbye.
Jeremy and I drank wine, snacked on party food, and played card games that evening. Perfect!
There it is! Long LONG over due, but posted nonetheless. I love you friends!
I am available for all of your shower throwing needs. This was my third in 2 years! I love it. I'll never throw a party for myself though, cos I have a great fear that no one will come to a party I throw unless it's for someone else.
What's your favorite part of host/hostessing?
