Showering the Future Mrs. Herndon

On Saturday March 22nd, I helped host a bridal shower for the prettiest bride I know, my sister, at our house.  My incredible Mamacita was kind enough to have a slumber party the night before to help me get everything prepared.  This may or may not be because my husband was worried about sprouting lady parts if I requested his help in one more girly task.  Regardless of the cause- I really don't know how I got so lucky or what I'd do without her.

Julie's fantastic friends and bridesmaids, Rachel & Morgan, put together a preeeeeetty hilarious quiz game for us to play.  Another ah-mazing bridesmaid and friend, Lauren, brought delicious desserts from Nothing Bundt Cake because what gathering of more than 2 women is complete without some sugar-y calories?  Last, but in no way least, Julie's sweet bridesmaid and friend, Leah, brought the most important ingredient for any bridal soiree- champagne!  If the above factors don't equate a good time to you- I don't know what does.

We spent the afternoon showering the gorgeous Bride with all the love, support and good natured jesting that she's always showed all of us. As you can tell, Julie is definitely the better of the Boarman sisters and I hope that she enjoyed her shower as much as we did throwing it.  Love you lots, JuJuBee!

Oh, and although I know you'll be able to tell immediately by the quality of the photos below, I didn't take these.  Shawna did.  Probably the only time any photos in my house will look like they belong in a picture frame- all on account of her skills and definitely not mine!

The Herndons cleaned up!

Caddy's flower arranging skills strike again.

The spread.

Ryan would probably insist I let you know he made these.  He'd probably also insist you give him a standing ovation right now at your desk.

Fashionista from the get-go- rocking the sun hat decades before it was hip.

Mimosa bar.

This is an example of how things sound easier in your head than in reality.

Fruit.  And dip.  In case the card wasn't helping you out.

Lauren was totally MVP for the day with these bad boys.

What's a bridal shower without some bling?

Thank yooooou.

Julie & her Mama & Mama-in-Law.  I have no idea what was so enthralling in the corner of our dining room.

I really hope this deep conversation was Bachelorette Party shenan plotting.  (Lauren, Morgan & Leah)

Mrs. Herndon, Mamacita, Ms. Brenda & Mrs. Howarth swapping tips for how to live with a dude, and stay married, for 20+ years.

The only 2 people in the world (besides myself) who have landed me grounded.  Ahhh, youth, marshmallows and neighborhood children's bikes.  (Jen & Erin)

Quiz time.  I think Lauren is looking up answers on her phone.  JK JK.

Morgan, look.  The peeps story would have made for a GREAT question on this quiz.

Mrs. Herndon giving an all-knowing smile.  She knows what life with David is like.

This is the most focused I've ever seen Jen look.  Clearly a prize was on the line.

It's really hard to look good opening presents.  Unless you're Julie, apparently.

Julie & her bridal shower helpers- Mamacita, Yours Truly, Morgan, the Bride, Lauren & Leah.

Mrs. Herndon, Julie & Caddy.

Showering Baby Covington

On Saturday February 8th I was privileged to help host a baby shower in Dallas for one of my beloved college roomies, Melissa.  I hosted with 2 other college friends, Meredith & Katie, her high school friend, Lauren, & her step sister, Dianna.  I have been fortunate enough to get to know them throughout the course of Melissa's wedding as well as other post-college visits and they really are kiiiind of awesome.  Melissa must pay them very handsomely to keep them around.  ;c)

Luckily for this over-busy-seasoned, out-of-towner, Miss Meredith took the lead in the planning department.  She definitely missed her calling as a party planner because she managed to come up with the cutest theme (the Hungry Caterpillar) and did an incredible job spurring us all into action to get it pulled together.  She basically is Pintrest in the flesh.  Major kudos to this organizational Goddess.

We threw the party in the rec room of Katie's apartment building and it. was. awesome.  As the pictures below will evidence  Just seeing it makes me want to move there and we all know that Dallas and I are frenemies.  Sure there may have been an older lady who randomly came in to "get her vitamins" (play piano) while we were setting up.   And yeah, there may have nearly been a confrontation when a different lady kept trying to utilize the room despite the fact we very obviously had it reserved- BUT the free Flavia machine and warm cookies totally outweighed that.

We guests were treated to a delicious HC-themed smorgasbord o' food, some fantastic company and Melissa and sweet baby boy C were showered with some fantastic loot.  I had such a great time getting to visit with the old 5th year PPA crew as well as Melissa's Dallas folk- so tragic that Houston and Dallas have to be separated on opposite ends of the state with only a Bucees between them.  It's pretty much the geographic version of Romeo & Juliet.

The fun didn't end at the shower though because Melissa & Blake were kind enough to let me stay with them despite having LOTS of family in from out of town.  Why would a very pregnant lady agree to add stress to her life by letting me stay with her?  Because she's crazy?  She is and I don't know why they're so nice to me.  Probably because she subjected me to 2 nights of a whining feral cat my 5th year of school.  That's neither here nor there though.

Thanks to their generosity I got to pretend to be a Poorvington for the evening.  I tagged along to dinner with Melissa's Dad, Mom & Aunts as well as Blake's Grandmother, Mom & Sister at Love & War in Texas.  The food was topped only by the company.  I already knew that baby C was a lucky little man to have such wonderful parents, but after breaking cornbread with the extended fam I can say that he is far more blessed than he'll understand for a long time to come.

Lots and lots of thanks to my fellow shower hostesses, the Poormans, the Covingtons and mostly the proud parents-to-be for a wonderful weekend.  I love you all and I can't wait to house crash again in April when sweet Norman* makes his world debut!

* name subject to change.

How perfect are those eyes the Katie fashioned from pipe-cleaners?!  If this whole bad@ss lawyering thing doesn't pan out I think there's an Etsy shop in her future.

Only Meredith would own her own helium tank.  Is this not the cutest?!

Gorgeous flowers that Katie picked up.

Meredith's childhood books really dress up the place.

Is that a caterpillar head or a tomato?  Who can tell?

Lots of treasures for the little Mister.

Blake just found out Melissa's pregnant.

Melissa and her incredible Aunt Sue. 

Can't WAIT for pics of Little Man in the precious wardrobe he scored.  Best Dressed List Dallas, look out!

I'm still a little upset Becca didn't pose suggestively on the ottoman- I think that's supposed to be Auntie tradition.  Especially because Katie appears a full foot taller than the rest of us.  Can't wait to meet you, sweet boy!

Sprinkling Baby McClain

On December 7th I helped throw a sprinkle for Melanie & sweet baby girl McClain with Melanie's good friends Savannah, Meredith & Melissa.  After much back and forth about the locale and some trouble finding a suitable place during the holidays, we wound up having it at Melanie's house.  It was so kind of her to open it up to everyone.  It made the whole setting so personal and cozy- plus it made Jonathan's fatherly task of hauling the loot home much easier.  It was a win on all fronts!

Melanie had the house looking faaaaabulous, as always.  Savannah came in town the day before just in time to escape the crazy ice storm that broad-sided north Texas.  She & I hung out on Friday decorating and gabbing under Melanie's watchful eye while Mel's maid got the joint super spiffed up.  Thank heavens for great company because while it was supposed to be work, it actually wound up being a ton of fun.

Saturday was the day of the shower.  Chef Savannah whipped up two incredible breakfast casseroles and the resident pastry chef, Meredith, cranked out some delicious brownies and cupcakes.  Lots of Melanie's loved ones showed up and we all enjoyed noshing on the aforementioned goodies, discussing Jonathan's hair future and planning Emery's sweet BFF's future.  Oh, and of COURSE, baby girl scored some fantastic goodies.  She is going to be one sharply dressed little femme fatale!  Over all it was a wonderful time and I'm so happy to have been a part of getting to celebrate the sweet little nugget I've already come to love like my own.  Can't wait to meet you tiny angel!

Shawna, please teach me how to take pictures.

What's more welcoming for a tiny lady than a table full of sweets and elephants?!  Nothing that I can think of.

Meredith's masterpieces.

A very small fraction of Miss McClain's wardrobe.  Hope she doesn't expect her whole closet to be displayed in the living room regularly.

The gift table before people arrived.  Sidenote: how incredible is that chandelier?  I am obsessed.

Baby Mel, Baby Jake...

... and Baby Jonathan.  With genetics like this she's destined to be a baby model, obviously.

Those napkins were the cutest!

Real men wear pink bandanas when they're excited about their sister's arrival***

Melanie and the beautiful Savannah.

Pretty Mama with pretty Meredith.

Savannah & Eva.

Julie, Beth & Miss Harper, another future BFF.

Heather, Melanie & Meredith.

Real pregnant women eat straight out of the dish.  Sweet Baby McClain & Baby Patrick are only due 10 days apart!  Soul mates?

Adorbs.  The elephant lovey isn't bad either.  (Do you get it?)

Voila!  We love you Mama!

*** and when Dad isn't home to keep Mom from doing this.

Showering Little Baby A & B

On February 2nd, I attended a shower for my sweet friend Jenn, who as you may recall is due with twin girls on March 11th.  I found out the Thursday before the shower that these little ladies are set to make their debut annnnny time now as Jenn was put on bed rest.  Thankfully she felt well enough to make it to the shower as the celebration must go on!

Jen, Shawna, Julie & I decided to carpool over to Jenn's parents' beautiful home in Clear Lake where the shower was held.  Just like the gender reveal party, their home was decorated to the nines.  All the food was delicious and the decor left us all in a chorus of "awwwwws".  Precious hats, onesies and other adorable baby garb was perfectly placed in every nook and cranny.  Jenn's mom truly might have missed her calling as a professional shower thrower.

We were all treated to wonderful food, company and watching Jenn open a slew of the most adorable little outfits.  The only thing that inspires more ohhhhing and ahhhing than baby clothes for one baby is baby clothes for two of them!  After attending this shower I feel confident that these little ladies are going to be well-dressed.

Congratulations to the Gartz family and we'll be waiting patiently by the phone to find out when Little Miss Anniston & Little Miss Blakely make their world debut.  We certainly can't wait to meet them!

How cute are those little rhinestone letters?!

Mmmmm... Just looking at this makes my tummy growl.

All of this was just as cute as it was delicious.

If you look carefully those M&M's have Anniston & Blakely written on them.  So stinking adorable.

The favor candy bar.  So pretty!

Last but of course not least, the glowing mama.