Nautical Baby Shower

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to throw a baby shower for my dear Friend Brittany Wadsworth.  Now Brittany isn't your regular average joe type of friend.  She is someone I love and adore and feel like we have known each other for years.  She is the type of friend that I know we'll be friends forever no matter what.  Our friendship originated last August.  But it all started on facebook when she so bravely messaged me. She found out I was going to Houston from a post I wrote. My roommate commented on it who is friends with Brittany and her comment showed up on her news feed. Coincidence? ... I think not.
From the moment we met we became instant friends.  We connect in such a way that when there is silence between us it's not awkward at all. We can talk about anything.  I had been praying for a friend not just any friend but a True friend, someone I could laugh with, joke with, talk churchy, be myself and someone who cares about me and my passions, who listens to me... Well that pray was answered when I met Brittany.  I have learned a lot from her already and I can't wait to learn more from her. She truly is an inspiring, most loving person I have met. She has been a great example to me of  Christlike love. She is welcoming and loving to everyone she meets and becomes there instant friend.  She makes you feel good about yourself and makes you feel so special.  I am so grateful we crossed paths and she was brave enough to message me. Thanks Brit.  So she's having a baby boy in June and so a friend of hers and I threw her a darling sea theme shower. It was a success and turned out so CUTE! Brittany is also very good with kids and I know she will be an amazing momma. She really has a heart of Gold. Can't wait to meet the little guy. Everyone just cross your fingers he won't come end of may. I'll be in Utah then and don't want to miss him.
Laura the other hostess is darling as well and did an amazing job finding decor items such as tablecloths (using burlap, her tree skirt), the stork, all the sea shells, platters, paper goods etc. Loved and was grateful for all she did. It was at her MIL place and man I was in love with everything inside of it. Seriously it was beautiful. I had a lot of fun planning it with her and getting to know her better.
I tried to use things that I already had on hand, crafty side and penny pincher side coming out. I found scraps of paper and created labels for each of the food items. Then I cut out small triangles to look like sails and made my own stamp. haha yep i made that anchor stamp. I didn't want to pay $6 for one stamp so I found a pic online printed and cut it out then glued it to a thick piece of cardboard. Cut that out and glued it to a stamp I already had just on the back of it. I had to press extremely hard and it still was faded print but I liked it that way gave it an aged feel to it. The message in the bottle I also created. anything with burlap i crave. It just looks so purty.

i'm in love with these wood boards Laura got at Pottery Barn. I may be getting me some. 

Pretzel Rolls. If you have not tried them they are heavenly. Brits favorite.

 The famous Stephens family recipe: Penne Pasta salad

 The famous Oreo Cupcakes Recipe on So You think You can cook Blog.

 These tarts were the death of me.. they didn't set like they were supposed to so they were a bit runny and transfering them to home to shower managing to not spill and not killing myself on the road was quite the challenge but they made it alive and very delicious. 

Spring Salad Mix with pears, craisins, candied almonds and balsamic vineragerette. 

 Arent these shell holders darling? Who would have thought sea shells would be such cute decor. Even that dish the mints are in the back ground are sea shells. 

 See those flowers?  Bet you would have never guessed that they are sea shells. YuP! So Cute. 

Doesn't the red just look darling with the yellow and blue?  

So I was putting together the drinks the night before and Dan comes over to me and says "Women!!" I replied But aren't they so cute?! Dan: Yes they're too Cute. haha. It may seem like a lot of work but it was so much fun doing it all and seeing how Happy Brittany was and how much everyone enjoyed it makes all the hard work pay off.  I find joy in seeing other people happy. 

 Beautiful Brittany and her cute Belly.  

 Laura Brittany and Me

I of course had to take some shots of this goodlooking stud of mine:

Family Update

Time sure flies by when your having fun. Let's see where do I even begin...

Calvin flew his first kite by himself. Then let it go soaring over our neighbors roof, landing in their backyard. He just likes us to go over there to get more aquainted with them. Such nice people. 

Went to Austin, just Calvin and I. We stayed with our cousin Jaisey. It was so fun to get away especially since Daniel was working till 3 am in the morning. Blah.

Calvin enjoyed his first Easter egg Hunt.  He got mawled by the other kiddos so we ran ahead so he could at least get a couple eggs.  He loved picking them up and then putting them back down on the ground.  

Experienced being alone for 3 days. So WEIRD. But at the same time so Rewarding and relaxing. Dan made fun of me when he came home when I told him what I did... Dan: Did you go to the spa or get a pedicure? Me: No. Dan: Did you read a book or take a long nice bath?  Me: No, I take baths all the time with Calvin. Dan: so what did you do then to relax? Me: I refinished furniture and worked day to night on projects. (side table, and dresser) I love it. Loved I could prawl through a project without stopping. But I missed them so so much.  And I would never replace being a momma for anything. I also got lonely at night. I didn't like going into Calvins room, it felt too weird not having him there. Glad they had time to be with fam and spend a little time together as Daddy and Son. At the airport, every time he saw an airplane he'd go look see plane WOW.  

Made Homemade Strawberry Jam. mmm and Multi Grain Bread. I am now converted to making my own bread. No more of the store bought stuff. Unless of course it is Great Harvest or Village Baker. mmm.

Calvin loves loves water. In our backyard i will turn on the hose and he will play in the water for hours and does not care that his clothes are sopping wet. Oh the joys of being a child. 

I tried the painting thing again. It actually turned out a lot better this time. He actually tried painting intsead of eating it. I love kids in big t-shirts don't you? Brings back so many fond memories when I used to wear them.

Calvin learned a new trick at the park.. (watch video)

He is a very bright little boy. I am astounded with the things he knows.  My biggest fear I think is not teaching him or doing my very best for him.  

Hanging out with Cousins lots. Dan's Uncle Brent lives 10 minutes away and our cousin Sadie had a birthday party on Saturday with all sorts of lawn games and a bounce house. It took Calvin a little while to get used that thing. We love having family near.   

Our very Large Carrot from our Garden. YUM

Cousin Sebastian

Cousin Sadie