Alayna and Sean's Wedding Shower

I'm honored to be the Matron of Honor in my cousin Alayna's wedding this October in Little Rock.

Alayna and I grew up together and have been best friends since as long as I can remember.

I just hope Baby 'S' is as close to her cousins as I have been.

It's something I will encourage.

When I offered to host a shower for Alayna and hubby to be, Sean, she mentioned she wanted the same kind of 'family shower' that she and my 2 cousins had hosted Brad and I back when we got married.

That's when the planning began!

I hosted along with my cousins Kendra and Karen.

The venue was Kendra's lovely lake front home.

Thanks goodness cousin Karen is obsessed with Pinterest and craftier than I am.

I came up with a vision and explained it to her and together we made it happen.

She made the poms, I came up with the idea of using the couple's new monogram as a centerpiece.

 The free monogram, A Liz featured on her blog.

I wanted a guest/entrance table and made it happen.

I ordered a Ted Gilmer leather photo album and journal that a friend gave us for one of our wedding showers.

I asked guests to leave the couple a message of marriage advice and/or best wishes.

Afterwards, they can put the shower pictures in the book and it's an instant scrapbook.

Cousin Karen made this ADORABLE bunting.

She bought the letters at the dollar store and cut the the other pieces out different papers, then tied up with ribbon.

Easy enough to where I think I might be able to make one.

Another view of it.

I think it added a lot of personality to the party.

We offered lemonade, ice tea, along with sodas and water for guests to drink.

His and Hers Tervis Tumblers for the happy couple alongside the framed invite.

The food was amazing, thanks again to ideas from cousin Karen and Pinterest.

Fruit cups in waffle cones.

 And, bride and groom cupcakes made by cousin Karen.

 How cute are these?

 The only part I would need help with - are the the top hats and fondant bow ties.

The theme of the party was a Sizzling Summer Cookout so the rest of the menu consisted of party food.

Chad, cousin Karen's fiancee, helped out by grilling all of the meat.

Overall, we were pleased with how everything turned out.

 There were over 30-family members in attendance.

Including my Mom, who traveled in with me.

Cousin Dana was also there.

 All of us, grew up together.

So fun to still be friends as adults.

 The bride's parents were all smiles!

 As was the entire 'family to be'!

(The happy couple with the bride's parents and younger brother.)

There was no shortage of gifts.

 In fact, I would say they racked up pretty good!

 Less than 60-days until the big day!!!

The Countdown is On!!!

Pink and Blue BBQ -4th of July Gender Reveal Party

When I first found out we were pregnant I immediately knew that I wanted to do a gender reveal party.

I have seen such cute ideas over the years but knew I wanted to do it by cutting into a cake with family and friends.

Originally, we figured we would find out the gender late June, so I had this big party planned in my head to take place at our house with around 15 to 20 friends and family.

Well, then the doctor's office set our ultrasound for July 2nd.

The Monday, BEFORE, the 4th of July.

So, the party got scaled back and we decided to do a small gathering with our immediate family at my in-laws lake house on the 4th of July.

With a little brainstorming help from, I Do Declare, the Pink and Blue BBQ idea was born!

After much debate and back and forth Brad and I decided to wait and find out the baby's gender with the rest of the family on the 4th of July.

I knew it would make the moment so much more special and memorable rather than finding out in a doctor's office, then sharing with our family.

And, let me tell you...

IT DID!!!

And, waiting 2 and 1/2 days wasn't as hard as we thought!

My neighbor LuLu from Looks Like LuLu was kind enough to join in on the fun!

We took our secret envelope over to her after our appointment and by my request she baked an American Flag cake made with pink and blue icing.
From there the Pink and Blue BBQ came together!

 All of my printables were courtesy of @KappaPrep
You might be asking where is the BBQ?
Well, early in the day we decided we would cut the cake first THEN eat.
HAHA!
A little anxious, I guess.

 Needless to say, after we cut the cake I was too excited to take pictures of the spread of food we had.
I was too busy calling people!
In case you're wondering -- it included pulled pork sandwiches, potato and pasta salad, coleslaw, bean salsa/chips and cake!

 For a small family gathering, I think it turned out perfect.

 We had both of our parents there, Brad's brother and his wife, and our niece and nephew.
We, of course called my brother and all of his kids afterwards.

 The entire pregnancy, I have been convinced it was a boy.
Seriously...
I've only thought of boy names and boy things.
So, what do you think it was?
Yep...
It's A GIRL!!!!!!

 We were SOOO excited!

I can't even begin to tell you.
Just watch our reaction yourself in this video!!!
IT'S A GIRL!!!

(In case you're wondering who's commentating, that's our SIL, Robyn.)

I have so many bows and smocked dresses to buy that I don't even know where to start!!

What a HAPPY, HAPPY way to spend 4th of July 2012!!!!

Beary 1st Birthday Party to Die For

If you're into frilly 'girlie girl' birthday parties this post is for you!

Before I start, we only wish we could have been in attendance to this first birthday party.

Remember our friends from San Francisco that we went skiing with just a couple of weeks ago?

Well, their daughter Dylan Sierra turned one over the weekend and after seeing the amazing party pictures I asked if I could post about it just so you all could see!

Theme: Bears

(there is also a back story to the bears since Dylan's daddy played for the Cal Bears back in the day)

Party decor: BIANCO in Los Gatos, CA

Party Venue:  Beth and DJ's home in the Marina District of San Francisco

No detail was left out.

Beth started planning Miss Dylan's birthday bash weeks in advance.

Down to what 'Miss D' would wear.

 Over 100 guests were in attendance and they were welcomed with festive decor from the minute they reached the front door.

Balloons.

 My personal favorite - a birthday girl picture on the front door.

 And, of course, a birthday bear to get this 'beary' first birthday party started.

 As, I mentioned the goal was for this party to be 'girlie' so there was a paper mache' dress in the front entrance.

 Along with a paper mache dog created to look like the family's white Labrador retriever named, none other than, 'Cali Bear'.

 Speaking of bears...

Dylan received a big new bear with a big bow from her Daddy, DJ, for her birthday.

 And, from her Mommy she got a new birthday outfit complete with monogram.

 Bears were everywhere!

Even though, this bear, named Coco lives in the house year round getting decorated for each season and holiday.

 'Beary Temple and Bearilyn Monroe' were also part of the party decorations.

 Along with a bear tea party that was going on.

 Other party decorations included a Spring theme.

 And, balloons and flowers to die for!

 Including kissing balls.

 And, candy from Dylan's Candy Bar in New York City.

 While guests dined on several appetizers to begin there was also a backyard BBQ.

There aren't a ton of pictures of food but I'll share the outside decor with you.

In case you're not familiar with SF, it's sorta a big deal to have a decent size living space outside when living in the city.

So, this backyard is pretty cool in my opinion.

There were more Spring like decorations outside.

With different areas for guests to sit.

Including this bar, a couple of other tables(not pictured)

 and, this cute little sitting area next to the herb garden.

 Overall, a pretty amazing party for a special little girl.

 Who, is very loved.

(some of the birthday gifts)

 Not only by her Daddy...

But, by all!

There you have it!

The one thing you might have noticed is that there was no cake.

There was a dessert bar but Beth wasn't into the 'let's watch the baby smash the cake thing'.

She said it is not her thing and that Dylan is too little to understand or remember.

In my opinion, it was NOT needed!