Baby Shower

A great time was had by all at my daughter's baby shower on Saturday. Except for all the rain, everything went well.  My oldest daughter, Kim, and I hosted it with help from another daughter, Dana, and Kelly's good friend, Christina. We used the very nice "community room" at Christina's apartment complex.

We used the island in the lovely kitchen for serving the food.

The "spread" - fleece monkey blanket borrowed from my friend Lynette (thanks!); banner downloaded from Internet

Green chile and cheese "hot pockets" that Dana made and brought from Albuquerque on the plane;  ham and cheese baked sandwiches; cupcakes and punch bowl with "Barrel of Monkeys" hanging on edge

Valentine monkey, plant and extra fruit 

Monkey cupcakes made with vanilla wafers and decorator frosting gel (have you guessed we used a monkey theme?)

Fruit kabobs in ice bucket

Monkey on motorcycle made from diapers, receiving blankets, bibs, bottle and baby socks - tutorial here

Side view

Kelly (in pink) with her best friends from SW Airlines - one came from Montana, one from Phoenix, two moved to Austin recently from Chicago, and Sara - my youngest - on right who also works at SW!

Me and my girls - from left, Sara, Kelly, Dana and Kim

Lots of presents, including diapers

We asked everyone to bring a favorite book to start baby Carl's collection

Kelly's husband's family - from left, sister Megan, mom Hope holding 2-yr old Grace (Rachel's) and sister Rachel holding Megan's 11-mo old Ryan

Sister Brandis (on right) with her two children, Haley and Max

We played Baby Bingo and Christina and Sara won Ring Pops - they got a kick out of sucking on the "pacifiers"

Dana "signing" the family tree - I painted a tree trunk on cardstock and had everyone ink their finger or thumb to add prints for the leaves.  The title says "Baby Carl William, A Special Addition to our Family Tree."  Once it was finished, I put it in a frame and it can be hung in the nursery.

One of her favorite presents - a framed photo of Josh's grandfather (Carl's namesake) as a baby,  circa 1908! 

Hope you enjoyed a glimpse of our special day.