I'm in the brainstorming stage of planning a baby shower for a loved one. I'd love the input of those who read the blog. My creative juices are not flowing today, but I need to get the ball rolling.
What is your most favorite thing to do at a shower?
Favorite refreshment?
Activity you enjoy?
Type of cake?
Best decoration you've seen?
Thanks for the input :)
Shan
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Congratulations Wilsons! And welcome Addy and Jake!
Ben's cousin Andy and his wonderful wife Lisa welcomed twins to their family Sunday, July 19th. Both babies weighed 5 pounds 1 ounce (Lisa did a most excellent job of growing them :)
The babies are beautiful. Looking at the pictures literally brings tears to my eyes. When Andy and Lisa were in Texas for Christmas they came in town and met Betsy and told us their exciting news. It feels like just yesterday, but it was 7 months ago.
Please keep Addy, Jake, Lisa and Andy in your prayers. Andy and Lisa are apart, Andy with Jake in a NICU and Lisa at the hospital where she delivered with Addy. Both sets of grandparents are there which (I know) is a huge help. It's hard being away from one of your babies so soon after delivery.
Jake
Addy
The babies are beautiful. Looking at the pictures literally brings tears to my eyes. When Andy and Lisa were in Texas for Christmas they came in town and met Betsy and told us their exciting news. It feels like just yesterday, but it was 7 months ago.
Please keep Addy, Jake, Lisa and Andy in your prayers. Andy and Lisa are apart, Andy with Jake in a NICU and Lisa at the hospital where she delivered with Addy. Both sets of grandparents are there which (I know) is a huge help. It's hard being away from one of your babies so soon after delivery.
Jake
Addy
Monday, July 20, 2009
HP6 Anniversary weekend!
To celebrate our anniversary (in true Bralley-geek style) Ben and I took a trip to Dallas with our friends John and Laura to enjoy good food, the new Harry Potter movie and a beautiful hotel. We had a great time :)
On Friday I was sad that Betsy was at my in-laws and I wouldn't see her for 24 hours :( but being away with grown-ups and getting a good night sleep was awesome.
To prepare for HP6 weekend I embroidered shirts for us, just so all others attending would understand how much we love HP. I also made some HP themed snacks including to labeling M&Ms as 'Bertie Botts every flavored beans', labeling twizzlers as 'Licorice Wands'. Root beer as 'butter beer' and tea as 'pumpkin juice'. Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures of our snacks.
Quite a pair, after dropping Laura and I off to pick up the tickets those studly men went to park the car. They looked so excited on their way in to see the movie.
The manly men.
Cute couple
Laura!
Ben trying out John's hotel trick.
Ben's shirt was the biggest success. Every time a character said "Merlin's Beard!" we would laugh and elbow Ben.
My shirt
Ben and John, who accidentally wore matching shorts to go with their matching shirts.
On the way out of town the Osborne kids doing 'the big nose dance'.
On Friday I was sad that Betsy was at my in-laws and I wouldn't see her for 24 hours :( but being away with grown-ups and getting a good night sleep was awesome.
To prepare for HP6 weekend I embroidered shirts for us, just so all others attending would understand how much we love HP. I also made some HP themed snacks including to labeling M&Ms as 'Bertie Botts every flavored beans', labeling twizzlers as 'Licorice Wands'. Root beer as 'butter beer' and tea as 'pumpkin juice'. Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures of our snacks.
Quite a pair, after dropping Laura and I off to pick up the tickets those studly men went to park the car. They looked so excited on their way in to see the movie.
The manly men.
Cute couple
Laura!
Ben trying out John's hotel trick.
Ben's shirt was the biggest success. Every time a character said "Merlin's Beard!" we would laugh and elbow Ben.
My shirt
Ben and John, who accidentally wore matching shorts to go with their matching shirts.
On the way out of town the Osborne kids doing 'the big nose dance'.
Betsy goes to jail
Saturday we received a shipment from Amazon.com containing a new play pen. When ordering I speculated on how well the play pen would work for what I needed. I'm pleased that it seems to be working!
The entry way for Betsy's play room is 70 inches. Almost all the extra-wide gates are hardware mounted and I wanted something easily removable for when we entertain in the dining room. Extra wide gates are also very expensive, and when I found this (1/3 cost of an extra wide gate) I imagined I would enjoy taking it with us places if we needed to and we can use it in other rooms of the house (I predict we'll put it around our Christmas tree and presents in December).
My Mom has deemed Betsy's playroom (the biggest room in the house) jail. Madison acts like the warden. She sits on the other side of the gate and watches everything Betsy does.
Betsy coming in for a kiss. We haven't mastered a pucker yet, but the sweet girl gives me lots of kisses.
Inside the play-room
Betsy in jail with the Warden, Madison monitoring all visitors.
The entry way for Betsy's play room is 70 inches. Almost all the extra-wide gates are hardware mounted and I wanted something easily removable for when we entertain in the dining room. Extra wide gates are also very expensive, and when I found this (1/3 cost of an extra wide gate) I imagined I would enjoy taking it with us places if we needed to and we can use it in other rooms of the house (I predict we'll put it around our Christmas tree and presents in December).
My Mom has deemed Betsy's playroom (the biggest room in the house) jail. Madison acts like the warden. She sits on the other side of the gate and watches everything Betsy does.
Betsy coming in for a kiss. We haven't mastered a pucker yet, but the sweet girl gives me lots of kisses.
Inside the play-room
Betsy in jail with the Warden, Madison monitoring all visitors.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Gasp!
That was the sound made yesterday when Ben and I saw Betsy not only pull up on her push and ride lion, but let go and stand alone (balancing). Jaws dropped and she looked at us and smiled.
Ben: "Did you see that?"
Shan: "Yeah, did you see that?"
Ben: "Oh my gosh."
Shan: *scooped up Betsy and smothered her in kisses*
The other highlight of my evening was webcamming with my Aunt Mary. I miss her so much, so she got to talk to Betsy, I showed her my newest cake creation, and we just talked about how we were doing. Lots of fun.
That's all for today. Check back in tomorrow for the update that Betsy has learned to make pancakes, tap dance or something equally impressive.
Ben: "Did you see that?"
Shan: "Yeah, did you see that?"
Ben: "Oh my gosh."
Shan: *scooped up Betsy and smothered her in kisses*
The other highlight of my evening was webcamming with my Aunt Mary. I miss her so much, so she got to talk to Betsy, I showed her my newest cake creation, and we just talked about how we were doing. Lots of fun.
That's all for today. Check back in tomorrow for the update that Betsy has learned to make pancakes, tap dance or something equally impressive.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Anniversary surprises
After work yesterday I attended my Tuesday night cake decorating class. Ben called and told me to not eat before class because he had a dinner surprise at home. He had picked up Olive Garden, a really nice bottle of wine, and these beautiful long-stemmed roses.
Dinner was great, it was SO relaxing after a very busy day at work and cake class. A great anniversary all around :)
Dinner was great, it was SO relaxing after a very busy day at work and cake class. A great anniversary all around :)
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Two years ago today
Join me for a dash down memory lane. Two years ago today was one of the most amazing days of my life. Our wedding was more than I could have dreamed. I loved having our close friends and family celebrate the occasion with us. Our wedding was on the small side, but I loved getting to talk, dance and laugh with everyone there. Going through these pictures puts a huge smile on my face.
On our anniversary Ben and I reflect on the changes that happened that year. Obviously the biggest change this year was the addition of Betsy to our family. I always knew Ben was great with kids but couldn't imagine how nurturing, attentive and sweet he would be with both Betsy (and myself!). I'm one lucky lady to have Ben in my life.
My fantastic friends (and bridesmaids) helping me into the dress
Before the ceremony with my mom and sister
Steel drummer playing the wedding march
Dad and I walking down the aisle
Ben saying his vows
On the way down to the ceremony the photographer caught my Mom and I.
The ceremony...it was rather warm (but breezy)
(Finally!) Husband and Wife
The Stuckey (Hackney/Middleton/Heath/Ernest/Copponex/Cornelison/Works family)
The Bralley (Butler/Berger/Wilson family)
My girls! Sister, Mom, Shan, Aunt Mary and Gina.
The ballroom where we celebrated
Parents of the groom, Jane and Jim
The Best Man and Maid of Honor's entrance to the reception. What's with the strained look on JD's face?
First dance as husband and wife. Ben is so much fun on the dance floor.
My Dad and myself
Groom's cake and wedding cake
Ben and his Mama
Aunt Dolly and Uncle Bud who had been married the longest (as determined by the anniversary dance)
This is a great picture of my Mom and Dad. And my Dad's shirt (which he carefully selected himself for the momentous occasion).
That would be my Dad.
On our anniversary Ben and I reflect on the changes that happened that year. Obviously the biggest change this year was the addition of Betsy to our family. I always knew Ben was great with kids but couldn't imagine how nurturing, attentive and sweet he would be with both Betsy (and myself!). I'm one lucky lady to have Ben in my life.
My fantastic friends (and bridesmaids) helping me into the dress
Before the ceremony with my mom and sister
Steel drummer playing the wedding march
Dad and I walking down the aisle
Ben saying his vows
On the way down to the ceremony the photographer caught my Mom and I.
The ceremony...it was rather warm (but breezy)
(Finally!) Husband and Wife
The Stuckey (Hackney/Middleton/Heath/Ernest/Copponex/Cornelison/Works family)
The Bralley (Butler/Berger/Wilson family)
My girls! Sister, Mom, Shan, Aunt Mary and Gina.
The ballroom where we celebrated
Parents of the groom, Jane and Jim
The Best Man and Maid of Honor's entrance to the reception. What's with the strained look on JD's face?
First dance as husband and wife. Ben is so much fun on the dance floor.
My Dad and myself
Groom's cake and wedding cake
Ben and his Mama
Aunt Dolly and Uncle Bud who had been married the longest (as determined by the anniversary dance)
This is a great picture of my Mom and Dad. And my Dad's shirt (which he carefully selected himself for the momentous occasion).
That would be my Dad.
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