A Storybook Baby Shower

While we were in Utah for the 4th of July my sisters wanted to throw a little baby shower for me. We worked together to come up with a theme and start planning ahead of time but it really all came together the day of.

Thomas and I try to find a unique children's book whenever we travel. The first one we ever bought together was in Santa Fe on the day we got engaged. We have them from all over the world now- from France to Australia (our friends sent us that one). What better theme for a baby shower than Storybooks then?

Hallie, Annalie, Thomas and I spent all day shopping for and making decorations and food. It was really fun to just spend time with them working on something together.

The first guest to arrive was my best friend from high school and what do you know, we were wearing pretty much the same thing! We used to inadvertently wear the same thing to church and school all. the. time. We actually have the same couch in each of our current living rooms too. There's this strange connection that has stretched across the years and many miles between us.

Did I mention that she is also pregnant? She's due just a month or two before me with a little girl who I am sure will be protected heartily by her might big brothers.

For the food we tried to do some book-themed items. We had a bunch of fruits and veggies that the Very Hungry Caterpillar ate through along with some Madeline Cookies. There was also pulled pork sandwiches although we couldn't think of a book that would coordinate with. Dad picked up some fresh root beer from Carr's Drive-In and my step-sister Trisha made an adorable cake that looked like a storybook. Hallie did such a great job planning all the food and it turned out super yummy!

 We spend the evening sitting under the big tree in the yard looking through books and hearing why each guest brought the one they had. We ended up with stacks of great books to read for years to come. I was overwhelmed by the love and support people offered to us and our tiny little family.

^^Buntings made from old books^^

Before we knew it we had to rush off to the airport for out red eye flight back to Boston. I feel like the weekend was so full of family and friends. It was incredibly busy and I know I did not sleep nearly enough but it was so worth it!

And now for a few funny pictures with my beautiful, smart and talented sisters.

#SethAndMiranda

These two kids got married at the end of March and I don't know if you can tell from this picture or not but they were pretty excited about it. I don't think I have ever seen a couple smile as much as this pair.

We flew in on Wednesday night and had In-N-Out Burger with my cousins Camille, Irene and Faith because there is In-N-Out burger in Utah now and my body craves that stuff.

The next morning I met up with my sisters and a bunch of Miranda's friends to get our nails done and have some lunch. It was so much fun to just hang out and relax.

We discovered that neither of my sisters had anything to wear to the wedding (how is that possible??) so we hit up City Creek shopping center to see what we could find.

Thomas and my brother in law Keveren helped Seth move and pack for the wedding. Everything he owned was in a big heap on his bed when I dropped them off. I was pulling clothes out of a questionably clean laundry pile and stuffing them in a suitcase for Seth to take on his honeymoon. We have our crap together in this family I tell ya!

While we were shopping and getting our nails done the boys did some go kart racing and arcade games too.

Seth stayed with us at the hotel that night which was sort of fun. We had breakfast with him in the morning and he seemed pretty calm and just ready to get married already. We went to visit a friend in Bountiful before quickly getting ready and heading for the Temple.

Watching Seth and Miranda smile so hard in the sealing room was unbelievable. There's just something special about seeing a sibling get sealed. I missed seeing my little sister Annalie get married last year as we were in Europe at the time.

They couldn't have picked a better day to get married, the weather was perfect and there weren't too many other weddings going on so we had plenty of time to do pictures and lurk around the Temple grounds.

I honestly don't remember my brother ever looking THIS happy!

I am really hoping that the photographer got some good pictures of us siblings together because I don't think I got a single one with us looking normal. Any by normal I mean not like we usually look.

There was a wedding dinner at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building with a little roast of the bride and groom. It was so fun to hear stories about Seth and Miranda at different points in their lives.

They had a more casual reception in another room at the JSMB and it was packed! These two know everyone!  There was a live band playing indie/hipster versions of all sorts of songs, they were really amazing and it made for some great dancing! One of my highlights was definitely dancing western swing with my little brother Drew. He knew all the dips, tricks and lifts. We used to go swing dancing together all the time and I really miss that!

Some of the best women I know- My grandma, aunties and cousins

Should we have a caption contest for this photo? I think so! Put your suggestions in the comments!

These two dancing their first dance together was super cheesy and I loved it. It's very satisfying to see your brother so darn happy.

I don't know what's going on here but I'd say it's pretty typical for these two.

Also, check out this awesome photo bomb by one of the band members.

And then before we knew it they were off to their honeymoon in Mexico!