Baby Shower #2

Baby shower number 2 took place this past Saturday on October 2! It was a beautiful and festive party with a gorgeous brunch buffet that took place at my mother-in-law Susan's house. Joel's aunt Beverly Rice flew all the way out from CA to throw the shower along with Susan and my sister-in-law Katie. I can't even describe how hard they worked to make this shower so perfect! First of all, there were SEVEN brunch/dessert dishes that were prepared, cooked/baked, and served completely by the two of them! Plus the house was decorated just beautifully with fresh flowers, balloon bouquets, and other decor all following a chocolate, teal and green color palette.



We had a huge turnout of family members and friends who live in town, and oh my gosh...this baby boy is so ready now. Between the Black Hills shower, my sister Amy's obsession with baby clothes shopping, and this shower, I won't have to buy Baby Tjarks a single thing to wear for at LEAST an entire year! I also received other really great gifts including a breast pump (yay!), story books, baby supplies including diapers, towels, lotions, soaps, care items, etc..., a changing table custom built by Joel's Grandpa Tjarks, and the most FUN things for me - baby room decor!!! I was so excited about the jungle babies room decor items because I secretly have been pining to decorate his room but I never would have gone out and bought it myself. I went right to work almost the second we got home! :) I will definitely post pictures of his adorable room once I finish with the wall decals!

Here are some pictures of the great day! Let's start with the goods! :) Do you notice the jungle babies theme? It's so cute!!!

Here we are in line to load our plates at the delicious brunch buffet! Note the delicious gourmet cupcakes made by our very talented family friend, Marie Tanner. They were all so good, but the chocolate was my very favorite!



This is a very, very, very special person. This is Beverly Rice, Joel's aunt. She co-threw the shower and completely made sure it was such a special day! Thank you Bev for everything! I'm so sad we didn't get more photos of the hostesses but they were just so busy doing an amazing job at hosting!


Here are the Grandmas! Nana is on the left and Grammy (maybe - she hasn't decided on a nickname yet!) is on the right. Nana (aka Susan Tjarks, my wonderful mother-in-law) is another co-host! I have a new appreciation for shower-throwing because I saw first-hand the hard work, time, generosity, and thoughtfulness that goes into planning such a great day! Thank you!


Here are the great-grandmas! G-Grandma Tjarks is on the left and G-Grandma Garton is on the right!
We got some REALLY great gifts! The third co-host, my sister-in-law Katie Hazen - (who sadly couldn't make the trip out from Utah but will be coming to meet the baby at the end of the month), planned a really fun "newly-wed" type game that I played during the gift opening. She talked to Joel before the shower with a list of baby-related questions that he had to answer. Then, during the shower I was asked the same questions and if I answered the same as Joel I got to open up a gift! I did pretty well!











Here I am throwing my head back in laughter at a particularly funny card from my sister Amy.


The shower was a hit! I'm not sure how to feel now because it was so highly anticipated due to the fact that it was SO CLOSE to my due date! Now it's come and gone and the only thing I have left to look forward to is delivery day! Ahhh!!! Well, at least now I am completely and totally prepared! Thank you so much to everyone who helped us celebrate and prepare for this tiny boy during both showers - Susan, Bev, Katie, Amy, and Becky! I love you all so much and am so grateful for your EXTREME generosity and thoughtfulness to make sure each shower was beyond perfect! This is truly a time that I will never forget!