Elizabeth's Bridal Shower

Recently, we gave a bridal shower for my good friend, Elizabeth.  She is marrying, Zach, who works in our student ministry with Jonathan.  It was such a fun shower to put together, because it's been awhile since I've done a bridal shower...we tend to have more baby showers going on lately with all my friends!  Doing a bridal shower again was a blast!

Tissue paper garland (tutorial)

I made a "Can of Dates" to give Zach and Elizabeth.  Each person at the shower wrote down a fun date idea for Zach and Elizabeth.  It was great seeing all the creative ideas people came up with!

I put pictures and doilies together to create a photo garland.

I love this pic of Elizabeth when Zach pulled out the ring to propose.

Tissue paper garland

MadLib of Advice for the Happy Couple

Nottingham sugar cookies...Elizabeth's future last name!

The party favors were small bags of African coffee.  Zach grew up in Namibia, 

so this was a little touch of his home to share with Elizabeth.  The tags said, 

"The Perfect Blend ~ Zach & Elizabeth" with their wedding date.

I painted a mug for Elizabeth with the monogram "N"

I used enamel paint on a plain white mug (Dollar Store!),

and I baked it in the oven and voila!

Elizabeth with all the hostesses

Halloween

I am so far behind on posting, but I guess it's better to get them up late than never! Halloween was just two weeks after Karis was born, so we went low key this year - Brayden went to just a few houses (also b/c it was a Wednesday night, and we had church).  I didn't even pass out candy this year...lame, I know.  Oh well.  Brayden was Batman and Karis was a little pumpkin.  He had a blast trick-or-treating and going to church with Daddy - aka Waldo.

Our neighbor's pumpkin...so creative!

She was a trooper walking around the block 

so big brother could trick-or-treat.

Brayden at church with one of our high school girls, Kalie

Amanda, Brayden and Donika

Counting his loot...he did well!

Grayma's Visit

Shortly after Karis was born, we loved getting to have Jonathan's mom, Dixie, come and visit for a few days.  She was a great help and we loved having her here with the grandkids for some good Grayma time!

Karis' Photo Shoot

My amazing friend, Amanda Adams of Day-Z Photography, took these beautiful pictures of Karis when she was just three weeks old.  They turned out amazing, and I'm so thankful we were able to capture these sweet moments!