From Beaches to Peaches!

4-23-17 The big day!!!!

The day that we came back to St. Louis for was here. The culmination of about 2 months of planning, exchanging ideas with Carol and Emily (my co-hosts in planning the shower), preparing, and doing stuff for the shower. I've never been to a "couples" shower, let alone help organize one. I was in charge of the invitations and cake. Carol took care of the food and most of the worrying. Emily took care of the rsvps and all the drinks (2 large coolers of wine, large cooler of beer, and large cooler of soda) and the favors (bags of candy). Angie took the initiative to find the venue and lock down the reservation. Originally she had booked a different pavilion at Tower Grove, but it only had about 7 picnic tables. After making out 53 invitations, we realized we needed a larger place with more tables. But it wasn't available on Sat. the 22nd, so we settled for Sun. the 23rd. Glad it wasn't available on Sat. It turned out to be rather cold and dreary---high of about 52. Sunday was beautiful---sunny and about 68. Only negative was the winds were a sustained 1000 m/h! Anyway----

Angie and Sara brought the SUV over to me bright and early (about 9). We loaded up the tables and some more supplies, then they headed back to Carol's house. I loaded up the rest of the stuff and was on my way to the park by 9:45. Pulled up at the park behind Carol and Darryl. Spent the next 1 1/2 hours setting up---putting table cloths on all the tables and setting up a few decorations that wouldn't blow away! Several of the decorations we had brought didn't go out---like balloons and table decorations.
Almost ready----

The diaper cake I made---except this is the back of it.

Emily, Brian, Alex, and Darryl goofing off.

People are arriving---

Some of the LaBeaume clan.

the North County clan

Alex and Grandpa.

Some of the Hicks clan.

more of them

The LaBeaume men

some of the gifts. The pin wheel on the other diaper cake was busy! And now you can see the front of the cake--- I forgot to pay attention to that when I positioned it!

The coolers of soda and beer.

High school buddies.

PGAV buddy

Angie with some of her old co-workers of PGAV.

more school buddies

Cute play on words!---gold fish and potato chips.

the Knowles clan

Angie sporting her corsage that I was reminded to make her wear.

Josh sporting his corsage---or is it a boutonniere?

LaBeaume tables

Hicksesesesssss

the gift table over flowing with gifts. A lot of people even had their gifts sent directly to Angie and Josh's house in Georgia. Fortunately we were able to get all these in their SUV and transported back to Georgia.

The cuppie cakes.

a rosary appeared on her anchor.

Coni saying her good byes.

Note the wine coolers on the table!!!! They were full at the beginning of the shower and almost empty at the end.

People starting to leave. If I had been smarter, I would have had them open their presents before people started to leave---but I wasn't that smart.

Holly and Mayor Knowles.

signing the Congrats picture frame thingy---

more LaBeaumes

Daddy and daughter Knowles.

the Hicks sisters.

2 of Shannon's triplets with Shannon and their grandparents.

North American Martyr's grade school BFFs.

the couples shower turned out to be a families shower. But it worked out great. The weather was beautiful so the kids had a ball playing in the grass.

I think the old foggies enjoyed themselves, too.

There were even a couple dogs at the party! Can't see it here, but the kidos are checking out Nick's husky.

The food and cupcakes seemed to be a big hit. Carol bought deli meats from a butcher shop and made yummy sliders, as well as got some really tasty slaw and mixed fruit---and "fish and chips". I made devil's food, red velvet, and golden butter cupcakes. Looks like Alex liked his!

the sisters leaving---heading back to southern Missouri.

strangers and family playing together.

Bill giving them advice.

Wasn't sure we'd get people to sign this, but it looks like a lot did.

Some people asked if Angie and Josh were going to open their presents, so I finally made the executive decision that they would.

Holly's daughter videoed the whole time---wonder how those turned out?! Carol keeping track of the gifts.

Lots of people shopped Buy Buy Baby---as you can tell by the bags and boxes with dots on them.

Angie and Josh had registered at Buy Buy Baby, Target, and Pottery Barn---and they requested lots of books---and got lots of books.

Her work buddies.

Josh's Daddy bag from his Mom.

Jace helping with the unwrapping.

spectators.

baby Bullet so she can make baby food. Wonder if it makes smoothies?

clever "wrapping"

One of the home made gifts---this from the Disney fanatic, Becky. She also made a really cute crocheted baby blanket.

neat seeing so many things cute enough for a boy or girl---like showers use to be in the old days. Now a days everyone knows if they're having a boy or girl long before it's born.

Brother Ben and his girlfriend --- must be serious, he's just recently let her meet any of the family.

a hug from the videographer.

Wonder if their baby will be a Cardinal fan for life or become a Braves fan?

Cute toy. Hope Micky doesn't like it.

they got a kick out of the "From: Kartno" address.

bubbles!

Kartno and more PGAV peeps.

having fun with the bubbles.

love the bag!

I can see this being VERY handy!

If Josh has anything to say---the baby will be a ManCity fan!

I went the lazy route for a gift (other than the diaper cake)---a book and a card with a check in it.

Onesie from Dogtown---where they started out their lives together.

Gifts are open and it's winding down.

Pretty neat place for a party!

Plenty of room if it did rain.

They got a LOT of really great stuff!!! This doesn't even show the Pack and Plays, High Chair, Car Seat Stroller, and other stuff sent directly to the house.