Up Close and Personal

I was off to Austin this past weekend to throw a shower for Shannon and Jamie. "Party" is a more appropriate name for it though, and I really had to try hard to let it go that I wasn't going to be able to decorate in pink and with flowers and traditional finger foods. That just isn't "Shannon and Jamie" style, you know. But I had to draw the line somewhere and I decided that Jamie would be the one buying the keg, because if I didn't get sweet little flower arrangements then I wasn't buying a keg for sure. Ha. ;)


When I pulled up Friday night this is what greeted me. A mail box with a cute, totally Shannon-style note on it. Ironically, it was about birds. I am seriously starting to wonder if there is some higher calling for me - a bird vet perhaps? It seems to be surrounding me everywhere I go...



The fine, and HOT HOT HOT hostesses pictured here. It was a boiling 100+ degrees all weekend and it was NOT pleasurable. We hit an all time record for the number of bottles of water consumed at a party where beer is present.


This is Melissa (co-hostess) and her fiance Bryant. They'll be tying the knot in August and we can't wait to celebrate with them! They are super sweet and cool people.


Shannon was really pulling for fajitas, but heck if I was going to make fajitas for 40 so we called upon an Austin favorite to cater for us. It was a hit and they were great!! I learned a lot about feeding 40 people that I didn't know before. First of all, that we ordered too much food, which thankfully made for some great late night tacos. Second, that a huge Costco sized sour cream is too much. I swear we only ended using like two table spoons of the stuff. Third, that an even bigger Costco sized bag of cheese is too much. I swear we only ended up using like four tablespoons of the stuff. Fourth, that there is never enough guacamole. And it was the only homemade food there! Next, I learned that if you discourage your friend to buy a huge thing of jalapenos because it's "really not necessary" and she buys it anyway - it will be one of the few things that everyone actually uses. And lastly, of course, that you will forget to buy ice.


Here is the Couple of Honor! They are crazy about each other and will live perfectly happily ever after. The are such a great match. And frankly...it's about time!!


Shannon and Jamie won the gold star prize with supplying the tables and chairs. Jamie's parents had them and graciously let us use them. Unfortunately, since Melissa and I both live out of town, Jamie was in charge of hauling them in and setting them up in the sweltering heat. Luckily his parents also had a huge metal fan that we plugged in outside too.




Take note of the sandy backyard. Shannon had a landscaper come in to help clean up the back yard and he suggested a little sand to even out the ground. She thought it would be a light sprinkling...then come to find out she has a beach out her back door. There was a slight miscommunication. It was very festive!




Here are the proud mamas! Everyone was so happy and we can't wait for the wedding.




These are Jamie's cute as can be nephews. They ran in and out all night and it always adds to the ambiance with little kids running around your legs and hearing their laughter. It reminded me of home!





Sampson had to check out all the gifts. He was pretty weirded out by all the ruckus.


I was glad she decided to open presents there. She didn't want to at first, I think mostly because she didn't think a lot of people would bring gifts. This was my favorite though - Jamie's transformer figurine and Shannon's iron. If that doesn't say his and hers then I don't know what does.

Sunday we had lunch and made a drive out to see the venue. It is an old southern style mansion with a big beautiful lawn. Trees wrapped with twinkle lights, a gazebo, wrap-around porch, huge ferns hanging from the eaves...and lots of peacocks roaming around...the inside was so pretty also with lots of antique wood detailing. I can't wait!! It's going to be so special and just perfect.