Tonight was the ward bridal shower for Natalie. What a wonderful evening. Cindy, Leslie, Brenda, and Donna hosted the shower and it was next door at Cindy's. That made it really convenient for US, huh! It was so fun to visit with everyone that it ended up being impossible to get pictures of everyone and everything, but here is a pretty good summary.
When you walked in, she had the living room 'roped off' with pink ribbon which led everyone down the hall, through the family room/kitchen and outside to the patio on an absolutely gorgeous night. The table was decked out with vegetable trays and darling, delicious teeny fruit kebobs of a pineapple wedge and a strawberry on a feathered toothpick on a beautiful platter. Pink and green M&M's, dove chocolates. A 'gathering game' was set up as well. Pictures of bridal gowns with the faces of the brides cut out and replaced with celebrities faces. We had a card to write the answers on. Lots of fun. Sally H. and Nicolle were the winners.
Natalie and Christine, the Bride and Maid of Honor!
One of the groups of guests working hard on figuring out who was who on the celebrity bride game. Check out the streamers hanging down!
Now this next part is WAY unique and FUN. Cindy S. took pink and green (Natalie's colors for the wedding) satin ribbons and hung them from the patio cover over the table. To weight them at the ends, she tied metal cookie cutters and glass pink and green votive lanterns with battery tealight candles in them. They gently swayed in the evening breeze and those were her gifts to Nats. How cute is that?!
There were about 50+ people there. Such a tribute to Natalie! Everyone was invited into the house and sat down. Things were a-buzz. They asked Natalie to leave the room, and then had the guests write down all the details about her--what she was wearing, coloring, features, accessories, etc. It was hilarious when she came back in and they were comparing answers to facts! The Peterson family won that game. Of course--they are 'family' after all. (Meredith's)
The living room bedecked with well wishes and love!
Notice above the large framed piece--it is from Adrianne and her family. They are very talented artsy wise and it is a custom made Proclamation on The Family done by her brother, Aaron, that goes horizontally with their picture. Most Proclamations are vertical. The picture can be changed as their family grows. Josh and Mere have one and so do Mike and Adrianne.
Now time to open the gifts. But they changed that up as well. Showers of any kind in our ward are big social events--everyone likes to see each other and visit. That is a GREAT thing--we like and love each other. However, sometimes that means that the guest of honor is 'lost' in the socializing during the gift opening. Not tonight!
Leslie began the gift portion with a brief history of Natalie's childhood. Then on random presents were a pink square with a number on it. Whoever's gift had the number was to read a short paragraph about Natalie and little details about her life. It was really cute. We had some pretty good laughs.
Theresa Burton and Sally Harrick in front of this group.
Adrianne with Apryl, her sister, who is down from Reno on the front row. Mere's family a couple rows back.
This gift was a hit with most everyone. I got Natalie an under-the-bed box and filled it with rolls of wrapping paper, gift bags, tags, ribbons, scissors, tape, tissue paper, etc. I still remember when I was a newlywed and went to wrap my first gift to give--I had nothing! and it is so dang expensive to go buy, right? It was also filled with a box of those handmade cards from Costco. We all had a good conversation about that one!
Bedding!
Gift from Nic. Cookie sheets, turner, and cooling racks. Nic is a GREAT cookie baker so it was appropriately fitting!
Lots of wonderful presents for a couple to begin their life together. This being our third wedding in a years time, I am again VERY touched at the generosity of our friends and family in ALL ways, most importantly their love and support.
Natalie and Nicolle
Kimmie, Stacy, Nats, and Stephanie--friends for a LONG time!
Debbie, Natalie, Kelse, Sally P. and Allyson
Kennedy, Laurie, Kathleen, Allison, and Breana
Allison, Brenda, Kim K., and Donna
Sharon and Amber, some of our neighbors for like EVER!
The Peterson Gals: Patti, Megan, Natalie, Katherine, and Christine
More neighbors, Cathy and Heather Hall, and Allison
The Hostesses with the Mostesses!
Brenda, Cindy, Donna, Natalie, and Leslie.
What a LOVELY evening. THANK YOU dear friends.
Lisa and my mom wished they could be here tonight, but they sent gifts and I intercepted them and took them next door. Natalie was surprised to find that Grandma sent her 4 place-settings of her good silverware, and Auntie sent her the china platter and pitcher along with ALL of her everyday dinner plates! So they were there in spirit!
We had a delicious 'pink' frappe for dessert. It is raspberry sherbet softened and then stirred with 7-up. You serve it in cups with a piroutte cookie. You eat it with a spoon because it is so thick. It was VERY refreshing. Wendy C. brought some darling decorated cupcakes on a cute stand that was next to the water jug filled with limes. Lots of pink and green going on!
Natalie is TOTALLY a traditional girl. Check out the hair and train!
Happy Feet today. They'll be totally sore the day of the wedding. 
