Stay-cation

This summer I've been a bit restless, but haven't found the spare change in my budget to take a big vacation...so I decided to soak up some of the time off I've earned at work and have myself a staycation. I had 10 days off in a row, and it was amazing! Lots happened during my staycation, but here's are the highlights:

Oh, baby!

One of my best friends from high school Elyse (pictured middle) is pregnant and expecting a baby boy named Avery Hudson in November! She was planning to be in Houston during July so (pictured from left to right) Elyse's sister Kayla, Jennifer and I had planned to throw her a baby shower. I had so much fun making invitations, planning the theme, decor, games, food, etc. We had a great turn out and Elyse is a lot closer to having her nursery stocked!

Here's the mommy to be at 24 weeks, isn't she so cute??????

The theme was polka dots & blocks, with a few baby animals thrown in for fun! I made a diaper cake, table runners, and found bright flowers and balloons to help make the house festive!

Buffet featuring a picture of baby Avery, brightly colored M&M's, and neon daisies! Below was most of the food served, including a very popular cheeseball, fruit salad, piggies in a blanket, coffee cake, veggie platter, and the party themed cake! The blocks on top of the cake spelled Avery and will be used to help decorate his nursery!
Of course rubber ducky punch was a must...

Elyse's mom and sister made the cutest party favors for guests. They were baby socks filled with M&M's tied with ribbon and a note from Elyse thanking everyone for being a part of the special day!
Turns out Willow wears a size 1 diaper, a discovery Jenni and I made late at night while finishing up the diaper cake. Willow was NOT happy.
Jenni helped plan the games and found cute brightly colored clothes pins that each guest wore during the party. The goal was to avoid saying the word 'baby' because each time you said baby you lost a clothes pin to the first guest who heard you! Let me tell you, women get competetive with this one!

The other game was a repeat from my niece's shower where each guest had to name the infant version of 20 animals. For example a goose is a gosling, a frog a tadpole etc. etc.
Here we are with our moms (and Willow!) after the shower.

Of course Willow was festive and bathed for the party, Karo helped me make her a bandana from the leftover fabric I used to make the table runners. It was even embroidered with her name on it!

Sadly, I didn't get a picture of the lovie blankets that my sister Jessica helped me make for Avery. They were so cute and I hope he enjoys cuddling with them!

Jenni and I got to spend some more time with Elyse before she left, swimming, watching movies and grilling a tasty chicken dinner! We cherish the time we get together since we don't live close to each other and rarely get to relive our Jr High/High school days.

Months ago Jenni and I bought tickets to go see Coldplay on their Viva la Vida tour, so I was really excited when Wednesday rolled around and it was the day of the concert! One minor detail- I had woken up extremely nauseous that morning, and after multiple visits to worship the porcelain throne I was shaky, dehydrated and exhausted. I was NOT going to miss Coldplay though! I managed to shower and make it to the Woodlands pavilion only to crash on the grass and sip on some water during the show. Coldplay was AMAZING live, and I had SO much fun, despite the shaking and fever! Note to anyone planning to see them soon- sit in the middle of the audience or lawn, they come into the audience twice to play! A few of my favorite things about their show were:
the butterfly shaped confetti shot during 'Lovers in Japan'

the enormous yellow balloons dropped onto the audience during 'Yellow'

the cool lanterns on stage that have video projected from the inside

the Viva balloon that floated behind us in the lawn

and finally sharing the experience with my bestest friend!!

Maybe the best part of all- the free 9 track CD 'left right left right left' that ALL guests got on the way out of the show! For anyone who's jealous, don't worry the CD is available for free download on their website http://www.coldplay.com/

The remainder of my week was spent trying out classes at my new gym, taking naps, and playing with Willow. It was so nice, and reminded me of one of the several things I miss about college- summer break!!