California Knows How to Party

My cousin, Niya! Before the shower, we got to spend some much needed time together!

Niya did this henna for me(: Isn't it beautiful!?

The Date: January 2, 2016
The Location: Auntie Kristie's House

The cake(:

Brandon and I are so grateful for all the thoughtful gifts.
They are much needed and truly appreciated! 

On the left is Auntie Kristie. She was kind enough to offer her home for the shower!
In the middle is Kari. AKA Brandon's mom. AKA Harvey's Grandma Alexander!
She did an amazing job planning the shower(:

Kari (soon to be Grandma), Grandma (soon to be Great Grandma), and Auntie Kristie

Paije Ortega, everybody. I met this girl in the most random GE class at UOP.
We HATED the class but had a great time together.
I guess we can't hate it too much...it's the reason we're friends(;

Kristie and Grandma Alexander (already a Great Grandma to many!)

Stephanie and Aunt Kathy

Cerissa!
FUN FACT: The day of my shower was her due date! But she came anyways!
That is a true friend(: I love you!
She is now mama to baby Hugh. I can't wait for our boys to meet!

Gaby(:
I miss this girl and love her tons!
I can't wait for Harvey to meet James!

When Brandon and I lived in California, we lived in 3 different cities: Castro Valley, Oakley, and Lodi. It was so much fun to see friends from each city and for everyone to meet one another! It was such a special day. We played games, ate awesome food, opened presents, and of course, there was a lot of chit chatting and catching up!

It was so great to visit California and catch up with all our friends! I am so grateful to Auntie Kristie for letting us have the shower at her house! Thank you Kari, my mother-in-law, for planning the shower! Thanks for Grandma Karen, Aunt Sue, and Sara for helping out at the shower! Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with me! And thank you for all of the wonderful gifts! 

Texas Baby Shower

The date: December 19, 2015
The Location: Mimi and Pop Pop Sorensen's House
The Theme: "Bring a Book Baby Shower"
The Mission: Celebrate Harvey & Party Hard!
Mission Accomplished. 

This is my beautiful big sissy, Tesha. She did an amazing job planning out the entire shower(:
She put a lot of thought into it and, in my opinion, it couldn't have been more perfect!

My mama helped with the shower as well!

The Entrance(:

                      

Like at my Virginia shower, my sister had everyone write me some words of encouragement & advice!
I really appreciated everyone's comments.
I saved all of the cards to put in Harvey's photo album! I'll definitely be reading them often!

And this. Because who doesn't love sweet treats!?

             

Early birds(:

                                

Each table had a book and a pom pom on it!
Aren't they adorable!?

Can you guess who sat here??

                     

Since I don't get to see my Houston friends and family very often,
I wanted the shower to be a time where everyone could just catch up!
My mom and sister planned a lunch for everyone!
Of course, we ate my Houston favorite, Lupe Tortilla!

And, of course, there were adorable books to go with everything! (:

                       

So it was a wonderful afternoon full of chatting with friends, amazing food, much needed advice, very appreciated gifts, and to end the party right... 

A Photo Shoot!
All of the pictures will be going in Harvey's photo album, along with the advice cards!
I want to make sure he knows all of his mama's friends.

We took a ton of fun pictures, but here are just a few...

My SIL, Sheena, and my nephew, Kyler AKA Kybear.
He is so excited for Harvey to get here!
FUN FACT: Kyler's enthusiasm for the name "Harvey" is a BIG part of why we chose the name!

The Benito Family
I have known them for years!
If you can't already tell, they're super fun to be around!

The Castillo / Walker Clan
Taylor and I met playing soccer in high school.
We've been "Taybay and Jaybay" ever since!

                              

On the left is Chelsey, a friend from high school. We met at church and took art classes together!
On the right is Tania. We met playing high school soccer!
And that handsome fella is Aaron. He wasn't around for high school but I'm sure glad he's around now!!

Diana, my Reyes of Sunshine! Best friends since Freshman year.

Not everyone from the shower is pictured here, but I am really grateful for everyone who came!

And that, ladies and gents, concludes the tour of Jade's Texas Baby Shower! I'm so grateful for my beautiful and thoughtful sister taking the time to plan and put together such an amazing shower! Also, thanks to my mama for helping her out and for funding the shindig! Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate with me. I felt so loved. Of course, thank you for the thoughtful gifts(: And thanks to Lupe Tortilla for filling our tummies and adding a few pounds to my baby weight gain! (;