Mamma's Christmas Party/Surprise Baby Shower!

Wow! What a fun and eventful week this has already been--and it's only Wednesday! Can't wait to see what the rest of the days have to bring. But before I get started, have you entered my fabulous giveaway for a free 8x10" custom photo canvas from Easy Canvas Prints (a $44.71 value)?! No? Well, you better hop on it!

On with the post!

If you know me, you know that I am all about Christmas--it's such a magical time of the year and I just love all of the wonderful spirit and the meaning of the season. So now that you know this (if you didn't before), you know that I was excited when an opportunity to host a Christmas party/gift exchange came about!

These women are such a wonderful blessing in my life!

I have been a member of our local Catholic mother's group since August--I am always looking to meet new people/make new friends so I was thrilled to learn about this group (plus, I figured this would be a great way to meet other moms/friends for Jr.)! I quickly learned that this isn't just a group; it's a sisterhood. These women are all so warm, caring, and are always there for you when you need help, advice, or support. Our group meets two times a month, so I jumped at the chance to host one of the December meetings so I could do something Christmas related!

A couple cool cats enjoying the Christmas season (poor Bits.. she was finished with pictures after this one)!

I made my favorite Christmas cookies and English Toffee (recipe from the TomKat Studio Holiday Gift Guide) for the party!
I also set up a little hot cocoa bar with leftover supplies from our wedding.

So many gifts for the gift exchange!

Gift exchange fun with the gals!

Here's another little "if you know me" tidbit: I am terrible at catching on to surprises. 

Like, awful. 

It takes awhile for things to sink in with me so there is always a bit of a delay.. I definitely had one of those moments at the party. 

One of the ladies from the group was going to be coming late so we had planned to wait until after she arrived to do our gift exchange. When she drove up to the house, two of the gals went out to the car to meet her, which I didn't think anything about. When they came back a couple minutes later, they were carrying more gifts and a cake. My friend Jeanna came walking toward me with the cake--the cake had blue frosting and said "Boy oh Boy, It's a Boy!" 

"Huh, that's a cute cake," I thought to myself. "I mean, kind of random for a Christmas party, but still cute."

And then it finally clicked.

We were having a surprise baby shower for Baby Sand!

Baby and I were definitely spoiled at the party--not only did the girls bake a cake, but they gave us an adorable diaper cake, play mat, diapers, books (for mamma and baby!), and an extremely generous gift card to Wal-Mart that is going to help out tremendously. 

Words cannot describe how much this meant to me--these girls are such a blessing in my life and I thank God every day for this group of girlfriends. Thank you, thank you to all of the moms who came to the shower/were there in spirit/contributed in some way or another. I will never forget your kindness and warmth!

It was a perfect night full of good food, good friends, and good conversation--what a perfect way to start the Advent season!