A Literal and Virtual Shower

Over Christmas break, we had a ball throwing a surprise literal and virtual shower for Shannon. What is this, you may ask. Let me explain.

We wanted to get together to do something special for Shannon because of the whole "I'm going to have a baby" thing. But, since our friends from SU days are scattered near and far, it was next to impossible to get everyone together in one place. So, we gathered those of us who could get together over Christmas (hence the literal shower) and had those who could not make it send gifts and photos from afar (hence the virtual shower). Here are some of our guests mingling: Melissa, Kelly, Claire, Callen, and Emily.


As everyone knows, I tend to be a little overly obsessive about surprises. No, not for myself - please don't. But I love surprising other people and watching them be surprised! The classic story is that freshman year of college, there was a girl who was getting a new car as a surprise out in front of our dorm (Vail circle). I was SO excited that I watched out of a hallmate's window for hours, just waiting for her (I had no idea who she was) to arrive. I cried once she actually came and saw it!

So of course, I felt a strong need to make our shower a surprise for Shannon. We enlisted the help of her mom, Robin. Always a little risky as she tends to get a little over-dramatic about things at times and thinks she's being quite subtle when she's really not. But she pulled it off perfectly and Shan was completely surprised! Here are Heather and I waiting for the mom-to-be to arrive:

It was such a fun time of hanging out with friends and catching up. We all ate Puffy Muffin chicken salad - yum! Shan opened all of her little presents for Samuel.
For old times' sake, a family picture:

We are all so excited for Shannon and Josh and looking forward to when Samuel arrives in April! We just hope that he hangs in there until after the family RV trip to Texas! But no worries, Shan, Dr. Yother agreed come along in case of emergencies!