Celebrating Jayden Talon Shuler - Part II

Since Rance was on spring break April 7-11, he ventured back to Robbinsville on Monday (after our Nahunta shower) solo to lead the 5th annual Campers for Christ trip while I stayed in Nahunta with the family for the week.  Although we were all working during the day, it was nice to spend some quality time with the family in the evenings! 

The following Saturday (12th), my mom, cousin Lauren, cousin Brooke and I headed to Robbinsville for the weekend for our baby shower there.  Everything about the weekend was AMAZING from our 6 hours of traveling, to our nonstop conversations, to introducing them to our best friends and family here, to hours upon hours of laughter, to crazy pictures, to a romantic Saturday night date night - ALL was a blast until we said goodbye Monday morning.  They all left by saying 'next time we see you, you will have a baby....' 

Oh my gracious..........Lord willing..........AHHHHHH!!!!!!


*A recap of our weekend in pictures*



We travel alike obviously!

Saturday was absolutely beautiful weather and we enjoyed MUCH time outside once we arrived in Robbinsville around noon!

 

Brooke & Lauren in lil Frank's jeep!



going for a Saturday afternoon stroll!



Lauren & Brooke meeting Wyatt for the first time!  It only took a second for them to understand my (and Rance's) obsession & love for this little man!

he's so chill
(and i love how he curls his little toes)

 

showing the family the intense labor put
into this barn on ETM's property!

lil Frank venturing through the barn!

 

....AND it only took a second too for my family to see why I love Jess so much too (and Ben although not pictured)!

Saturday evening we headed out for a romantic date night on the Nantahala River!  The weather was perfect to sit outside and feast on some good food!

I think we liked the COOL JEWEL dessert

I apologize (not really) for the next group of pictures.  When the three of us get together (Lauren, Brooke and I), we have a blast taking pictures that are NOT serious (meaning we are not good at posed smiling pictures).  The funny thing is, as we began to take these pictures and I tried to be all cute like them - I realized I wasn't feeling it so I decided to do my own background posing without them knowing :)  Needless to say, I had a BLAST!

Here we go!  Check out Mama Gale's face!
32 week bump by the way!

I love these two! 

 

Family picture after dinner!

On Sunday after church, we were loved on some more by our family & friends in Robbinsville.  Oh my, what fun this was! 

all the STRIPES were not planned or else Mama Gale would have got the memo :)

Kathleen, Marla, Kenleigh and I
(Rance's mom, sister, niece)

Jayden got some John Deere overalls just like his best friend Wyatt too!

Rance and his dad!

Rance with his mommy & sissy!

Rachel rocked our socks off with all the time & energy she put into making this blanket for Jayden!

These are a few of his favorite things...wonder why?!

*3 Musketeer Pic*

lovin' on baby

I have no idea!

Phew, it's definitely harder to jump 32 weeks pregnant

Who could resist posting these pictures? 
NOT HIS AUNT JENNI! 

Wyatt learning to CRAWL!



I love little dude!



...And I love this family + Frank!

 



Yes, we all rode the bus together Sunday night :)

High five to a blessing of a weekend!

Celebrating Jayden Talon Shuler - Part I

On Sunday, April 6th, we had a baby shower in Nahunta and boy did we get spoiled rotten with love!  Rance and I only had ONE request for this baby shower and I know it stressed some people out quite a bit but we were thankful our wish was granted.  Considering the fact that we live on the other side of North Carolina - the few trips we do make out east are generally reserved to spend quality time with my family.  It's hard to 'fit' time in to see others when the trips are short.  Therefore, we asked that people bring their gifts unwrapped (or however they wished) so that Rance and I could spend the entire 2 hour shower talking to everyone vs. opening gifts and getting no personal time with people.  THIS WAS SUCH A GIFT TO MY HEART.  Being free to enjoy people I do not get to see or talk to much was a far greater blessing than I can explain.  Not to mention, so many people traveled over an hour away and I would have been crushed if I did not get to talk to each one of them. 

After the shower was over, Rance and I were able to enjoy looking at each gift (in no rush) instead of wishing we could be fellowshipping with family & friends. 

Shower theme:  BLESS THE NEST!

bird's nest!

Yes, my favorite part of the food!

*These gals bless my heart*
Laura, me, Mandy, Sara, Rachel, & Cooper (Sara's lil one)

LOVED Rance's reaction over this blanket (Thank you seestar, Rachel)



This gift wins the award for MOST CREATIVE!  Susie, you ROCK!

Boo Bear telling how Jayden's name came about!

31 weeks & 1 day ~ The Three Musketeers!

My mama and I

My brother and I

Boo bear and I

These ladies put a LOT of work into making this shower happen!

*Family picture*

 

BIG, HUGE thank you to everyone who helped or came to celebrate Jayden with us!  OVERWHELMED!