Basque to the Future: BGB Baby Shower!

Last weekend my Wonderful Sister Colleen threw us a Baby Shower. Even more than the coordination required for a normal baby shower, Colleen decided that Alan deserved something special too and made it a Surprise Baby Shower for him and invited the out of town family! Alan had absolutely no idea (because we are all such great secret keepers).

Bart, Kiki, Ken, Cindy, and Lisa all flew into town and helped Colleen set up the house for the shower. We were even surprised by a visit from Chris, Erika, Casey and Darby from Madison! Our Chicago friends also made a strong showing and it ended up we were surrounded by all the love and well wishes you could hope for. It was a pretty wonderful day. Thank you, Colleen!

Family, Friends, Balloons, Cake AND Presents - my kind of party!

The Sweeney Contingent

The Basque Contingent

Full story and tons of pictures after the jump....

Alan thought we were going to a random summer BBQ at Colleen's house and couldn't figure out why I insisted that we go even though we all had been pretty sick with a summer cold just a couple days before and I wasn't 100% yet. He even bought my random you-must-dress-nice excuse which was that I wanted us to get a nice picture taken. He is such a good sport that he shaved and put on a nice shirt and didn't question once the wisdom of going to a backyard BBQ looking spiffy.

When we walked in the door Simon and Alan went first so I didn't see their faces, but I heard that their reaction was almost exactly the same. They both stopped and looked around in a confused (and happy) sort of way. They were both happy and smiling when they realized how many people they loved were there!

They made a banner!

Colleen even had awesome Big Bro pins made to use as nametags on the glasses!

We did get lots of pictures taken - unfortunately not one with the whole family together!

Daddy, Mama and 28 week BGB bump.

Chillin' waiting for the Alan, Simon and Emily to show up.

Grandpa Bart!?

Hanging with the Sweeney Grandparents.

Who is that, Auntie Lisa? OH, it's KD! I know him.

Catching up and eating.

AUNTIE COLLEEN HAS DRUMS!

Papa helps Simon with his burger, there are too many people around to focus on eating!

Present Time!

Alan enjoyed opening the presents.

Tissue paper!

New Mom To Be!

While the adults chatted and then opened presents in the living room, the 3 kids retired to the TV room to watch a movie. Shrek was Simon's first movie by virtue of it being the only kids movie Colleen had. Simon was totally entranced and told everyone who walked into the room that there was a Donkey on the screen. He wondered out after about an hour to help us open presents and found that he had some of his own.

Casey, Simon and Darby (left to right).

There was a movie on, so no looking at the camera.

Jenn came around 4:30 to take Simon home and put him to bed so Alan and I could stay and hang out with friends and family longer - Colleen had thought of everything. We somehow didn't talk to anyone enough, but it was so much fun.

For more time with the out of town family, Colleen had breakfast and hanging out planned for the next morning. Everyone came to our place and we had a two course meal ... egg casserole and waffles! Sadly Dad and Kiki had an early morning flight, but the Boston Basques all joined. It was a lovely day and Alan and Ken even got a chance to make that huge cardboard box the grill was delivered in into a house for Simon.