Baby Boy Kelley!

My mother very graciously threw Josh and I the most beautiful and celebratory baby shower last weekend and I just had to share the details with you! She asked me for some direction on the decor and the vibe I was hoping for, so I headed straight to Pinterest to cultivate a look for the shower that spoke to not only the holidays, but also our mountain home in Utah where the baby will be born. I loved that my mom involved me and that I got to contribute my ideas. I’m kind of a control freak on occasion…ok more often than not, so getting to have a voice when it came to the shower was pretty awesome for me!

Pinspiration!

My Pinterest board was full of ideas for the food, the flowers, the table settings and even the invitations. I told you I can be a bit of a control freak right? Anyway, like I said, I wanted the party to have a holiday/mountain feel so I looked for recipe and decor inspiration that spoke to my desired vibe.

For the invitations I went with the classic Stork and baby idea. My mother did something similar for my birth announcements and I thought it would be nice to continue the tradition with my own child. We also did a version of the Stork for Adalaide’s welcoming party so it’s kind of a thing for our family now!

I loved the idea of simple winter white bouquets and am an avid milk glass collector so wanted to include some single stem arrangements in milk glass for the dinner tables. I wanted the table settings to feel rustic and elegant like our ranch up in Utah so we included natural elements like rattan place mats, naturally shed deer antlers, pine cones and white gourds. I truly wish I could have these centerpieces on my dining table all year long!

The food was all about farm to table, seasonal simplicity and was absolutely delicious. We had an open bar that included some really fun holiday inspired cocktails for those imbibing but since I can not it was super important to me that the food be amazing so I had something to indulge in all night too! Thankfully it was!

I’ve had quite the sweet tooth throughout this pregnancy so the cake was also pretty significant to me. I of course wanted it to be beautiful but it had to be tasty too! I found some perfect examples of the kind of simple beauty I was looking for and then told the bakers to make sure the frosting was not only decorative but delicious too. They nailed it! We also included some fun Christmas sugar cookies decorated with a baby in mind. They were the perfect parting gift to send our guests home with.

My mother had a gorgeous Christmas tree put up done all in green and it was the perfect way to include the spirit of the season. The Christmas holidays are a pretty big deal in my family and not only will we now be celebrating our babies birthday around Christmas, Josh and I also celebrate our wedding anniversary December 23rd. So it’s a month full of joy and gratitude for us for many reasons!

My mother gave us a beautiful heartfelt toast that brought pretty much everyone to tears. It set the perfect tone for the night and I plan to print and have framed the William Wordsworth poem she included for our boys nursery.

Unfortunately I did not get a great photo of my mom at the party giving her toast so I'm using this shot of her from Mother's Day a couple of years ago!

Nancy's Toast

Those of you who have been to a few of our family celebrations before are familiar with what I’m going to say next. I have a very favorite stanza that I think of often and have quoted before. It always seems to have some meaning for our celebrations and gatherings. It’s from William Wordsworth’s “Intimations of Immortality.”

 

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:
The Soul that rises with us, our life’s Star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting,
And cometh from afar:
Not in entire forgetfulness,
And not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God, who is our home.

 

It is my hope, my prayer, as this little boy’s Halmoni, that with the help of his wonderful parents (and they really are wonderful parents) that he will magnify those clouds of glory which he brings with him, that he will “fulfill the measure of his existence” while on this Earth; and then after many, many years here he will bring back even more clouds of glory to God who is his home. Let’s all be reminded that “Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man” – Rabindranath Tagore.

So here’s to Josh, Katie, Baby Boy Kelley and Life!

Baby Boy Kelley Celebration!

Not only did I absolutely love how beautifully everything turned out but I could not have been more grateful for all my friends, family and co-workers who showed up to shower us with good wishes and support. It was a magical night full of love, laughter great food, holiday cheer and anticipation for the new life we are about to welcome into our world. As my mother so eloquently quoted in her beautiful toast to Josh and I, “Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.”

It is truly a magical time of year to be welcoming in new life and celebrating God’s hope for us, his faith in us, and his unconditional love. It is how all us parents feel about our children and Josh and I are no exception!

Photographs © Michael Simon / startraksphoto.com

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49 Comments

  • Vanessa

    Thank you for sharing. What a glorious event.

    December 10, 2016 at 10:10 pm Reply
  • Carmen Spraggins

    Hi! First of all you just beautiful and as so your children! Great actor! I was just wondering how many weeks you are now? My sister is having a baby girl and I think y’all are about at the same week!! Lol so I was just wondering how far along you are if you don’t mind me asking!! I love keeping up with the photos and things!

    December 10, 2016 at 10:18 pm Reply
  • Lauren

    Such a beautiful toast and a very special day! Everything looks so gorgeous. I love the cake and the flower arrangements. And the menu! I think my invitation must’ve got lost in the post… 😉
    Thanks for sharing!

    December 10, 2016 at 10:23 pm Reply
  • Cindy McCarty

    Congratulations! Your shower looked absolutely beautiful and you are glowing! Thank you for sharing!

    December 10, 2016 at 10:26 pm Reply
  • Cathy cunningham

    How Beautiful your Baby Shower looked, my Daughter is due in may with her first Baby & we have to plan her Baby Shower, alot of place’s are very expensive, so we are having her Baby shower in my home.

    December 10, 2016 at 10:50 pm Reply
  • Vicki Bagatti

    Just beautiful!

    December 10, 2016 at 11:10 pm Reply
  • Sandra Oranje

    This looked simply stunning! First I have to say, you look gorgeous Katherine, this pregnancy makes you glow. The cake, WOW! And I’m totally in love with the centerpieces and the flowers. ❤ A very special day to remember. Thanks for Sharing this special daywith us. Hugs from the Netherlands

    December 11, 2016 at 12:05 am Reply
  • Heather Brookes

    I am new to this blog but I can’t help but love it. I would be lying if i said that I wasn’t here because of Grey’s Anatomy though. I love the blog and everything you share with us. I also just have to say that I absolutely loved Izzie. I just love the way you portrayed her and aughh i just love her. She was probably my favorite character. Even though I love Grey’s Anatomy, I love you more. You are a great inspiration and an example of having a dream life. I mean, a family, an actor and a beautiful husband. I really can’t help but love you!

    December 11, 2016 at 12:52 am Reply
  • Caroline

    Thank you so much for sharing! Congratulations!!!

    December 11, 2016 at 1:03 am Reply
  • Ashley Hamrick

    Simply beautiful. I truly love the simplicity and beautiful atmosphere you can feel right through the pictures. My designer heart is happy!! I may very well borrow a few ideas for my own designs! You all did great! Congratulations on the new blessing!

    December 11, 2016 at 2:00 am Reply
  • Kelly Woodhouse

    What a beautiful toast. Thank you for sharing. A gorgeous shower indeed. Such a gorgeous couple. Congratulations to you both.

    December 11, 2016 at 5:05 am Reply
  • henriette

    all are very wonderful 🙂 congratulations. god bless you and your family always!

    December 11, 2016 at 11:56 am Reply
  • Marcia

    Absolutely beautiful!! You and your mom have great taste for decoration!!

    December 11, 2016 at 12:05 pm Reply
  • Gina Ortiz

    Very touching toast, this is beautiful. I feel like part of your family knowing these amazing things. Thank you! Congratulations on Bany Kelley and everything! You look so beautiful! Xoxo- Gina

    December 11, 2016 at 12:26 pm Reply
  • Vickie Pacheco

    Everything looks Amazing simply Gorgeous! You are stunning! I can’t tell you how much I enjoy your blog especially these moments you share with us. I loved the decor, the menu and all the adorable baby things! Congratulations and Merry Christmas! God Bless!

    December 11, 2016 at 12:53 pm Reply
  • Jillian

    Truly beautiful celebration, you are looking fabulous. I remember the years so well of babies and young children…the very best there is in our lives. Wondering if this is in California. We had a winter home in Palm Springs for many years and I always miss California…it is my hearts home. Not complaining, Boulder is very nice, but still… Best to you all and wishing you a speedy healthy delivery.

    December 11, 2016 at 4:00 pm Reply
  • Stephanie

    Oh my goodness, everything looked beyond gorgeous! And those little knitted items!! Congrats to you both a thousand times over!!!

    December 11, 2016 at 6:32 pm Reply
  • Cathy Powers

    So beautiful, love the white thene. You incorporate your spirituality in such an inspiring way. Thank you for sharing, warms my heart!❤️

    December 12, 2016 at 12:34 am Reply
  • Kimberly Burns

    So beautiful!!! Congratulations to you all!!

    December 12, 2016 at 2:17 am Reply
  • Kelly Stone

    Adorbs! Love all of the knitted gear! Congrats!

    December 12, 2016 at 1:41 pm Reply
  • Gaia raccanelli

    I wish you the best. I love you

    December 12, 2016 at 5:38 pm Reply
  • Christina Welch

    Thank you so much for sharing your special day!! It truly was a beautiful atmosphere and the theme gave a spiritual vibe; I almost felt like I was there. Congratulations on your bouncing baby boy. I can remember when I found out I was having a boy…I was so nervous. I had wondered if he would be as lovely dovey and huggy as my daughter Shelby. The answer is a resounding yes. Give love get love, hence that’s why boys are often called mommas boys, because we love them as no other could. The Lord installed this into us!! Embrace every moment of your pregnancy and his birth.

    December 12, 2016 at 6:38 pm Reply
  • Megan

    Everything was so beautiful! Your mom did a great job!

    December 12, 2016 at 9:38 pm Reply
  • Denise

    Thank you so much for sharing your special day with us.
    The decorations was very beautiful and the cake is so wonderful ♥.
    Congratulations to you and your family.

    December 15, 2016 at 12:02 pm Reply
  • Diane Wilkinson

    First of all Congratulations on your sweet baby boy !! The decorations are just beautiful..

    December 15, 2016 at 7:43 pm Reply
  • Cheryl Bond

    Congratulations! To you both, on your soon to be, little bundle of joy, baby Kelley.

    Your baby shower theme, decorations, & menu all looked exquisite!

    You are glowing! & Look more beautiful then ever! It’s obvious you have inherited your beauty from your stunning Mom.

    May you & Josh and your entire family have a wonderful Christmas! Have a very Happy Anniversary!

    I look forward to seeing pic’s of baby Kelley soon. May you have an easy as can be delivery & may God bless you with a healthy & happy baby boy Katherine.

    Take care,
    Cheryl

    December 24, 2016 at 12:23 am Reply
  • Irene Gentile

    Dear Katie,
    Your mother’s reading of the Wordsworth poem is very familiar to me. It was my mother’s favorite poem. I wish you and your family the best of everything. Please ask your mother to get in touch with me. I miss my dear friend. xo Irene Gentile

    December 27, 2016 at 4:22 am Reply
  • Suzanne

    Very beautiful! Congratulations on your new addition. Babies are the best! If I could have a hundred of them, I would. Haha. I just had my first in August and I already want another.

    January 4, 2017 at 8:12 am Reply
  • Tammy Ervin

    Very beautiful congratulations on expanding your family. Pregnancy is such a wonderful thing, my baby girl now 23 just got married this past September. You have these gifts from God and it’s hard to remember when they get my daughter’s age they’re given to us on loan. Because they fly off and make a path of there very own as now making a beautiful life and one day I’ll be able to give my daughter a baby shower like your mom gave for you.
    Cherish all the moments and I pray for blessings always to you and your family.
    As your over due by now, hopefully you’ve had your little boy by now and are just enjoying Everything in the privacy of your home with your beautiful girls and husband with family and friends.
    Peace be with you ♡

    January 15, 2017 at 6:40 pm Reply
  • Meg Hermann

    Congratulations to you, Josh and the girlies! Your shower looked so beautiful – I hope everyone is healthy and happy!

    January 17, 2017 at 2:52 pm Reply
  • Natacha

    Congratulations on your baby boy! What a beautiful family you have! You are an inspiration, I am happy that I found your blog.

    January 17, 2017 at 2:53 pm Reply
  • Melissa Garvey

    Congratulations Katherine! Everything looks stunning! I am pregnant too (9 weeks!) and I love getting some inspiration! I am going to also do a Pinterest board because I am also a control freak haha 🙂 You look beautiful in your photos, you really know how to style the bump! My family and I are based in Dallas and I have a lifestyle/fashion blog – melgarvey.com

    Enjoy your time off and the bonding with your baby! I am so happy for your growing family!

    Xoxo,

    Melissa Garvey

    January 17, 2017 at 4:14 pm Reply
  • Pat F

    Katherine, you are glowing! Everything about the shower was breathtaking. You and your Mom make quite the team. It has been over a month since we have heard from you and was wondering about your Christmas with the Girls and Josh. Is your due date near? Please give us an update. Not to be too intrusive but are anxious to know about you and the family. Blessings!

    January 17, 2017 at 5:14 pm Reply
  • Debra

    Congratulations on your baby boy. What a beautiful family. Cherish every day. God Bless.

    January 17, 2017 at 5:34 pm Reply
  • Maria Spencer

    Beautiful! May the Lord God keep his loving arms around your growing family always!

    Xoxo,

    Maria Spencer

    January 17, 2017 at 5:45 pm Reply
  • Gerri Curless

    Congratulations on the birth of your baby boy!

    January 17, 2017 at 7:22 pm Reply
  • Monica

    What a gorgeous baby shower!! Wishing you and your family many blessings with the newest addition to your family.
    Congratulations on the birth of your baby boy!!

    January 17, 2017 at 10:55 pm Reply
  • Lisa

    I absolutely adore you. You are one of my favorite actresses. I didn’t even know you were pregnant. When I heard today you had your baby I had to Google you and found this page. Congratulations on your baby boy. Your baby shower looked beautifully perfect and sounds like the food was yummy too. I recently had a baby girl in August and just would like to say babies are a blessing from God. Cherish every moment with them because they grow so fast. But you have two little ones already, so you already know that. I can’t wait to see pictures of your baby. I will be keeping an eye out. Again congrats! You are a beautiful momma!

    January 18, 2017 at 12:38 am Reply
  • Susan W

    Lovely event and the photos are stunning. You look fabulous! And congratulations on your new baby boy!

    January 18, 2017 at 8:46 pm Reply
  • Alexandra

    Wow! What a great article and what a beautiful Baby Shower! It makes me dream! Congratulations on the birth of your baby boy! I wish you and your family a lot of happiness! ♥

    January 19, 2017 at 9:41 am Reply
  • darla

    sweet!!!!!!!

    January 24, 2017 at 6:07 am Reply
  • Ashley

    The pictures from your baby shower are stunning! It’s always fun to find those ideas on Pinterest and see them come to life. I was struck by your mother’s speech and how heartfelt and eloquent it was, and it caught my eye that your children call her Halmoni. My son is adopted from Korea, like Naleigh, and my mom started out wanting to be called Hami (a shortened version that he would surely be able to figure out). My son puts his spin on everything in his life and his grandmother’s name was no exception. He simply could not get with the long/e/ sound at the end of Hami, so he called her Hama, and it stuck! Congrats on the birth of your son; I’m sure you are all over the moon and your girls probably love helping you take care of him. I’m so glad I found your blog; we have many of the same interests. I’ll definitely keep reading!

    January 25, 2017 at 1:25 pm Reply
  • Laura

    So fabulous evening! And You – Katherina, look so charming!

    January 26, 2017 at 10:57 am Reply
  • Karen Rochford

    Just to let you know you have friends as far as Sydney Australia, that are very pleased for you , Katie and Josh on your new arrival. Congratulations! and keep up the Blogs.

    February 2, 2017 at 9:26 am Reply
  • Tiffany

    Love everything! So gorgeous. Glad to see you back on TV, loving the new show!

    February 24, 2017 at 2:31 am Reply
  • Tiffany

    I’m so disappointed. I just got hooked and doubt and now this? What’s wrong with TV execs? Geezer let people find out about a show first. It really was great and I hope something changes.

    February 25, 2017 at 10:03 pm Reply
  • Libby

    Love it! Congrats on your baby!

    February 26, 2017 at 3:10 am Reply
  • Crystal

    I love the green and white! Stunning and serene! Evenings in a setting like that always fly by too quickly, great job getting pictures of the event-and thanks for sharing!! I discovered the blog a few weeks ago, and I’m loving it! The vibe is excellent-thank you:)

    September 19, 2017 at 1:37 pm Reply
  • Tamera

    Such a darling baby shower! You all did amazing with it! I live in Utah and would love to do family photos for you sometime! http://Www.teamariephotography.com

    March 23, 2018 at 5:01 pm Reply
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