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Last Saturday our friends ("book club") threw a couples shower for Nick and Nicki. 
Joe and Christin arrived home Thursday night with Leo (!) so we were able to monopolize their attention and get all the latest news on Joe's Ph.D. program at Michigan State and Christin's new job as policy analyst/liaison for the Michigan Academy of Family Practice. (Trying new recipes, this was an easy winner Spicy Basil Chicken with brown rice and sauteed vegetables with snow peas.)


 Friday afternoon they joined me for lunch downtown at Stokes and  that night we enjoyed some clam chowder and peppercorn steaks at home. It was a chilly night so the clam chowder hit the spot.  Clam Chowder.
What a treat to have long conversations over coffee, lunch, walks and dinner--I adored it! It felt like a vacation and also a festive special time.


Heidi and Leo got along perfectly from the front door meeting to Sunday morning departure.  Heidi had eye surgery last week and was wearing a large plastic bonnet all week which we removed prior to Leo arriving. She seemed determined to let us know she would be very very good with the puppy, even showing a few tricks of her own by racing around (and around and around) the couches.  Leo was spectacularly cute and pretty much potty-trained already!  He is also very cuddly and clearly knows he belongs to Joe and Christin in any room, event or park. What a sweetie!  

On the bridge-a portrait of a cuddly dog!

Emily, Nick and Nicki arrived within three minutes of each other Friday night  and we stayed up talking until at least 1:30! 

Saturday morning Joe Christin and Emily cheered Mollie McKenzie on at her soccer game and we all had a late breakfast of  Basil Pesto  scrambled eggs (make pesto in the fall and freeze in small baggies to stir into pasta with shrimp and sun-dried tomatoes and into scrambled eggs all winter long) and  Chai Banana Bread   (this new take on an old classic is a real winner ) before heading to Earth Day at Elmwood Park.  Leo got lots of attention from dog lovers and dogs alike, but mostly from little children--he was usually surrounded by toddlers and babies and I felt like we were traveling with a star (well-to be fair, he is!). 

Scoops us on wedding details

Carrot Plants

Venus on view

On to the Shower!----The invitations set the theme "April Showers.... Montana Flowers" (thank you Peggy!) and the shower was so sweet, so much fun and a great beginning to our season of celebrations. 

Cousins-Maddy Jahn (June bride! and Ben McKenzie

Frisbees "Love is in the Air" and flowers

Hostess Kate and Diane 

Hostess Michaela and John

Dean Arkfeld -Greg and Andrea

Nick and me!

Hostesses Mary Jo, Joyce and Johns x2

Nicki, Di and Lou

Glamour shot--Nicki and Emily!

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Best man Jeremy Graney's parents -Kathy and Gerome

Joe and Christin

Kate Peggy and Em

Kate and Bill

 Peggy and moi

Beth Joe and Christin 

Hard at work assembling salmon and beef sliders--thank you!!

The centerpiece ---such a brilliant, funny and personal touch :D
The bride and groom at the wheel

The Kanes

the Nohners

Heidi

Jenny and Di

Nick and Nicki anticipate the toast

Bill did a great job--!!

Loving the celebration and toast from Bill.....

Presentation of the gift ;D  Love these guys!

Joyce cracks up

It was so much fun!  Thanks to book club and to all of our family for making it such a fun night and kick-off to the wedding season.  The sushi, salmon sliders, beef sliders, salads, and s'more dessert (recipe to come) were just truly so thought-out and personal that I know we will cherish this as "one of those great nights".

On Sunday we sent Joe and Christin and Leo off on their long long drive and had a lovely brunch with Nick's friends  Chuck Hall and Nick Ingraham at our house  --time to relax and catch up with their lives enjoying a little sun on the deck. We also convened with Nicki to get down to some real planning and detail sharing! 

Here we go!