a Birthday and a Baptism

This post has been sitting in my blogger for a while and just needed some pictures uploaded. So, this one is also a loooong post with some information that I wouldn't have added so late in the game, but like I said it has been written since November. Anyhow, back in mid-Novemeber we had a celebratory weekend for the girls. Lucy was turning two on the 17th and Lynlee was approaching 10 weeks and had a certain gown to fit into. So, we decided to fit the festivities into one weekend. I'm pretty sure our out of town family appreciated one less road trip. :)

And what a fun 2 years it has been! She has earned many nicknames, LucyLu, Lulu, Lucy Goosy, Luigi (don't ask), Goosy Girl, and she has the personality to match up to all of them.



She is the sweetest, most loving, independent, free spirited little girl with a heart of gold and is F-U-N-N-Y! This girl has us and everyone else cracking up all the time.  Here she is wearing every gift she could...





We celebrated last weekend with a big circus themed birthday bash...




with plenty of hotdogs, popcorn, and cotton candy....

 

and the kids ate and ate and ate...



...and played and played and played...





One day, I will learn, that I could simply serve cake and ice cream and let kids jump on the trampoline and call it a party. That trampoline has never failed me at any party...and check out that hair!!??




We had games set up all over and we busted up a pinata...







and we sang Happy Birthday. And would you believe Lucy got just a little shy with all of her friends and family singing to her!!??



Her shyness was short lived and as soon as the singing stopped she went to town blowing out those candles!




The next morning we got up bright and early for Lynlee's baptism. We arrived on right on time and the service went beautifully. Would you also believe that with all the family we had there on both sides, that the sermon was about toxic family members!!?? So funny in my opinion, because you know we all have them! :)I am so appreciative of all of our family and friends who love my children and were there to witness my sweet Lynlee being given to our Lord.







"And he took he children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them" Mark 10:16





There was a program immediately after the service so we weren't able to take any pictures at church. But we were able to take some afterwards at home...











The above pic is Lynlee's godparents or should I say godfamily. :)Its my sister Tiffany and her family. I so appreciate them driving up from Auburn.

The gown was made by my great aunt, Edna Mae, for me as a baby and has now been worn by both of my daughters.







I monogrammed it with all of our initials and the dates of our baptism, and am wondering whether to frame it and hang it in the nursery, or have it preserved for later generations...hmmm.

Afterwards, we had a baptismal brunch at our home that was so easy and delicious!





Because everything with the exception of the macaroni and cheese could be made ahead of time and served cold. I served it all with a honeybaked ham and white bisuits (that my brother-in-law made and brought with them) and an Edgars starwberry cake, which is hard to beat. So here you go...I'll let you in on the best kept secret, when serving a large group on a limited budget and time :) Enjoy!


Broccoli Salad
2 bunches of broccoli - florets only
6 slices of crispy bacon crumbled
1/2 c raisin (I prefer golden raisins)
1/2 c red onion
sunflower seeds

Mix together and toss with dressing - 1 c may, 1 c sugar, & 3TB red wine vinegar. I made this the night before (usually better that way anyways) but added the bacon right before serving because otherwise it gets soggy and not so crispy.

Fruit Salad
1 large can of pineapple tidbits
4 medium bananas
sliced strawberries
red or green grapes (I use both)
blueberries
1TB butter
1/2 c sugar
1 TB flour
1 egg

Drain pinapple and save juice. Beat egg, add sugar, flour and butter. Heat mixture on medium until bubbly and gradually add pineapple juice. Stir constantly until think (like pudding). Cool and store in refrigerator. When ready to serve pour mixture over fruit and toss. I washed and sliced all fruit and tossed in 2 TB of lemon juice to prevent browning the night before. I also made the "dressing" the night before as well. And put it all together aboiut 1 minute before we ate...decicious and easy!



Baby Blue Salad
bag of field greens
sliced strawberries
can of mandarin oranges (drained)
almonds
blue cheese
raspberry walnut vinaigrette
olive oil

Mix vinaigrette and olive oil 2 to 1.  Combine all other ingredients and toss with dressing right before serving. Make as much or as little as possible.  I made up the salad and dressing the night before. And right before serving I added the almonds and blue cheese and tossed with the dressing.


I'm almost there and caught up on my blogging from 2010, but I still have a few more posts before I can start on the new year. Up next...So this is Christmas...

Rebel Football and A Lot to be Thankful For Recap (part 2)

So here's another recap from this past fall. Just a warning that this is a loooong post and I know that the subject is old, but for my memory and this blog, I have to write about it...so here we ago again. Way back last year and maybe even the year before that, Landon started to beg to play football. I know we had a good excuse one year (he was too young) and last year I'm sure I made one up. But this year, we bit the bullet and signed him up for his first season of tackle football with the Vestavia Rebels!



I was pretty nervous about the whole thing, but from day one he loved it and I loved to watch him. It's no surprise that he had some natural ability (and I know some of yall are rolling your eyes, but he is my son, so I can brag a little, okay? :)) and the coaches did take a liking to him immediately. They had him on the line both on offense and defense.



At first he was a little upset about this. This is the first sport he had played were he would not be able to score (and be cheered for) and he started having some doubts about this whole game of football...but then Papa entered the picture...



Aside from Ash and I, he was Landons #1 fan. He was there for almost every practice and definitely every game and he talked to and coached Landon on how important his position was. One of his positions (left tackle?) is what is known as the blind side and according to Papa this is the second highest paid position after the quarterback in the NFL...who knew!! Anyhow, after all the pep talks, Landon was all in it again...



He played nearly the entire games only getting out ocassionally to catch his breath...



And after hearing his name announced on the loudspeaker for making the tackle or recovering the fumble, he really started to embrace the game and his position. His team had a pretty good season and made it to the last rouund of playoffs. This was the last huddle of the year after losing in the playoffs.





Landon was so lucky to get the coach he got, Coach Kevin. He played at the University of Alabama and was know as "Touchdown Turner" and helped them win the 92' National Championship with Stallings. He then went on to play in the NFL for the Philadephia Eagles and the New York Patriots and even played in the Super Bowl (although was on the losing team) However, how cool that Landon's first coach and the coach that taught him the foundations of this sport has such a history and legacy. And let me tell you what an awesome coach he was. Some of the others team's coaches were the type that try and live their own glory days (or lack there of) through the kids and would argue and yell and go completely over board about 8 year old football. Our coach had so much class, never lost his temper and wanted to teach the boys the love of the game which he did. Later in the season, we found out that Kevin had just been diagnoes with ALS or Lou Gehrigs disease and while fighting the fight of his life, was still taking the time to coach mine and other children.



I cannot say enough good things about this man. We are so grateful to have had him as our coach and can't wait to get him next year! :) He is the father of three kids the youngest being on Landons team and he is in for the fight of his life and the prognosis seems grim. But I beleive in the power of prayer and in miracles so please say a little prayer for him and his family! Thanks Coach Kevin for an awesome season!!



The news of coach Kevin hit hard and close to home and seemed to be followed by more bad news and more bad news. This Thanksgiving, I hit my knees and prayed hard for all of our family and freinds who had been struck with one thing after another and gave thanks for all of the blessings in my life...namely these 3!



A lot of the bad news, had to do with little ones, and I will spare you the details, but it made me realize how much I take for granted. So, my thanksgivings for Thanksgiving were no brainers. These three are everything to me and I love them with every fiber of my being...



And if your thinking Landon looks like a conquistadors, well, he does, it was part of a school program! :) Anyways, moving on, I don't have any pictures from Thanksgiving day, sad I know. But we ended up driving north to Nashville to spend the holiday with Ash's family. His sister hosted dinner at her new house in Brentwood and everybody got along and everything was delicious...what more could you ask for!? The day after we loaded up the crew and headed to a japanese steak house (one of our favorites) and ate way to much. The kids had fun watching the chef...



and Lucy didn't know what to think...



After dinner, Ash and I took the boys (Landon and his cousin Jackson) to a Nashville Predators game...



It had been a loooong time since I had been to a hockey game, and I had forgotten how much fun they were!!





We had a blast and I'm not sure who had more fun, Landon or myself!!!



Anyway, my little family has so much to be thankful for and I try to remind myself of that each and every day! Up next, a Birthday and a Baptism!

Hello Again and a Tiny Little Recap (part 1)

Hey there my friends! It has been awhile and you have been missed. Life has been a whirlwind around here! I ain't gonna lie...life with three kiddos is super busy and a lot more work, but I have triple the fun and laughs. I'm pretty sure my last post was from way back in October and did not include Halloween...so here is recap part 1. I realize most of you don't really care, but for my own memory, here we go...

This was Lynlee's first Halloween and a good one it was! First, one of our favorite places and a place we seem to spend a lot of time in, had there own trick or treating...



can you tell where we're at? Publix of course...duh! (We are there every other day and my kids beg to go with me for the free cookie, colors, & coloring book) :) Brother and sister had a ball trick or treating grocery store style and I think the pictures are hilarious.



We were a little late doing our pumpkins this errr, last year, carving on the day of Halloween, so I never got a picture of them all lit up, but here is Lucy with her pumpkin...



...and Landon with his...



Lynlee had one too, but I'm sure she was sleeping while we were carving. Anyhow, for Halloween, we had a witch...



with her trusty black cat...



so cute & and happy!



and how could we forget Mario?!



Mario is one of my favorite costumes to date. Every time I looked at him, I was cracking up. Here's another shot with his werewolf cousin...



We went over to my sisters neighborhood which wins the best neighborhood for halloween award over any other neighborhood. They do it right over in Crestline. And we did it right by trick or treating in a California Roadster that Aunt Holley got for her birthday! Even Lynlee was able to get in on the trick or treating fun riding along with everyone!



Little side note, Holley had a masquerade birthday party the night before Halloween. She got a face painter to paint masks on all the girls and we had a cockatail pre party and then loaded up on a chartered bus to Sloss Furnace Haunted House. It was one of the funnest parties I have been too in a while. And I did not want to wash my mask off it looked so good and was so festive! However, it did not make it to Halloween night. :)



So theres my recap for Lynlee's first halloween aka Halloween 2010! Up next, Rebel Football and A Lot to be Thankful for...

You May Need This...

So, I have noticed that I am slowly becoming brand loyal and wanted to share a few products that I can no longer do without. They make my life easier and make me feel good. So, without further ado...

L'oreal Double Extension Mascara This stuff is AMAZING! It does wonders for me. I need mascara...it seems to do wonders to the way I look. As long as I have it on, I am good to go. But his stuff goes way beyond that. My lashes are fuller, thicker, longer, it doesn't run, and comes off super easy with water. Being a mother of 3 kids, I sadly start most of days without a shower, and this stuff makes that sad reality a little bit better! :) Seriously, it is way cheaper than department store make-up brands and works better than any other mascara I have use hands down! Go get you some today! :)




Hav you heard of these Gorilla products. They make glue (any kind of glue you can think off) and I just found they make duct tape. Gorilla Duct Tape is the mother of all duct tapes! I used this stuff to hang Halloween decorations and will be using it this weekend for birthday decorations. I have used it on the back of frames to stick to the wall so they won't slant, we have used it to fix toys, hold batteries into place (we lose that little peice of plastic that hold batteries in all the time) We use it all the time. Trust me, you need this. You can find it at Lowes. :)




Pledge Multi Surface Cleaner has made my life a million times easier. I just cleaned my house for the first time in a long time and I was able to clean it in half the time. You can use it for everything; glass, wood, tile, electronics. And it really works and does not leave any sort of streaks. AWESOME! Enough said.




An oldy but goody. Libby's Pure Pumpkin is, well, just a necessity during the holidays. And if you recall, there was a shortage last year, and I have read that there is a shortage this year too. I haven't paid enough attention to know whether that is true or not, but now I don't have to because I found plenty at the Dollar Store. And its only $1 :) I have stocked up and you should too.




And since I was able to find plenty of Libby's, I was able to make plenty of pumpkin butter...one of my favorites! Since I didn't have to make my own puree, it was really easy. Here's the recipe:

Take your pumpkin puree or can(s) of Libby's and empty into a large pot. Add your favorite fall spices to taste...I used lots of cinnamon, a litte clove, some ginger, sugar, brown sugar, apple pie spice, and a smidge of salt. Heat on medium until is starts to bubble and then let simmer until thick about 35 minutes.



I realize that picture may not be the most appetizing, but once you can your pumpkin butter and "do dad" it up...it looks pretty and yummy! And your house will smell good too!



Happy Fall Y'all!

Happy Owl-a-Ween

If your like me and often wait to the last minute to do things, I might can help you out.  That is, if you need a last minute something for Halloween.  These little things are pretty cute and they really are easy.  However, they take a little time to assemble and it will require a trip to Cracker Barrel.  Cracker Barrel carries moonpies and as of Thursday, they are the only place in Birmingham that has them.  Again, this one really easy project took me all day because I drove around town looking for moon pies...I just had to have them. :)



Well, luckily I did find them [at Cracker Barrel] and I am glad I did, because these lil' owls turned out super cute.  I had intentions of making them both for Lucy and Landon's class.  But since it took me so long to find the dagum moon pies, I ran out of steam that night.  Come to find out, Landon's class did not even have a Halloween party...say what!?  Since when did schools stop having Halloween party's?!  Anyhow, start with  this...



and then you twist apart the oreos (the hardest part of this project) and assemble like this...



you "glue" everything on with icing or melted chocolate (I used white chocolate chips only because I had them on hand)  then you wrap them up in a cellophane bag and tie with a cute ribbon.  Ta Da....




Happy "Owl-a-Ween"!

Really Really Cute

I have a problem. I have a problem with cute things. I really really like cute things! And really, who doesn't!? But I have the bad habit of thinking "oh, I can do that" or "that would be so easy" and a lot of times I think "I can do it myself and save some money". WRONG, WRONG, and WRONG!  Rarely, can I do a project without a few choice words thrown out in the middle of it, rarely does it actually turn out easy, and never do I save money doing it myself.

And, then I get to thinking, why on earth do I do this to myself! I mean, can't I just think something is cute without having to try and recreate it myself. I mean its not like I take the credit. I am always the first to admit, that I really am not creative, but I am AWESOME at Googling [for ideas]! :) And do any of my children really care if they have a cute cake or cute treat to hand out to their friends. They might have some fleeting thought that "hey, this is kinda cool" before licking all the icing off to eat and cramming the rest of it in their little mouths. Gasp...those were made to be oooh and ahhhed over not eaten!! :) Are ya with me!!??

Anyhow, you may know where this post is headed but if not, I have been making some really really cute Halloween things the past few days.   Landon's school was having a bake sale and asked every 2nd grade family to make a cake.  I went about trying to find a recipe and stumbled across this really really cute Halloween cake.  Not only was it really really cute but it looked pretty easy.  And as easy as it was, it took took me ALL day long to make. Because once I ran to the grocery for all of these ingredients...




I came home to realize I was a couple of eggs short for the cake batter. So don't forget about these staples either....



and you'll defintely need some of this...



Publix didn't have any licorice. So in hopes of saving some time (ha!) I decided I do everything but the licorice part and would  go find that on the way to church that night. Well, let me tell you, that turned out to be a nightmare. Because none of the stops on the way to church had black licorice. So that ended up requiring a trip to Wal-Mart after church and after the kids went to bed! Whew!  Luckily the cake turned out really really cute even if it was 10 hours after starting it.



So, here is the easy recipe along with some of my notes to make it easier.

INGREDIENTS

Box of cake of your choice (and all the ingredients it will require, usually 3 eggs and vegetable oil)
1 cans of chocolate frosting
1 can of vanilla frosting
red food coloring
4 ziploc bags (whatever size you have on hand will work)
chocolate sprinkles (big tub found at Publix)
black licorice (found at Wal-Mart)

*Bake (2) 9inch cakes according to box directions, let cool.

*Ice the cake with chocolate icing

*Sprinkle top of cake with chocolate sprinkles until covered

*Make 2 circles with vanilla icing for eyes and top with 2 brown m&m's or make 2 circles on top of the white circles with chocolate icing

*Make a smaller circle with red icing for nose

*place 8 peices of licorice (4 on each side) on cake for legs

{Note - You can make these as cupcakes with the skinny strings of black licorice but good luck finding that!! :)}

And there ya have it. A really really cute spider cake!