February 3rd, 2010
I am still decorating cakes but not as much as I have in the past. Everyone seems to want a cake for nothing and well I figured my time is worth more than that.
Here are a few cakes made this year:
I made over 200 Ā regular sized, mini sized cupcakes and a few cake bites for a dedication for our church expansion. If you have the pans and a big pastry bag it really is a short time to get them all done. The long part is waiting for them to bake and cool down enough to decorate.
These cake bites were a hit this year. I made a lot to take to work, both mine and Rob for birthdays, ect. So much were made that Andrew has stopped asking for a sample. Now you know I have made a lot of them if he doesnt even ask for one.
The rest of the cakes I made throughout the year were posted soon after I had made them. I knew I haven’t shared these yet so I thought I you would like to see them.
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February 1st, 2010
Yes, yes I know. We are in the second month of 2010 and I am just now finishing 2009. I will just get to it otherwise I will say I am too tired ( even though it is still early) or I am going to take a bath, or find something else that needs to be done. You know I am in the 3rd book in a very good series I would like to finish. I figured I made you wait long enough so here you go:
Once our summer vacation was over it was time to get ready for school. This year all three kids would be in school, three different schools as a matter of fact. Em started Kindergarten, Andrew started Middle School while Nichole is finishing her last year, then graduation!
During Labor Day weekend there was a family reunion for my mom’s side of the family. We have one every year and hundreds of family members come to spend time getting to know each other and have a good time. We end the night with dancing and Nichole wondered how so many danced very well. Starts off with the kids copying parents, then they are dragged onto the dance floor when they are teens ( o.k. a bit dramatic but it seemed that way when you are a teen) then those teens become parents and the cycle continues.
Em celebrated her 6th birthday with another Strawberry Shortcake cupcake cake to share with her classmates. We cant forget our yearly picture with pink bear. Pink bear was in the incubator with Em when she was in the NICU, so we take a picture with it every year since.
In October I was surprised with tickets to see a musical, my all time favorite. GREASE!!!!!! Rob took me to see the show and I loved it!! I dont have no pictures of the actual show as I didnt want to get caught taking a picture and end up getting kicked out. Outside the center they had lights shining on parts of center so I took this picture with the city of Austin in the background.
Inside there was a huge line of young and much older women all excitedly waiting for a signature and a opportunity to take a picture. I walked as close as I could and put my camera up in the air and took Taylor Hicks picture. No long wait in line and proof that I seen him. I could care less about him, he was one of the winners of a past American Idol. I took the picture for my cousin who wanted it. Here you go Melissa, Enjoy. š
Halloween showed up before we were ready, we barely had time to carve some pumpkins.
Andrew as Charlie Brown as a Ghost?
The pink fairy:
Uh, I think Nichole is a vampire or something like that???
I spent most of the day making a last minute costume for my cousin’s daughter Cecilia the Panda
Rob ran a 5k and walked another 5k with his co workers in the Komen Race For a Cure in honor of my aunt Josie:
Thanksgiving brought Indians to Em’s class where they had Ā feast and a parade of Indians:
Since Rob ran the Turkey Trot last year he decided to do it again:
This guy was cheering all the runners/walkers at the finish line.
After the race we headed home to enjoy a nice dinner with my cousin Melissa and her family, to include her in-laws. I took pictures but I cant find them. š
Christmas time came along and I was not ready. Really really not ready, there were no lights on the house and the inside decorations barely were put up. Before school ended Emily had a Christmas party at school, it was an all day party.
The whole class had a dance prepared for the parents to enjoy:
Mrs Williams had the whole day planned with time to go outside to get rid of the sugar high from some of the treats eaten at the party. Only problem it was raining and wet outside so we had about one half hour to figure something out. Grandma Linda unknowingly saved the day. I went home and grabbed all the fabric books she has made for us over the years and brought them in. The kids LOVED them and it quickly took up the half hour.
I dragged the kids including Rob to see the Trail Of Lights. It takes place at a park in Austin and usually it is worth the crowds. This year they decided to cut back do to costs of running everything and they wanted to still keep it free. Unless they go back to the way it was we will not be going back. The best part though was the big Christmas tree.
You go under the tree and look up, first you see this:
Then you turn while you keep on looking up and then you see this:
The year ended with the kids in West Virginia visiting Grandma Linda, Grandpa Mike along with their cousins Brittany, Ryan, and Payten along with Auntie Shelly. I need to take those pictures off Nichole’s camera to share those. Rob and I had to work and were unable to take any time off. So we worked the whole time but we did enjoy a whole week without kids. The last time we were without kids was in 97 I believe. The best part was sleeping in every single day!!! Whoo Hooo!!!
I will posting pictures random pictures such as my cakes and other things I thought were cool. It will post on Wednesday. š
Now on to 2010!!!
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November 11th, 2009
There are many in our family that have served in the military. I am proud of everyone of you and I thank you for your service.
Yesterday the City of Austin had a luncheon for the veterans who works for them. Rob said it was a nice lunch and he was honored to have the city acknowledge the veterans that way.
Before it was over they had a raffle, the first two winners won gift certificates to some BBQ place. Then the third winner numbers were called, they matched Rob’s numbers!! He got the best prize of the three.
Here is what he won, a signed by the mayor proclamation for Veterans Day.
Here is it framed, it is a bit blurry I wasn’t trying to focus on the big Ā picture. Just wanted to give you an idea on what it looked like.
This is what I was focusing on:
Just in case your glasses are not working right it says:
Be it known that
Whereas,
Since 1926, America has set aside a day to honor the men and women who have served in our Nation’s Armed Forces and to express our appreciation for their service in times of peace and war;and’
Whereas,
The City of Austin is privileged to take part in this year’s Veterans Day ceremonies honoring the courageous men and women who have selflessly fought for our liberties and defended our way of life; and,
Whereas,
On Veterans Day, we acknowledge what our veterans have done- and what today’s men and women in uniform are continuing to do-to make America and the world a better, safer and more peaceful place; and
Whereas,
We call on all Austinites to thank our military service members and their families for their service and sacrifices on behalf of our great nation;
Now, Therefore
I Lee Leffingwell, Mayor of the City of Austin, Texas
do hereby proclaim
November 11,2009 as Veterans Day
in Austin.
Pretty cool, huh?
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October 23rd, 2009
Our last morning on the beach the older two went to the beach with me to check out the sun rise.
After we were done seeing the sun rise we started breaking things down to get ready to go the aquarium. Our stay at the beach came to an end, we will return that is for sure.
We have heard so many good things about the state aquarium so we decided to check it out.
When we got there the otters were playing in the water.
The sea turtles were swimming and waving hi to everyone.
The devil sting rays were staying still in the water getting their massages from humans who want to touch them.
The dolphins were jumping and doing their tricks.
Joining the kids in a row, since we seem to be doing that a lot lately.
Here is a picture of Dory and Nemo ( from Disney’s Finding Nemo)
I took so many pictures of fish, after a while they all seem the same. Just different colors, shapes, and sizes.
Now that we stunk of the aquarium because we didn’t take a real shower at the beach. (They did have showers but we were still gross. ) We took off to the hotel we decided to stay the last day of our stay. While everyone ran to the pool to swim with no threats of jelly fish I took a nice warm shower, a long one.
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October 23rd, 2009
We all all day long from sun up to sun down to enjoy the beach. In other words the whole day to work on our sun burns!
We walked along the beach looking for sea shells, crabs, and other neat things that were living there or washed up on the shore.
For some reason ( no it wasnt staged) walking in a row seemed the best way to walk down the beach.
We tried Andrew’s kite to see if we could get it to fly. I am so surprised this picture wasnt blurry, it was hilarious trying to see Nichole run as fast/slow as she can to get the kite in the air.
It was decided to try later in the afternoon when the wind really picks up to try again. At this time the two older kids were breathless from running back and forth on the beach with little success.
Andrew, Andrew, ANDREW! Ā Ā Ā WHAT???? Nothing, just wanted to take your picture.
Nichole. Noooooo, look at my hair. No pictures PLEASE, please..pl. Click, mom took a picture from an angle where you cant see her bad hair do.
Emily, Em. No response just running. Em.. em?? WHAT I NEEEEED TOOO GOOOO POOOTTTYYY! Of course we are about a half mile away from a bathroom. She made it by the way.
After the stress of almost not making it to the bathroom some meditation was needed.
If you haven’t noticed already, there are no pictures of me on this whole trip. With the exception of one, I was always behind the camera. I need to make sure and share it every now and then so I could have a body attached to that shadow. š
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October 22nd, 2009
This state beach is known to have things washed up in the gulf’s currents, some things are all the way from the tropics.
Take this for instance, was big, it was all wrinkly and it needed to beĀ dissectedĀ to see what was in the inside.
Hmm… the hairy inside is getting to look a bit familiar.
Ah ha, I knew it!!
Of course it was a coconut that may have traveled all the way from the Cayman Islands cause there are NO coconut trees nearby. It is said that many seeds from far away wash up on the shore all the time.
After we were done with the coconut dissection we walked the beach to see what could be found. We were told that we were taking chances of being stung by a jelly fish if we swam in the warm gulf waters. I brought the vinegar to wash any stings just in case, good thing we never had to use it.
It wasn’t because there were no jelly fish where we were swimming there was trust me.
We found these two washed up on the shore:
This one was a really dangerousĀ aggressiveĀ one called Ā Portuguese Man of War Jelly Fish, their sting is suppose to be the worst as far as pain goes. Good thing we didn’t meet face to tentacle.
This one is a Moon Jelly Fish.
Remember those holes I mentioned in the sand, the little crabs. Well there were big holes too, meaning?? Yup, BIG crabs.
Imagine this thing trying to hide in your sleeping bag if you chose to sleep on the sand. I am so glad we decided against sleeping on the sand.
Now on to some very cute little guys we seen outside the visitor center. I would think they would just give up trying to catch a ride away from there.
Who would of thought playing at the beach would be so interesting and educational.
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October 21st, 2009
I tossed and turned all night long wondering if I would be able to wake myself up to see a sunrise. See, in California it is impossible to see a sunrise on the ocean. I have seen many many sun sets though, they are amazing. As morning started to arrive I heard a noise outside the tent. It was very close to our tents and our picnic table. I peered outside the tent window and there was a coyote staring at me a few feet away. After he fled to the nearby sand dunes I was wide awake and ready to head down to the beach for a sunrise. Here he/she is watching me walk by him wondering why I was up.
Some how it sensed I wasn’t a morning person.
Since I was going to the beach by myself, the family was fast asleep I wondered how safe it really was. Once I walked down the ramp to the sand I noticed I was not the only crazy one. There were quite a few people who were up walking the beach with me. Guess they all had the same idea I did.
The sunrise was awesome!!
After watching the sun come up I thought I would check in on the family.
Guess I had a little bit more time to think about what to do about breakfast.
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October 8th, 2009
Much to Rob’s displeasure the kids and I have a sand castle building kit. You need to have a bucket to carry all the tools you would need to make a sand castle. One of the cool things we got was a kid size shovel, great for building the moats around the castles or big holes in the sand.
Here is the shovel posing, ready to start digging. It waits impatiently in our garage for trips like this, it is what is was made for.
Emily got a chance to carry it around, getting a chance to share her plans with the shovel. I think they were finding some little snails before they dug into the sand.
Then Andrew got his turn to show Emily how a big strong boy uses the shovel.
How to dig really deep to get the bigger snails, how to build the best castles, how to
break the shovel???? The poor shovel didn’t even last two hours at the beach. Don’t worry the shovel was given a proper burial, in a place where it would of wanted to be buried.
Shh… it wasn’t thrown away in the trash!!
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October 6th, 2009
This year due we decided to stay close to home for our summer trip. We missed the beach and well there are beaches in Texas. So we decided to head on over to Padre Island and Corpus Christi for a long weekend.
As soon as summer school was over we were on our way, singing 99 bottles of root beer on the wall. I dont think we made it past two bottles before we were bored with it. As we were getting closer to the gulf of Mexico we started to notice the oil refineries.
Three hours or so later we were setting up our tent at the Padre Island National Beach.
We planned to stay here at the beach for two nights then head on over to Corpus Christi to visit the StateĀ Aquarium and a History and Science Museum.
Once the tent was all set up it was time to explore our surroundings. We headed straight to the sand and water, where else would we go? There were sand dunes in the area going down to the beach with some pretty cool designs on it. It was pretty windy there and the wind would push the grains of sand into the designs.
The only thing that messed up the sand was oil globs caused by our need for oil. With all the drilling and the refineries some of the oil leaks out and washes up on the sand. If you ever step on one, baby oil takes it right off. Good thing we were told about that by someone Rob works with.
Besides the pretty sand ripples ( not sure if that is what they are called but that is what I called them) and the oil blobs there were holes all over the sand. I thought they were caused by the beaks of some of the ocean birds looking for food.
As we were sitting on the sand we noticed movement coming from the holes in the sand, then the sand started to move. What is going on here??
There were sand crabs every where, if you sit still enough they would scatter around. Once you turned your head they would run back into their holes. Once again I was thankful we didn’t place our tent in the sand, I wouldn’t want to meet up with these little guys.
Then it was time to hit the water, the kids didn’t want to get out when it was time to go they were having so much fun. We had to remind them we were going to stay the WHOLE day tomorrow. There will be more time to build sand castles and play in the water.
The sun started to set so it was time to head back to our campsite to make some smores! Gotta love those smores!!
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September 21st, 2009
I was getting ready to post some pictures, do a couple of posts and then realized all my resized pictures are gone. So that mean I need to go over 750+ pictures to do that. I figure you waited this long, what is a another day, days, week?
Coming soon will be pictures of:
Our summer weekend trip to Corpus Christi. We had a great time camping on the State Beach, visiting an Aquarium, and a few other things.
The first day of school pictures, all three kids are now in school!! It is so nice during the day time here at the house, where I have to leave the TV or radio on just for the noise.
Pictures of engraved name(s) where they shouldn’t be engraved, I will leave you all hanging on that one.
I figure by the time I get the pictures resized and ect it may run into the end of the week so I will have to work on birthday pictures as well. This Friday and Saturday Emily and I will be celebrating our birthdays. I am so glad I could bring cupcakes to the kids schools for their birthdays. Some places you are not allowed to any more.
We hope everyone is doing well! Last but not least Welcome to our Family Marina!! Rob’s cousin Greg and his wife Lindsey just had their baby girl this weekend. We are so excited for them!!
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