..Cake Mania..

It's been a crazy, busy, long week! But, the outcome was so rewarding.  I had two birthday cakes this week.  One for a friends suprise birthday party and one for my nephews first birthday. 

I LOVE MAKING CAKES!!!!

Here they are.


The "Basket of Flowers" cake is covered in Sugar Tulips, Gerbera Daisys, and Daffodils. I was really pleased with how they turned out.  I can't wait to try some other types of flowers!

Masen's 1st Birthday was at the Zoo (after it quit raining) so we had a Zoo themed cake.  I had so much fun designing this cake and I was so pleased when it came out looking almost as good as I had imagined.  I only had one casualty, my cute little lion didn't make it, but I think Cas got some pictures of him before he broke.  All the animals are hand piped from icing.  Masen had his own little cupcake, which he literally devoured.

I can't wait for the next project.  I have cake on the brain!

..Easter..

We went camping at Table Rock Lake State Park with Casadee, John, and Masen.  The first night was very wet and chilly, but it was beautiful after that.  70* plus! We had a blast.  Nelson enjoyed the escape from life, and the boys loved having their dad all to themselves.  We can't wait to go camping again. 

Again, prepare yourselves for more picture overload.

The boys and their dad spent most of Saturday playing catch.

Ronnie is a natural pitcher with incredible accuracy.  I think we know what sport he needs to start.

I love this picture!  It's nothing fabulous, but I love what's happening.  A little fatherly encouragement for a discouraged son. I'm so glad I was there to capture that moment.

Ryland wanted to "wing" every chance he got.  Pitty the poor sucker that got roped into pushing, they were there for the long haul. 

Coloring Easter eggs.

Masen "enjoying" his first Easter egg.

The Easter egg hunt brought lots of candy!

..Dickerson Park Zoo..

When Grandma and Grandpa and Kelsey came to visit, we went to Dickerson Park Zoo.
 Prepare yourselves for picture overload!

..Health Care Reform?..

I fear I may have done myself a great disservice by not educating myself about this "Health Bill" that was just passed prior to now.  So, in an effort to rectify the situation, I have been dabling. 

But there is so much to dabble in! 

And how much or what information is accurate? 
The whole truth and nothing but the truth?
Is there even such a thing? 

I doubt even those who wrote said bill know what the truth is.  Atleast, not any truth they are willing to share.

I still don't know much.  In fact, compared to the amount of information there is, I still know nothing.

But I can't help the overwhelming gut feeling that it's just not right.  It's not good.  And I'm scared of what it means for our country, our government, and our future.

I'm putting it to poll!  I want your info.  What do you know about the new bill?  What are your thoughts and feelings?

Don't be shy!  I really want to know. Pro or con, I'm seeking the truth.

..Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!..

How many of you knew it was Dr. Seuss' birthday yesterday?

Confesssion....I didn't either until Ronnie told me on the way to school.

To celebrate, we had a Dr. Suess inspired dinner. I forgot to take pictures of us actually eating said dinner, so you'll just have to imagine!

On the Menu:

Pink Yink Ink Drink

 This one, I think, is called a Yink.
He likes to wink, he likes to drink.
He likes to drink, and drink, and drink.
The thing he likes to drink is ink.
The ink he likes to drink is pink.
He likes to wink and drink pink ink.
SO...if you have a lot of ink,
thenk  you should get a Yink, I think.

From One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish


 Scholttz's Knots

And, while we are at it, consider the Schlottz,
the Crumple-horn, Web-footed, Green-bearded Schlottz,
whose tail is entailed with un-solvable knots.

From Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?

Hoop-Soup-Snoop Group Potato Soup

So every so often, one puts down his hoop,
Stops hooping and does some quick snooping for soup.
That's why they are known as the Hoop-Soup-Snoop Group.

From Dr. Seuss's Sleep Book

 












Jedd's Bed of Shrimp

A Jedd is in bed,
And the bed of a Jedd
Is the softest
Of Beds in the world,
It is said.
He makes it from pom poms
He grows on his head.
And he's sleeping right now
On the softest of fluff,
Completely exhausted
From growing the stuff.

From Dr. Seuss's Sleep Book




P.S.  Which is gramatically correct?

Dr. Seuss's Birthday

OR

Dr. Seuss' Birthday

Or does it even matter?

..Dreaming in Shades of "True"..

How much do our dreams correlate with our lives and what do they really mean?

I've been dreaming some very vivid dreams lately.  And I gotta say, I am not liking them!

How much should I read into them?

..SNOW..

We don't get snow in Missouri very often. When we do it's not usually very much and it never lasts more than a day or two.  Twice this winter we have gotten 6+ inches.  99% of Missourians will complain about this type of weather, but being from the west, I love it! In fact, I miss it! And it's so much more fun than the typical ice storms we get instead of snow.  Don't get me wrong, the ice storms have an undeniable beauty, but you can't PLAY in an ice storm.

This time we took advantage of the snow and went tubing down our driveway.  Anyone who has ever been UP our driveway can probably imagine how much fun it could be to tube DOWN it.  It takes a pretty hefty vehicle to brave our driveway on any given day, but in the snow, you pretty much have to have 4-wheel drive or it's a definite no-go.

Grandpa Mangum let us borrow his 4-wheeler.  Ryland LOVED riding.  Even freezing cold and complaining he wanted to "GO!" one more time.  He couldn't get enough. Ronnie is not such a thrill seeker, and once he was cold, that was it, he was done.  All in all, we had a great time and I love when we actually have time to do things as a family like this.

Building a snow man. 

In the road of course, 'cause he's a boy, and he loves watching things get destroyed!

"GO!"

 You can see Ginger grabbing hold of Nelson's arm.  We really stressed her out!  Every time we would tube down she would frantically chase after us, trying to grab at our clothes to stop us.  It was quite funny! What a good dog she is.