R. Jay and Natalie's Cake

Last week Tony's cousin R.Jay got married in the Mesa Arizona Temple and last night was their open house in Pocatello.  I did this cake for them and it turned out beautifully.  It's entirely a fake cake.  When a cake has to travel from Rexburg to Pocatello to Mesa to Pocatello it would have to be.     

Skirts

Alaina's Grandma Foster gave her material for her birthday to make some skirts.  

 The first skirt turned out a little shorter than I intended, but with leggings it's still super cute!

 Alaina showing off her skirt.  Always posing.  

 The second skirt turned out really cute too, but I'm thinking about redoing this one.  The top layer seems to need something.  I'm thinking about sewing some blue ribbon in stripes on the top layer to make it pop a bit more.  Well see what happens.  

I've also thought about taking off the top layer all together and maybe putting a short ruffle around the bottom.  What do you think?  

Charlie's Walking!

I don't usually download videos to the blog because they take FOREVER!  But I thought that this particular event warranted a video for Grandparents.  The afternoon of Alaina's birthday, during her party no less, Charlie started walking!  I could hardly believe it when I saw him.  Tony and I have been saying for weeks that he could walk if he wanted to.  Well, I guess he finally decided to.  He's been walking more and more each day.  He's becoming more steady as well.  He still walks with his hands out for balance, but that's ok.  We're just excited that he's walking!  Yea Charlie!

Alaina's Kitchen

Here it is in all it's glory.  It took me about an hour and a half to put together, but she loves it and that makes it all worth it!  

Alaina's present

Look at what just showed up for Alaina.  She guessed right and is super excited.  I told her that we'd put it together once she clean up her room so we have a place to put it.  She's almost done already!  

The shirt that Maegen made

My sister-in-law Maegen is doing a sew-a-long project each week.  This shirt is one that she made for Alaina.  The challenge was to use bias tape.  Maegen made her own with material we had on hand.  She also made her own pattern using a shirt Alaina already had as a guide.  I have to say that Maegen is more brave than I am when it comes to sewing.  I'm fine as long as I have a pattern, but trying to do something on my own rarely turns out well.  Any who, here is the finished product.  Alaina loves that her aunt Maegen made her a shirt!    

Alaina Turns 5

Yesterday was Alaina's 5th birthday!  The first thing she said when she got up was "it's my birthday!"  She's been very excited for her birthday this year.  I'm not very good at throwing parties and I have to admit that last year was Carson's first friend party so this year I threw one together for Alaina at the last minute!  A stop at the dollar store for decorations, the grocery store for treats, and a couple calls to friends and we were set.  I have to admit that it turned out pretty good.  

 Decorations.  Alaina chose this and streamers instead of balloons.  

 The food.  Tea cakes.  Grapes and Carrots (Alaina's favorite fruit and vegetable) and sugar cookies.  The girls got to decorate their own cookies.  They had a lot of fun.  I don't have much sprinkles left, but oh well.  

 Yesterday morning I had Alaina look at some pictures of cakes on the internet and this is the one she choose.  I made marshmallow fondant for the first time.  The consensus was that it didn't taste any better than the pre-made stuff but it's cheaper and easier to work with.     

 Alaina and her friends Daphne, Jocelyn, and Sabrina.  

We waited to have cake with the family after dinner.  Unfortunately the gift that Tony and I got for her still hasn't arrived yet. Thank goodness that she was able to open her presents from grandparents.  An adorable dress from the Elton's and fabric for skirts from the Foster's.  Yeah for new cloths!     

I have to say that I was completely exhausted by the end of the day, but Alaina had a wonderful day so it made the long hours in the kitchen worth it.  

Storytime

Tonight I found Carson reading bedtime stories to Alaina.  So cute!  Charlie also loves books.  He is constantly bring books to me to read to him.  I have already repaired many books that have been well loved by Charlie.

Charlie and Mack

Charlie's cousin who is about 2 months older than him is over quite a bit.  These boys are too funny!  Here they are using each other's cups.  Even though they had the exact same thing in them.  I guess the milk tastes better from someone else's cup.

Charlie's new trick

So, as you can guess by this point Charlie keeps me on my toes and his latest trick is to climb up on top of the table.  Ahhh!  Already I have to keep the bathroom doors closed and now the baby gate we bought to keep him off the stairs now keeps him out of the kitchen.  I keep praying that someday he'll grow out of it, but I know it probably won't happen.  He's too much like his dad.  

A few weeks ago I found Charlie up on the stool enjoying some brownies.  The little sinker!  

I will have you all know that Charlie usually has pants on.