Baby got back.....

Frequently, we come into the kitchen or any other room in our house and we find this.  Isn't it just the cutest??  Now she turns around and says - CHHHEEESSSEEEE!  Don't you like how we strategically placed the necklace and sippee cup so these stay within the "family" program rating?  Really - it was just a coincidence...this child belongs in the Garden of Eden..she loves to be naked and loves to be outdoors.....ahhh...the carefree innocence - wish I could bottle it up.

Visitors!!

One of my very best friends came to visit this last week - Dana.  We had a great time catching up....we haven't seen each other in about 15 years and it was wonderful to see her and her children.  She has two other little boys - but, my girls were crazy over her new little girl Elliott! Carlee was so glad that Dana brought a little live babydoll just for her!  Poor Elli looks scared to death in the last picture.  Carlee just wanted to squeeze her she was so cute!!  

That's one thing about true friends...no matter how much time has passed - when you see each other it is like it always was and no time has passed at all.  Thanks Dana - you are a blessing to me and to your beautiful children...you are a wonderful mommy!!!

Lemon cake.....

UPDATE ON THE LEMON CAKE:  IT WAS A HIT!!! WONDERFUL WONDERFUL WONDERFUL!!  IT WAS DELICIOUS!!  Any of you lemon lovers that need a good recipe - let me know - you should HAVE this recipe!!

I made this cake tonight for a barbecue with some of my family tomorrow afternoon.  I was so proud of it that I just had to take a picture!  It is a lemon cake with a layer of lemon filling in between the two layers and it is frosted with a homemade lemon buttercream frosting.  Now, the filling tasted good by itself and the frosting tasted good by itself - so, I am hoping that it all tastes good together.....I'll let you know.

I guess when life gives you lemons - you can make lemonade or, you can make this fabulous lemon cake!! Ha!

GOOD MORNING!!

Just in case anyone was wondering......this is what it looks like at our house every morning....we thought we would invite you to breakfast!  Have a great day!!

Face painting

Cyvannah is really into this face painting stuff.  At the River Festival this year - her dad let her get her face painted and they did a GREAT job.....she wanted me to take her picture so I could put it on my "blogger" as she calls it.  So - here you go baby girl...your FAMOUS!

Our first lake day of the year!

We headed out to Cheney on Saturday - it was a perfect lake day.  Sunny and about 85 degrees.  The water was REALLY chilly but, the kids got in anyway - which means that Carlee wanted to do what they wanted to do - and, that means MATT got into the water too.  There was no way I was getting in - way too cold for me.  I really thought she would scream since it was so cold and last year she freaked out in the cold water - not this year.  We couldn't get her out of the water.  She has no fear either.  As you can see in the video, she just kept giggling.  You can also see in the video how Cyvannah likes to drift off and then scream that she can't swim - don't be alarmed - she always does this - it's her "rescue" me tactics.....it was nice to be back on the lake.

Thank you Mrs. Soft...... (Gail)

Personally, I think this lady is the best teacher I have ever known!  She gives so much of herself and is real in doing it.  Her energy is endless and her heart is huge.  She has given herself to all of these children and that is the greatest gift ever.  It's amazing how our paths have continued to cross - when Cayden had her - Matt and I were just dating but, I brought treats, etc. and we started the friendship there.  When Cyvannah got her - that friendship actually grew even more and we realized that my Uncle Myron and her husband played basketball together in a league years ago and she and my aunt were really good friends - just never put the names together.  Turns out that Gail spent a lot of time with my family long ago and actually had gone over to my parents house for parties when I was about Cyvannah's age!  SMALL WORLD!!  So, I feel so blessed to have this lady in my life......she's amazing!

Last Day of School Party!

Ok, so this party wraps up my year as room parent for Cyvannah's class.  I couldn't have done it without the help of some wonderful moms - you know who you are!  This was a very bittersweet day for me...I fell in love with this class and it was very hard to say good-bye!  We made autograph t-shirts and friendship bracelets and then ate some goodies!  I wish I could have kept this class together forever - it was awesome!  The last picture is kind of sad - both of my children learned a lot in this room and next year this school is being gutted and remodeled.  There was always a lot of activity in this room and it made me sad to see all the chairs up and all the children gone for the last time. I am just sappy like that.  Good luck to you all - I will miss you!

A quilt for Mrs. Soft....

I made a quilt for Mrs. Soft - Cyvannah's teacher.  She is an AWESOME lady and Cayden had her for Kdg/1st grade and so did Vanna.  We love her and wanted to make something special for her to say THANKS.

Yum....cupcakes!

I made some triple chocolate cupcakes with buttercream icing for Cyvannah's last day of school party...they came out really cute!  See the wine in the background....that's what I am moving on to next after I make it through this week!

Congratulations Ellen - we are PROUD of you!!

Matt's little sister, Ellen, graduated from KU with a Law Degree last weekend.  We had a quick trip up there to celebrate - we are so proud of her!!  We love you Yia Yia!!

Matt's new toy....

Ok - so, what do you get a 37 year old college graduate?  A REMOTE CONTROL CAR of course!!  Not your average Walmart remote control cars - but, the nitro powered big boy remote control cars.  This car (truck actually) goes 50mph.  It was fun to watch him play with it today - he magically transformed into a 10 year old boy right before my eyes!!  Happy graduation!!

Family pictures from the weekend...

We enjoyed having everyone together this weekend...the girls LOVE playing with their cousin Johnna.....

My hubby GRADUATES from Friends University!!!

We are so proud of Matt....he finished his degree at Friends University and graduated this weekend.  We had a surprise party for him that evening and he didn't have a clue...it was a perfect day with all of our loved ones.  Way to go baby!!

An afternoon siesta...

I love this!  Matt's grandparents surprised him by coming down for the weekend for his college graduation.  I snuck a picture of grandpa enjoying our new patio furniture!  Either it was the drive that wore him out or maybe - if you look really close at the table - it was too much wine.  Just kidding grandpa...we loved seeing you guys!!!

Hired help.....

We are finishing a new patio in the backyard and we got some hired help....kind of.  I think I was "summoned" shortly after I took this picture...... :)

Waterballoon Volleyball!!

Cayden's spring party consisted of making ice cream sundaes and playing waterballoon volleyball (with some help from dad)...they had a blast!  I think they are all ready for summer....teacher included!

Pure entertainment!

I couldn't figure out what Carlee was doing...but, all I could hear was her grunting and growling.  Then, I realized there was a moth.  I think this was her first encounter...Izzy eventually joined in and ate the moth ending all the fun - but, it was hilarious while it lasted!  Sorry for the sideways view - couldn't figure out how to flip it....

The littlest worm...the littlest worm...I ever saw....

Carlee's new best friend.  Ok - I was thinking she was totally a girlie girl - but, I was wrong!  She loves worms. Weirdo.  She wouldn't leave this worm alone!  Eventually, it ended up in about 5 pieces because uh, she was a little "rough" I think. It absolutely grosses me out....at least now I have someone to take fishing with me.

Carlee's favorite place right now...

We/Matt has recently finished our deck in the backyard and Carlee loves LOVES LOVES it!  She likes to just sit out there just like this and will sit there for an hour.  She is an outdoor girl...

Spring school programs.....

Here are some pics from the kid's school programs...Cayden's theme was "Green" for the environment and Vanna's was obviously western.  They both did a great job!!

BIG TROUBLE....

Ok - so, if you look closely, you will see Carlee's artwork on our living room wall.  Priceless, I know...but, what's even more priceless is the look on her face when she is caught in the act and you ask her what she is doing?  I think she has decided that if she closes her eyes and can't see you - you can't see her and she isn't in trouble!  You can find her artwork everywhere - refrigerator door, bathroom wall, living room wall, tile floor, on her...EVERYWHERE.