Trooper Cake

The older Maebelle gets, the more pictures there are of me. : )

We were gifted some cake mix by Zac's grandma Trefz.

The kids wanted to make the cake fun. So we decided to do half chocolate frosting and half funfetti frosting! Chocolate for dirt (or maybe mud, I can't remember) and the orangish color for sand.

Then Orion wanted to add Legos.

So he made a kammatrooper scene for us to enjoy before we enjoyed the cake and they took pictures. They had so much fun with it! So thankful for the easy things that please them!

I don't seem to get my camera out enough these days. So dinner on a random evening sounds like a good time. We changed the lights in our dining room and they have almost a spotlight feel to them. 

Then a few day later I was able to get the camera out for an evening of fun. These next few are from the beginning of that evening.

This puppy is getting so big! And this was even a few weeks ago on September 4, I think he's grown since then!

For perspective, Here he is on June 27 in a very similar pose and place:

So at the beginning of September, his head is about up to the tabletop when sitting down. At the end of June, his head was about to the seat of the chair. And I'm pretty sure that, at 5 months old, he's not even close to done growing yet.

My three sweeties:

Orion doing his bow staff again, and always.

I love this family!

Whittle Away

The kids discovered whittling earlier in the summer.

They spent hours sitting on the step outside the porch, slicing away bark, carving their sticks into the shape they desired.

It was fun to see them enjoying something so basic as carving wood together. 

And more of the little Cedar Dear. He was sooooooooo tiiiiny!!!!!

So round and puffy.

He could slide into the littlest of spaces still!

Oh so adorable!

Zac cooking what he cooks best - masala!

More of Cedar to come. He sure has grown!

November Birthdays

Maebelle's birthday and mine are next door neighbors.

After celebrating our birthdays during our thanksgiving dinner at my mom's house, Maebelle and Orion came home and dug right into her Jelly Belly's from Jonah, Brandy and Josh.

When we were at the Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays (see Gingerbread Barn post), I mentioned to Mom that I was sad they didn't have puppy chow at the bake sale. She totally remembered and made me a whole bag of it for my birthday!

It was so delicious, I could not stop!

My mom gave Maebelle a tree for her birthday that was decorated for the holidays! What a wonderful idea! Maebelle loved it and still has it in her bedroom. : )

And these are just the remains, but of course, Maebelle got her turkey cake.

Trying to figure out what flavor is what is so fun! So much fun it makes a sister want to share with her brother. ; )

Then on the evening of Mabelle's actual birthday, we celebrated with Hannah, Kyle and Heidi. Here she is now, being weird with what they were pretending were light sabers.

Since we had so many sweets over the few days prior to this evening, Maebelle wanted poppy seed bread for her birthday treat. It was a great choice and turned out DELICIOUS! But the bread has an amazing glaze on it that we didn't want to compromise. So, butter candles it was.

And it suited Maebelle perfectly. She LOVES butter. Disgustingly enough, she could eat it straight if we'd let her. Ewww...

A new book and handmade bookmark from Heidi, Hannah and Kyle.

As she began to open the gift, a strange song began to play, explaining the curious look on her face above.

A PHONE!!!!! All her own.

Brandy gave me the cutest little tea kettle for my birthday. She had noticed that I didn't have one when she and Jonah hung out with the kids earlier in November. So sweet of her to remember!

Maebelle hiding with her phone. After I took this picture, the thought occurred to me that we might not really see her anymore. However I do have to say (in true Maebelle style) she has done really well with the phone. She loves to play on it, but it has not overtaken her life.

I really had no right to be concerned. Maebelle is about the best girlie anyone could ask for. : )

Thank you to everyone for such wonderful, thoughtful gifts! We are blessed to be surrounded by amazing family.

I have lots of holiday pictures to come. Hopefully soon!