Easter 2011

So the Easter weekend was super fun for us, even though it was busy! Friday I took off work at noon, and we took the kids to the movies to see the movie "Hop". It was really cute, but my Daughter is too young for the theatre, or so we learned. Then Friday night I boiled eggs and put them back in the fridge to get cold, and baked cupcakes for my Sister-in-law's thirteenth birthday part at the zoo on Saturday. So Saturday morning we got up early, frosted said cupcakes, got everyone ready and drove one hour north to the zoo. The kids had a blast at the zoo, almost lost our little one as she thinks everyone is fun to walk with! After that trip I was convinced I need a leash!! We got home from the zoo and the picnic and after everyone had rested a bit, the kids were ready to dye some eggs.
London helped first...
Easton helped next...
They were sooooo excited when the eggs actually turned colors! Easton's favorite is always green, but our green was WEAK this year, so other colors started taking precedent.
The Easter Bunny brought the kids new baskets (because last years matching buckets got left on the back porch and are now rusty/disgusting), butterfly nets, bug catchers, PEZ dispensers, chocolate bunnies, swimming goggles, lots and lots of candy, and Easton: a boat for search and rescue missions, and London: peeps lipstick (which we did have to take away since she keeps eating it!!).
Grandma took her little ducklings on a walk, and helped them find their special eggs.
Easton found his yearly green egg. Doesn't he look thrilled to post for my pictures?!

My sweet nephew, Knight III, hunting for his very own eggs, playdoh, and hula hoop.

The Queen Grandma pulled this dress out and washed it for me. She asked if London could wear it for Easter because it was my Easter dress approximately twenty (cough cough)-seven years ago. Doesn't my sweet girl look so sweet wearing her Mommy's very own Easter dress. When I put the little petti-slip on underneath the dress London swayed back and forth saying "pitty Mommy pitty". She did look pretty, and I was so excited for my family to see this sweet one.

The Queen Grandma LOVES to take Pumpkin Carriage rides, so TJ hooked up the tractor and took all of the kids and a few choice adult/teenage chaperone's for rides.

This picture is especially neat because you can see the pumpkin carriage being pulled around the vineyard, and in the background is the house. That house was built in 1875, and my Great Great Grandpa bought it in 1896. My Great Grandpa Renaud was born in that house and passed in the house; my Grandpa was born in a small house (that no longer stands) just to the northeast of the house), and now my parents live there with my Grandma (who thinks she's the Queen). The house still has many of the original fixtures and character that it had, but has been upgraded by my parents in the last 3 years. Well I hope everyone had a great Easter. We enjoyed our family and friends.

Our little Queen's most special dresses

I have so much going on, and nothing really going on, so I'm going to share some of our little Queen's special baby baby dresses. When London was about 1 month old and Easton was 3 years old, we took the kids to Disneyland for a few days away. Queen Grandma couldn't stand the thought of our little wearing off the rack Disney clothes, so she got out her sewing machine and all of the local animals came around to help. Below is a picture of the closet with a few of the special items we took for the kids to wear. A picture of my most precious/fiesty from the start little wearing her Cinderella inspired Christening-esque dress. I always wanted long long dresses to put on my Daughter so Queen Grandma knew just what I had in mind. We are waiting in line to pick up our season passes at the Happiest Place on Earth! The second day our sweet little debuted her Belle inspired dress, and as you can see my Daughter was very good as showing how she felt. Queen Grandma also made receiving blankets out of Disney fabric for each day we were there. So when London was ready to be snuggled up like a burrito, she would be matching and ready for any Disney adventure. At my Baby Shower for London, Queen Grandma surprised me with a sketch of this Christening-esque dress made from one of my highschool dresses. When we picked it up we were in love, although we wish it was a tad bigger. Not too far from our houses there are gorgeous trees with green grass, so treked out there in search of a pretty back drop. *You can really see how long this dress truly is in this photo. And an up close photo of my little Queen laying in a bed of wishes. Oh how I miss that sweet chubby baby! She has turned into a full fledged TWO YEAR OLD TODDLER!!!!

...goats and a funny story...

So firstly, I would like to introduce 2 goats to you...Emma and George. Emma is standing on top of the crate and George is somewhat hiding behind the crate. For the Queen Grandma's 50th birthday we adopted two 8 week old baby goats. We surprised her with them.

Here they are after the Queen Grandma started to build then pen bigger as they grow. They are about 4 months old here.

When the goats pen was built out, the chickens were moved closer to the goats, so George is checking the chickens out and scoping the scene.

Here is my sweet Queen feeding the goats. Emma is the sweeter one, and she eats right out of the kids' hands. She also walks on leash. It's amazing to see my Daughter blossoming into a little farm girl.

Again, here is London feeding Emma. Emma happened to walk right up to London on this day and KISS HER right smack on the face. Well, I suppose a farm girl has a certain bond with her animal friends. So, on to the funny story...today the Queen Grandma looks out her window and sees a goat walking around her porch. So she quickly runs outside thinking that goats are out and loose. Well to her surprise, this goat on the porch IS NOT ONE OF HERS. Can you imagine the surprise when Queen Grandma see some random goat playing on her porch. She keeps teasing us that all the goats in the area can hear Emma cry for her, so they are coming to see what Emma is talking about. You see, Emma cries whenever the Queen Grandma leaves her...Emma wants to be right next to our Queen Grandma. So the neighbors come over (they have several goats, but all are pigmy goats) to see if this random goat is their goat...IT IS NOT THEIRS EITHER!!! So this leaves us wondering...whose goat is this and where did HE come from? Since HE is most definately a HE, Queen Grandma sent him to live with the pigmy's until his proper owner can be found, or forever depending on whether or not he gets along with the pigmy's. But one thing is for sure....HE can not live with the Queen Grandma. We do not need any more baby goats on this farm!

Capri's Sweet Lemonade First Birthday Party

So I would like to introduce you to a super sweet one year old, Capri!
Capri's Mommy planned and made almost everything for this amazingly sweet birthday party. you can see Capri discovering her birthday cake with one itty bitty little finger...

Capri's Daddy made something pretty great (if you ask me)....HER VERY OWN LEMONADE STAND!!! There were bottles of pink lemonade sitting out on the stand along with a personalized chalkboard. This stand (and Capri, of course) is going to the epitome of the lemonade girls.
Here is the sweets table filled with lots of yummy pink and yellow treats. I'm not sure if you can see them, but on the left of the picture the invitation is framed. I only mention this because QUEEN LONDON'S CARRIAGE designed it specifically for Miss Capri. And the treat bags on the right also have 2.5" round circle labels designed to match ;).
Below is the "sour" table....love that!!! Capri's Mommy set out lemonade, pink lemonade and water for all of the birthday partiers. Capri's Mommy had us design the water bottle labels and the labels for the lemonade stands.

Here is an up close photo of the "pink lemonade" label attached by pink and white ribbon.Isn't this table scape just amazing, and perfect for an outdoor first birthday?
Below is a picture of the water bottle labels which match the invites, all labels, the thank you notes. I'm so glad these worked out so well, and the labels withstood the ice bucket too!Here is the birthday cake and cupcake display, and I just think it looks so great! Capri's Mommy made all of this stuff herself, and I think it takes the cake!
A very special first birthday cake with cute yellow petit fours below...
Sugar cookies with yellow frosting.....mmmmmmm
Thank you so much Christine for letting me help with Capri's party, and I hope I can get you to write a few tutorials on how you made all of this super sweet stuff!

Super top secret spy birthday party

Last weekend our Son had his 5th birthday party. I am really trying to scale back on the decorations, and make it more fun for the kids because that's where is really matters. So here was our sweets table. I used 2 yards of herringbone fabric hung from a metal clothing rack (that the Queen Grandma had stashed away), and an "Easton" banner made by my good friend from Birthday Bliss.

We had Capri Sun's (because all kids love those!), caramel apples with sprinkles and some with peanuts, and cupcakes. These cupcakes were sooo good, and out of 48, I had only 9 left ;). I made the bottom layer chocolate fudge, then french vanilla, and the top layer was died teal green to match the party.

I made the fans, last minute of course, by cutting the herringbone paper into strips and folding it. I glued it together and added the 5 cut out to the center. And all of the cupcake toppers were made to match the invitations with Perry the Playtpus on them. Perry seemed to fit the theme perfectly as he is a secret spy on Phinneas and Ferb, as well as Easton has a shirt with "Agent P" on it.

Yes, I stacked my corningware up and made my own make-shift cake platter. I think it turned out cute, so that's all that matters!!!

We went on a mission around the house. I only took pictures of the first stop because frankly it was cooooold, and all of us were running to try to get back inside the house! So the first instruction:

1. Follow the crooked porch until you find the blue table with your investigative tools on it. (notepads covered in matching paper and pencils)

2. The goats will know where to go next. (Queen Grandma has goats, so we stuck all the kids party blowers near them pen)

3. Find row 7 and you will find your disguises for your last mission. (plastic glasses with the fake noses attached)

4. Crawl through to doorways and don't touch the lazer beams. (I took string and ran it through 2 doorways and one room, and everyone had to crawl through the string and try not to touch the "lazer beams")

5. Find the last window for your top secret identities. (I made identification cards for each kid that has their photo on it, their age, and their secret code for mission (which was their initials))


Here is our most special birthday boy. We can't believe our first baby is 5 years old....oh how I remember when he was so tiny, and I could dress him up and get him to smile for me.

The littlest knight shared his lolli-pop with our very own little Queen. Thanks Grandma for providing such a LARGE lolli-pop........ It was sweet that they were sharing. And the little Queen had a coordinating outfit to the rest of us. She had on white lace leggings, black lace up boots, herringbone panties, a black tutu, a special shirt that was decoded by the family, and a matching hairbow.

Happy Birthday my sweet Son. Mom and Dad love you so much and feel so lucky to get the opportunity to raise you.

Only in the movies...

Today, I had one of those days, you know the ones that only happen in the movies. You go in for one thing, and come out with so much more! Yes, one of those days!!! Stay tuned for more.....

Valentine's Day

Today is filled with so many different emotions for me. Today is the day that my Husband (then my Boyfriend) taped a note and a rose to my window while I was at work and I knew I was smitten. We talked late late that night once i got home (because cell phones weren't cool yet). Then...three years ago today I picked my Son up from my Mother-in-law at 12:30 (because she needed to go to work), and at 1:08 pm our world stopped. She was in a horrible car accident. 12:30 was the last time I got to talk to her. We lost such a force in our life that the pieces have been crumbling around ever since. So there, that's the story (in short form). I want to remember the great things about her today.

Tami used to have fresh baked Hawaiian bread ready when I got done with the high school football games. (I would always sneak over to my boyfriends house after the games before curfew)

Tami went with me to every wedding dress fitting with my Mom and I.

Tami and I talked to each other every day, and would just sit chatting about anything and nothing at the same time.

Tami would just giggle when I told her of plans I had for a party, or school, or whatever.

Tami was the third person to know that I was pregnant with Easton, and she made me take one MORE pregnancy test just to make sure.

Between my Mom and Tami, I had someone with me during every doctors appointment when I was pregnant with Easton.

Tami was there the day we found out we were going to have a precious baby boy.

Tami was there the day we had our precious baby boy.

Tami watched Easton for us when I went back to work.

Tami was there for our Son's first robot birthday party.

And we were making plans for Easton's second birthday when she was taken from us just ten days before our little turned 2.

We will never let our children forget what a great person their Grandma was. We will always take her new flowers, so her resting place is as close to as beautiful as she was. We will never forget what we had, and what we lost so tragically. We will continue to see what a wonderful Mother she was, through her four wonderful children (one of which I got to marry!!). So today I will remember Tami! We love you!!

London's Vintage Cowgirl Second Birthday Party

This weekend my Daughter, Queen London, had her second birthday and second birthday party. I can't believe my baby is TWO!!! Below is the sweets table. I am trying to pair the parties down a bit, so this year we had pink cupcakes (thanks to Amber), sugar cookies (thanks to Sydney), caramel apples, and pink marshmallows. We also had lunch for the kids which consisted of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cut into the shape of a star, animal crackers and juice for the kids.

And as a side note that little red barn is super vintage and was given to me for my Son's nursery when he was born and sat in his room until about one year ago when the kids began sharing one room. I may have to bring it back home because I still love it!

I made all of the cupcake toppers ahead of time, and they had her name on them as well as L's, 2's, and glitter 2's with pistol's in the background (because we all know that she is our little pistol).

Here is the door to the backside of the house and the kids table was set up right below this entryway. My friend Heather of Birthday Bliss made the adorable banner, and I plan on hanging it above London's bed once we transition her into her BIG GIRL BED!!!! Eeeeeee!!! And again you can see the WANTED poster I designed after finding a few other wanted posters designed similarly. London is "WANTED for crimes including climbing out of her crib, throwing daggers with her eyebrows, and being feisty like a pistol!"

Mom had this old gun sitting out on the table.

The Queen Grandma was primping London before all the guests arrived. Most of London's ensemble was designed and created by my Mom and myself. We ordered the pink cowgirl fabric from Warm Biscuit, and then rest of the fabric was purchased from Beverly's here locally. London's leggings were repurposed from a vintage sweater purchased at the local thrift store with some of the dress fabric. I made her bow a couple of days beforehand, and I like them BIG, so for everyone who likes dainty bows....great for you....BUT NOT ME!!! I think the more the better!!! I personally think that she looks like a cute little cowgirl cupcake with the frosting on top!!! And everyone knows the frosting is what MAKES the cupcake! :)

London's absolute favorite gift was from our good friends, and it consisted of a french paper basket, a black and hot pink skunk with a mohawk (their Son has a mohawk and picked this gift out for her), and M&M's.....London's LOVES M&M's, and we have been potty training this sweet girl, so we go through lots and lots of candy! :) :) :) So, on another note....THERE ARE PANTIES UNDER THAT DRESS!!!!!! We have one big girl!!!!

We sang Happy Birthday to our favorite girl...

And she enjoyed every last bit of that frosting!

The Queen Grandma and Grandpa stole a few precious moments with London. Grandma is teasing London "Don't you tell Papa". London's favorite person in the whole wide world is Grandpa, and Grandma always teases her that Grandma is London's favorite, and they just won't tell Papa.

London opened up one of her presents, and she may be a little bit bossy, so she was telling somebody that they can't see her present. Hopefully, someday, I can teach this little pistol to "be nice".

We also did shrinky dinks at the party, and they were a big hit with all of the little girls, and my nephew.

I had most of the pictures already traced and cut out and ready to be colored. Horseshoes, cowboys, cowgirls, initials, hats, and my personal favorite was the horse.

After most of the guests left Grandpa and the King Daddy took the bigger boys outside for some target practice with Grandpa's BB gun.

Doesn't Easton look just like a little cowboy...I love the bandana, Sheriff badge, cowboy boots, and BB gun...he takes shooting very seriously!

Now I would like a small disclaimer, we do not allow our 2 year old to touch this BB gun. BUT, I asked my Dad if he would hold her and let her try to pretend to shoot for her birthday (and so I could take a picture)! I'm glad I did because it's such a sweet picture of my Dad and baby girl.

Happy Birthday to the sweetest little Queen. We love you London Tami Lynn.

My Baby is Turning TWO!!

Sunday is a big day...London is turning two! Although we are having her party on Saturday, we plan on spending Sunday doing what she likes. I can not believe that 2 years ago I had this little bundle of joy inside my belly. London is the most loving little girl with hugs and kisses and a very calm little girl, BUT she is as feisty as they come! She yells at her Brother and bosses anyone who will listen around....a girl after my own heart <3!

When London was one month old we took her to Disneyland for her Brothers third birthday, and she gave us a run for our money while there. I think this was the first time my parents got to see her this way!

Grandma took the reigns for a little bit and they met up with their Fairy Godmother!
And to top the birthday off, we have been potty training her and I almost feel like my baby is leaving! She's a big girl now....she only has a few remnants left of baby-hood: pacifier, crib, and she still has not had a haircut!!! On that note, King Daddy and I have gone back and forth since the day she was born about cutting hair and piercing ears....neither are things I want to do, but he taunts me often about it! London's hair is just so pretty, and it curls down her back....I just can't bear to cut it. King Dad wants to cut bangs, and I absolutely can't do it....CAN NOT DO IT!!! My Sister and I were plagued with half-a-head bangs, and I just can't put my Daughter through that! King Dad and I made a deal that we would cut her hair on the 2nd birthday, but now that it's here....I don't want to do it!!!! So in the end the saying stays true: Happy Wife, Happy Life....so London's hair is staying!!!! Next post will be pictures of little Queen London's birthday party!!! Woo hoo!!!