Party time!

As you may have noticed in the past I like to go all out for birthdays. So I decorated a little different than usual, but I think it turned out fun. We were going kind of Rapunzel themed. Since I don't do characters, I mostly went with flowers. I hand sewed fabric flowers and hung them, also hand sewn fabric garlands, which took some time, but I thought was a cute addition. The tissue paper balls, I already had, so why not use them.

I stole this idea, (Thanks Chelsie). Except she used 12 and I used about 24 of her growing up, It's hard to choose when they're all so cute.
This is kind of, one of the trends in birthday party deco, (if there is such a thing). So I had to do it as well.
I even made the party hats, because I didn't want cheesy character ones. That was easier than I thought.
Here's the birthday girl!

I had a hard time deciding what to give her, because she already has all of Reese's stuff. And Christmas was just barely, but we figured out a few things.
This is mostly what happened, Reese, Kennedy and Hadley, opening and playing with her toys, and her trying to see.
This is what I bought her, although everyone thought it was a bad idea. Yes, it is a little steep, but I think she'll like it as she gets a bit older.
I was so preoccupied, I didn't take any pictures of any of the party guests. But Tayler took this one of Reese and her bf Macklin. Reese has a total crush on him I think. Tayler's got some competition.
Here's the cake. I think this is my favorite one I've done so far.
I didn't want to make an actual Rapunzel, (since you saw how good the incredibles turned out), so that's supposed to be her hair coming out the window. And that's little Pascal.

Here's the smash cake, Ashley (Jeremy's sister) gave me the pan for Christmas, and I was excited to use it.

We went next door, to Jeremy's grandpa's house, for desert and cake, since they can't come to us.

I had no doubt Rylee would go for her cake, she's such a grabber. And I was right.

She mostly ate it like this, and she had to come up for air. It was so funny! The cake was clear up her nose. I loved it.
This doesn't really show how messy she got. Luckily the frosting and cake were mostly white.
I know she mostly doesn't know what was going on, but she knew something special was going on. And I think she had fun. Altogether it was a great party!

Rylee's Birthday!

Just a few weeks ago Rylee was born, wait no........ a whole year, seriously? This year has flown, Rylee has been taking steps, and was tricked by Jeremy, and ice cream on her birthday to walk across the room, but has not done it willingly yet. I'm not sure where my camera cord is, so pictures of the big party are yet to come.

Rylee's stats are.

Weight 19.2 lbs 9 by the way I swear that's what she was at 9 months. which makes it 20%.

Height 29.3 inches or 57% Looks like she's not going to be as tall as Reese, but we'll see.

Head circ 32%

She's been so much fun, and I can't wait till her and Reese can play even better.

Snow Day!

During the holidays, Kris, (my bro in law), Jeremy, and I took the kids out to play in the snow. Kris and Jeremy, being the good dads that they are built the kids a snow man, and a little hill to sled on.

Jeremy's cousins/aunt Kathy made this cute snowman kit. The kids loved it, in fact the snowman is miraculously still up. I guess when it's freezing outside the snowmen definitely can't melt.

I pulled Rylee out of bed and brought her outside, she wasn't loving being outside as much as the rest of the kids.

This is so mean of us, but we wanted her to go down the little hill too. Obviously she's not excited.

Look at that face, we are so mean!
Jeremy and Kris slid off the garage roof, and the kids wanted to. I knew Reese would freak out, because she doesn't like to be on the counter, it's too high. But she actually did it! By the way, this was safe Jeremy was right there.






We were lucky to get snow just in time, The Kuchenmeisters headed back for Cali the next day. This might be the only day we get to all play in the snow together as well, Reese loved it, Rylee not so much, but she will next year.

Hmmm time for some hot cocoa.

Gingerbread houses

A few days before Christmas, I watched Ryan and Ethan, (my nephews from Cali.) I figured it was the perfect time to do a little gingerbread house making. (Actually I used graham cracker, but kind of the same thing.)
It kept them busy for awhile, but mostly they just ate candy. Poor Rylee was in the highchair, because she couldn't keep her hands off the candy either. Who can blame her?

For the record the grahams worked really good, I cut two grahams to have a triangle on top for each house with a serrated knife. They didn't look that cute, but it was a tasty activity.

Hadley and Kennedy's Birthday!

It was my nieces' birthday, a few weeks ago. Heather wanted them to have an Incredibles cake. As I was trying to post this I'm not sure why I have only two not very great pictures of it. The "i" in the cake is crooked, and I know I fixed it after taking the picture. Plus my messy table is a nice background for the pic. :)

Here are the birthday girls in their Buzz and Jessie costumes.
I made a few of the characters with Fondant, although for that you really need modeling chocolate, or even gum paste would be better, but that's what I had, so that's what I used.
There's Jack Jack, it probably would have been better without them. But the kids liked it. Plus, at least they taste good, like a marshmallow. The kids like to pick the things off and eat them. I'll have to make sure I take better pictures next time.

Christmas Morning:

I was nervous Reese would wake up early on Christmas, so I put the baby gate at the bottom of the stairs. Little did I know that can't stop a 3 year old who wants presents. At about 6 am, I heard some noises and she was up looking at everything. Luckily she knew she shouldn't, and she hadn't unwrapped anything.
(Above) She had a very specific list of things she wanted, I guess she had seen the commercials. A Baby all Gone. A puppy that walks. A lady but pillow pet, that I can't believe I don't have a picture of her with. (She'd been asking for one since April.)
I found an awesome dollhouse, I think she loves it.
Yes, Rylee did open presents, but she wanted breakfast more than toys, so she ate happily while Reese opened hers.
Most people I know don't let their kids have toys that make noise, but I know that's what they like, so I say why not? Almost all of Rylee's toys were musical.
Next door at Jeremy's Grandpa's house.

This is all the kids. (If you're wondering who the red-headed step child is on the couch, that is Hadley in her Little Mermaid wig, that she never took off all day.) I took about 15 pics and this is the best one, I know that's not saying much. It's hard to get 1 kid to look let alone 6.
Jeremy in his Gordon Hayward shirt. I make fun of Jeremy that he's obsessed with him so I got him the shirt. (For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, he's a rookie for the Utah Jazz.) I don't know if he'll make it past this year, but oh well. He can still wear it.
Our Christmas was so great. I'm so thankful that we were able to do anything let alone, I feel like I was able to get Reese everything she wanted. Also I got a pasta machine that I can't wait to use, and a food processor that I've wanted for forever, and had no idea Jeremy even knew about.
I hope everyone's holiday was just a nice! Merry Christmas!