Making Cakes

As a child, my Mom often made me beautiful birthday cakes from scratch. Although I may not have fully appreciated them then, I definitely appreciate them now. I know she put a lot of time, energy and love into those cakes, and I cherish the pictures of my spectacular cakes from childhood.

So, when Carson wanted a "Tommy Train" cake for his 2nd birthday, I decided to give cake making and decorating a chance. I don't think of myself as artistic by any means. I sometimes think I'm creatively challenged when it comes to arts and crafts. However, thanks to many episodes of the Cake Boss on TLC and Google images, I came up with a Tommy Train cake that I thought I could make.

My mother and I slaved over his birthday cake for many hours, but it was definitely worth it. Everyone, including Carson, loved his very special birthday cake.
As Maylee's 1st birthday approached, I knew it would only be fair if I made her a special birthday cake too. Her theme was flowers and ladybugs. My Mom and I set off to Hobby Lobby to see what we could find. We found a Wilton flower-shaped cake pan and eagerly awaited the change to make and decorate Maylee's very first cake.

Pictured below is the practice cake I made for Maylee's actual birthday and her very own eat-and-play birthday cake. It was so much fun to make.
Now for the big.....must be as good as Tommy Train......cake for the family party!

Step 1: Bake Three Cakes- Strawberry, Funfetti, and Chocolate

Step 2: Mom and I decorate the cakes- with 6 tubes of frosting, 5 tubes of food coloring, two packages of Oreos, one batch of rice crispy treats, and one package of gummy worms.

Step 3: Perfect the presentation

Step 4: Take pictures

Step 5: Eat and Enjoy

Now my children will have birthday cakes and pictures to cherish all their lives, and I have a cake making hobby!

Snow boots

Carson got snow boots for Christmas last year, and we were all excited to use them. However, thanks to semi-permanent illness and erratic snow fall for the past two months, aforementioned snow boots had sadly been stowed in a closet with the tags still on.

When I awoke to at least 3 inches of snow on the ground last Friday, I was raring to go outside! Jeff had the day off, the kids were both well, and I was determined to use those snow boots. We went to a near by park, and we played hard. Here are some photos of our family fun!

We went raced down the hill on sleds and in boxes,

We played at the park,

Maylee posed for some pictures,

and we rolled some giant snow balls.

Carson's boot fell off and it was time to go home.

Maylee fell asleep on the two minute drive home.

Carson didn't last much longer.

It was a really fun day, and we finally use those snow boots!!!

We Did It. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Well folks....we did it. We survived the last four weeks! My stress level is back to normal (with the exception of multiple dirty laundry piles still waiting to be done), and I am LOVING the holiday break with my husband HOME.

Jeff and I successfully applied for TWELVE (12) Ph.D. program around the country, and now we just wait to hear back. 'We,' meaning Jeff is the applicant and Jen did all the data entry, applied for programs in North Carolina, New York, Texas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Virginia, Washington, Georgia, and Arkansas. Of the twelve places.... I only want to live in like 3 of them, but we'll go wherever 'we' are accepted. (Somewhere...please accept us!)

I have all of my Christmas shopping done, with the exception of snow boots for Carson, and it's all wrapped and ready to go. Our Rockin' Christmas Music Video for the family Christmas Eve Party is all prepared and I sure hope it's funny!!!

Although I can't post our actual Rockin' Christmas Music Video, with Jeff and I singing, because it would be TOO embarrassing, I can show excerpts from the filming of it. Only family gets to see the real thing. Sorry guys. Be grateful for what you do get to see. lol


I am terribly excited for Christmas day and can hardly wait to see a certain reaction to a certain present that will be opened on Christmas day. It's always SO hard for me to keep secrets like these.

Anyway, tonight is the first night in weeks where I can just sit back, take a deep breath, and enjoy some much needed R&R. I caught up on my facebook, my gmail, and my blog reading.... and it has been an exceptional evening.

A special thanks to all who supported me through this crazy time, let me ignore our friendships for the last two months and listened to me complain.

Side note: The last few weeks of stress actually suppressed my appetite and I lost 5lbs since Thanksgiving. Guess I'll have to gain it back during Christmas and start again in the New Year!


Happy Holidays!!!