Audrey's First Splash

Audrey got a pool for her first birthday and when the temp reached 78 the other day we thought it was perfect to break it out. This is my little sister with Audrey outside

Fresh fruit,Wraps and Summer Food

With summer in full swing I am in love with meals that are not only healthy but quick and simple. My sister is in town for 3 weeks from Indiana so I have been focusing on spending time with her and showing her a good time instead of cooking. She did help me make a few of the meals below and we had a blast! Banana Nut Muffins in my new cute flutes!

Grilled Whole Wheat Turkey sandwiche and Tots

Whole Grain Grilled Chicken Wraps and Watermelon

Home made Teriakyi Chicken, Rice and Corn

I start my program on Monday so I am excited to post what we cook up in class and homework which I have never been more excited about ever. On another note, I have come up with a name for my Cupcake Cafe I will be opening after graduation::SPLENDID

I would love to hear what you think!

Someone in Florida Loves Me

It was that time year again, gradution that is. My cousin Sharla was finally getting her turn to graduate from high school and that meant that family was going to fly in from Florida. This year it was my Aunt, 2 cousins, my cousins boyfriend and their daugther who turned 7 months on the 16th. We spent all day Saturday in the yard and in the house cleaning and getting ready for an additional 5 guests in the house plus the family BBQ I was hosting here on Sunday. I was beyond irritated becuase a certain someone I live with wanted everything to be perfect and I just wanted it to be presentable to get us through the few days they were here. Well their flight was supposed to get in Saturday night at 9:30 AM but it was delayed until 1:30 AM which meant I was staying home with the baby to catch up on sleep. I did wake up at 3:30 to welcome everybody and quickly say Hello before going back to sleep. This now brings us to Sunday morning, which was crazy hectic. Not only did I have to set up the decorations outside and tables but I still needed to make all the salads, cupcakes and get the meat ready. After a few hiccups with the grill not starting right away and my frosting for the cupcakes turning out wrong due to rancid crisco everything went amazing. Photos are soon to follow of the all the festivities. Sunday night we mapped out the next 2 days and decided that we would all go up to Seattle for a day of space needle visiting, seattle center food eating and pike place market walking. Tuesday was the graduation and graduation party and Wednesday they all went back to Florida. The babies were so cute playing together and it was so amazing having a full house. I didn't cook once minus the BBQ but we were on the go the whole time food was never a priority for us! Photos will follow in the next few blogs of their quick visit plus somemore recent happenings. I have 3 new books I am excited to tell you about!

1st Annual Family Day

This year Nathan and I sat down and decided that instead of celebrating Mother's and Father's Day separately we would combine them and create a Family Day. We took the girls to Seattle for a day of fun, food and shopping! The Day got off to a rocky start, the bottle that I brought for Audrey's milk leaked all over the car seat and Audrey making not only her but Hayley very upset. I had asked Hayley to give Audrey a few drinks on our ride to Seattle since I was sitting up front with Nathan. We had to pull over in Kent and buy a new bottle and change Audrey's diaper and clothes. Once we got back on the road the day got better and better. We first took the girls to the Seattle Center to ride all the carnival rides and play games!My loves in front of the Space NeedleIt was a gorgeous Day and I love taking photos of the Space Needle as pieces of art.Nathan and Hayley playing their first game of the day.She beat her Dad so she won a prize. This cute little octopus.

Next it was on to the rides. I left this up to Nathan to ride with Hayley so I could sit with Audrey since she cannot go on any rides minus the Carousel.Audrey and I watching Nathan and Hayley on the roller coasterIt was my turn to take both girls on the Carousel. Audrey was not too fond but she was a trooper and road it anyways.The last ride was bumper cars. $20 for a total of 8 rides, not bad.
After the Seattle Center we headed to the University Village so I could buy more vanilla bean paste and cupcake holders. I spend $15 on 200 holders, they were so cute and on sale, I could not resist. Pictures will come in a later blog. After shopping we headed to dinner at the Rain Forest Cafe, our favorite place to go as a family. I did not take any more photos because I was having too much with my family. Overall it was a success and we can't wait to do it again!

Hayley Dance Recital

Hayley is getting so big. She is already 7 and involved in swimming, tap dancing, ballet and jazz dancing through the YMCA. The weekend of Audrey's birthday party, Hayley's group was set to perform 3 times a day Saturday and Sunday. Since we were unable to make it on Saturday due to the party we went on Sunday, eager to see what she has learned so far. There were 20 groups, each more adorable then the last. Most of the photos came out blurry because the auditorium lighting sucked and so does my camera. These were the best ones. I do have a video of Hayley dancing that I will add soon.Attempt at a family photo. We always seem to cut half of Audrey's face out.Daddy and baby watching sister.Audrey did so well for most of the recital. She started to get fussy and we knew it meant snack time.Our tiny dancer. We are so proud of her!

Party #3

Audrey is spoiled to say the least. Most kids who turn 1 get only one party to celebrate their life but mine was granted with 3. The third was thrown by Nathans grandparents. They were unable to make it to her party on Saturday because Hayley, Audrey's older sister had a dance recital, which we attended on Sunday. Photos and blog are to follow. Here are the photos from her 3rd party. She got her own piece of cake and did even more amazing then I ever thought possible. Enjoy!She has the best facesThe delicious cake. Audrey's birthday is 4 days before her Great Grandma so they shared a cake.Singing to the birthday girlTesting it outNot so sureShe loves itSitting with Grandma Sharon after her cake. That day was amazing and so much fun. Hayley performed a little dancing medley for us which was adorable. She loves dancing and Audrey is always intrigued by her big sister.

Hamburgers, Cupcakes and Presents

Finally the day was finally upon us. Audrey's birthday party was on the Saturday the 22nd at a park in Puyallup. A number of things went horribly wrong before anything went right. We were supposed to arrive early enough to set up underneath the covered cabana but I was late waking up and we didn't get there until after 11. There was already a birthday party there and they were unwilling to share. We settled for a few picnic tables in the corner of park and started to set up. On top of not having a bbq at the tables it started to pour down rain all over all the food, decorations and supplies. I was all by myself since I sent Nathan and Sam to the store for more things. I frantically stuck everything under the tables to stay dry and I ran for cover. I called my Mom panicked and frustrated explaining the dilemma. To make a long story short, I didn't use any of the decorations except table clothes, everyone had to help set up and the weather was terrible making it cold and windy. All things aside, once we set up and started cooking the party got better and better. Here are photos from her party! We had a blast and I am so thankful to everyone who came!

Finally Have The Time

I started a new job last Monday so now on top of school from 11-2 I work from 3-7. This leaves little to no time to blog, until tonight!

Thursday the 20th of May Audrey turned 1. I had a little party here at the house with a few close friends. I made burgers, fries and brownies. Here are the photos from her actual birthday!This is Audrey's best friend Penelope! She tried to sit on her, it was really cute.Can you believe how big she is getting?
We took her to the doctor the day after her birthday and she weighed in at 18 pounds, 20% and 28 inches, 40%. This is Audrey the day of her doctor appointment in her new French outfit!
Her appointment went well until they measure her head circumference. Dr. Wells told us that her skull is measuring abnormally small and it has seemed to slowly stopped growing. He has referred us to a neurologist at Mary Bridge Children s Hospital for a consultation. Surgery again is back on the table to correct the problem. We are hoping that the neurologists says that her skull growth is consistent with her body growth since she is on the tiny side compared to other 1 year old's.The appointment is not until the 15th of July and I am nervous, I thought I was done being at the doctors office and hospital and thought we dodged a bullet when she was 4 months old and the craniofacial specialist said her skull was fine.