My artistic side

I love playing around in photoshop. It's a great way for me to be artistic without the mess (I hate messes)! The following is a picture I took of a dandelion in macro mode. I played with the colors and added some texture. I really like how it turned out.

This is a storyboard I made with three different pictures of dandelions.

And since this is my blog, I'm shamelessly plugging my photography. I have some new pictures posted on my photography blog. Go here!

The Castle Cake

We had a big birthday bash this past weekend to celebrate three birthdays; Dave's (May 14), Emma's (May 16), and Savannah's (June 7). We were traveling on Emma's birthday and I didn't get a chance to make her a birthday cake. So I made one for the two girls. I have wanted to make a castle cake for Emma since her last birthday. I am NOT a cake decorator. In fact, the first birthday cake I made for Emma was pathetic and rather ugly. But I'm not afraid to try new things (ask my sister about her wedding cake!). And while my castle cake definitely is not as cute as some I've seen, it's a major improvement from that first birthday cake I made!

I didn't even taste it because I don't like chocolate cake. But Emma said it was good!


Birthday girls and best friends!

Wee Willie Winkie

After an exhausting day of playing in the dirt, squishing bugs, and tormenting his sisters, this little boy fell asleep while using the toilet. Yes, my friends . . . he fell asleep on the toilet! And was then appropriately nicknamed by is aunt and uncle, "Wee Willie Winkie". I'm thinking I can use this picture against him (you know, like blackmail; I'm not above it) when he is older. You gotta love being a mom when moments like this come along!

Emma Turns Six

My first baby turned six on May 16th. Seems a bit crazy to me. Time goes by too fast the older I get. We didn't find out what we were having when I was pregnant with Emma. Both Dave and I thought we were having a boy. I was induced and my labor lasted ten hours. I had to push for two hours to get her here! When she was part way out the doctor said he was guessing she was a girl because she had her arm up and hand out, reaching for the credit card! And when she was completely out he asked what name we had picked out for a girl. When I saw her for the first time I couldn't believe she was mine. She was too beautiful! I know that babies are usually quite squishy and un-adorable at first sight. And I'm not just saying this because she is mine (I've had a few squishy babies too) but Emma was just perfectly beautiful! I felt so overwhelmed with love and amazement that she was MY baby. How did I have such a perfect little girl?

And now that little baby is a gorgeous six year old. I still look at her and wonder how she can possibly be mine. Emma is a great help to me. She loves to help me take care of Layla. She helps me around the house and watches over McKay and Sophie (i.e. lets me know when they are joining forces in causing havoc). She plays very well with all of her siblings. She has a very strong sense of right and wrong and tries hard to always do what is right. She is very obedient. She is a peacemaker. She is sensitive. She is strong willed; we've butted heads on more than one occasion :) ! She loves to color and create things artistically. She is a math whiz. She is beautiful! And I am so grateful for the chance to be her mother. Here's a look at Emma through the years.

May 16th, 2002

1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

4 years old

5 years old

6 years old

Need a laugh?

Laughter is contagious and this baby laughing is hilarious!