lately...

Napping with this fatso.

Family nap time, yes please!

Such a sleepy bug.

A doll all finished and ready to be sent out!

Lots and lots of Christmas orders going out, yet I'm still not done!

Ohhhhh look what arrived! My black friday fabric purchases came!

I love it when our car window gets smashed!

This is not what I'm supposed to be eating.

This is my "I survived Union Square in the middle of December" celebratory nap.

This is also not what I'm supposed to be eating, but it is a breakthrough on that banana cream custard I swore to keep working on and make more presentable. I put it in a cheesecake! 

We went to an Adventure Time party. So I made this "Banana Guard Cheesecake" for us to nom on while we watched.

Much success!

My BFF from high school, Beth, is having twins any day now. Since I'm a little behind on making their baby quilts, I made these minky lined hippo blankets for in the meantime. 

Another doll finished and ready to be shipped out!

A surprise for the boys for Christmas. I can't wait for them to get it!!!

van's baby shower

Remember how I had to put Nan's shower on hold because she had baby Van early?

Well. I have had ample time- 16 weeks to be exact, to plan and plot the most fabulous Pirate Paaarty ever.

I found Cottage Industrialist's free Pirate Party printables- and used the invitations as well as the cupcake sails and flags.

I found a plain wooden treasure chest that I painted and put handles on. I also found a small plain wooden Pirate ship birdhouse that I painted. I got a pile of chocolate gold coins, as well as some pretty plastic diamonds.

I got some "Hello my name is" tags that I filled out with pirate-ish names for people to wear.

I'm not much of a game person, and since this was my first attempt at hosting a baby shower (which by the way, my house has never been cleaner) I found BeanBoozled Jelly Beans as a dare game, and I set up a primitive photo booth- complete with props. Both were highly entertaining.

I made a bunting out of red and black striped fabric from Ikea decorated with felt skulls, anchors and ship wheels.

The day was chilly, but no snow- and the sun made an appearance as well. It was a perfect November Saturday.

This is a totally crappy photo- but the only one I have of the set up before it was eaten!

Loo-loo enjoying some lunch.

Kristy, Tyra and Van.

Oh wait, I meant Gunpowder Gertie, Ma Fratelli and the Dread Pirate Robins.

Vanilla Bean Pirate Ship Cupcakes

Bubbles.

Brownie Swirl Cheesecake. Mmmmmm.

Van is now the perfect size and age for Loo-loo to hold him- and she couldn't be more happy!

Almost every week since he's been born, she asks "We go hold baby?" And I have to say "Nope, he's not big enough."

Kristy and Nan were total sports about daring each other to eat those nasty flavored beans! Kristy got Baby Wipes & Moldy Cheese- Nan got Toothpaste, Juicy Pear, Canned Dog Food & Barf! So sick! Kristy almost barfed after the Moldy Cheese one, and Nan almost hurled after the Canned Dog Food- I could even smell it after she bit into it! Yuck!

Tiff and Van- sporting one of the ties she gave him!

We desperately tried to dress him up- it was mere seconds before he tried to wiggle out of that eye patch.

And now for the photo booth shots...

Cap'n Loo-loo.

My mom and Van- her first time holding him!

Tyra and Kristy- real pirates?

I think Nan is trying to karate chop me...

Aaarrrrgggghhhh.

Pirate Kim, with pirate baby.

Is this thing loaded?

We had soooo much fun!

The night before the party was like Christmas Eve for me-I was so excited for the party the next day that I couldn't sleep, or wait to get up!

The decorations are all packed up and ready for the next adventure...

thirty years and counting

So today, I am officially 30.

When I was young, I always thought that by the time I was 20, I would be "grown up".

Then I turned 20, and didn't act or feel "grown up" at all.

I lied to my family about everything.

I dated and befriended evil, manipulative, and opportunistic thugs.

I went to rehab.

I lost all my "friends".

I had to claim bankruptcy.

I lost my house.

Then I turned 25. Back then, I was grateful I even made it to 25. And 30 seemed so far away.

I have been sober for almost 5 years.

I treat my cats like they are people. Like they are my children.

I have perfected sugar cookies, cupcakes, and cheesecake.

I am married to my soul mate.

My parents and my siblings are now my best friends.

I have never been happier in my life...

Do I feel "grown up"?

No.

Do I look "grown up"?

Not sure. I hope not too much.

But if this is what "grown up" feels and looks like...

Then yes, I am.

Finally.

happy birthday to me!

I had a Birthday party earlier this evening. And I do have to say, that it was the best birthday I have ever had. In my life.

I was dreading 30. Not nearly as much as 29 though. Why? Seriously, I don't even know. As I have gotten older, my life and my happiness has gotten greater. Every year that I get older, I get happier. So whats to dread? Nothing, apparently.

It started when I got home. I came in through the side door, and Danny came running and said "No! you have to come in the front door!" I said "No, it's to cold outside. I'll close my eyes ok? Lead me." I pretended to come in the front door, and when I took my gloved hands away from my eyes, this is what I saw...

Hello Kitty and twirly "30" decorations hung from the ceiling, everywhere. I almost cried. See, I had this small, little wish that my house would be decorated for the party. I am turning 30, damn it! I wanted a party. And there are always decorations at a party! Anyway, my husband heard my heart's secret wish. And it filled me with joy.

And for my Birthday Cake...(drum roll please) Cheesecake Factory's 30th Anniversary Chocolate cake & Cheesecake cake. Layers of cheesecake in between layers of chocolate cake. The best cheesecake I have ever had that I haven't made myself. And it was their 30th anniversary special edition- for my 30th birthday! Perfect!

Here is a little video of me and the Loo-loo opening presents...

(I have no idea why I am looking up and not at the camera.)

The stash: an automatic car starter and key less entry (yes! yes! yes! no more cold car!) a UV filter for my new lens, some lip gloss pots that are shaped like adorable little cupcakes, my new lens of course, a cupcake cookbook, 2 more cupcake ornaments, some money, and the cutest cupcake pillow- did you see it? Oh I love it!!!

Lindsay begged to play with photo booth for a bit...

(I can't stop laughing when I look at this one!)

(doesn't my brother look like Mr. T?)

And to end the night just right, we got a new chair & ottoman...

Loo-loo had to try it out first.

And then my adorable husband.

And then Matilda...

And then the littlest cow...

And finally, me. I am blogging from my new chair, in my house full of party decorations, cheesecake, Dr. Pepper, and cat hair.

I love my life. I am so lucky...in so many ways...

Best Birthday Ever.

(they really do!)

Thanksgiving 09

This year, we went to Danny's grandmas early in the day. It was such a beautiful day! I am so glad that it didn't snow- I hate trying to get to dinner on time in the snow- so nerve racking!

And it was so warm that I got to wear my cute new jacket, and not my puffy winter coat. All the aunts and uncles and cousins and grand kids were there- it is so fun to see everyone! And the kids just grow up so fast I hardly recognised some of them. We sat with Danny's sisters, and his dad. When Danny and Lindsay get together, they just joke and laugh and have fun. They are so much alike, it's crazy! (She is like 10 years younger, and she didn't grow up around him. So when they do stuff the same, I think it's so funny.)

Danny and Lindsay, laughing at Fail Blog on Lindsay's new phone.

Danny's other sister, Chelsea and her boyfriend Zak.

We went to my parents house for a smaller feast in the evening. (it was just our immediate family and Gramps. So many leftovers- I loved it!)

My sister Lindsay and her favorite pastime...olives on the fingers.

Yum! (she did this a few times)

And after dinner, Lindsay just had to play Wii with Danny. She just loves him, it's so cute. BTW she kept winning. I thought he was letting her win some, but nope. She really has Mario Party 8 down!

My mom and me putting all the food away.

I heart my mom!

Gramps (my mom's dad) and my mom.

Pumpkin Cheesecake. Mmmmmm.

I had so many leftovers, they fed Danny and I for 2 days! It was so wonderful! Good food and all I had to do was warm it up or put it on sandwich rolls!

I am so grateful for my families- I kinda can't wait to add a kid or 2 to them!