Rachel's birthday

Rachel requested a pink birthday cake, with pink ice cream. Her brothers, in typical fashion, threatened not to come to her party if everything was pink.

I saw this idea online somewhere, of making cupcakes, then decorating them to look like flowers. I found some strawberry flavored marshmallows and cut them in half to make petals. Sprinkles were used in the middle of the flowers, and green tinted frosting as the grass and stems. We had raspberry ice cream along with it.

Everything went down pretty easily, except for the marshmallows. The kids didn't really like those!

I think the boys got over the pink theme... ;)



The cake!




Blowing out the candles...


Can you believe I found this play kitchen on the side of road where we used to live, ready to be picked up by the trashmen? All it took was a good hosing off to make it look almost brand new. We bought some plastic dishes for her to use, and she loved it!


Rachel with her birthday gift from Grammy and Grampy-a doll that Grandma Jane had sewn a long time ago. :)

Sisters

Rachel coloring by the window in our first GA house.


The Unknown Comic, a.k.a. Rachel :)


Sarah standing up, and very proud of herself!


Happy girl Sarah


Silly Rachel #1


Silly Rachel #2


Silly Rachel #3

Sarah has grown!

Since the time we visited up north, Sarah has grown quite a bit. :)

First PA visit

Long overdue, but here are a ton of photos from our recent whirlwind trip to PA and MA...



The first thing the kids did when arriving at grammy and grampy's was to find the cat and say "Hello!" I don't think the cat was too happy...


Stephen and Rachel in grampy's big chair.


Rach


Sarah Bear, February 2010.


Matthew, Sarah, and Rachel


Sarah and Rachel (the reflection is from a toy mirror)


Rosy-cheeked Rachel, in from the snow.


Matthew being swallowed by the snow!


Snow brothers


Rachel playing in the snow.


Stephen looking unimpressed by the snow.


Rachel with mama's wedding veil.


The traditional scary Uncle Ed and baby photo, this time with Sarah. :)

Yankee Candle-Michelle's side in MA

Rachel at Yankee Candle.


Rachel and her pigtails. :)


The boys catching "snowflakes".


Grandma Bonnie and Rachel catching "snowflakes".


Watching the show at Yankee Candle.


Stephen and his trusty toucan.


Arrr!


The king and his merry court.


King Matthew

Michelle's side in MA

I leave the room for a minute and come back to discover the boys have decorated Sarah!!


The little babushka. :)


Matthew


Timo


Aunt Sue helping the kids figure out what to order.


Stephen and Timothy playing a game while out to eat.


The biggest draw for the kids at Aunt Barbara's (besides the cookies!) were... cat toys. ???


Rachel, Sarah and Aunt Barbara.


Matthew on grandpa Ed's woodpile.


Stephen and his wreath.


Stephen bringing a little holiday cheer to the burn pile. This photo cracks me up. Once he found the old wreath, he spent a good half an hour running with it around his waist. :)


Burning leaves with grandpa Ed.