Rainy Day... Shopping & Cupcakes

Julie and Cali came out to go shopping with me at the new Walmart Supercentre in White Rock yesterday. Cali had a meltdown in the store, but perked up again at Lunch just in time to shop the strip malls and go for a good run to the car in the rain... here are some pictures and a little video clip of Cali enjoying her cupcake from "Cupcakes".

Have you ever seen so much cupcake every where before? Haha... oops...

Happy Birthday Car Shopping

Part of the birthday festivities today included shopping for a new vehicle for Mom. She started out not knowing what she wanted, and ended up liking the Escape... Mom got to test drive this 2006 model and got a taste for leather interiors! Nothing purchased yet, mom really stressed she was just looking today!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Even though the plan was to do Mom's birthday stuff tomorrow, we ended up going to Earl's! Cali brought a present for Nana too...

Cali sucking back the half & half at lunch!! Gotta love the milk dribble and tea fingers!

Congratulations John & Stefanie!

John and Stefanie had a little baby girl yesterday around lunch time! There isn't a name yet, but I will let you know once there is... I am sure Jeremy and Jack are very excited about the arrival of their little sister.

Me & Tag

Brian thought that I should have my picture on the blog too... so, here I am with Tag! I didn't think I was forgotten, there are just so many other things to show and talk about!

The Trick-Or-Treat Project

I am sure no one is surprised that I was super excited to make the October craft project... "The Trick-Or-Treat Project"!! It went out in the mail today so the kids will be receiving it most likely next week. You can do this one when ever you like as it is a little bit early yet, but still super fun. For the little ones, all they have to do is put the characters where ever they want on the haunted house scene... For Lilah, she gets to put the whole thing together! The pictures below give an idea of how its done... glue will be needed to put the windows and door on the house, otherwise everything has a sticky back. I had a lot of fun putting these together, can't wait to see what the kids make out if it!!

The Trick-Or-Treat Project instructions

Once the haunted house scene is together (only Lilah has to put it together) this is where the fun starts! Put your characters where ever you want them... you have owls, ghosts and if your a boy, you get frankenstein kids, if you are a girl you get the witch!

Happy (early) Hallowe'en!!!

Grandma's Fresh Apple Cake

Yesterday I made Grandma's Fresh Apple Cake. I made this cake with Grandma at least twice when I was little. As mentioned in a previous post, I found the recipe card I wrote up when I was a kid. I realized when looking at the recipe, the only thing I wouldn't be able to do right is use fresh apples from the farm... I think they were Timmy's apples. When I was at the store, I picked out Pink Lady apples because they looked about right to me!

I made the cake (turned out a bit dark because I have a horrible oven, who has ever heard of a Roper???) and iced it with cream cheese frosting... tastes exactly how I remember!

Walking Tag

I played around with my new little point and shoot camera yesterday on my walk with Tag. I have come to the conculsion that even though it takes nice pictures and has tonnes of features, no point and shoot can compare to my Digital SLR! The only thing this little point and shoot does that I love over all and that really stands out is an automatic color boost for foliage... well, I guess the high def. video cam is pretty neat too! Point being... my standards are just too high! :)

Tag's new chair

I was at work today when Brian sent me a picture of Tag and his new chair.... I knew it was only a matter of time before he decided to make one of the patio chairs his. Today was the day. When I got home, he was still in the chair... currently, he is still in the chair. That's his spot now... I put some towels down on it to keep it clean, haha... we need to get him another dog bed for the back door! Silly dog...

Welcome to Fall baking!

Last night on my way home from work I went to the store to pick up spices to make a Pumpkin Pie thinking how much Brian would enjoy it. I found a great recipe in my magazine and was super excited to make it. Unfortunately, I forgot... Brian doesn't like pumpkin pie. By the time I figured this out, I had already made half the stuff! I decided to make pumpkin tarts instead (cause its all the same stuff) and that way I could share. Thanks again Jeanie for this awesome large cupcake plate! It works great for tarts too!

I ended up making Brian a fresh loaf of bread instead! This always goes over well (especially since we have stew in the fridge!)

My plan this weekend is to make a "Fresh Apple Cake". This was a cake I made with Grandma a few times and wrote the recipe on a card... some how through all the moves and probably 20 years since I wrote it down, I have found it and am excited to make it once again!

The Ladybug Project

Katie gave me the best idea without even realizing it... (haven't told her yet). She asked if I had any ideas for crafts with little Aaron and I couldn't think of anything good, just play-doh. Later, I was reading the Costco Connection and saw there was a lady who makes craft kits for $10 a month and sends them out to people. It made me think, why couldn't I do the same thing for my nieces and nephews? So here it is, project 1 for September... the Ladybug Project! All you need is glue, all the pieces are ready to go! (see the directions below) Watch for your kits to be delivered soon by mail or in person!

PS... I want to see pictures of the kids with the projects!! Hope everyone likes this idea!!

Ladybug Instructions

Lady Bug Instructions

Sooo busy....

Wow have I been busy lately... working 2 jobs and trying to fit in anything else is just really hard. To make matters worse I have been sick over the last couple days. Luckily I am feeling better this morning just in time to finish up my last 2 days at the garden centre. Yes, I am done as of this Sunday!!! I am super excited to have Monday off! Speaking of Monday, last Monday I did Aaron, Steph, Lilah and Declan's family pictures. I started working on them last night... I am sure they will share them with everyone once I complete them!