Taylor's 4th Birthday

This past week-end was very busy. Friday night we met with some fabulous friends at a wonderful restaurant in Old Town St. Charles called The Vine. The food was great and the company even better! We had so much FUN. Hanging around adults and having grown-up conversation allowed us to escape reality for bit.

We had a late night Friday night, and an early morning on Saturday. .. with about 4 hours of sleep we went to New Town in St. Charles for a photo shoot. (I am almost done processing the photos, and they will be online soon!) The family was amazing, and like almost all of our photo shoots, they made us realize how much we love our "job". . .the people we get to meet, and the memories that we get to share with them are amazing.

Saturday afternoon we went to a birthday party for Taylor. . .one of Mackenzie's classmates who turned four. Her birthday was so much fun, and very different from the others we have gone to this year. Her party was held at the Stuffin' Station, a place where you stuff your own "animal", give it a name, and love it forever. Ironically, it was located NEXT DOOR to The Vine! Here are some of the pics from the party:

Here is Mackenzie stuffing her Snow Tiger
This is the birthday girl, Taylor. Isn't she adorable??
Here's Mackenzie naming her Tiger. She named her "Chowder". . .where she got it I don't know, but I thought it was cute!
Here is the wish that went inside of "Chowder". . .
"Chowder" being stitched up. . .
Mackenzie's expression said it all . . .It's like she was thinking, "If I pacify her for one picture, she will (hopefully) leave me alone!"
After all of the animals were made, the kids played hot potato.
Then they tried to get "bees" aka clothes pins, into a jar.After the games, Taylor got to open her presents and see what kind of cool loot she was going to play with at home.

Here is the birthday girl blowing out her candle.

I was too busy gabbing with the other parents to take photos of the cake, but I got this pic on the way home. Notice the purple lips. One of the goodies in the goody bag Mackenzie received after the party was purple princess chapstick. It smelled like grapes and could be worn as a necklace. Mackenzie LOVED it as it filled her desire to be royalty!

Monster Cookies. . .YUM!

So I have been a little preoccupied lately. . .reading the "Twilight" Saga by Stephenie Meyer. If you haven't read it, DO!. . .I mean, seriously, the books are wonderfully written, and the storyline is amazing! I finished the 4th book of the series, and now that it is over, feel a bit sad. I started a new book, but it's just not the same.

Anyway, when I wasn't obsessively reading, I was still living lift to the fullest. Last Saturday we went to the birthday party for a one year old whose name is Blakeli. Blakeli's parents just bought a new home, so we decided to celebrate Blakeli's b-day and their housewarming all at once. We got Blakeli a gift certificate to our local paint-your-own-pottery place. Honestly, it was probably more for her parents than Blakeli, I mean really, it's not like Blakeli really cares about how cute her hand prints will look on a plate or bowl. I hope they all enjoy the gift certificate. . .we have painted pottery each Christmas with Mackenzie, and I love the pieces we have created as a family. I will have to post those sometime. . .but alas, I digress. Back to the party.

For the housewarming gift, Mackenzie and I went to Target for an adorable cookie jar. What home is complete without a cookie jar?! I found exactly what I was looking for and made immediate plans to fill the jar with a recipe that I couldn't wait to try. A month or two ago, while watching the Food Network, Ms. Paula Deen was making Monster Cookies. I waited, and waited for an excuse to make them, and when the housewarming party came up, I was elated! Trust me, the cookies were wonderful! Here are some pics of our labored (ha!) effort!

Mackenzie is ready to go. . .
Apron on. . .Check
Mixer. . .check
Ingredients. . .check
Slightly obsessive mom with a camera. . .check. . .


Adding the oatmeal. . .
I love drop cookies. . .they are so EASY! :)The cooling process. . .
The finished product. Isn't the cookie jar cute? I think I might have to go buy one for myself! With the chalk spot, you could put most anything inside the jar. Think of the possibilities. . .crayons, pasta, coffee. . .

Nathan is 22!

On Tuesday we went to Applebee's to celebrate the 22nd birthday of our Nephew (on Matt's side), Nathan. After a scrumpious dinner (we hadn't been there for a while, and the menu update was amazing!), we headed over to Matt's parent's house for some cake and ice cream. Now, keep in mind that my sister-in-law, Kathy, who also happens to be Nathan's mama, is one of the most creative individuals that I know. Seriously. Very, very, creative. So, what would YOU expect for a quick family cake/ice-cream get together??? Would it be this???? Look closely. . .do you see the details? The little 3-D presents on each plate. . .the little golf men. . .I mean seriously!


The little golf guys were cute. There were even little mini greens and itty-bitty golf balls.

Here is the master decorator herself. Isn't she precious?
The birthday boy. He was happy. . .it doesn't appear like he was, but he was, I promise. . .

We had triple-chocolate cake with triple-chocolate ice cream. It was so YUMMY!
Not all of us were awake to enjoy the festivities! This is Nathan's son, Aiden. I think he might be even more precious than Kathy. . .but only just a little bit!

Hunter's 4th B-day Party

Yesterday Matt, Mackenzie, and I went to a birthday party for Hunter. . .he turned four in March, but wanted a swimming party, so his mama suggested that he wait until June when the weather was warmer to celebrate! We all had the best time, and everything was perfect: the weather, food, hosts, friends, etc. It did rain for a few minutes, but that was enough time to get out of the pool for some lunch!

Here are a few pics from the day. . .

This is the b-day boy, Hunter.

Some of the guests. . .that's Mackenzie and Elizabeth closest to the camera.
This is Tyler, Hunter's brother. He is turning ONE this week! Isn't he precious?!?!?
Ms. Elizabeth getting ready to swim! Don't you just love the expression on her face? And you have to admit you totally want to pinch those cheeks!Here's Ms. Mack relaxing with her Daddy. Don't you just LOVE her new swimming suit? I picked it up for her at Target.
Getting ready to blow out the candles!
This was Tyler's cake.
Who needs hands???
Well, maybe hands would steady the cake while you eat it!

Mackenzie's 2nd. . um and 3rd Birthday Party

She is spoiled rotten, I admit it. We took her to Chicago for her 4th birthday. . .well, ok, it was sorta a trip to take me to IKEA. . .but, you know, it happened to be on Mackenzie's b-day, so, it counts, RIGHT??

Then we flew her to Boston. But, what did SHE ask for?? She wanted a party at the local bounce house place. Ok. Fine. You mean the kids play for 1 1/2 hours, then you provide the place for them to make a mess and eat cake while Mackenzie opens gifts? Really? SOLD! All of the kids seemed to have the BEST time. . .including a big kids. . . DARREN & MATT.










After the party with her friends, we went home and celebrated (after a quick nap) with family! I made HUGE cupcakes for the occasion! Aren't they cute???



The decorations. . .

Blowing out the candles. . .again. . .

I am thinking that next year, she is going to have a MUCH calmer. . .less expensive birthday!!!! Poor Mackenzie!