Turned Creative

 Last year, my cousin Josh had a splash party for the kids. They had a great time and I was pretty excited when he decided to do it again this year. The kids are older, so Josh and Jessica thought they'd expand the festivities to include a bounce house, and a 'make-your-own' ice cream bar. Paige and Cady loved the bounce house. I may or may not have bounced in the bounce house too. They must have filled hundreds of water balloons. Brinley wasn't too impressed. lol Cady did her best to run away from the attacking water balloons. Kevin and Uncle Joe shot the breeze. Paige got ahold of a heavy one. And hurled it at Cady. Cady didn't want to slide, she wanted to run through it. Paige didn't like to slide face-first. Thanks Josh and Jessica - hope we can do it again next year!

A few years ago I bought the Pampered Chef's Deep Covered Baker (in taupe). I just had to have it. I know what you're thinking - I don't cook. I thought maybe it would revolutionize my life. The Pampered Chef lady sent me a document with over 70 recipes to use with it. I've read through the recipes a dozen times - most of them looked good. I think I even re-ordered the recipes and formatted them to better suit my needs. I kept thinking that one day I'd make one of them. One day, when the girls decide to eat something that comes out if a casserole dish. Once day in the recent past, JP was cleaning off a desk that sits in a rarely used nook in our house. He came across a printed copy of the recipes. He mentioned that he was going to make one of them. The man rarely follows-through with things so imagine my surprise when I came home to this one weekend evening: Yes, there's a big fat J.P. on the top of that dish. He's cute. And he can cook. Two of the r...

My parents and Austin came up to the lake with us to watch fireworks on the 5th. J took them fishing. My parents watched B while I snapped some shots of the other kiddos. I snapped a few quick shots of the girls before sunset. The boats started to park waiting for the show. Pretty Jason tried to keep Brinley busy while the older kids lit some sparklers. Paige was careful to hold her dress out of the way - Austin had just accidentally lit my Dad's shirt on fire so she was being extra cautious. Fireworks time

We headed to the lake with J's friends Chris and Stacy (and their adorable little guy) this year for the 4th. Brinley sported the same top she wore last year . The beauty of shirred dresses is that they can stretch and be worn as a short later :) How clever.  Anyway, I can't believe how much she's changed over the past year. She's such a goof sometimes. She likes to wear Cady's shades. Cady was pretty excited to get to ride on the tube by herself. She wanted to get thrown off so badly. I suspect if the time comes that she does get thrown off, she'll quickly change her mind about it. Paige was in there with her for a while, but got mad because C kept kicking her. B slept most of the time on the boat. She was mad about having to wear her life vest. After a short rest, and a change of clothes, Brinley and Aidan were pretty happy to have their pictures taken - can you tell? lol.

In a few weeks I'll be guest blogging for a friend about how to make these bad boys...here's a quick shot of Brinley in her new necklace. Check out her dress! The pattern is a new(ish) halter from LLK .

I got to test TWO patterns doll patterns this week. I'm to sure when they'll be release yet, but Cady sure was tickled to find out she was getting some new digs for her Bitty Twin. This first one is a knit dress - which can be made for a 15" or 18" doll. The second pattern had TONS of options. It, too, can be made for a 15" or 18." The set includes an option for pants or capris, with or without pockets, and with or without ruffles at the bottom. I like the capris. The top can be made as either a shirt or dress; can have flutter or cap sleeves, and can have a ruffle at the bottom. The first one I made was a shirt with flutter sleeves and capris. Incidentally, the capris rode-up after the first shot and it looks like she's wearing shorts. Cady asked for another top, so I made a shirt with the cap sleeves too. As soon as the patterns are released I'll include a link :) They sell patterns for girls and dolls.