A few new pics

Uncle Nick and Aunt Kristy brought these very cute knit hats from Iowa.  They are pumpkin hats but you can't see the green top. 

And here's a cute one of Olivia.  She's getting a stronger personality and does NOT like to be left out. Don't even think about not including her.  She can hold her own and we will have our hands full with her too.  BUT she definately has daddy wrapped around her finger. 

Alex's 34th Birthday!

So, it was Alex's birthday, again.  This year I was inspired to have a birthday week for him.  That  included special treats and special dinners and ended with a special meal with friends and family.  This is the cake I did for him. It was the first time in a while that I had done a cake, but I thought it tasted good. It was vanilla with homemade raspberry buttercream filling and regular buttercream frosting. 

This is how I celebrated his birthday, on Sunday.  Sunday was his real birthday but we celebrated on saturday.  Alex thought it was funny that James fell asleep also with a bag of chips in his lap.  All my kids like to snack like I do.

Anyways, another birthday come and gone.  He's a few pounds lighter than last birthday but a lot more wise :)

The Holiday Round Up

This might be a little early, but I'm getting things done earlier this season.  This is my post on kids sizes, etc for those family members interested.

James - will be 5 in November and is developing his own tastes and styles.  He is growing out of 4T so I only buy 5T items.  He is into fish (real ones), movies and books. He is very creative and loves to draw and put things together.  He is just the right age for legos or things like that.  He loves to have his own drawing books and bookbags.  He recently told me to look for a box with "james" on it, filled with trucks and transformers and bakugans. 

Ryan - He also is developing some tastes and styles aside from James. He now loves to dress up as spiderman, batman or Iron Man.  Basically, he's into action figures.  He loves clothes and puts on 3 outfits every day.  He is still wearing 2T for pants and can get away with 3T in shirts. 

Olivia - Our little girl.  It's hard to tell what toys she would enjoy but she does like bags/purses.  I bought some barbies and my little ponies recently but she hasn't shown much interest in them.  If there was a box full of little treasures than I'm sure she would just love that.  I wouldn't buy antyhing smaller than a 24 month / 2T and she looks good in brown, seafoam green and bright colors. 

Alex - He's a hard one.  However, he has become quite the baker so some nice baking tools/supplies would be good. He's lost a lot of weight, but I wouldn't recommend buying him clothes.  He doesn't particularly care for that :)  I'll try to think of more but he's a hard one. OH! I just remembered.  He has expressed an interest in those new Ipod Touch Nano's. He's been riding his bike and running more.  If he doesn't get one for his birthday I"m hoping to save up enough rebate $$ to get it......We'll see :)

Me - Well, I like just about anything.  I like gift cards, jewelry, clothes, books.....I haven't picked up any hobbies yet but if you happen upon a Groupon to a Charleston Spa for a massage for pedicure/manicure, I wouldn't complain.  Easy, yet probably hard.  Or if you want to encourage Alex to take me out, that would be great too :)

Anyways, that's that.  Happy Holidays!

Groupon Rocks!

So, this picture has no relation to this post. I love Groupon!! If you haven't signed up, do so. It's a daily deal that they email to you based on your location. However, you can buy the deal from any other city offered.  I am praying and praying that the perfect deal will pop up that I can use as Christmas presents.  I can't tell you everything I got due to certain readers of this blog (it would spoil the surprise) but I did just get 4 movie tickets for free. Yes, it included the IMAX!!  Now Alex has no excuse to not take me out:) Today's deal was a $180 gift certificate to The Sanctuary Spa in San Diego for only $45.  I don't like in SD but I have family that does. So maybe they'll get some use out of that one. 

Anyways, this is the beginning of the holiday coupons.  What I learned from last year is, get the deals while they're hot!! They don't come back.  So, I"m hoping to have all my shopping done by mid November. I'm right on track and I think I'll do just fine this year.