Bennett's Birthday

Cheesing it up for the camera

Not B-day related but Norah can now do this.

Custom made red velvet cupcakes with blue cream cheese frosting and a white chocolate lego mini fig.

 The dual piggy back ride is a skill that is passed down through the generations.

 Lil' B got a set of super hero masks for his birthday. The yard has never been safer.

 Thanks again Mom for making the trip down (and Aunt Amanda, too!). Your last minute party guidance was indispensable. You were right: spray paint was probably not good to leave out for a kids party. 

sleep sacks

How can I begin to tell you how much I love these wacky gnomes from this print?? I got a yard to make myself an apron, but instead I made one for Bennett, and had enough left over to make Norah a sleep sack.
I used the pattern from Anna Maria Horner's Handmade Beginnings book I got a while ago. It turned out so cute!! The back is more of the red and white dots, the inside is soft white flannel, and the binding is bias tape made from brown Kona cotton.
Ugg! So cute! I tried getting some shots of the gal in it, but she's a wiggle worm. I'll have to keep trying.

I used Riley Blake prints for the front of this one, following the pattern in the book. I had big plans for these fabrics (a quilt!) but time ran short, so here we are. It has brown flannel on the inside, and I used more of the brown Kona cotton for the trim. All in all, super cute, though the late afternoon photo shoot doesn't do the photos justice.

For the back I used my favorite print from the line, a green "Road Trip" pattern. This one is sent off to a new little guy, so here's hoping he enjoys it!

beginning at the end...

...with the massive July 4th Northside Parade! Fun and craziness had by all (bless Jake and his strong arms carrying two toddlers through the crowd).

Of course the parade started off with an awesome fire truck!
Followed by your expected and unexpected: old cars, kooky floats, and a bit of politics.
This one was a favorite of Finn and Bennett. I kept wondering how long it took to glue on all those toys, what a job in the broiling weather we were having!
This one was just great, and expressed the "Going Green" theme of this year's event.
We both attempted some family portraits and ate some delicious food.
This one was the best of the bunch, taken on the lovely front porch.
We went from an afternoon of fun up the hill for an evening of outdoor grilling and fun with more friends!

The gal actually woke up for a while before the fireworks started.
What holiday is complete without a cheesecake from Brian? Here's his take on a Red White and Blue theme... Red Raspberry, White Chocolate, and Blueberry, that is. You may commence drooling.

Dirty Dirt Dirt

As spring quickly approaches it is time to get back outside and boot up the garden. Our first task this year was to fill the raised beds that little B and I built frames for last year.

This job requires three things:

Dirt

Manpower

and Wheelbarrow Rides!!!

A special thanks to Jake, Sarah, Finn, Colleen, Andy, Uncle Scott, and Opa Pratt for all their hard work. Need more Bennett and Finn pictures? Visit Speedville.