Cookbook - buns

I made my sister a cookbook for her wedding shower called "Secret Family Recipes" full of the classic recipes from our mom and grandma and just some of my own. This is from that. The picture of the buns actually looks a little funny, but the background is Mom's hands forming them. I know people have asked for the bun recipe before, so now I can just direct them to this page.

I'm actually hesitating to post this because it might just supposed to really be a secret recipe. Oh well, I don't have that many readers. And credit goes to Grandma Julie. She always had nice buns. :)

Is it bedtime yet??

You and me both little buddy!
It was a long day with the kiddos. After naps we went to my friend's house to take pictures for her new little man. Yeah, with my kids. And her kids. It could have been much worse, but it still wasn't relaxing! Then shopping with my sister and the "playground" in the mall.  Also, could have been worse, but not really the best way to shop!  Tom only slept in the car so no real naps, but he was sleeping for 20 minutes as we drove home at 8:00, so now he thinks it's playtime. So yeah, this is how I feel too!!

Cali

I cannot believe this is my niece. This makes me feel really old. She's a TEENAGER!

She doesn't get in as many pictures as the little kids, well at least not her face. Her hands and arms are often helping to hold them up, or she's behind the scenes getting them to smile. In fact, she is a tremendous help to all of us Aunties in helping look after and play with the kids. When it's too quiet from your kids for too long, it is so nice to be able to sit back down and relax when you hear "oh Cali's with them!" I guess it's handy having teenagers around.

Check out my mad skillz

I'm probably not supposed to show you this.  It's probably breaking some kind of photographer's code. But as my training was minimal, (and this editing was actually FOR that class) I'm doing it anyway. Rules don't apply to me baby!



Here's my little runaway - do  note this is Jack not Tom. First Tom's not walking, and second, if it was Tom it would be snowy.  We'll try this again in September or so with Tom.
Anyway, this is the before:

And after:

 See, our street is perfect!

Imagine the possibilities for a face full of wrinkles.  ;)

"I need to go play with my engines, mom."

"Do you remember what color James is? James is the Red Engine on Sodor."  Therefore, he is the best.

"Thomas and Percy are best, best friends."

 "Little Toby is going beside the Express." He ran out of room in front, so they're going beside now.

"Big James is pushing Little James's buffers." These guys are buffing gently, but sometimes they "crash and a-bang."

"Where's Bertie gonin? He's gonin to the Sodoh Such E Wes Q Sent Ah." [Sodor Search and Rescue Center] Other popular destinations - Farmer McCoal's Farm, the Water Tower, Knapford Station, Brendam Docks, the Quarry, the Coal Hopper, the Steam Works. But my favorite is the Sodoh Such E Wes Q Sent Ah.

Baby bump

I think maternity pictures are my favorite. Or maybe it's just easy to get a nice picture, the mom is glowing, there's such an interesting shape and they don't tend to run around as much as toddlers.  ;)  And I think this is the last of Kristelle's pictures (so far!).  I'll have to pick on another sister-in-law next...

Happy