Baby on the Way

29 weeks and counting...

Camden is 4!

That's right! Our little man isn't so little anymore.

He requested a Buzz Lightyear spaceship cake, and I did my best to oblige: funfetti flavor with buttercream and marshmallow fondant, covered graham cracker wings, ice cream cones for the burners, and also two dozen thematic cupcakes per the Daddy's request.

This is the toy I was trying to make it look like.

No shortage of presents ...

... or hugs :) ...

... or good company.

Lots and lots of fun new stuff to play with.

Then time to dig in to the cake and home-made cotton-candy ice cream. Both were a hit!

Our little growing family, complete with baby bump (28 weeks)!

Dad lit the candles. Can you tell?

Good times! Happy Birthday, little buddy.

Fall Photos

Camden's First Primary Program

The Garage that Trent Built

My amazing, industrious, talented husband has done it again!

Just for a re-cap: here's what our house looked like when we moved in 4 years ago, Fall 2006.

Here it is now, Fall 2010. A few changes: new mailbox, porch light, porch (built by Trent) and garage (built by Trent).

Here's the scoop on the carport-garage conversion:

Before construction.

After construction.

(Doesn't it look like the garage has always been there? He did such a great job.)

The carport (before).

The garage (after).

Framed, insulated, tar-papered, and dry-walled. No skimping here. We did bring in professionals to install the door and openers. 

West side of the house (before). 

After.

He also added some personal touches to his "man cave"/workshop/garage:

An air filter he built to collect sawdust from his woodworking.

Steel woodrack.

Cool pegboard to keep things organized.

Hangers for the tools, florescent lighting.

It is going to be so nice to have a garage this winter!

Happy Halloweeeeen!

For me, Halloween always feels like the real kickoff for "the holidays," which for us includes Oct - Jan (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and Three Kings Day). We have developed some very fun family traditions, and I love them. This Halloween, we ...

mAdE (happy) SpOoKy DeCoRaTiOnS

Everything we made was at Camden's specific request, including "happy pumpkins, happy witches, and happy ghosts." They all had to have smiles. If they didn't, I had to re-cut the mouths. He is such a crack-up, that one!

CaRvEd PuMpKiNs,

ewwwww

 I did my best to assist Trent, the pumpkin-carving master.

Of course, at our house, this process requires power tools. Duh!

Hello, kitty! (Those little pumpkins are some of the ones from our garden.)

Meeeooow! (Told you Trent is the pumpkin-carving master!)

DrEsSeD uP,

 We always trick-or-treat to Great-Grandma, of course. :) Thanks to Grandma (Ricki) for dressing up her doggie and to Truffles for being such a good sport!

The bees and the beekeeper. We won "best family" in the costume contest at the church Trunk or Treat. Pretty sure Truffles tipped the scales.

HuNg OuT with the NeIgHbOrS, 

One of my favorite parts of trick-or-treating is catching up with everyone on the street. We have such a great neighborhood.

 Camden and Sophie are buds.

MaDe YuMmY TrEaTs,

 I made "apple mouths" for Camden's preschool: apple slices, peanut butter, and mini marshmallows.

 Of course, we had to make the quintessential Feist iced sugar cookies. (Cam had a blast decorating them. Daddy felt they were a little heavy on the candy, but what are you going to do?)

 Lots and lots of sugar cookies. They didn't last long around here though!

HaD a PaRtY!

We had fun at Camden's family party at preschool.

Isn't he cute?

Here are some videos from the party, mostly for the grandparents. :)

From our family to yours:

HaPpY HaLLoWeeN!

VA Fun

Cam and I had a fun little jaunt to VA. It was a great time to travel. Camden was fantastic on the plane, and second trimester has been kind to me (not too sick like 1st tri and not enormous yet like 3rd tri).

Cam loved playing with Poppa around the yard. He "helped" with several of the outdoor chores. (The Batman costume is from Granmy, and he wore it everywhere we went almost every day we were there.)

 My sissy came down from school to see me. I love her. (Oh, Camden. He squeaked his way into every picture.)

Of course, Camden and Granmy had plenty of quality time. :) 

We went to the Richmond Zoo. It was really fun!

Cam especially had a blast. 

 Mima lives with my folks now, too. It was fun to spend some time with my abuelita linda.

I managed to book the trip over the same weekend as my sis-in-law, Katie's, baby shower. It was so fun showing up unannounced and surprising the heck out of her. I love that girl!

Mommy-pants and preggers me at the shower.

 Katie got SHOWERED, that's for sure! Yay!

It is fun being preggers together (but not our favorite doing the belly-bump picture). Her little girl is due in December and my little boy is due in February, so we will have close cousins!

The mommas and the prego girls!

This pic is especially fantastic because of my crazy little brother in the background. (I can't believe he's going to be a daddy soon!) Jared and Katie will be amazing parents. I am so excited for them. Jared is in med school. I was so grateful he came down to Richmond, too, even in the midst of all his crazy studies.