Ashley's Birthday Party

We were finally able to have Ashley's party today.....a little later than originally scheduled, but we still had tons of fun! A house full of people is always fun, and then throw in some sugar!!

Getting ready for everyone to come over....and yes, Mom's sporting Ashley's special headband (another 2 am idea)!

 Look who just got up from her nap....and is still a little sleepy...oh, and check out the shirt!

 ...what are we doing here, Mom?

 Just being silly!

....a cute catch by Daddy....

Lunchtime! What a big girl!

 Yummy-yum time....

 What's a party without presents?!?

 The anticipation is just more than Danielle can handle...

So excited!!

 ....and now the anticipation has gotten to everyone!!

 Strutting her stuff! Love the tutu and heels!!!

 Happy birthday to you!!!!

....and ice cream to end the party!!!

Minnie Mouse cake

So we picked a theme for Ashley's party - Minnie Mouse!! We picked up a bunch of fun plates and napkins and cups, but then we needed a cake......so here's what we came up with:

There was NO way that I would be able to make Minnie's face, even with the Minnie Mouse pans that you can buy. So we tried making a Minnie Mouse hat. I baked a cake in a mixing bowl with a rounded base, then trimmed the top flat and turned it upside down.

I browsed the aisles at Michael's and found that the fun craft-foam sheets comes in a double thickness....so that's what the ears are. I also bought some wired ribbon and made my own bow. A little piped frosting, and the whole things looked pretty cute!

 Ta-da!!

So I figured that we also needed cupcakes, but how do you make Minnie cupcakes? Turns out that the ideas you get at 2 am while laying in bed sometime actually work! The ears are chocolate parliels (turned backwards) and I bought a spool of thin ribbon to match the big cake's ribbon. Tie about 20 bows, stick everything on top, and presto! Minnie Mouse cupcakes!!

Big sister looking on and making sure that I'm doing it all right!

 She let me know that I passed quality control!!

Buried girl?

The other day it suddenly got VERY quiet....and I got worried.  I went looking for the girls and discovered that Danielle was 'sharing' ALL of her toys with Ashley!

 ....and Ashley was quite happy for her sister to pile everything on top of her!

Pretty girls!

Little beauties!

 

Silly faces

Gotta love it when I catch silly faces!

 (even Daddy was silly!)

Cutie-pies playing!

Every once in a while we have a PJ morning -- the girls were having fun with their toys and Mommy actually remembered to grab her camera!

Where have we been?!?!

You've probably been wondering where in the world we've been. So have I! As it turns out, there seems to be virtually NO down-time when Bob is on the road. (Go figure!) We've been good, but it's been just a tad bit busy as Christmas is coming and we've been getting all set for the big day! Danielle asks almost every morning how much longer till she can open presents, Ashley has decided that it's fun to test Mommy's rules about not touching ornaments on the tree, and Mommy, well, Mommy has been everywhere in between.

Last weekend Bob was home and we were able to try to take our family Christmas picture. This is how it went:

 Trying to get everyone set up....

Wiggly worms....

...letting the kids take a break....

....letting Daddy take a break...

....everyone takes a break....

Ashley is NOT happy....

....and she's off.....

Wow! Everyone in one shot!

Finally!  A GREAT ONE!!!!

What a ham!

...trying for a sisters picture....

....not too excited for a sisters picture....

....and she's off again...

....and again...

Sisters take 2? Nope.

....and that's as far as we got!!