The Cake.....

So, I've been watching a lot of Cake Boss lately.....if you haven't seen the show it's about a bakery that makes all sorts of really cool cakes. So...I figured...if they can do that...why can't I? Ava's 2nd bday is coming up and I decided that I wanted to make her a "real" cake for the party. I decided to do a practice cake so that the real one could look somewhat presentable. I decided to make everything from scratch. HAHAHA.....that was my first mistake. Yesterday I decided to start the practice runs. The actual cakes tasted AMAZING....but, they rose up ...overflowed, and then sunk....ugh...

Look at my amazing stacked cake....isn't she pretty? So, with my house filled with smoke and a charbroiled oven I was beginning to think twice about my "made from scratch" cake. But, Britney Walker is no quitter! So, I decided to go ahead and give the cake a break for a moment....to gather my composure, if you will. I made the fondant instead. It, fortunately, turned out great!Today I was still on a small high because of the fondant turning out so well. I thought....I can so do this....I can make a cake from scratch! It can't be that hard......I called in reinforcements (Talia & Turner) and decided to try again. Off to work we went being sure to follow the recipe EXACTLY as written. And what happens???? YUP! THAT'S RIGHT!!! IT FALLS AGAIN! Talia was laughing pretty hard. I didn't quite see as much humor in it as she did. Luckily, I learned my lesson from last time and didn't fill the pans as full, so there was no overflowing. However, it still sunk. Did I mention I have NEVER attempted making a home made cake before??
So, as a redhead would naturally do.....I got irritated, thought to myself "self....we are going to make this work!", and then took off to the basement. This is what I returned with.....

Talia and I decided to take a small break.....we ran to the store and got some dinner. With full stomachs and rested minds, we decided to try again. So, we made the Betty Crocker cake. I know, I know....It's no home made cake, but it is what it is. Gotta do what ya gotta do. After some trial and error.....here is what we were left with in the end. THANK YOU BETTY CROCKER!!!!! I think it's not too shabby for my 1st attempt at a "real" cake....yes fondant and all. Give me a few tries and I'll be a regular pro! ;)

Christmas & Randoms

So, I know Christmas was like oh....2 months ago. Here's a couple pics of Ava opening her Christmas presents. She had a great Christmas and was totally into opening the presents. Her favorite one was the scooter she got from Santa.

Uncle Treavor and Jessica were oh so kind to give her this extremely noisy guitar. Just remember Treavor....you're next!

Ava & Rhett having a "drink" that Ava made for Daddy with her play kitchen she got from Gma & Gpa Walker

LOL.....I had to put thie picture in here.....Ava getting her helmet on so she can ride her scooter. Heart the baby butt crack going on...

So, Here begin the randoms.....One day I'm doing my makeup, I can hear the tv going in my bedroom and knew Ava and Rhett were around somewhere. I turn around and this is the sight I see. They were both GLUED to the TV watching some random cartoon. She is just like her Daddy in a lot of ways....bahaha.....Kinda reminded me of Forrest Gump toward the end when it shows him and his boy watching TV....hahahahaha........

Talia and I had a GREAT idea to take the kiddies sledding. So, Talia, Justin, Turner, Rhett, Ava, and myself get all bundled up and head out to the hills....it was FREEZING! Ava lasted about 2 trips down and was DONE. I think she had fun. Here's a pic I snapped with my phone while waiting for Rhett to finish having his fun.

Ava's very 1st experience licking the beater. I was making Jello Oreo Cheesecake....mmmm....She really liked it.
Wearing dad's hardhat.

Pretties

Lately Ava has become obsessed with what she refers to as "pretties". A pretty is anything that Ava thinks makes her more pretty. These items include things such as: bracelets, necklaces, clothes, markers, shoes, bobby pins, hair clips, hair elastics...etc. Her absolute favorite "pretties" is my collection of lipstick and lipgloss. So, today...unbeknownst to me, she found a bag that had a bunch in it and decided to "do her makeup". She was in her room "reading books" while I was doing my hair. She came running into the bathroom saying MOM! MOM! WATCH! (which means...look at me!) And this is what I saw..... very pretty Ava, very pretty.

Chili Cookoff/Ugly Sweater Party

Ok...Ok....Don't faint. I know it's been a while. I've slacked in my picture taking lately and I don't particularly enjoy just doing posts with a bunch of lengthy typing. So, let's play a little catch up.....Thanksgiving came, and went.....then came Christmas. Here are a few pics from our 1st annual chili cookoff/ugly sweater party. Good times were had by all. We ate lots of yummy soups, wore ugly sweaters, listened to Christmas music, and decorated Gingerbread houses. Can't wait to see the sweaters next year!

Here is our 4th place winner.....Talia....She's wearing a rather fashionable and oh so appropriate snow man sweater. While ugyly....not quite ugly enough to win. Sorry Tal....better luck next year.

And our 3rd place winner is Studly Mr. Turner.......sportin the ever so fashionable dead tree/animal sweater.

Our 2nd place winner would be Heidi. This lovely frock combines the christmas spirit with the must have floral design for the older generations.....

We have a 2 way tie for 1st place..........I'm pretty sure it speaks for itself.....Congratulations!Ava & Rhett Decorating their Gingerbread house.....Ava kept eating all the candy as Rhett put it on.

Talia, Justin, & Turner decorating their house

BJ, Neisha, McKell, & Kennidee decorating....I think BJ is enjoying that M&M a little too much....

Brian, Alisha, Annika, and Heidi decorating.

Ava playin dressup....she calls anything dress up...pretties.

Heidi kickin it in the playhouse with the kiddies.