Watch out Duff!

For those of you who aren't up on the Food Network's Ace of Cakes, the master cake maker is named Duff. He makes some pretty crazy cakes( ie snowboard terrain park, fire breathing dragons, tiki huts, etc.). I just wanted to state for the record that he better watch out! Here I come with my red roses, nicely arranged leaves, and dots. :D

This was all done in my new cake decorating class!!!
Just you wait and see what course #2 will bring!

Preschool prankster!

I am torn between being proud and emotional. I know it's a strange time to begin preschool, but thats just the way this little school works. We are so excited for Trenton to go, and a bit nervous. He has NO separation anxiety, which is GREAT, but a "good-bye Mom & Dad", might have been nice too.

Kona got SKUNKED!

Yes... skunked! Literally!
Most animals know instinctively to stay away from these lovely little creatures, but no.. not our genius dog! So, if we smell a little funny for a few days, I'll be hoping that you smell the febreeze, glade, vanilla, soap, and Listerine.
Poor Kona had to have a nice bath of Listerine to help get the smell out... he is minty fresh!

Golf on Valentine's

New clubs... clear skies...and love fluttering all around the driving range.

Emile was THRILLED to go with the boys to teach them a thing of two. Fortunately for me, I ended up with a few pictures, and a video to show you all.

Painting in our PJ's

I might have a Picasso on my hands... or maybe not. Either way, I think his art work is near perfect! Colorful, slightly abstract, unique, and very put together.

I tried!

So, I had a wild hair the other day to try to bake something I saw someone else do PERFECTLY! It required me to make fondant, which I've never worked with before, and it was supposed to turn out like this...
While it was fun to try, and I learned a lot. I managed to have a RAGING oven fire, cut my finger open, got red dye all over my tile counters and grout, destroyed the "truffles" into the melted chocolate... all while spending a small unnecessary fortune TRYING to make this.

At least I had fun...I have a few pictures to show... and I got to eat a little cake in the mean time.This is the bottom of ONE of the pans that got burned up in the fire.

Here is the heart cake... fondant on... no truffles though.

I may have goofed...

Back when I knew everything about parenting (i.e. before I had actual children), I knew my future children would be TV and video game free!

Have I done something wrong when all Trenton gets excited for is when he can play the "dinosaur" (Yoshi) on the "driving game" (Mariokart)?

Or when he discusses whatever Diego, Superwhy, Clifford, or Sid the Science Kid have had on their recent programming?

I couldn't believe my eyes!

I have officially seen everything!

Thank you Petco for carrying such a necessary item. Poor Kona will have to suffer through life with filthy ol tap water (maybe Brita if we're feeling nice).

The Big Day

Well, Friday was the big day for our little man and at exactly 2:30pm, Simon turned 1 year old. The sad thing is that the poor guy had a pretty bad fever and a nasty cough, but that didn't stop him from being king for the day.

I have a tendency to get really excited for the cake. This dinosaur turned out looking a little more like a dragon, but despite the confusion it was so much fun to make. I couldn't WAIT to have the party just to show off my creation.

Simon's First Birthday

My baby's birthday is tomorrow!
I can't believe this has been a year!?! (I know everyone says this when their baby has a birthday)
He still can't yet talk or walk, but we've noticed a few other changes...
From 7 lbs 12 oz... to some unknown chub o'tub.
From flimsy to football player
From dark hair to toe head

We love you Simon Nino!
Happy 1st Birthday!

Thanks for the killer photos Shonda.

(to be continued... birthday cake... candles... and of course a birthday pinyata)

To the rescue!

At any given time in our house, we are blessed to have some new super hero arrive. He is usually not wearing much, and trying to find anything to go around his neck. Well, problem solved. We now have Super Trenton, and he can be blue or red depending on his mood. He went CRAZY for his new identity, but after running around like a crazy man, he came to Emile whining...

Emile - Trenton, why are you whining?
Trenton - (pant, pant)... Dad... it's broken... I can't fly!

And... our Super Hero saved the day by letting our mice out into the WILD (said with a slight roar). We found a perfect home for them. A hole in a log on some school property.

After they each entered in.. We gave them their cheese, hay, and bread. I think they were pretty happy. Good luck little guys.

Hickory Dickory Dock...

Emile can scream better than I thought he could. It was so cute yesterday when he was diligently cleaning the shed and came running in white as a ghost, screaming, and bouncing up and down. He couldn't even get the words out at what happened. I usually fear the worst, but I really lacked imagination at this moment, and just thought he was being dramatic to catch my attention (I wasn't amused).
As he was moving a box and checking it's contents, he discovered THIS.....


A Mouse!

He said it just poked its little head out and that is what sent him flying!
I went out, gloves on and all, and caught not one... but 3! They were huddled together in a blanket they had destroyed. So, it wasn't too hard.

I have to say that after giving them some cheese, water, bread, some hay, sticks, and a little home, I think they are kinda cute. :D Trenton is quite a fan of our new friends.
Not to be replaced by our other pet though, so they will be set free into the wild shortly.

2008 in Review

Here is a video I threw together of our 2008.  Each picture has a story, and each glimpse is just that... a glimpse into some of the fun we've had.  

I must say, this video is mostly for us, as you can't possibly understand or appreciate it all.  But, if you are looking to enjoy this video, you will hang on until the end.  You will love the dance video during about the last minute.  This too is a glimpse into why I totally LOVE hanging out with my boys.

Our 2008 in review from Raina on Vimeo.

We had an Arctic Blast

Then, we came home to THIS!!! I have NEVER seen such a sight! This was a LOT of snow. We went from making castles to snowmen, and we feel pretty fortunate we missed the first Arctic Blast of ice and freezing temperatures.

We were without power for 2 days, until Christmas eve when we were able to celebrate our family tradition of having a birthday cake in celebration of our saviors birth. We love this season, and this reason to celebrate. We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas.



All the fun in the snow didn't stop, and Emile thought it was so funny to jump over everyone. Thanks for not landing on any of us!