What's wrong with this picture?

Ever notice that someone usually manages to be amuck in a family photo? Why is it so hard to get several people to smile all at the same time? At least we tried...

Red velvet cupcakes

Red velvet cupcakes...
Before

Milo's been helping me mix it up in the kitchen lately.

And after.

See the beautiful chocolate center? Yummy...

Oh, it's true. I created a masterpiece today. Chocolate-ganache filled red velvet cupcakes with homemade cream cheese frosting. High-five, Kate. I'm pretty proud of myself, and Milo also approved.

Walmart and awesome aren't usually used in the same sentence together in my world...

Brace yourselves, because you're about to hear me say something that I'll more than likely never say again. Ready?
The most awesome thing happened at Walmart today.

A while ago Nate and I saw a movie where Loretta Devine sniped, "Look at you. You are just wearing that hat, aren't you," to a woman who needed to be put in her place. I have literally dreamed about hearing someone say that in real life ever since.

Well, it happened today, and in more of a good way. Milo and I were checking out at Walmart, and the woman at the registered was obviously tickled with Milo, who was, indeed, wearing a little khaki hat. She smiled at him, leaned over the counter, and said, "Well you are just wearing that hat, aren't you, little guy?"

I nearly fainted. I beamed. I became best friends with the Walmart cashier. Yes, Milo was indeed wearing that hat. And I was having the best morning of my life.

Pickles

We had a new discovery this weekend: Milo LOVES pickles.


Just a pickle seed on his nose...

Singing along

It's no secret that Milo loves music. He's constantly bobbing his head, dancing, taking a few laps around the dining room to his favorite song... And, of course, singing along. He also has an amazing talent for putzing through every meal - taking his time, nibbling food as he talks, laughs, and does whatever else he can to prolong the experience (for example, right now he's flying pieces of watermelon around like tiny pink planes). Here he is at the height of his messy, bed-headed breakfast experience.

Braden's room re-do

I wish we had a better before picture of Braden's room. Imagine an all-blue wall with nothing on it, and then it became a silhouette of a baseball player hitting a Texas Rangers ball. Pretty cool, right? I don't know how Nate comes up with these things, but I'm newly impressed all the time.

Middle of the project...

Working on details of the ball

Completed ball

After we moved Braden's headboard (and large number of baseball trophies), the room started to come together.

Pretend you're sitting on the bed. This is what you'd see - all kinds of fun baseball paraphernalia.

View from the doorway

One VERY satisfied customer.

Cody's room re-do

So our trip to Melissa this weekend was definitely a work trip - Nate working his magic on his nephews Cody and Braden's rooms. Cody's turned out to be the bigger project, since Nate built industrial frames to go around the two silhouettes and mounted a skateboard to the wall. I don't need to tell you what a genius he is, right? He proves it all the time.



Before - charcoal wall with turqouise box.

Work in progress - silhouettes completed.

Finished project with frames and shelves.

A view from the door of the final result.